| 2-6-0 | 4-6-0 | |
| Driving Wheels | 3ft 3ins | 3ft 3ins |
| Weight | 42 tons 16cwt | 43t 14cwt |
| Boiler Pressure | 160psi | 135psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 14½in x 20in | Outside – 14½in x 20in |
| Tractive Effort | 13,801lbf | 11,321lbf |
48 locomotives were purchased by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1889 and 1899. Some of the locomotives acquired were second hand.
Although the locomotive design was by Beyer Peacock the first locomotive acquired by the WAGR was built by C& E Miller in 1889. Following testing of the locomotive a further forty seven were purchased from various sources between 1894 and 1899.
The locomotives served well on the early mainlines of the railway but they had a tendency to derail when running at high speed. In 1897 twenty two 4-6-0 locomotives of the same outline were purchased from Dübs & Co to overcome this problem. This is one of those locomotives built by Dübs and Company in Glasgow in 1897 which entered service as G 111.
With the rapid expansion of the WAGR around the turn of the century the G class were displaced from mainline service by the arrival of heavier locomotives. Many of the WAGR locomotives were sold to timber contractors for use on timber lines. Those retained by the WAGR found use on light branchlines as well as shunting and jetty use. The final locomotives were withdrawn in the 1950’s and 1960’s apart from two which were retainer by the WAGR for vintage trains.
During the Second World War 13 of the locomotives were loaned to the Commonwealth Railways for use on the North Australian Railway.
The G class locomotives remained in service in significant numbers until the 1960s.
This locomotive (along with G112) was sold almost straight after being purchased by the WAGR in 1897. It was purchased by Smith & Timms for railway construction duties on the Kalgoorlie to Manzies and Kanowna lines. The locomotive was given the name Menzies.
By 1900 the locomotives had passed into the ownership of Millars’Karri & Jarrah Forests Ltd. They were then used on the organisations mill and forest railway at Yarloop where Menzies became number 71. It remained there until it was withdrawn from service in 1973.
In 1977 the locomotive was donated to the Hotham Valley Railway Society and it is now based at their depot at Pinjarra. It is planned that the locomotive is restored to steam and run on the Etmilyn Forest Explorer which operates from Dwellingup into the nearby forests.
Three other class G locomotives built by Dübs and Company are preserved.
- 117 Works No 3501
- 118 Works No 3502
- 123 Works No 3507
There is also one locomotive preserved that was built by James Martin – G233 Works No 174 built in 1898.
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