Dd 592 Re-coaling
on a ARHS Rail Tour
Dd and Dm Class Tank Locomotive
Dd 592 Re-coaling
on a ARHS Rail Tour
In 1945, needing new locomotives after World War Two had taken its toll on those in service, the Dm class appeared, built using parts from retired E class engines. The design of these was based on the superheated D class, known as Ds. In 1946 the ten Dd class engines entered service, looking very similiar to the Dm, but with improvements in cylinders, valve gear & bogies. The class ran on Perth suburban passenger trains, as well as suburban goods, & even on banking work between Midland Junction & Chidlows. Introduction of diesel railcars from 1954 relegated the Dd's to peak hour suburban trains in later years, & they could occasionally be found in regional centres like Bunbury. Some lasted till the end of steam in Western Australia in 1971.
Dd.592 entered service on 17 May, 1946 & was one engine which spent its last days of service shunting at Bunbury & Picton. It lasted till the end of steam in December, 1971, & was shunted into the Rail Transport Museum on 1 July, 1972, not being written off till 14 August that year.
Dd.596 went into service on 9 August, 1946 & ran on suburban services till withdrawn & stored at Midland, being condemned on 17 June, 1971. On 24 April, 1974, it was purchased by the ARHS with a view to its eventual restoration & was towed to the Museum & stored. In 1983 the loco was partially dismantled, & left the Museum again for Forrestfield on 23 June, 1983, & then Midland on 5 April, 1984. Unfortunately, its boiler condition was such that it was beyond the financial resources of the Society to restore the loco, so it was stored at Midland. As a result, Dd.592 was removed from the Museum & towed to Midland about June, 1984, where Westrail restored it to working order as a Bicentennial Project. On 20 July, 1985 Dd.592 once again led a train through Perth's suburbs & is now in use as an ARHS tour engine. Dd.596 remained at Midland till April, 1989 when it was towed to Forrestfield to retrieve some parts from it for 592. In August, 1989 it returned to the Rail Transport Museum for restoration to static display standard, & on 18 July, 1990 it was placed on display at the Gosnells Railway Markets in suburban Perth..Dd 592 is currently out of service awaiting repairs.