The Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) O Class was a class consisting of fifty-six 2-8-0 steam locomotives which were introduced by the WAGR between 1896 and 1912. Despite them being tender locomotives, they also featured short boiler side tanks for additional water storage. A useful feature for the long distances required by operation on Western Australia's country lines.

History

Between 1896 and 1898, the WAGR took delivery of 36 O class locomotives from Neilson & Co with a further 10 built by Dübs & Co. They initially operated services on the Eastern Railway and on the South Western Railway to Collie before being superseded by the Ec and K classes and moving to branch line duties. In 1907/08, 10 O class were rebuilt as N Class suburban tank engines.[1][2][3]

Between 1909 and 1912, Midland Railway Workshops built a further 10 as the Oa class. The last examples of the O class were withdrawn from service in 1962.[1][2][3]

O218 has been preserved at the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum.[1][4] In April 2015, it moved to the Walkaway Station Museum on a five-year loan.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Whiteford, David; De Bruin, Charles; Watson, Lindsay; Watson, Neville (1983). Western Australian Preserved Locomotives. Elizabeth: Railmac Publications. p. 11. ISBN 0-949817-19-8.
  2. ^ a b Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 52–55. ISBN 0-9599690-3-9.
  3. ^ a b Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. pp. 15, 48. ISBN 086417778X.
  4. ^ O Class Rail Heritage WA
  5. ^ O218 arrives at Walkaway Walkaway Station Museum
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAGR_O_class
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