Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under

T 186

Pichi Richi Railway

T 186 heads an authentic train of South Australian Railways ‘Long Tom’ and ‘Short Tom’ carriages at Quorn on 30 March 1997.

Builder	James Martin & Co, Gawler, SA
Builder’s Number & Year	198 of 1909
Wheel Arrangement	4-8-0
No. in Class	78

T 186 was built by James Martin & Co. of Gawler, South Australia, joining the South Australian Railways' highly successful T-class narrow gauge locomotives which ultimately numbered 78 examples. T 186 was one of a number which were converted from coal to oil firing during its service life.

T 186 became one of the final South Australian Railways steam locomotives in traffic before being condemned on 18 May 1970. Fortunately, T 186 was saved from scrap when purchased by the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society (PRRPS). It was overhauled by the South Australian Railways at their Islington Workshops as a contract repair for the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society and the locomotive has since been superbly maintained as an operating exhibit at the PRRPS Quorn depot. The PRRPS have paid high attention to detail, keeping every feature as it was during T 186's South Australian Railways career. In order to preserve the historic fabric of this locomotive, T 186 tends to be operated only on special running days at the Pichi Richi Railway, with regular service trains usually hauled by their W-class 4-8-2 locomotives.

T 186 has been paired with the Pichi Richi Railway's collection of authentic SAR rollingstock for many film assignments over the years, the Pichi Richi Pass providing an excellent backdrop for the quintessential Australian outback railway scene.

The Pichi Richi Railway website also provides a useful history of T 186 and the T-class locomotives.

As at May 2015, T 186 was stored pending general overhaul, having been withdrawn from traffic in the early 2000’s period pending a general mechanical overhaul, lifting of the boiler to inspect the foundation ring and areas of the narrow firebox otherwise concealed by the plate frames, and determination of the future firing method (as T 186 is one of only two 'operational' steam locomotives in South Australian currently equipped for oil firing, the other being Margaret at Cobdogla). Re-tyring of driving wheel sets may be within the work scope for the next general overhaul.

The photographs on this page date from the webmaster's most enjoyable visit to the Pichi Richi Railway on 30 March 1997.