S 549 'Greenmount'
undergoing steam trials at Bassendean after restoration to working order.
S Class Locomotive
S 549 'Greenmount'
undergoing steam trials at Bassendean after restoration to working order.
The S class was the first class of steam locomotive to be wholly designed & built in Western Australia. Three engines were built at Midland in 1943, intended for use on both passenger & goods trains, & another seven, including S.549, were constructed after the Second World War. S.549 entered service on 9 October, 1947 & was named "Greenmount". All ten locomotives of the class worked till the end of steam in Western Australia in 1971, with S.549 hauling the last scheduled steam train on 24 December, 1971. It was then set aside & stored, being written off on 14 August, 1972. On 2 December, 1972 it was moved into the Rail Transport Museum where it sat on display till September, 1985 when work began on its restoration to operating order. After much effort on the part of ARHS members S 549 was returned to steam for the 1997 steam season. The locomotive is currently at Pinjarra where it has been used by the Hotham Valley Railway on rail tours.