Pmr 729

Coolgardie Railway Station Museum

Pmr 729 displayed alongside the station platform at the old Coolgardie station on 16 November 2011, photo courtesy of Brett Mohen.

The loco appears to be in an undercoat grey livery, so perhaps a repaint was underway at this time.

The tender tank seems to be rusting out at the bottom and a fresh patch has been applied.

Builder	North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow
Builder’s Number & Year	26924 of 1949
Wheel Arrangement	4-6-2

Pmr 729 represents the final WAGR development of the Pacific locomotive – the fine Pm/Pmr class built by North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow in the post-war years. 35 Pm / Pmr class locomotives were built, the first 18 as Pm-class while the final 17 locos were further enhanced with roller-bearings on the driving wheels, hence Pmr class.

Although designed for passenger service, the Pm/Pmr-class proved better suited to fast freight duties and lasted in that capacity until the end of WAGR steam. (For more detailed information about the Pm/Pmr-class locomotives, refer to the page for class leader Pm 701.)

Pmr 729 entered WAGR service on 27 July 1950 and was officially withdrawn on 10 September 1970, giving a working life a little over 20 years. Fortunately, it was saved for static display at the Coolgardie Railway Station Museum, where it sits alongside the platform together with 3 carriages. The old Coolgardie railway station was bypassed by the new standard gauge railway linking Kalgoorlie to Perth, which passes to the north of the original alignment through Coolgardie.

I understand the Coolgardie Railway Station Museum display includes the story of miner Modesto ‘Charlie’ Varischetti and the 1907 rescue train from Fremantle, delivered on the final leg into Coolgardie station by an early Baldwin Ec-class Pacific - so I guess Pmr 729 provides a modern WAGR Pacific in its place! (For a little more about this episode, refer to the R 174 page.)

A scene loaded with railway detail and period atmosphere as Pmr 729 steams through East Perth.

Fs 365 can also be glimpsed under the footbridge. Photo dated 08 July 1967.

Image used with permission of the Rail Heritage WA archive:

http://railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/displayimage.php?pid=7373

(Image reference P11564, original photographer – P. Hopper.)

The narrow-gauge line to Kalgoorlie was closed with the opening of the new standard gauge line.

Accordingly, Pmr 729 was loaded onto standard-gauge flatcars on its final journey to the Goldfields. Photo dated March 1973.

The stencil “Written Off” is clearly visible on the cabside and tender.

Image used with permission of the Rail Heritage WA archive:

http://railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/displayimage.php?pid=24526

(Image reference T05118, original photographer – M. Searle.)

Pmr 729 displayed at the old Coolgardie Station, not long after its arrival. Photos dated August 1973.

The loco is still in its faded WAGR green livery with “Written Off” stencilled on the cabside and tender.

Image used with permission of the Rail Heritage WA archive:

http://railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/displayimage.php?pid=30346

(Image reference T05336, original photographer – P. Ipkendanz.)

References

a	A. Gunzburg 'A history of WAGR steam locomotives', published by ARHS (Western Australian Division) 1984.
b	Gray. W. K., 'Guide to Rail Transport Museum, Bassendean, Western Australia', Australian Railway Historical Society W. A. Division, First Edition November 1999.
c	Rail Heritage WA website, Exhibits page: ‘Pm Class Steam Locomotive’: https://www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/locos/pages/pm_steam.php retrieved 24 December 2023.
d	Western Australian Museum website, ‘A Miraculous Rescue’ page: https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/wa-goldfields/dangerous-life/miraculous-rescue retrieved 5 January 2023.

Page updated: 24 December 2023

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