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Nilgiri Mountain Railway class X
India | 1914
23 produced
Indian-built “Nilgiri Queen” taking water
Indian-built “Nilgiri Queen” taking water
David Brossard

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Southern India had 17 miles of adhesion track and 12 miles equipped with a rack rail of the Abt system. As they needed more powerful locomotives, they ordered the first six X class 0-8-2RT locomotives which were delivered by the Swiss SLM in 1914. Four followed in 1920 and two in 1925.

They had a rack drive of the Winterthur system, what promised savings in coal of up to 35 percent. This meant that the high and low pressure cylinders were on top of each other. The low pressure cylinders turned the two rack wheels via a 1 to 2,1 reduction gear. The position of these rack wheels can be seen in the long distance between the second and third driving axles. To allow for more flexibility in curves, the first and fourth driving axles were movable sideways.

Original appearance
Original appearance
flickr/Historical Railway Images

When the NMR saw the requirement for additional locomotives in 1952, SLM delivered an additional five. In 2002, the first X class locomotives were converted to run on diesel fuel, which can be distinguished by the additional saddle tank. To reduce wear and tear on the existing locomotives, the Golden Rock Railway Workshop built four new between 2011 and 2014. Two more were built in 2021 and 2022, of which one is coal fired.

General
Built1914-1925, 1952, 2011-2022
ManufacturerSLM, Golden Rock
Axle config0-8-2RT (River Irt) 
Gauge3 ft 3 3/8 in (Meter gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length33 ft 11 1/2 in
Wheelbase19 ft 9 3/8 in
Rigid wheelbase10 ft 1 1/4 in
Empty weight84,437 lbs
Service weight107,916 lbs
Water capacity1,215 us gal
Fuel capacity6,724 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area19.4 sq ft
Firebox area82.9 sq ft
Tube heating area793.3 sq ft
Evaporative heating area876.2 sq ft
Superheater area243.3 sq ft
Total heating area1,119.4 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter32.1 in
Boiler pressure203 psi
Expansion typecompound
Cylindersfour, HP: 17 11/16 x 16 15/16 in
and LP: 17 11/16 x 16 1/8 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Estimated power603 hp (450 kW)
Optimal speed14 mph
Starting effort42,714 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
tank locomotive
freight
cog railway
narrow gauge
last changed: 05/2024
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