Power type Steam Total produced 55 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | Build date 1950-1958 Configuration 4-6-2 Driver dia. 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm) | |
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The Queensland Railways BB18¼ class locomotive was a class of 4-6-2 steam locomotives operated by the Queensland Railways.
Contents
History
The first 35 BB18¼ class locomotives were built by the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, England in 1950/51. Per Queensland Railway's classification system they were designated the BB18¼ class, BB representing they had three driving axles, and the 18¼ the cylinder diameter in inches.
A further 20 built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough between 1955 and 1958. No. 1089 was the last steam engine placed into service on a mainline Australian railway. They mainly operated in Southern and Central Queensland out of Mayne (Brisbane), Toowoomba and Rockhampton. After track strengthening, their sphere of operation was extended to Wallangarra, Roma, Hughenden and Bogantungan.
They initially operated express passenger services, later being relegated to suburban passenger and freight services. The class was withdrawn from service after 1967, with the last example removed upon the completion of dieselisation in 1970.
Description
The BB18¼ class locomotive is a type of 4-6-2 steam locomotive operated by the Queensland Railways. They were an improved version of the B18¼ class.
Some modifications to the original design were suggested by Vulcan Foundry and subsequently adopted. A number of features, including the mounting of Westinghouse pump on the fireman’s side, stainless steel rather than brass boiler bands, SCOA-P coupled wheels (rather than having traditional solid spokes the SCOA-P spoke is hollow, with a 'U' shaped cross section and are considerably lighter than a conventional spoked wheel) pressed steel sand box and a larger tender giving an increased coal and water capacity.
Engines constructed by Walkers Limited used electricity for the light on the rear of the tender, for side lamps and to illuminate the motion. All were fitted with roller bearings and chime whistles. The Vulcan built engines were painted hawthorn green when introduced, the Walkers built examples in a brighter green.
Preservation
Six have been preserved: