VICTORIAN RAILWAYS N CLASS 4-8-2 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

The N class became one of Victoria's most successful all lines steam locomotive class. The N class was the VR's first "mikado" and also the first "mikado"  in service on any Australian system.  The first member of it's class entering service on 25th May 1925.  With the Post WWII loco shortage, the N class was added to, with a further 50, being constructed by North British Co. As the Clyde Built B class DE's were being built at the time, most of the second series N classes were being delivered, the Victorian railways offered 10 of the second series class members to the South Australian Railways. The SAR then purchased the 10 class members, re-numbering them as the 750 class, this eased the severe locomotive shortage the SAR was experiencing. The 750 class were used on anything from the local Salisbury/Penfield passenger trains to Heavy goods trains heading north to Port Pirie or Peterborough. One member of this class remains, as a static display at the National Railway Museum - In excellent condition.

S.A.R.750 class 752(ex. VR N477) at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide. Photo: National Railway Museum

Series One

No. Series: N110 - N139 (later N400-N429)

Original owner: Victorian Railways

Builder: VR, Newport Wks.

Gauge: 5'3"

Cylinders: 20" x 26"

Boiler Pressure: 175lb/sq in

Driving wheel diameter: 4'6"

Tractive effort: 28 648lb

Grate area: 31 sq ft

Overall weight: 120.62t

Preserved: 0

Series two

No. Series: N430-N432, N450-N499

Original owner: Victorian Railways

Builder: VR, Newport Wks. (N430-N432)

               North British Co. (N450-N499)

Gauge: 5'3"

Cylinders: 20" x 26"

Boiler Pressure: 175lb/sq in

Driving wheel diameter: 4'6"

Tractive effort: 27 479lb

Grate area: 31 sq ft

Overall weight: 124.65t

Preserved:

N432 - ARHS (Vic. Div) Williamstown Railway Museum, Victoria

N477 (SAR 752) - National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, South Australia