Class C 'Katie'
| Builder Robert Stephenson & Co Newcastle on Tyne |
| coupled wheel diameter 3'0" |
| total weight 25t 15.5c |
| tractive effort 5,292lb |
| coal capacity 1.25 tons |
| water capacity 950 gallons |
| number in service 2 |
Locomotive number 1 'Katie' is the oldest locomotive in the collection. With sister engine number 2 she was ordered in 1880 from Robert Stephenson & Company of Newcastle on Tyne for use on the Fremantle to Guildford railway. The locomotives were built as 0-6-0 tank locomotives. The wood fuel initially used had to be stowed on the footplate which was inadequate for mainline running. 'Katie' was extensively rebuilt in 1887 and the four wheel tender was fitted. C1 was sold in 1899 to the Westralian Jarrah Forests Ltd and was used at Greenbushes. The locomotive was last used by Bunning Brothers at Nyamup. In 1956 the little engine was taken to the Midland Workshops & restored by the WAGR for static display. It was during this restoration that the engine gained the name "Katie". It was first displayed at Perth station during Royal Show week in 1956 & was placed in the Railway Exhibition Hall at the Claremont Showgrounds, in the care of the ARHS in 1959. In 1971 "Katie" was transferred to its permanent home at the Rail Transport Museum at Bassendean.
| Builders Beyer Peacock & Co Dubs & Co |
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| coupled wheel diameter 3'3" | ||||
| total weight 15t 10c | ||||
| tractive effort 7,089lb | ||||
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| number in service 14 |
Tha A class was the first type of locomotive to be introduced in significant
numbers. The first A class had been ordered for the construction of the
Fremantle to
Guildford railway. After completion of the line the government bought
the locomotive which became number 3. In use the small locomotives were reliable
but could only haul light loads over the Darling Ranges when the line was
extended from Guildford. Three locomotives, 15,16 and 31 were built with
enlarged 6 wheel tenders in place of the earlier four wheel version. From
the late 1880's the class were superceded on the mainline by the more powerful
G class. Most of the class however survived on branchline and shunting duties
until the mid 1950's.
A.11, one of three A class engines delivered in 1885, entered service on
the WAGR on 6 July that year. Like most of the A class it was relegated to
branch line & secondary duties after the introduction of the G class
engines in 1889, & on 2 June, 1944 it was transferred to the isolated
Port Hedland to Marble Bar railway in the North of the state. However, it
did not stay there long, being returned to the main system again on 2 April,
1945. On 2 January, 1955 it was withdrawn from service & soon afterwards
was placed in the South Perth Zoo where small children could play on it.
A.11 was finally rescued by the ARHS & was the first locomotive on the
new Rail Transport Museum site when it arrived there on 23 October, 1969.
For many years it was painted in a green livery, but this was changed to
black in time for its Centenary in July, 1985.