South African Class 26 4-8-4

Salt River Works ( conversions)

The SAR Class 26 " Red Devil " is a South African steam locomotive with the wheel arrangement 2'D'2 (Northern). It is the most powerful narrow gauge steam locomotive in the world. Said because of their red color " Red Devil " engine has the number 3450th

History

The English engineer David Wardale worked since 1974 for the SAR. Given the oil crisis and the onset of scrapping the South African steam locomotives he made suggestions for improving the steam engines. At first he was given permission to modify the Class 19D locomotive No. 2644 with a small budget. This has already led to significantly lower fuel consumption.

In 1979, he then received the permit, a 2'D2' steam locomotive Class 25 NC, the modern steam locomotive series of SAR rebuild. The machine was, inter alia, with a gas-generating combustion system ( GPCS ), improved valves, a double Lempor - induced- conditioning and an enlarged superheater fitted. The improvements were based on ideas of the Argentine engineer Livio Dante Porta.

The dual exhaust installation with her second chimney caused a prolongation of the smoke chamber to the front, except the color of the striking difference of the locomotive Class 25 NC. In addition, the circulation was placed a little higher, which makes the engine act " long-legged ". Another visual difference are the enlarged side skirting.

Test and operating results

The measures showed significant improvements in efficiency compared to the unmodified 25NC machines:

• The specific coal consumption was reduced by 30% at low speed and 60% at high speeds.
• The specific water consumption was reduced by 20 % to 40 %.
• The indicated power output increased from 1,118 kW to 42.9 km / h to 1,565 kW at 42.45 km / h

The performance at high speeds could be expected that the locomotive over 160 km / h ( 100 mph ) could have driven, appropriate tests were not approved, also would be the probably militated against the driving wheels with only 1,524 mm diameter.

During regular operation, showed the Red Devil coal - average savings of 15% ( maximum 24 %), water savings of an average of 21.5 % ( maximum 25%) and lower by 26% lube oil consumption.

Despite the significant savings the phasing out of steam locomotives continue to be operated so that it did not play another new steam locomotives on the part of the SAR. Wardale left South Africa and pursued further steam projects in China and the USA.

Whereabouts

The Red Devil has been preserved and was in use until at least 2003 on special trips in use.