A Class steam locomotive
A 11
| Builders: Beyer Peacock & Co Dubs & Co | ||||||||
| Coupled wheel diameter 3'3" | ||||||||
| Total weight 15t 10cwt | ||||||||
| Tractive effort 7,089 lb | ||||||||
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| Number in service 14 |
The 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 theFremantle 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 From the late 1880's the class were superseded on the mainline by the more powerful G class. Most of the class however survived on branch line 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 and secondary duties after the introduction of the G class engines in 1889, and 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 On 2 January, 1955 it was withdrawn from service and soon afterwards was placed in the South Perth Zoo where small children could play on it. A.11 was finally rescued by the ARHS and 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.