This locomotive is similar to the design as the West Australian Government Railways class G and the South Australian Railways class Y engines.
Rather than purchase a second hand locomotive the South West Timber Hewer’s Co-operative Society purchased this one direct from Beyer Peacock. The engine was produced at Gorton, Manchester in 1911 and was assembled at the West Australian Government Railways workshops
The locomotive was then deployed at the Lucknow Mill at Collie where it carried the name The Hewer.
In 1912 it was transferred to work at Holyoake near Dwellingup following the Lucknow Mill being destroyed by fire in October 1912.
The State Saw Mills took over the operations of the South West Timber Hewer’s Co-operative Society in 1920. At this time the locomotive lost its name and became State Saw Mill No 2.
During its working life the locomotive was transferred between mills at Holyoake, Deanmill and Pemberton, finally being withdrawn in January 1967 from use at Deanmill.
After being withdrawn from service the locomotive was placed on display under a weather roof at Manjimup Mill.
In 2002 it was donated to the Pemberton Tramway Co. and transferred to Pemberton in February 2004.
It is now displayed in at Pemberton while awaiting restoration.
The Pemberton Tramway Co website includes a useful history for SSM 2 / The Hewer with some historical photographs and details of its movement to Pemberton their information page for SSM 2.
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 