Commonwealth Railways Locomotive Information Standard Gauge DComrails Logo

Standard Gauge D

D 158 to 163

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D 158 D 159 D 160 D 161 D 162 D 163

When construction began on the new Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta railway line, there was a need for locomotives to haul construction trains. The New South Wales Railways had available 6 surplus "Q" class suburban engines. These engines had been introduced in 1880 as 4-4-0 tank engines built by Beyer, Peacock & Company of Manchester in England. Excessive axle loads resulted in the engines water tanks being removed in 1910 and standard six wheel tenders being fitted. Shortly after being fitted with the tenders, the NSW Railways commenced negotiations with the Commonwealth Railways who initially purchased 4 in October 1912, followed by the remaining two shortly after. Prior to entering service on construction trains all six locomotives were fitted with automatic couplers but still retained their original NSW road numbers. Under the new classification system they were recoded as "D" class, though it appears that it may have locally been known as the "Q's" up until the opening of the Kalgoorlie line in 1917. Initially three engines were sent to Kalgoorlie with the other three working out of Port Augusta.

During 1913-14 the locomotives had lots of problems with tubes blowing and cracking gauge glasses which in turn slowed down progress on the Trans-Australian line. Problems with broken stays, axle box brasses, side rod brasses and boiler retubes resulted in most engines spending excessive time in the workshops.

With the coming of the larger "G" class engines, the "D" class found themselves relegated to duties as yard shunters until all but "162" were officially withdrawn in the 1920's. It appears that whilst "162" was officially withdrawn in 1943, all members of the class actually were in service during the Second World War as yard shunters and were not actually offered for scrap until 1958/59.

Class:D
Builder:Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England
Introduced:1913
Number in Class:6
Wheel Arrangement:4-4-0
Driving Wheel Diameter:5 ft. 0½ in.
Cylinders:Number:2
-Position on frame:Inside
-Diameter x stroke:16 in. x 24 in.
Valve Gear:Stephenson
Heating Surface:Tubes:837 square feet
-Firebox:79 square feet
-Grate Area:14.75 square feet
Boiler Pressure:150 lbs p.s.i.
Tractive Effort:12,290 lbs
Coal Capacity:4 tons 10 cwt
Water Capacity:2,000 gallons
Weight in Working Order:58 tons 18 cwt
Maximum Axle Load:12 tons 16 cwt 2 qt
Overall Length46 ft. 6 in.

D 158

Steam locomotive with 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, ex "Q" class purchased from the New South Wales Grovernment Railways. It was built by Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England.

1880Entered service on the New South Wales Government Railways as "Q 158". Built by Beyer Peacock and Company Manchester, England, builder No.1909.
10.1912Sold to the Commonwealth Railways.
4.11.1912Shipped SS Dilkera ex Sydney.
8.7.1913Entered service on the Port Augusta Division.
1926Withdrawn.

D 159

Steam locomotive with 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, ex "Q" class purchased from the New South Wales Grovernment Railways. It was built by Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England.

1880Entered service on the New South Wales Government Railways as "Q 159". Built by Beyer Peacock and Company Manchester, England, builder No.1910.
10.1912Sold to the Commonwealth Railways.
15.4.1913Shipped SS Aeon ex Sydney.
14.6.1913Entered service on the Kalgoorlie Division.
1921Withdrawn.
26.3.1959Scrapped.

D 160

Steam locomotive with 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, ex "Q" class purchased from the New South Wales Grovernment Railways. It was built by Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England.

1880Entered service on the New South Wales Government Railways as "Q 160". Built by Beyer Peacock and Company Manchester, England, builder No.1911.
10.1912Sold to the Commonwealth Railways.
4.11.1912Shipped SS Dilkera ex Sydney.
21.4.1913Entered service on the Port Augusta Division.
1926Withdrawn.

D 161

Steam locomotive with 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, ex "Q" class purchased from the New South Wales Grovernment Railways. It was built by Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England.

1880Entered service on the New South Wales Government Railways as "Q 161". Built by Beyer Peacock and Company Manchester, England, builder No.1912.
10.1912Sold to the Commonwealth Railways.
21.1.1913Shipped SS Clan Campbell ex Sydney.
14.6.1913Entered service on the Kalgoorlie Division.
1926Withdrawn.
26.3.1959Scrapped.

D 162

Steam locomotive with 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, ex "Q" class purchased from the New South Wales Grovernment Railways. It was built by Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England.

1880Entered service on the New South Wales Government Railways as "Q 162". Built by Beyer Peacock and Company Manchester, England, builder No.1913.
10.1912Sold to the Commonwealth Railways.
21.1.1913Shipped SS Clan Campbell ex Sydney.
14.6.1913Entered service on the Kalgoorlie Division.
7.1943Withdrawn.

D 163

Steam locomotive with 4-4-0 wheel arrangement, ex "Q" class purchased from the New South Wales Grovernment Railways. It was built by Beyer Peacock and Company, Manchester, England.

1880Entered service on the New South Wales Government Railways as "Q 163". Built by Beyer Peacock and Company Manchester, England, builder No.1914.
10.1912Sold to the Commonwealth Railways.
13.12.1913Shipped SS Nardo ex Sydney.
6.5.1913Entered service on the Port Augusta Division.
7.1926Withdrawn.
26.3.1959Scrapped.