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V 9 Plinthed at Naracoorte |
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This scanned photo of 21 July 2001 shows V 9 plinthed under
a substantial weather roof in Pioneer Park, Naracoorte.
An oval ring on the cabside shows where the builder's plate
had recently been... hopefully not lost to theft.
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Builder |
Manchester |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
1597
of 1877 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
0-4-4 |
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No. in class |
8 |
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This
locomotive was built by Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester for the South
Australian Railways (SAR), being the first of four V-class locomotives
imported in 1877 to operate the Kingston-Naracoorte line. These locomotives
proved unsuited for line work, but were successful in shunting roles and a
further four were built locally by James Martin & Co, Gawler in 1893. V 9
finished its service career as the shunter at Peterborough roundhouse, where
it was known as the Rat. It was the last of the V-class in SAR service when
retired in 1955 and was plinthed in Pioneer Park, Naracoorte in that year. (Wx 18 was also plinthed alongside V 9 at
that stage.) Today V 9 remains plinthed at Naracoorte and is now displayed
under a substantial shelter that provides good protection against the elements
- but makes photography rather hard! V 9 is also the oldest preserved South
Australian steam locomotive. The
V-class are quite like the Forney
0-4-4 locomotives which were once common on the elevated city railways of
the USA, and may be an English version of this general design. Forney locos were
optimised for short-range passenger work and achieved high acceleration with the
ability to traverse tight curves. Apparently, the type was sure-footed due to
the constant weight on the driving wheels, unlike common suburban tank
locomotive designs which had side tanks mounted above the driving wheels –
and hence varied in traction as the weight of water fluctuated. |
A second view of V 9 at Naracoorte. 21 July 2001.
This view is from the John Hurst collection and shows V 9 at Naracoorte in 1978.
The builder's plate can be seen attached to the cabside.
(The 4-wheel tender of Wx 18 can also just be seen behind V 9.)
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 |
L. Oberg, 'Locomotives of Australia', published by J.
W. Books Pty Ltd, Brookvale NSW. 1982 reprint (pp.260) |
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c |
Wikipedia entry for SAR V Class locos: South Australian Railways V class - Wikipedia retrieved 2 September 2025 |
Page updated: 2 September 2025
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