| Weight | 37t 10cwt |
| Driving Wheels | 4ft 0ins |
| Boiler Pressure | 140psi |
| Tractive Effort | 5,292lbf |
| Cylinders | Inside – 15in x 22in |
| Tractive Effort | 12,272lbf |
This locomotive was originally built as a class 285 locomotive by Vulcan Foundry at Newton le Willows in Lancashire in 1882 for the New South Wales Government Railway (NSWGR). Six locomotives were built by Vulcan Foundry to this design and delivered in 1884.
In 1889 the class became the R285 class then the Z18 class in 1924 under the NSWGR reclassification scheme. The locomotives then carried the numbers 1801-6.
The design claim was that the locomotives would be capable of speeds of 30-33 mph on Sydney suburban services. The small size of the driving wheels meant that this was not achieved and the locomotives were redeployed on shunting duties at Sydney.
In 1907 the domeless boilers were replaced with new domed boilers which increased the weight of the locomotives by 3 tons which improved their adhesive power.
This locomotive was originally numbered R 287 but became 1803 of the Z18 class as part of the NSWGR reclassification in 1924.
It was taken out of service in 1962 whilst employed on shunting duties at Port Kembla and placed in the scrap line at Enfield in Sydney before being an exhibit in the museum there. When the Enfield site closed the locomotive was transferred to Thirlmere in June 1975.
As a result of being stored in the open by 1983 the locomotive was in a rusty condition. It then remained in an outside siding for another 25 years.
In 2008 work started on restoring the locomotive for static display to represent Thomas the Tank Engine.
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