Stahnbahn Werek-Freudenstein & Co Locomotive
During the early years of the twentieth century small steam locomotives were sometimes used in the goldfields in conjunction with mining operations. The Golden Ridge Mining Co. bought two tiny steam locos from Stahnbahn Werek-Freudenstein & Co. in Germany, for use on their 20" (508mm) gauge tramway at Boorara, a few miles southeast of Kalgoorlie. The locomotive on display arrived in 1904 & was put to work between the Waterfall Mine & the stamping battery at the Golden Ridge Mine. Its sister engine joined it the following year. However, Golden Ridge Mining closed down soon after & both engines were stored, finally falling into the hands of the Western Machinery Co. at Kalgoorlie. In 1963, one was handed over to the ARHS for preservation & was stored at Midland till the Museum at Bassendean was established. After arriving at the Museum the little loco was painted in a green colour scheme with the number 7 painted on its chimney, but in January, 1989 it was repainted into its present scheme & nick-named "Freudy" for the younger visitors to the Museum.