Victorian Railways A2 class

This article is about the 1907 A2 class steam locomotive. For the 1884 'Old' A class steam locomotives, see Victorian Railways 'Old' A class (1884). For the 1889 'New' A class steam locomotives, see Victorian Railways 'New' A class (1889). For the 1900 AA class steam locomotives, see Victorian Railways AA class. For the 1984 A class diesel locomotives, see V/Line A class.

Victorian Railways A2 Class (Walschaerts)
A2 986 leading Cruise Express' 'Southern Steam Spectacular' rounding the curve in Golden Square.
Type and origin
Power typesteam
BuilderNewport Workshops
Ballarat North Workshops
Bendigo Workshops
Total produced185
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Driver dia.73 in (1.854 m)
Length63 ft 3+3⁄4 in (19.30 m)
Axle load17 long tons 10 cwt (39,200 lb or 17.8 t)
Adhesive weight52 long tons 2 cwt (116,700 lb or 52.9 t)
Total weight121 long tons 7 cwt (271,800 lb or 123.3 t)
Tender cap.(after conversion to oil firing)
1,500 imp gal (6,800 L; 1,800 US gal) oil, 4,700 imp gal (21,000 L; 5,600 US gal) water
Firebox:​
 • Grate area29 sq ft (2.7 m2)
Boiler pressure185 psi (1,276 kPa)
Heating surface2,040 sq ft (190 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size22 in × 26 in (559 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gearStephenson (125)
Walschaerts (60)
Performance figures
Tractive effort27,480 lbf (122.24 kN) at 85% boiler pressure
Career
First run1907
Last run1963

The A2 class was an express passenger locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1907 to 1963. A highly successful design entirely the work of Victorian Railways' own design office, its long service life was repeatedly extended as the Great Depression and later World War II delayed the introduction of more modern and powerful replacement locomotives.