This locomotive was built by John Fowler in Leeds in 1883 for the Mourilyan Mill, near Innisfail.
It assisted construction of the mill and railway system before being employed stick cane to the mill, and sugar to Mourilyan Harbour until replaced by more powerful steam locomotives by 1913.
The locomotive is an example of an early Fowler design (Fowler Patent Drive) which featured raised cylinders and valve gear operating onto a drive axle well above rail level, and transferring power down to the side rods by a vertical jackshaft. This design was apparently intended to reduce maintenance on light lines by keeping the cylinders and crosshead well above the dirt and dust of ground level.
The locomotive was said to be capable of hauling a load of 35tons up a gradient of 1 in 55 whilst in service at Mourilyan Mill.
In 1924 the locomotive was sold to machinery dealers Miller & Co of Melbourne, where it was overhauled and made available for sale. No buyers came forward and the locomotive remained in storage until it was sold in 1976 to Bruce Macdonald and transferred to the Goulburn Steam Museum.
Around 1977 the locomotive was sold to the Australian Sugar Heritage Centre at Mourilyan, very near to its old home at Mourilyan Mill. It is believed that this is the only surviving Fowler Patent Drive locomotive in Australia.
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