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Carbon Puffing Billy Railway |
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My thanks to Gordon
Ross for contributing this view of Carbon in steam during November 2003.
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Builder |
Société
anonyme Usines Métallurgiques du Hainaut Couilett, Belgium |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
986
of 1889 (Supplied
by Decauville as B/N 90 of 1890) |
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Wheel Arrangement |
0-4-0T |
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This interesting little industrial locomotive
was built for the Metropolitan Gas Company in West Melbourne, where it
carried the name ‘Carbon’. It was
manufactured in Belgium by Société
anonyme Usines Métallurgiques du Hainaut, which was commonly known by the
name ‘Couilett’ after the town in which their foundry was located. This company built small industrial
locomotives for export around the world, and some similar engines are preserved
in Spain. ‘Carbon’ was
withdrawn from gasworks duties as early as 1930 but remained in store until
purchased for private preservation in 1962.
It was associated with early railway preservation
efforts at the historic gold mining town of Walhalla, where it operated on a
loop of track in the 1960’s. During
the 1970’s it was in service at the Frankston 'Whistle Stop' fun park. I understand that ‘Carbon’ remains
privately owned and is leased to the Puffing Billy Railway.
Together with other small engines, it is normally housed in the ‘Nursery’
loco shed at Emerald. I would appreciate any contributions of further history and
older photographs for this locomotive. |
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References
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a |
Puffing
Billy Railway website, retrieved 3
December 2015 |
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b |
Wikipedia entry for SA Usines
Métallurgiques du Hainaut (Couilett), retrieved 3
December 2015. |
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c |
Webmaster's
observation or comment |
Page updated: 3 December 2015
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