SLR Class 63

The SLR Class 63 was a class of 4-8-2+2-8-4 Garratt steam locomotives built by Beyer, Peacock and Company for the Sierra Leone Government Railway (SLR) in West Africa. They were used primarily for goods traffic.
==Description==
World War II placed great demands on Sierra Leone's railway, and its importance was demonstrated by the railway being supplied with a number of new locomotives. To further increase capacity, five of the earlier Class 50 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratts were converted to a 2-8-0+0-8-2 wheel arrangement, so as to increase adhesion. Experience with these modified Garratts influenced the final steam class purchased by the railway.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone_Government_Railway#Locomotives
14 of these powerful double mountain Garrats were introduced on the line in 1956. They represented an increase of 35% in power over the Class 50. They travelled over 30 lb/yard (15 kg/metre) rail and up grades as steep as 3.3%. SLR's main line covered 227 miles from Freetown inland which began with 22 miles (35 km) that the author Durrant described as the "most difficult" that included a steeply graded section where Garratts and banked trains run through the streets." Durrant also pointed out that these were the smallest eight-coupled Garratts ever produced.https://www.steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=Sierra_Leone&wheel=Beyer-Garratt&railroad=slgr
Each leading bogie of both engine units incorporated roller bearings. All the edges of Belpaire fireboxes, and tank corners had a rounded "streamlining" look, although the 33" drivers didn't provide much opportunity for speedy work. These engines had a maximum axle load of 11,200 lb (5,080 kg), similar to the earlier locomotives. However, the tonnage rating up the 2% grade increased from 200 to 270 metric tons.
All but one of the class were cut up following the railway’s closure in 1974.
==Stock list==
Image	No.	Build date	Manufacturer 	Notes
 	63 	1955 	Beyer, Peacock and Company	Withdrawn and scrapped.
 	64 	1955 	Beyer, Peacock and Company	Withdrawn and scrapped.
 	65 	1955 	Beyer, Peacock and Company	Withdrawn and scrapped.
 	73 	1955 	Beyer, Peacock and Company	On static display at the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum.
==Bibliography==
Category:Locomotives
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Articulated locomotives
Category:Garratt locomotives
Category:Eight-coupled locomotives
Category:4-8-2+2-8-4 Locomotives
Category:Built in 1955
Category:2 foot 6 inch gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge locomotives
Category:Narrow-gauge steam locomotives
Category:Passenger locomotives
Category:Freight locomotives
Category:Beyer locomotives
Category:Civil War Locomotives
Category:Africa
Category:Sierra Leone
Category:Sierra Leone Government Railway