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Y 109 Known as ‘The Thing’ |
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The frame & cabin of diesel conversion Y 109 ‘The
Thing’ stored at Ballarat East Depot on 29 March 2005.
The wheels, side rods and some other fittings were stored nearby.
Better times were ahead for this intriguing relic, which is now reassembled at
displayed at Millewa Pioneer Park.
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Builder |
Phoenix
Foundry, Ballarat |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
235 of 1889 (Rebuilt to diesel-mechanical in
1956) |
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Wheel Arrangement |
0-6-0 |
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No. in class |
31 |
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Y
109 was built by the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat as one of Victorian Railways’
successful Y-class 0-6-0 freight locomotives, originally carrying the number
Y 413. (For further information about the Y-class, refer to preserved sister
loco Y 112.) Following
the end of its working life with the Victorian Railways, Y 109 was sold to an
industrial concern, Brunswick Plaster Mills, who employed the old loco
hauling gypsum from the Raak Plain to the VR interchange siding at Nowingi,
in the Murray Mallee district of North-West Victoria. In 1956 it was
converted to a diesel-mechanical locomotive by removing the boiler and
mounting a diesel engine and transmission on the frames. A rudimentary 'shed'
was erected over the frames to provide a cabin; while providing much-needed
shelter from the sun, this arrangement must have created baking conditions
inside! In this form Y 109 was an intriguing but functional oddity and earned
the nickname ‘The Thing’. Upon
retirement, the remnants of Y 109 ‘The Thing’ were eventually acquired by
Steamrail Victoria and relocated to their Ballarat East Depot site. I believe
one wheelset was swapped with sister locomotive Y 112 during that loco’s
restoration to operation during the late 1980’s – early 90’s. My visit to
Ballarat East in March 2005 found the remaining components of Y 109 in
storage, with the frame, cabin and miscellaneous bits in the depot grounds
and the wheelsets nearby; several photos on this page date from that visit. Fortunately
better days were ahead for this intriguing relic, with Y 109 returned to the
Murray Mallee district for display at the Millewa Pioneer Park. Here it was
restored to display by volunteers, following the Australian Railway
Historical Society (Victorian Division) handing the loco over to the Millewa
Pioneer Park in a ceremony on 15 March 2008. Several photos below show the
reassembled Y 109 ‘The Thing’ under restoration and displayed at Millewa Pioneer
Park. |
This view within Y 109's cabin shows the area between the frames.
The original steam locomotive cylinder block and sandboxes can be seen, together with the mechanical transmission and driver's seat.
The diesel engine has been removed.
The
reassembled Y 109 under restoration at Millewa on 27 March 2008.
Another
view of Y 109 at Millewa as static restoration proceeded, with steps attached
for inspection by visitors (14 May 2008).
This
plaque was attached on the engine to commemorate the handover ceremony. (24 May
2008)
References
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a |
Information provided by David
Mehlman |
Page updated: 6 November 2017
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Government Railways: |
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Private & Industrial Railways: |
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