Vulcan Foundry     Works No 5963   Class BB18¼    1037    4-6-2      NSW Government Railway, Australia    Gauge 3ft 6in

Weight – Loco65t 
               Tender48t
Driving Wheels4ft 3ins
Boiler Pressure170psi
CylindersOutside – 18¼in x 24in
Tractive Effort22,648lbf

This locomotive was built by Vulcan Foundry at Newton le Willows in 1950 as part of the BB18¼ class. On B represents the three driving axles and the second B the fact that it is an improved design. The 18¼ is the diameter of the cylinders. 35 locomotives were built by Vulcan Foundry in 1950-51 and a further 20 were constructed by Walkers Limited of Maryborough in Queensland between 1955 and 1958. The final locomotive was the last steam locomotive to enter service on a mainline Australian railway.

The BB18¼ class were an improved version of the B18¼ class of which 83 entered service between 1926 and 1947. Most of the earlier locomotives were built at the North Ipswich Railway Workshops and the rest by Walkers Limited. They were withdrawn from service between 1967 and 1970 although one (771) built at Ipswich in 1929 has been preserved.

The BB18¼ class were based at Mayne (Brisbane), Ipswich, Toowoomba, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville depots over the years. They were initially mainly employed on the longer distant passenger trains but were also used on freight and suburban duties.

This locomotive was withdrawn from service at Mackay in March 1970 and placed on display at the Mackay railway station.

Around 2000, Queensland Railways donated the locomotive to a group of local rail enthusiast (known as Mackay Heritage Railway Inc.) for restoration to operation. In 2021 the organisation moved from their harbour side area to a new depot at Paget.

It is thought that the locomotive has been converted to oil burning although the oil tank is removable so that it can revert back to coal burning.

There are five members of the class built by Walkers Limited and one at the Ipswich Railway Workshop

  • 771 – Ipswich Railway Workshop works number 128
  • 1072 – Walkers Limited works number 540
  • 1077 – Walkers Limited works number 545
  • 1079 – Walkers Limited works number 547
  • 1086 – Walkers Limited works number 554
  • 1089 – Walkers Limited works number 557

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