South African Railways 2-8-2 NG15 locomotive

The NG15 class of locomotive (sometimes called Kalaharis) was designed by the SAR as a development of the HD class of 2-8-2 locomotives of the Otavi Mining and Railway Company in German South West Africa.

All five batches of NG15 locomotives (built between 1931 and 1957) served on the 600 mm gauge Otavi Railway and were later transferred to the Eastern Cape for further service on the two foot (610 mm) gauge Port Elizabeth to Avontuur line.

The leading pair of driving wheels of the NG15 have a limited amount of sideplay and are linked to the leading pony truck, an arrangement known as a Krauss-Helmholtz bogie. The axle of the leading driving wheels remains parallel to the other three driving axles at all times.

Several of these locos are at various sites in the UK, awaiting resoration.

Technical specifications

• Scale: 16mm to 1 foot (1:19)
• Gauge: 32mm or 45mm
• Length with tender: 915mm (36")
• Max width: 135mm ()
• Max height: 170mm ()
• Min Radius: 1.2m (48")
• Boiler: Gas fired, twin flue
• Working Pressure: 80psi
• Reversing Gear: Simplified Walschaerts type, reverse by lever in the cab
• Fuel: Butane Gas
• Boiler Fittings: Safety valves, pressure gauge, water gauge glass, boiler water feed valve,
• Cab Controls: Steam regulator, reverse lever, lubricator with under floor drain valve, hot water return valve for
tender.
• Tender: Gas tank in warm water tank, hand pump in warm water tank. There is a return valve on loco for reheating the
gas tank warm water tank when needed.
• Livery - choice of two:
  • South African Railways satin black with stainless steel boiler bands. Numbered and with South African Railways lettering on tender.
  • Plain satin black with stainless steel boiler bands. Unlettered and unnumbered.