| 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 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 123.
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 The final locomotives were withdrawn in the 1950’s and 1960’s apart from two which were retainer by the WAGR for vintage trains.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 last employed in regular service by the WAGR for shunting duties at Bunbury when the Bunbury Tourist Bureau Manager persuaded Westrail to retain and overhaul the locomotive and use it to haul vintage trains in the Bunbury area. When used on the vintage trains the locomotive was known as the Koombana Queen.
In 1987 the Hotham Valley Railway Society, with the cooperation of the Leschenault Railway Preservation Society, negotiated a a renewable 10 year lease to operate the locomotive from Westrail.
In 2002 the locomotive was taken out of service and major work was undertaken to repair the boiler which enabled the engine to return to running on the Dwellingup Forest Railway in 2003.
The locomotive is based at Dwellingup to haul services on the Etmilyn Forest Tramway.
Three other class G locomotives built by Dübs and Company are preserved.
- 71 Works No 3495
- 117 Works No 3501
- 118 Works No 3502
There is also one locomotive preserved that was built by James Martin – G233 Works No 174 built in 1898
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