Dübs     Works No 3501    Class G    G117    4-6-0        Western Australian Government Railway, Australia     Gauge 3ft 6in

 2-6-04-6-0
Driving Wheels3ft 3ins3ft 3ins
Weight42 tons 16cwt43t 14cwt
Boiler Pressure160psi135psi
CylindersOutside – 14½in x 20inOutside – 14½in x 20in
Tractive Effort13,801lbf11,321lbf

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 Dubs & 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 117.

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 The final locomotives were withdrawn in the 1950’s and 1960’s apart from two which were retainer by the WAGR for vintage trains.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 was originally preserved at Merredin beside the road to Kalgoorlie but is now displayed inside a museum based on the Merredin railway station.

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 The final locomotives were withdrawn in the 1950’s and 1960’s apart from two which were retainer by the WAGR for vintage trains.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 was placed in store by the WAGR in 1966 and formally withdrawn from service in July 1968.

The locomotive was subsequently sold to the Shire of Kalamunda and subsequently placed on displayed at the old Kalamunda railway station. The railway station is now part of the Kalamunda Historic Village Museum.

The Kalamunda History Village is on the site of the old Upper Darling Range Railway Station built in the 1890s to service the Zig Zag line which transported timber from Canning Mills to the main line at Midland Junction. It is the largest folk museum in Western Australia depicting the unique hills life and industries that developed in the area.

Three other class G locomotives built by Dübs and Company are preserved.

There is also one locomotive preserved that was built by James Martin – G233  Works No 174 built in 1898

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