| Driving Wheels | 3ft 3ins |
| Boiler Pressure | 140psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 13in x 20in |
| Valve Gear | Stephenson |
This locomotive was built by Kitson and Company at Hunslet near Leeds in 1885 for Queensland Railways. It was one of 112 locomotives that were initially regarded as the F class but were redesignated in 1890 as the B13 class. The B represented the three driving axles and the 13 the cylinder diameter.
The 112 locomotives were supplied by Dübs and Company (72), Kitson & Company (25) and Phoenix Engine Company of Ipswich, Australia (15) between 1883 and 1895.
The first batch of 19 locomotives were deployed on what was then an isolated section which included the Great Northern Central, the Southern & Western and Maryborough lines.
By the time the final deliveries of locomotives were made in 1895 the isolated sections had been joined to the network.
As later locomotive this one was built with a long wheelbase. It entered service on the Central Railway in May 1886. The Central Railway ran from its headquarters at Rockhampton. The 50km line open in 1867 and more branch lines continued to be built so that by 1892 Rockhampton had become a hub of the remote section of railway.
In 1894 the locomotive was transferred to the isolated Normanton to Croydon Railway. Around this time the locomotive was rebuilt with higher pressure boilers and raised fireboxes.
The Normanton to Croydon line is an isolated line in Queensland which was built between 1888 and 1891. The impetus to build the line was enhanced with a major gold strike at Croydon in November 1885. The output of gold diminished in the early 1900s and the railway only made a profit until 1902 after which it was kept open as a community service.
Between 1913 and 1918 six of the locomotives were sold to the Commonwealth Railways and entered service on the North Australian Railway (Darwin) as the Ng class.
Most of the B13 locomotives were withdrawn from service with the Queensland Railways in the 1920s.
This locomotive was withdrawn from service whilst based at Normanton in June 1926.
The original boiler fitted to the locomotive was transferred to the Croydon pump where it survived. A second boiler was sold into the Stanhills tin field (near Croydon) in 1926. A third boiler from 234 was subsequently fitted but this was later removed.
More recently the locomotive and original boiler have been united and displayed at Normanton station.
One other British built class B13 locomotives has been preserved. In addition the boiler of Dübs and Company work s number 2062 has survived .
Dübs & Company
- 48 – Works number 1741
Phoenix Engine Company of Ipswich, Australia
- 234 – Works number 15
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