Power type Steam Total produced 48 | Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) | |
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Builder Beyer, Peacock & CoJames Martin & CoNeilson & Co | ||
The WAGR G class was a class of steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) from 1889. The class's wheel arrangement varied; the first 24 were 2-6-0s and the last 24 4-6-0s.
Contents
History
A total of 48 G class engines were acquired by the WAGR between 1889 and 1899, both new and second-hand. They were the first class of locomotives to be introduced to the WAGR network in quantity. They were part of what became almost an Australian 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) standard, as locomotives of similar design served in large numbers as the Silverton Tramway Y class, South Australian Railways Y class and Tasmanian Government Railways C class, and also in Queensland and on the Emu Bay Railway and North Australia Railway.
They were designed by Beyer, Peacock & Co who built seven, with James Martin & Co building 29 and Neilson & Co 12.
During World War II, 13 were loaned to the Commonwealth Railways for use on the North Australia Railway as their Nfc and Nga classes. Others were sold for further use by timber mill operators in Western Australia while some saw further service with the Chillagoe Railway & Mining Co, Cairns. The class remained in service in significant numbers until the 1960s.
Survivors
Several have been preserved: