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Rx 231 Plinthed at Apex Park, Kadina |
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Rx 231 plinthed in Apex Park in central Kadina, seen on 1
June 2007.
The green livery with white tyres is attractive, but not
authentic!
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Builder |
Maryborough,
Queensland |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
259 of 1915 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
4-6-0 |
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No. in class |
84 |
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The South Australian Railways (SAR) Rx-class were a very successful type of mixed traffic locomotive, developed from the earlier R-class 4-6-0 design of 1886 via adoption of a larger boiler. Several of the Rx-class also received superheaters. The Rx-class ultimately grew to 84 examples comprising the 30 original R-class locos rebuilt to Rx specification, together with a further 54 built new, becoming the SAR’s most numerous type of broad-gauge steam locomotive. The Rx-class were assigned to both passenger and freight turns until the arrival of larger locomotives in the 1920's, after which they settled into branch line, suburban and shunting roles. Many were withdrawn in the mid-1930’s but the remainder lasted to the end of regular SAR steam operations. Rx 231 was
one of a batch of Rx locos built by Walkers Limited of Maryborough. It was condemned
by the South Australian Railways in September 1967, having run 979,312 miles
in service. The photos
on this page show Rx 231 plinthed in Apex Park in central Kadina on 1 June
2007, following the webmaster’s visit to Kadina together with the nearby ‘Copper
Triangle’ towns of Moonta and Wallaroo. It is fitted with a plain stovepipe
chimney of the type that appears to have been common in the latter years of
SAR steam, together with a bogie tender. |
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A further view of Rx 231 at Kadina on 1 June 2007.
Rx 231 was placed with the rods on the right-hand side in
the classic ‘rods down’ position!
References
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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. |
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b |
Wikipedia entry for SAR R & Rx Class locos: South Australian Railways R class - Wikipedia retrieved 11 August 2025. |
Page updated: 24 October 2025
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