Marian Mill No.3 ‘Gresham’

Privately owned at Echuca, Victoria

The frames and other sundry components of Marian Mill No.3 at Echuca on 23 March 2005.

At that stage it had recently been dismantled in preparation for cleaning & overhaul.

Builder	Dick, Kerr & Co, Kilmarnock, Scotland
Builder’s Number & Year	? of 1910
Wheel Arrangement	0-4-2T

This interesting locomotive is one of only fifty or so steam engines constructed by Dick, Kerr & Co, of Kilmarnock, Scotland. Today it is one of four known surviving Dick, Kerr & Co steam locomotives, making it a rather rare and notable machine. Its working life in Australia was spent at Marian Mill, near Mackay in northern Queensland, where it was No.3 in the loco fleet. Apparently, it was also known by the name ‘Gresham’.

Following retirement, Marian Mill No.3 ‘Gresham’ was plinthed in Pioneer Shire Council Park, Seaforth in 1964. Deterioration in the tropical north Queensland environment was a particular issue for the many plinthed sugar industry locos, and Marian Mill No.3 presumably also became a maintenance burden, leading to it becoming available for removal.

At some stage Marian Mill No.3 was obtained by a private owner, joining his interesting collection of steam machinery on a rural site near Echuca, Victoria. (Fortunately the climate at Echuca is much kinder to vintage equipment.) The owner kindly permitted me to view his collection on 23 March 2005 and the photos of Marian Mill No.3 on this page date from that visit. At that time the loco was completely dismantled and stripped for overhaul, with the frames and other major components being prepared for cleaning. The boiler, wheels etc. were stored nearby, and the owner advised that the boiler was restorable. The various loco components evidenced a faded livery of apple green with red running boards.

I would appreciate any updates on progress with this locomotive &/or photographs showing how it looked prior to dismantling.

The boiler of Marian Mill No.3 at Echuca on 23 March 2005.

The cab, draw-bar, sand box, ash pan, side thanks and other components of Marian Mill No.3 at Echuca on 23 March 2005.

References

a	Light Railway Research Society of Australia Inc. Web site (retrieved 28 July 2017): 'Preserved Australian Sugar Cane Locomotives' list by John Browning (www.lrrsa.org.au/LRR_SGRc.htm)
b	Wikipedia page for Dick, Kerr & Co, retrieved 12 August 2026

Page updated: 12 August 2026

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