| Weight | 47 tons 15cwt |
| Boiler Pressure | 145psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 14½in x 20in |
| Tractive Effort | 13,289lbf |
The Y class were numerically the largest class of steam locomotive operated by the South Australian Railways (SAR). 129 were built between 1885 and 1898 of which Beyer, Peacock & Co built 50 at Gorton, Manchester. The remainder were built by James Martin & Co of Gawler (77) and the SAR’s Islington Railway Workshops (2).
Between 1904 and 1924, 48 locomotives were fitted with new Belpaire boilers and designated the Yx class.
The locomotives of Y class operated across all of the SAR’s narrow gauge network and were part of what became almost an Australian 3 ft 6 in standard. Locomotives of similar design served in large numbers as the Silverton Tramway Y class, Tasmanian Government Railways C class and Western Australian Government Railways G class, and also in Queensland and on the Emu Bay Railway and North Australia Railway.
Many Y & Yx class locomotives were withdrawn in the 1930’s and 18 passed to Commonwealth Railways as their NFB class. The locomotives were popular with Western Australia timber concerns and some were sold for use on the timber tramways whilst others were sold to railway construction companies. A few were retained by the South Australian Railways for shunting work.
This locomotive (Y 97) was known as Peterborough shunter.
It featured on some Australian Railway Heritage Society railtour duties towards the end of the steam era and was the last Y-class in service when withdrawn by the SAR in May 1970.
The locomotive was placed on display at the Mile End Railway Museum in September 1970.
The locomotive exhibits at the Mile End Railway Museum were transferred to the new National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide in 1988 which subsequently became the National Railway Museum.
The locomotive is now on display at the National Railway Museum.
There are two other Y class locomotives and one Yx class locomotive built by Beyer Peacock that have been preserved.
- Y71 – Works number 2762
- Y82 – Works number 2909
- Yx86 – Works number 2913
There are also Y and Ts locomotives built by James Martin in Australia that have been preserved.
- Y109 – Works number 8
- Yx135 – Works number 37
- Yx141 – Works number 43
- Yx176 – Works number 178
There are three Y class 2-6-0 locomotives built by Beyer Peacock for the Silverton Tramway Preserved
- Y1 – Works number 2971
- Y11 – Works number 3535
- Y12 – Works number 3536
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 