Queensland BB18¼ class locomotive
Encyclopedia
The BB18¼ class locomotive was a type of 4-6-2
steam locomotive
operated by the Queensland Rail
ways.
Fifty-five BB18¼ class locomotives were built. The first batch of 35, numbered from 1011 to 1045, were built in 1950 by the Vulcan Foundry
in Newton-le-Willows
, Lancashire
. The final batch of 20, numbered from 1070 to 1089, were built locally by Walkers Ltd. in the Queensland town of Maryborough
between 1955 and 1958. No. 1089 was the last steam engine placed into service on a mainline Australian railway.
Throughout their careers, the BB18¼ class engines were used on a variety of trains, including long-distance passenger, mail and goods trains as well as suburban passenger services in the Brisbane
metropolitan area. The class was withdrawn from service after 1967, with the last example removed upon the completion of dieselisation in 1970.
Several examples of BB18¼ class engines have been preserved. No. 1079 has been retained by Queensland Rail as part of its heritage fleet, and is often used on heritage workings in the Brisbane area and is currently being used to haul the Q150 special train around Queensland to celebrate the state's sesquicentenary. No. 1089 has also been preserved as part of QR's heritage fleet. No. 1072 is in service at the Zig Zag heritage railway
near Lithgow, New South Wales
.
4-6-2
4-6-2, in the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle .These locomotives are also known as Pacifics...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
operated by the Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
ways.
Fifty-five BB18¼ class locomotives were built. The first batch of 35, numbered from 1011 to 1045, were built in 1950 by the Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
in Newton-le-Willows
Newton-le-Willows
Newton-le-Willows is a small market town within the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, in Merseyside, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it is situated about midway between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, to the east of St Helens, to the north of Warrington and to the south of...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. The final batch of 20, numbered from 1070 to 1089, were built locally by Walkers Ltd. in the Queensland town of Maryborough
Maryborough, Queensland
Maryborough is a city located on the Mary River in South East Queensland, Australia, approximately north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city is serviced by the Bruce Highway, and has a population of approximately 22,000 . It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is...
between 1955 and 1958. No. 1089 was the last steam engine placed into service on a mainline Australian railway.
Throughout their careers, the BB18¼ class engines were used on a variety of trains, including long-distance passenger, mail and goods trains as well as suburban passenger services in the Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
metropolitan area. The class was withdrawn from service after 1967, with the last example removed upon the completion of dieselisation in 1970.
Several examples of BB18¼ class engines have been preserved. No. 1079 has been retained by Queensland Rail as part of its heritage fleet, and is often used on heritage workings in the Brisbane area and is currently being used to haul the Q150 special train around Queensland to celebrate the state's sesquicentenary. No. 1089 has also been preserved as part of QR's heritage fleet. No. 1072 is in service at the Zig Zag heritage railway
Zig Zag Railway
The Zig Zag Railway is a heritage railway at Lithgow in New South Wales, Australia on the site of the famous Great or Lithgow Zig Zag which operated between 1869 and 1910. As built, the line formed part of the Main West line from Sydney across the Blue Mountains and served to lower the line from...
near Lithgow, New South Wales
Lithgow, New South Wales
Lithgow is a city in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia and is the centre of the local political division City of Lithgow. It is located in a mountain valley named Lithgow's Valley by John Oxley in honour of William Lithgow, the first Auditor-General of New South Wales.Lithgow is...
.