Ceylon Government Railway A1 and A2

The Ceylon Government Railway A1 & A2 were two similar classes of 4-8-0 steam banking locomotives used by the national rail operator of British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). These locomotives were collectively a part of the BB (Big Bank) Class at first, before being split into two distinct classes during the reclassification of 1937. These locomotives were ordered for banking duties on the Kadugannawa incline to replace the then aging F Class locomotives. No locomotive from either of the two classes has survived into preservation.[1][2][3]

Class A1

Ceylon Government Railway A1
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderKitson
Build date1913-1914 (A1)
1922 (A1A)
Total produced4
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-8-0
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Driver dia.43 in (1.092 m)
Length59 ft 1.5 in
Axle load16 long ton
Loco weight76.55 long ton
Tender weight40.40 long ton
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.3000 gal
Boiler pressure160 lb (superheated)
Cylinders2 (outside)
Cylinder size21 in × 24 in (530 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort33,475 lbf (148.90 kN)
Career
OperatorsCeylon Government Railway
Numbers18, 19, 41 (A1)
42 (A1A)
DispositionAll scrapped

A sub-class designated as the A1A also existed for this class.[1]

Class A2

Ceylon Government Railway A2
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderKitson
Build date1911
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-8-0
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Driver dia.43 in (1.092 m)
Length58 ft
Axle load16 long ton
Loco weight76.30 long ton
Tender weight40.40 long ton
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.3000 gal
Boiler pressure160 lb (superheated)
Cylinders2 (outside)
Cylinder size21 in × 24 in (530 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort33,475 lbf (148.90 kN)
Career
OperatorsCeylon Government Railway
Numbers16 (later 155)
17 (later 156)
DispositionAll scrapped

These locomotives were originally not superheated.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hyatt, David (2000). Railways of Sri Lanka. UK: COMRAC. pp. 128, 133, 135. ISBN 0-9537304-0-9.
  2. ^ "Ceylon Railways - A History". Ceylon Railways - A History. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  3. ^ Lankaloka, Dinuka (2020-04-15). "Steam Locomotives of Sri Lanka Railways • Ceylon Guide". Ceylon Guide. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
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