1899 Narrow Gauge Recoding

It has always been assumed that the prefix 'N' on the narrow gauge codes had been applied since the start of the narrow gauge running. However information and inspection of official records has revealed that this may not be the case.

This investigation also answers a question in regard to the engines that ran on the 2'6" lines. The locomotives had number plates with 'A' but were referred to as '^NA'. This was alluded to in the publication 'Speed Limit 20' but no details given.

The information currently determined is itemized below in the hope that more information may shed more light on the subject. Note: 'XX' is used to represent various class letters.

• The headings given in the official 'Rolling Stock Register' for the rolling stock show XX 2'6" Narrow Gauge where XX is the class. The class letters given clearly show the letter N is appended at a later date. This may be a minor point but the doubt initially raised by the author was 'Why describe the gauge of the stock when the class letters do so?'
• Annual Reports between 1900 and 1905 show narrow gauge codes as either XX or ^NXX. This shows that a change was made but there was confusion when information may have not been passed on. The author raises the point that if the classes were always known with a prefix there would be no mix-up. Broad gauge and narrow gauge codes are represented in different tables.
• A locomotive outline diagram for the '^NA' class was found with a date of 1900. The diagram is headed simply 'A', no prefix 'N'. The 'A' is centred on the page which indicates that that was the only letter used; no letters have been removed.
• Correspondence from Victorian Railways to the New Zealand Railways in 1902 indicates the prefix 'N' on all codes in use. New Zealand was interested in the 2'6" gauge lines and had requested the VR for information.
• The 1904 Diagram Books show the prefix 'N' in use on all classes. The same 'A' diagram as mentioned above had the prefix 'N' added to the class letter. This would explain why the loco number plates are cast with a single 'A', yet the class known as '^NA'. With knowledge of internal working, the recasting of loco number plates to show the prefix 'N' would have been considered expensive and not warranted. Particularly when the lines were not profitable and the change would be cosmetic in nature. A.E.Downs in his book 'Speed Limit 20' makes passing reference to the fact that the locomotives entered service as 'A' but "...they later became known as the NA class...".
• Photographs of some carriage rolling stock between 1900 and 1912 show the prefix 'N' in most unusual places. This is generally an indication of lettering being added after the main letters have been painted on. Photographs show that this lettering 'style' was copied when the recoding was done in 1910. By unusual, the lettering '^N1ABAB' or 1910 relettering such as 'N7B' is interpreted by the author as evidence of additional lettering after the main lettering has been applied. As NB 7 ( N7B ) was not built until 1906, it would seem apparent that the early 'change' style has been copied. For example, the class for the rolling stock is ^NABAB. No class lettering is split with a number in the middle of the lettering. Unless the original lettering of '1ABAB' has had the letter 'N' appended as a prefix due to lack of space between the '1' and the 'A'.
• Correspondence for 1898 shows a derailment occurred at the Laceby Ballast Pits during line construction to Whitfield. The wagons mentioned were three 'QR' wagons, no prefix 'N' mentioned.
• Photographs of the official first train to Whitfield, March 1899, show the use of the prefix 'N' on cars where the class and numbers can be determined.
• Clerical records written at the time ( 1897 to about 1902 ) clearly show the vehicles being 'written up' without the prefix 'N'. The 'N' has been added in at a later date.

From all of the above information the author proposed a theory for the possible change and an approximate date. The date seemed to have been about 1902. The reason is quite interesting.

The first narrow gauge line was isolated in the North East region of Victoria. The codes adopted for the rolling stock were identical to broad gauge equivalents. As the line was new and 'narrow gauge' the buzz of the times it would have seemed that any call for parts or rolling stock equipment from Wangaratta would obviously be 'narrow gauge'. The two main depots for loco and rolling stock maintenance were Benalla and Wodonga. Only Wangaratta would be servicing locomotives or rolling stock and narrow gauge ones at that. The author postulated that perhaps with other narrow gauge lines opening ( Colac, 1902 ) the terminal facilities were shared by both broad and narrow gauge interests. A request for 'QR' parts or loco 'A' equipment would immediately draw the response 'Broad or Narrow?'. Indeed, there are stories out of 'Puffing Billy' at Belgrave that a mix-up did occur. No details, though.

However, the postulated date of 1902 did not hold as more data narrowed the gap of early codes after 1897 and prefix 'N' codes before 1902 were referenced.

The available data suggests that the prefix 'N' was not applied to stock until the opening of the line to Whitfield and the running of the first official train. This means that during the line construction the rolling stock codes were as for broad gauge; ABAB, QR, Loco A, etc. It appears that close to line opening date in March 1899, the classes of rolling stock were hastily altered to show a prefix 'N'. It seems that mix ups or incorrect equipment deliveries to maintain stock would have been a logical 'trigger' to generate the change.

Until more data comes to hand, a more accurate relettering date is not available. On the basis that these pages are a provisional history and a full history will never be known, a history of the NG is not complete unless the outstanding unknowns are also mentioned. To not mention this information is a dis-service to readers who will assume that the history is complete.

Sources:

• Public Records Office, Railway correspondence 1898, 1902
• 1897 Diagram Book and amendments
• 'Speed Limit 20' by A.E.Downs, 1963 print
• 1904 Diagrams Book
• 1886 'Register' entries
• Paste up originals of Annual Reports, c1900 - 1902
• Photographs of the era

This research was started by the research efforts of Rob O'Regan who questioned some information.