| Weight | 14 tons |
| Driving Wheels | 2ft 0in |
| Boiler Pressure | 160psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 9½in x 12in |
This locomotive was built by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds in 1917 for the British Arm as one of 155 War Office 4-6-0T engines. They were ordered by the War Department Light Railways to run on their 600mm gauge lines supplying the front line during the First World War. The design of the locomotive is an evolution of an earlier Hunslet 0-6-0T type, with extended frames and an added 4-wheel bogie to provide a low axle-load suitable for quickly-laid light railway.
It is interesting to note that the 155 locomotives were completed at a time when Hunslet were also constructing howitzers, shells, and machinery to make shells as well as a limited number of other locomotives. By comparison, in peace time they averaged about 40 locomotives of all designs per year.
Most of the locomotives became surplus at the end of the war and a number of the locomotives were repurchased by the Hunslet Engine Company Ltd. They were then overhauled and regauged where necessary prior to being resold. These locomotives and the nine built after the war ended up in diverse locations including Argentina, Palestine and Australia as well as the UK. Fifteen of these locomotives were sold to the Engineering Supply Company of Australia (ESCO) in two batches in 1920 and 1924 for use on the 2 feet gauge (610mm) tramways of the Queensland cane fields.
This locomotive was one of two such locomotives delivered to the North Eton Mill near Mackay in Queensland.
During 44 years of cane haulage duties it received a number of modifications including an extended smokebox, boiler & tank repairs, and addition of electric light equipment. The cab was altered by removal of the rear spectacle plate and addition of an extended roof, presumably for improved staff amenity in tropical heat and downpours.
The locomotive was taken out of service around 1964 and placed on a plinth in Langford Park at Eton. It was displayed under a weather roof as part of a local war memorial display.
The locomotive deteriorated in the tropical air and was relocated in 1997 to the old North Eton Mill site for secure storage.
In 2005 the locomotive was donated to The Workshops railway museum and relocated to their Ipswich site.
After a period of storage it was restored War Department configuration, with short smokebox, enclosed cab and riveted side tanks.
The locomotive is on display in the main exhibition area of the museum.
This is one of five such locomotives which operated in Australia which have been preserved. The others are.
- WD 303 – Works number 1215
- WD 306 – Works number 1218
- WD – Works number 1229
- WD– Works number 1317
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Preserved British Steam Locomotives 