|
F 251 Restored to operation by Steamranger |
This view shows F 251 at Coral St, Victor Harbour in Steamrail tourist service.
This photo was kindly contributed by David West.
|
The handsome & well proportioned F-class 4-6-2T locomotives were designed for suburban passenger trains around Adelaide, displacing the earlier P-class 2-4-0T locomotives on these duties. With a saturated steam boiler and 5' 3" driving wheels, the F-class engines were capable of 60 mph as they raced around the Adelaide suburbs. Class leader F 167 was built by the South Australian Railways at Islington Workshops in 1902, with the class growing to 44 units by 1922 with further batches supplied by James Martin & Co, Gawler (12 units), S.A.R. Islington Workshops (21 additional units) and Perry Engineering (10 units). The F-class were displaced by the "Redhen" Diesel Multiple Units from the 1950's onwards. Some remained in shunting and trip working until the final class member was condemned by the South Australian Railways in 1969. F 251 was built by Perry Engineering, Adelaide and entered service in 1922. It was condemned by the South Australian Railways in July 1962, having clocked 877,000 miles in service. In 1963 it was placed on display at Elizabeth West Shopping Centre. F 251 was purchased by the Australian Railway Historical Society (S. A. Division) in 1981 and transferred to their Dry Creek depot for restoration to operation, which was completed in 1995. It has since operated on Steamranger "Cockle Train" tourist services to Victor Harbour. F 251 was withdrawn from service at the end of 2001 and is stored at Steamranger's Mt Barker workshops, pending overhaul. The Steamranger enthusiast pages provide further history for F 251. A spare boiler (ex-F 249) is also held in store by the ARHS, having survived following static use by the S.A.R. Laundry. |
F 251 is seen dismantled and under restoration at the former Steamranger Depot at Dry Creek, Adelaide in May 1987.
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 enthusiast pages, viewed 12 September 2014. |
Page updated: 14 September 2014