Big Ben (locomotive)
Encyclopedia
The locomotive locally known as "Big Ben" was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works
as an 0-6-0 ST type in 1919 as their works number 5212. The locomotive was exported in a new condition on a steamer from New York
to Tasmania
, Australia
were it was used by the Public Works Departent on the Marrawah tramway in Tasmanias far north west running between Smithton
and Marrawah
.
On the Marrawah Tramway the locomotive was locally known as "Big Ben", however it was also referred to as marrawah tramway No. 3. When the Tasmanian Government Railways taken over the Marrawah tramway in 1929 the engine passed into their ownership. "Big Ben" was apparently light on the front wheels and as a result, the front was often prone to rise above the wheels when running front first. On the 6 Sep 1938 when running with a load of logs the wheels rissen up again but when they came down they didn't find the rails resulting in a derailment which caused the driver to die from injuries the next day. After this incident, a load of old rails where tied to the front of the engine to weigh it down.
In April 1946 "Big Ben" was sent to Launceston to receive a general overhaul but was only used as a standby engine on the tram due to the Tasmanian Government Railways
introduction of more powerful locomotives.
In mid 1948 the Tasmanian Government Railways sent "Big Ben" to work on the Parattah to Oatlands railway
in southern Tasmania because the other engines working it were needed on other branch lines.
In 1949 after the Parattah to Oatlands lines closure "Big Ben" was sent to Launceston as a shunter and was scrapped in Oct 1951.
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
as an 0-6-0 ST type in 1919 as their works number 5212. The locomotive was exported in a new condition on a steamer from New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
were it was used by the Public Works Departent on the Marrawah tramway in Tasmanias far north west running between Smithton
Smithton, Tasmania
Smithton is a town in the far north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia. It lies on the Bass Highway, 85 km north-west of Burnie. At the 2006 census, Smithton had a population of 3,361. Smithton is the administrative centre of the Circular Head Council...
and Marrawah
Marrawah, Tasmania
Marrawah is a small town on the northern part of the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. marrawah is located in the former shire of Wellington. At the 2006 census, Marrawah had a population of 407....
.
On the Marrawah Tramway the locomotive was locally known as "Big Ben", however it was also referred to as marrawah tramway No. 3. When the Tasmanian Government Railways taken over the Marrawah tramway in 1929 the engine passed into their ownership. "Big Ben" was apparently light on the front wheels and as a result, the front was often prone to rise above the wheels when running front first. On the 6 Sep 1938 when running with a load of logs the wheels rissen up again but when they came down they didn't find the rails resulting in a derailment which caused the driver to die from injuries the next day. After this incident, a load of old rails where tied to the front of the engine to weigh it down.
In April 1946 "Big Ben" was sent to Launceston to receive a general overhaul but was only used as a standby engine on the tram due to the Tasmanian Government Railways
Tasmanian Government Railways
The Tasmanian Government Railways was the former Government of Tasmania managed operator of mainline railways in Tasmania, Australia...
introduction of more powerful locomotives.
In mid 1948 the Tasmanian Government Railways sent "Big Ben" to work on the Parattah to Oatlands railway
Oatlands Railway
The Oatlands Railway was a short branch of the Main Line from Launceston to Hobart in Tasmania, which was built to give rail access to the town of Oatlands...
in southern Tasmania because the other engines working it were needed on other branch lines.
In 1949 after the Parattah to Oatlands lines closure "Big Ben" was sent to Launceston as a shunter and was scrapped in Oct 1951.