Tasmanian Government Railways H class (1951)

Tasmanian Government Railways H class
Locomotive H2 at Devonport in 1970
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Vulcan Foundry Serial number 5949-5956 Build date 1951 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-2 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 4 ft 0 in (1,219 mm) Total weight 111 long tons 0 cwt (248,600 lb or 112.8 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 27,540 lbf (122.50 kN)
Career Operators Tasmanian Government Railways Numbers H1-H8 Withdrawn 1961-1975 Preserved H1-H2, H5-H8 Disposition 6 preserved, 2 scrapped

The Tasmanian Government Railways H class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways.

In October 1951, the Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) took delivery of eight H locomotives from the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows built at the same time and basic design as the Gold Coast Railway '248' class in Ghana. They were delivered in a new emerald green livery. Four were later repainted red.^[1][2][3][4]

As they fell due for overhaul, withdrawals began in 1961. H2 received a major overhaul in 1966-7, the last of the class to receive such work. Two (H2 and H5) partook in the Centenary of Rail in Tasmania celebrations in February 1971: H5 was withdrawn after this but H2 worked periodically before being finally withdrawn in 1975. All remained in store until disposed of between 1974 and 1978.^[2]

• H1 at the Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy^[5]
• H2 at the Derwent Valley Railway^[6]
• H5 at the Derwent Valley Railway^[7]
• H6 plinthed in Perth, Tasmania (locomotive only)^[8]
• H7 at the Don River Railway^[9]
• H8 at the Invermay Rail Heritage Precinct (loco chassis only)^[10]

The H class designation was previously used by the H class, the last of which was withdrawn before 1930.