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This dinky
locomotive was built for Australian Commonwealth Carbide Company for their
Ida Bay Railway, an interesting operation in the south of Tasmania linking a
limestone quarry near the Hasting Caves to a wharf on Deephole Bay. High quality
limestone was shipped from Ida Bay to Electrona, south of Hobart, where it
was reduced to lime in a kiln before being roasted with coke in an electric
furnace to produce high-grade calcium carbide for acetylene gas production.
Located in the far south of Tasmania, the Ida Bay Railway’s 7km route is said
to be the most southerly railway in Australia.
This
locomotive was built to Hunslet’s standard ‘Darwin’ design. For some reason
it sported steam tram features, in particular an overall roof, and oil
trays under the cylinders and motion. I’m not sure why these steam tram
features were provided, as the Ida Bay Railway doesn’t feature any road
running. The Hunslet replaced an earlier Krauss loco ‘Puppy’ (0-4-0WT b/n 2640
of 1892) at the Ida Bay Railway and continued in service until 1952, having
been replaced by Malcolm Moore petrol locomotives. It was stored
serviceable at Ida Bay until 1971, when it was purchased by the Van Diemen
Light Railway Society (VDLRS) for preservation at their Don River Railway.
The Hunslet loco subsequently transferred to their growing heritage railway
and workshops at Don, where it was overhauled in 1992 and prepared for
further service.
In the
meantime, the Ida Bay Railway’s limestone cartage ceased in 1975 but the
line was purchased for heritage purposes by the State Government in 1977.
An operating model was implemented whereby the Ida Bay Railway and remaining
rail assets were leased to a suitable operator for tourist services. The section
from the quarry to Lune River village fell into disuse and was later ripped
up, whilst the section from Lune River to Deephole Bay was retained for
tourist services.
The Hunslet
returned to Ida Bay in the early 1990’s under lease from the VDLRS to the railway’s
operator at that time. It received lined red livery, was given the identity
No.6 ‘Old Thomas’ and began operations in 1993, albeit with the overall canopy
removed – considerably changing the loco’s appearance. I understand the
loco didn’t get much use at Ida Bay (with most services handled by internal
combustion machines) and eventually the Hunslet returned to the VDLRS, Don.
As per the photo above, my visit to Don on 8 May 2003 found the Hunslet under
overhaul with the boiler removed.
The Hunslet
loco has since been relocated to the Sheffield
Steam & Heritage Centre, where boiler and other repairs are
underway in preparation for steaming on the Redwater Creek Railway. Recent posts
(October 2020) on the Sheffield Steam & Heritage Centre social media page show that boiler repairs are well
advanced, with a new firebox having been fitted and retubing completed. I
understand the mechanical work is also complete and only reassembly is
outstanding, so hopefully this interesting locomotive will soon be riding
the rails again.
Alas
there were no trains running at Lune River at the time of my visit there in
May 2003, but I recall being intrigued by the various ancient railway
artefacts lying around the rail yard – a locomotive cylinder disappearing into
the grass, driving wheels stored by the running shed, and two locomotive frames slowly rusting away in
the sidings. Highlights of our trip to this far southern tip of Tasmania
included a guided tour of the nearby Hastings Caves, and a magnificent bushwalk
starting from Cockle Creek on the east coast – after walking for an hour or
so, we emerged on the west coast!
This
page would be improved with photos showing the Ida Bay Hunslet in operation
and / or in original ‘tramway’ configuration. Photographic contributions would
be much appreciated!
Light
Railways magazine of February 2001 provides a good account of the Ida Bay Railway
and is available online.
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