The Tasmanian Government Railways H class was a class of

4-8-2 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels, eight powered and coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels. This type of steam locomotive is commonly known as ...

steam locomotives operated by the

Tasmanian Government Railways The Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) was the former operator of the mainline railways in Tasmania, Australia. Formed in 1872, the railway company was managed by the Government of Tasmania, and existed until absorption into the Australian Na ...

History

In October 1951, the

(TGR) took delivery of eight H locomotives from the

Vulcan Foundry The Vulcan Foundry Limited was an English locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire (now Merseyside). History The Vulcan Foundry opened in 1832, as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches, crossin ...

, 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. 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 Two (H2 and H5) partook in the Centenary of Rail in Tasmania celebrations in February 1971: H5 was withdrawn after this but H2 worked periodically before being finally withdrawn in 1975.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.

Preservation

*H1 at the

Tasmanian Transport Museum The Tasmanian Transport Museum is a museum located in Glenorchy, Tasmania, preserving and exhibiting a collection relating to Tasmanian transport history including items such as locomotives, carriages, ephemera and railroadiana. History In 1960 ...

, Glenorchy *H2 at the Derwent Valley Railway *H5 at the Derwent Valley Railway *H6 plinthed in

Perth, Tasmania Perth is a town in the Australian state of Tasmania. It lies south of Launceston, on the Midland Highway. The town had a population of 2,965 at the 2016 census, and is part of the Northern Midlands Council. Like nearby Longford, Perth is ...

(locomotive only) *H7 at the

Don River Railway The Don River Railway is a volunteer-run vintage railway and museum in Don, a suburb of Devonport, Tasmania. It runs a passenger train ride from Don to Coles Beach (operationally known as Don Junction) and return. The current line follows a re ...

*H8 at the

Invermay Invermay () is a diffuse settlement in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is situated approximately 2 km southeast of Forteviot on the Water of May, some 8 km southwest of Perth. Before the mid 15th century, it was known as ''Innermeat ...

Rail Heritage Precinct (loco chassis only)H8
Australian Steam

Namesake

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

References

{{Reflist Railway locomotives introduced in 1951 Steam locomotives of Tasmania Vulcan Foundry locomotives 3 ft 6 in gauge locomotives of Australia 4-8-2 locomotives