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T 186 Pichi Richi Railway |
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T 186 heads an authentic train of South Australian Railways
"Long Tom" and "Short Tom" carriages at Quorn on 30 March
1997.
Builder |
James
Martin & Co, Gawler, SA |
Builder’s Number & Year |
198 of 1909 |
Wheel Arrangement |
4-8-0 |
No. in class |
78 |
T
186 was built by James Martin & Co. of Gawler, South Australia, joining the
South Australian Railways' highly successful T-class narrow gauge locomotives
which ultimately numbered 78 examples.
T 186 was one of a number which were converted from coal to oil firing
during its service life. T
186 became one of the final South Australian Railways steam locomotives in
traffic before being condemned on 18 May 1970. Fortunately T 186 was saved from scrap when
purchased by the Pichi Richi
Railway Preservation Society (PRRPS).
It was overhauled by the South Australian Railways at their Islington
Workshops as a contract repair for the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society and the locomotive has
since been superbly maintained as an operating exhibit at the PRRPS Quorn
depot. The PRRPS have paid high
attention to detail, keeping every feature as it was during T 186's South
Australian Railways career. In order to preserve the historic fabric of
this locomotive, T 186 tends to be operated only on special running days at
the Pichi Richi Railway,
with regular service trains usually hauled by their W-class 4-8-2
locomotives. T
186 has been paired with the Pichi Richi Railway's collection of authentic SAR rollingstock for many film assignments over the years,
the Pichi Richi Pass
providing an excellent backdrop for the quintessential Australian outback
railway scene. The
Pichi Richi Railway
website also provides a useful history of T 186 and the T-class locomotives. As at May
2015, T 186 was stored pending general overhaul, having been withdrawn from
traffic in the early 2000 pending a general mechanical overhaul, lifting of
the boiler to inspect the foundation ring and areas of the narrow firebox
otherwise concealed by the plate frames, and determination of the future
firing method (as T186 is one of only two 'operational' steam locomotives in
South Australian currently equipped for oil firing, the other being Margaret
at Cobdogla). Re-tyring of driving
wheel sets may be within the work scope for the next general overhaul. The
photographs on this page date from the webmaster's most enjoyable visit to
the Pichi
Richi Railway on 30 March 1997. |
A closer view of T 186
at Quorn on 30 March 1997.
The oil tank rises prominently above the tender sides.
Front-end detail, taken at Woolshed Flat. 30 March
1997
T 186 at Woolshed Flat, Pichi Richi Railway. 30 March 1997
Cylinder detail. 30 March 1997.
Oil cans on the running board. 30 March 1997
T 186 heading through the Pichi Richi Pass. 30 March 1997.
Axlebox detail on one of the
South Australian Railways carriages. 30 March 1997.
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 |
Information provided by D. Heah via email, 16 May 2015 |
c |
Webmaster's
observation or comment |
Page updated: 23 June 2015
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