This locomotive was built by Beyer Peacock & Co in 1902 as their builder's number 4415, becoming C23 of the Tasmanian Government Railways C-class 2-6-0 locomotives.  27 original members of this class were supplied by Beyer Peacock and Co. for goods train working; a 28th class member was later acquired secondhand. ^{a, b}

This Beyer Peacock locomotive design found buyers in many Australian states; similar locos include the SAR Y-class and the WAGR G-class locos. Private operators ordered yet more examples, including the Silverton Tramway Y-class 2-6-0 locomotives and a 2-6-2T variant. ^d

Six members of the Tasmanian Government Railways' C-class were later rebuilt to the CC class, which featured a higher-pitch Belpaire boiler and the characteristic TGR front-end comprising an extended / self-cleaning smokebox and stovepipe chimney.  A later rebuilding variant was the CCS class which added superheating, Walschaerts valve gear and new cylinders to the CC design; C23 was one of four such 'CCS class' locos rebuilt by the Tasmanian Government Railways between 1924 and 1928.

Late in its career CCS23 received the Tasmanian Government Railways striking Post Office Red passenger livery. It played a significant role in the 1971 Tasmanian Railway Centenary celebrations and was the last TGR steam locomotive in service when withdrawn in 1975.

CCS23 is now preserved as an operating exhibit at the Don River Railway's excellent heritage railway precinct and workshops at Don in Tasmania's north.

 but is currently under overhaul.

Page updated:  24 June 2013