"Mary Ann" is a working replica of the first locomotive built in Queensland.  The original "Mary Ann" was a small 0-4-0 vertical-boiler locomotive built by John Walker's Union Foundry, Maryborough in 1873 for a use on a nearby timber tramway, where it transported Kauri pine from the Cooloola Forest to Tin Can Bay.  In addition to being a railway locomotive, Mary Ann also acted as a mobile power plant as it was designed to drive mobile sawmilling equipment alongside the tramway line.

The working replica of Mary Ann was constructed by Maryborough foundry and engineering company William Olds & Sons Pty Ltd (Olds Engineering) in 1999 for use as a heritage and tourist attraction.  It operates regularly over the Queensland Railways Wharf Branch line which winds its way through Queens Park, Maryborough.  The Olds Engineering website provides this useful web page providing some history for both the original Mary Ann and their replica locomotive.

It is interesting to note that John Walkers Union Foundry continued in locomotive & rollingstock construction, evolving into Walkers Limited, Maryborough.  Recent deliveries from this company include the Queensland Railways tilt train, hence providing the opportunity for Graham Watkins' photo appearing on this page!

Further information about operating days for "Mary Ann" can be found at the Queensland Rail Heritage website.

Here is a link to a recent YouTube video showing Mary Ann in steam during 2013.