Standard Gauge D

D 158 to 163

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class engines, the "D" class found themselves relegated to duties as yard shunters until all but "162" were officially withdrawn in the 1920's. It appears that whilst "162" was officially withdrawn in 1943, all members of the class actually were in service during the Second World War as yard shunters and were not actually offered for scrap until 1958/59.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.