This locomotive was built by Andrew Barclay at Kilmarnock in 1918 and was one of four supplied by the company to the Broken Hill Associated Smelters (BHAS) just after the end of the First World War and have been described as being war surplus although this is not correct. Another was delivered in 1928.
The BHAS were established in 1889 to process the silver, lead and zinc ore delivered from the rich mines at Broken Hill in New South Wales (NSW).
The ore was transported from Broken Hill using the 3ft 6in gauge routes of the Silverton Tramway to the NSW border at Cockburn, and then onwards to Port Pirie by the South Australian Railways. BHAS established an internal railway network at the Port Pirie smelter to receive and transfer the ore into their refinery, together with lines for slag disposal, wharves and general transport. The four locomotives supplied by Andrew Barclay were purchased to undertake these duties. They were named after significant battles on the Western Front in which the Australian Infantry Force fought – Pozieres, Polygon, Peronne and Passchendaele.
This locomotive was the first acquired by BHAS and was slightly heavier than the three that followed. It had 12in x 20in cylinders compared with the 10in x 18in of the other three locomotives as delivered.
In 1941 the disposal of slag was converted to road haulage.
A diesel hydraulic locomotive was acquired by BHAS in 1961 and took over all shunting duties.
By 1964 all of the steam locomotives were deemed to be surplus to requirements.
This locomotive was then preserved at the Menzies Creek Museum of the Puffing Billy Railway and was statically displayed there for many years.
In June 2010 the locomotive was moved to the Bellarine Railway where it was given an overhaul at the workshops in Queenscliff. In July 2011 the locomotive moved again under its own steam. After some minor work the locomotive then entered service on the Bellarine Railway.
A
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 