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C17 No.251 Plinthed in Townsville |
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No.251 displayed at Townsville near the live steam
association park on 15 November 2007.
The boiler & cylinder clothing had been
removed and a loco jack sits on the concrete beside the loco.
Some removed piping was also lying amongst the leaf litter.
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Builder |
Walkers
Limited, Maryborough |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
327 of 1920 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
4-8-0 |
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No. in class |
227 |
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No.251 is
one of Queensland Government Railways’ (QGR) highly successful C17 class 4-8-0
locomotives of which 227 units were constructed by a variety of builders
between 1920 and 1953. The C17’s were a ‘maid of all work’ type that were
powerful enough for main line freight duties, yet with a low axle load which
permitted wide deployment and accordingly they could be found on everything
from suburban and express passenger trains to main, secondary and branch line
freight and mixed traffic work. The final C17 class locos were retired at the
very end of QGR revenue steam operations in August 1970. No 251 is
of the original C17 ‘1920 design’ which are identifiable by a straight-sided
cutaway cab, tall steam dome, cast iron chimney and a low-sided bogie tender.
It retains the original 1920 boiler design with a tall steam dome, but it is
fitted with a stovepipe chimney with capuchion lip as per the improved 1938
design. No.251 is
the oldest of the surviving C17 class locomotives, having been constructed in
1920 and placed in Queensland Government Railways service during April 1921.
It was written off in June 1969 after a working life of 48 years. Following
withdrawal, No.251 was plinthed on The Strand on the Townsville beachfront.
In 1990 it was relocated to Lou Lister Park in central Townsville,
corresponding with redevelopment of The Strand to provide an improved
pedestrian boulevard. (Lou Lister Park is also the home of the local live
steam association.) I understand that ownership of this locomotive now rests
with the Charters Towers & District Historical Society. The
webmaster had the good fortune to enjoy a week of holiday on Magnetic Island
near Townsville during late 2007. I had a few hours to spare prior to my
flight home, allowing a tour around Townsville and the opportunity to
photograph No.251 on a hot and sunny Far North Queensland afternoon, as seen
in the photos shown here dated 15 November 2007. I found No.251 displayed
under a weather roof but showing the signs of many years of static display.
Some recent repainting was evident but the boiler clothing had been stripped
(presumably to prevent further boiler corrosion) and various items such as
the turbo-generator and jacks were sitting around the locomotive, as if
awaiting re-fitting. Sand pipes and miscellaneous fittings were lying nearby
in the leaf-litter. Hopefully this was just a temporary state of affairs during
repainting and renovation and these items have since been refitted to No.251. Update: Recent photographs
show that No.251 received cosmetic refurbishment during 2021, with various
components re-fitted and the locomotive presented in authentic black livery
with red running boards. This much improved situation is a credit to those
involved in No.251’s refurbishment and befits its historical value! For
further information about the Queensland Railways’ C17 class locomotives,
refer to the page for C17 No.2. |
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No.251 displayed at Townsville on 15 November 2007.
The Stones turbo-generator can be seen sitting on the
concrete plinth, next to the crosshead.
A rear view of No.251 at Townsville. 15 November 2007
Front view of No.251 at Townsville on 15 November 2007.
I believe the “T” on the left of the buffer beam refers to
allocation to Townsville depot.
Murray Lawrence kindly contributed this 1989 photo of
No.251 plinthed at the Strand on the Townsville beachfront.
At that stage the boiler clothing, generator and piping etc
was still in place.
C17 No. 251 plinthed at the Strand in Townsville in May
1974, overlooked by Queenslander houses.
This photo was kindly contributed by Judy Phillips and taken by her father John
Phillips.
This photo was taken during the 1946 flood in Townsville
and shows the Railway Yards in South Townsville.
The only identifiable loco is C17 No.2, which is today preserved at The
Workshops museum, Ipswich.
Photo contributed by Judy Phillips.
References
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a |
"Locomotives of Australia" by Leon Oberg, published by J. W. Books Pty Ltd. |
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b |
Armstrong,
J. 'Locomotives in the Tropics - Volume 2 (Queensland
Railways 1910 – 1958 and beyond)’, published
by the ARHS Queensland Division, 1994. |
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c |
Information table provided by Graham Wilson (Operations Manager, Heritage
Rollingstock & Component |
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d |
Information
provided by C. Malone |
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e |
Webmaster's
observation or comment |
Page updated: 30 January 2022
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Government Railways: |
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