|
Rx 207 SteamRanger Heritage Railway |
|
A holiday to Kangaroo Island provided an opportunity to
stop at Victor Harbour, where I found Rx 207 awaiting its next departure.
A few minutes later I snapped the loco
departing on its ‘Cockle Train’ run to Goolwa.
Rx 207 is gleaming in immaculate lined black livery. This scanned
photo view is dated New Years Day, 1 January 2002.
|
Builder |
North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow |
|
|
Builder’s Number & Year |
20156 of 1913 |
|
|
Wheel Arrangement |
4-6-0 |
|
|
No. in class |
84 |
|
The South Australian Railways (SAR) Rx-class were a very successful type of mixed traffic locomotive, developed from the earlier R-class 4-6-0 design of 1886 via adoption of a larger boiler. Rx 207 was one of several class members that also received superheaters. The Rx-class ultimately grew to 84 examples comprising the 30 original R-class locos rebuilt to Rx specification, together with a further 54 built new, becoming the SAR’s most numerous type of broad-gauge steam locomotive. The Rx-class were assigned to passenger, mixed traffic and freight turns until the arrival of larger locomotives in the 1920's, after which they settled into branch line, suburban and shunting roles. Many were withdrawn in the mid-1930’s but the remainder lasted to the end of regular SAR steam operations. Rx 207 was retained as a railtour engine following the end of steam power in South Australia. In time it came under the care of the SteamRanger organisation, based at their Dry Creek, Adelaide depot and featuring on various rail tours around the state. Alas the South Australian broad-gauge network has gradually shrunk over the decades and, following the conversion of the Adelaide to Melbourne interstate route to standard gauge in 1996, SteamRanger operations were transferred to the now-isolated Mount Barker to Victor Harbour broad-gauge branch line. This scenic route runs along the seaside after Goolwa and is situated in a popular destination for holidays and weekenders. Rx 207 has been a stalwart of SteamRanger ‘Cockle Train’ services between Goolwa and Victor Harbour over the years, punctuated by periods when withdrawn for maintenance. Cockle Train services usually consist of wonderful old SAR clerestory roof end-platform carriages. The
SteamRanger Website enthusiast
pages also provide a history for Rx 207. |
|||
This photo was contributed Bruce Ball and shows Rx207 and 520 on a parallel run at Blackwood around 1990.
This scene cannot be repeated following the conversion of the interstate route across the Adelaide Hills to standard gauge in 1996.
References
a |
Fluck
R. E., Sampson R., & Bird K. J. 'Steam locomotives and Railcars of
the South Australian Railways', published
by The Mile End Railway Museum (SA) Inc, 1986. |
b |
SteamRanger website, enthusiast page: SteamRanger
Enthusiast Pages - Steam Locos retrieved 11 August 2025 |
c |
Wikipedia entry for SAR R & Rx Class locos: South Australian Railways R class - Wikipedia retrieved 11 August 2025 |
Page updated: 19 August 2025
Government Railways: |
|
|||||||||
Private & Industrial Railways: |
|