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Germany Bundaberg Steam Tramway Preservation Society |
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Germany awaiting her next steaming day in the BSTPS running
shed, Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. 27 December 2004
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Builder |
Orenstein
& Koppel, |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
6805 of 1914 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
0-4-0WT |
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The
interesting little 0-4-0WT locomotive known as ‘Germany’ was built in Berlin
by Orenstein & Koppel for the Millaquin Sugar Co Pty Ltd. Its working
life was spent at the Millaquin Mill near Bundaberg, excepting at least one
period on loan to the nearby Qunaba Mill. It was retired from service in 1963
and placed in a Bundaberg park by the Bundaberg East Rotary Club. Orenstein
& Koppel are well-known German manufacturers of various industrial and
mechanical equipment, ranging from railway locomotives to excavators and lift
systems. ‘Germany’ is typical of many small industrial locomotives built by
Orenstein & Koppel during the earlier years of the company, with the company
later building much larger steam locomotives such as the 2-10-0 ‘Kriegsloks’ for
Deutsche Reichsbahn. A steady stream of small Orenstein & Koppel industrial
locomotives were sold to various Australian operators prior to 1914 and (judging
by these sales) they appear to have enjoyed a good reputation. This business
ended abruptly with the tragedy of World War 1 and ‘Germany’ became the last
O&K steam locomotive supplied to Australia for many years, with the
market henceforth being dominated by UK-built locomotives. Indeed the story
of Orenstein & Koppel makes for an interesting case study in the growth
of German manufacturing & economic influence prior to 1914. After
24 years plinthed in a Bundaberg park, ‘Germany’ was acquired by the Bundaberg
Steam Tramway Preservation Society in 1987. Full overhaul and restoration to
operation was completed in 1990 and the little loco now regularly hauls tourist
trains around the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. A plaque attached inside Germany’s
cab reads: “This
plaque acknowledges the donation by the Rotary Club of Bundaberg East of this
historic locomotive ‘Germany’ for restoration by Bundaberg
Steam Tramway Preservation Society Recommissioned
21 10 90” The
webmaster enjoyed a visit to the Bundaberg Steam Tramway Preservation Society
(BSTPS) at Bundaberg Botanic Gardens on 27 December 2004 and a number of
photos on this page date from that visit. BSTPS members were extremely
welcoming to me and I warmly remember their hospitality. Their steam tramway
takes a leisurely loop around the Botanic Gardens and other contained
attractions, and offers a relaxing way to get around the gardens while
escaping the worst of the tropical heat! For more
information about the various Orenstein & Koppel steam locomotives sold
to Australia, refer to ‘Light Railways’ magazine of December 2015 (Number 246)
which details all 33 O&K locos which operated here. |
Germany departing the
Botanic Gardens station in September 2004.
This photo was taken by Brian Wilson and kindly contributed
(with permission) by BSTPS stalwart Ross Driver.
References
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a |
Light
Railway Research Society of Australia Inc. Web site 'Preserved Australian
Sugar Cane Locomotives' list |
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b |
Wikipedia
page for Orenstein & Koppel, |
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c |
'Light
Railways - Australia's Magazine of Industrial & Narrow Gauge Railways', Number 246, December 2015, published by Light Railway Research Society
of Australia Inc. Feature article ‘Orenstein & Koppel
steam locomotives in Australia’ By John Browning (pages 3 – 15). |
Page updated: 25 March 2018
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