Heavy freight steam locomotive
WD Austerity 2-8-0 90733 at Oxenhope, August 2015
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Robert Riddles Builder Build date 1943–45 Total produced 935
Specifications Configuration: • Whyte 2-8-0 • UIC 1′D h2 Gauge 4 ft 8+ 1 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm )Leading dia. 3 ft 2 in (965 mm) Driver dia.8+ 1 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm)Length 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) over buffers Axle load 15 long tons 12 cwt (34,900 lb or 15.9 t) Adhesive weight 61 long tons 5 cwt (137,200 lb or 62.2 t) Loco weight 70 long tons 5 cwt (157,400 lb or 71.4 t) Tender weight 55 long tons 10 cwt (124,300 lb or 56.4 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 9 long tons 0 cwt (20,200 lb or 9.1 t) Water cap. 5,000 imperial gallons (23,000 L; 6,000 US gal) Firebox: • Grate area 28.6 sq ft (2.66 m2 ) Boiler pressure 225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa) Heating surface: • Firebox 168 sq ft (15.6 m2 ) • Tubes 1,068 sq ft (99.2 m2 ) • Flues 451 sq ft (41.9 m2 ) Superheater: • Type 28-element Melesco • Heating area 298 sq ft (27.7 m2 ) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 in × 28 in (483 mm × 711 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Valve type 10-inch (250 mm) piston valves
Career Power class 8F Nicknames Ozzie Axle load class Route availability 6Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped.
The War Department (WD) "Austerity" 2-8-0 is a type of heavy freight steam locomotive that was introduced in 1943 for war service. A total of 935 were built, making this one of the most-produced classes of British steam locomotive. They were nicknamed Ozzies by the railwaymen.[ 1]
