Pmr 721

Northam Station Museum

Pmr 721 displayed alongside the platform at the old Northam Station Museum on 16 November 2001.

The old Northam station was bypassed when the new dual-gauge route to Perth was constructed through the Avon Valley.

This ‘though the fence’ view was kindly contributed by Stuart Jackson.

Builder	North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow
Builder’s Number & Year	26565 of 1949
Wheel Arrangement	4-6-2

Pmr 721 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Pmr 721 entered WAGR service on 24 July 1950 and was officially withdrawn on 14 August 1972, giving a working life a little over 22 years.

Today Pmr 721 can be found at Northam, a wheat-belt town situated on the Avon River. It is displayed within a local museum based on the old Northam Station, once an important main-line waypoint but now bypassed by the modern dual-gauge Avon Valley route that passes through the town to the north-east.

Hopefully I’ll get a chance to visit Northam one day; in the meantime, more recent photos of Pmr 721 would be appreciated!

Pmr 721 gallops along with a train of 4-wheel coal cars, nicely lit in the afternoon sun. Photo dated 20 August 1966.

Image used with permission of the Rail Heritage WA archive:

http://railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/displayimage.php?pid=6395

(Image reference P09786, original photographer – P. Hopper.)

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.

Page updated: 24 December 2023

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