Number Plate - B15 Locomotive No.297
Production date
1895
Country
England
State/Province
South Yorkshire
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Object detail
Description
Rectangular cast brass plate. The border and numerals are raised polished brass with the background painted red. The corners are scalloped with a screw hole at each corner.
Classification
TRANSPORT Railways locomotive number plate
Production date
1895
Production place
Measurements
L463 x W179 x H18mm
Media/Materials description
Cast brass, paint
Signature/Marks
No. 297
History and use
B15 class locomotives were purchased by Queensland Railways because the existing 4-6-0 design they were using at the time, the B13, was not suitable for all of the railway’s needs.
B15 locomotives were purchased from various manufacturers. The first batch was built by Nasmyth Wilson & Coy of Manchester in 1889. Evans, Anderson and Phelan of Brisbane also produced 21 B15s between 1893-1895. A further 10 B15s were ordered from the Yorkshire Engine Company in 1895 and these were delivered in 1897. Walkers Limited of Maryborough produced all the remaining locomotives in the class, 52, between 1897–1909.
Although purchased in large numbers, B15s had various issues that required remedial works to be done on them. From 1901 an initiative was undertaken to modify the B15s. Adjustments included replacing their 36 inch driving wheels with 45 inch driving wheels. Modifications were also made to the blast pipes and chimneys. These works were done to 93 B15s between 1901-1929 at the major workshops in Ipswich, Rockhampton and Townsville and also in Cairns. After these modifications, the engines became known as the B15 Converted type.
B15 No.297 was from the Yorkshire Engine Company order (works number 539). It entered service in July 1897, was converted in September 1908 and written off in September 1961.
No.297 was involved in a maritime accident when the ship delivering it (along with No.296 & 298), the Duke of Devonshire, ran aground on Friday Island in the Torres Strait. The locomotives had rust damage but all were salvaged and put into service in 1897.
B15 locomotives were purchased from various manufacturers. The first batch was built by Nasmyth Wilson & Coy of Manchester in 1889. Evans, Anderson and Phelan of Brisbane also produced 21 B15s between 1893-1895. A further 10 B15s were ordered from the Yorkshire Engine Company in 1895 and these were delivered in 1897. Walkers Limited of Maryborough produced all the remaining locomotives in the class, 52, between 1897–1909.
Although purchased in large numbers, B15s had various issues that required remedial works to be done on them. From 1901 an initiative was undertaken to modify the B15s. Adjustments included replacing their 36 inch driving wheels with 45 inch driving wheels. Modifications were also made to the blast pipes and chimneys. These works were done to 93 B15s between 1901-1929 at the major workshops in Ipswich, Rockhampton and Townsville and also in Cairns. After these modifications, the engines became known as the B15 Converted type.
B15 No.297 was from the Yorkshire Engine Company order (works number 539). It entered service in July 1897, was converted in September 1908 and written off in September 1961.
No.297 was involved in a maritime accident when the ship delivering it (along with No.296 & 298), the Duke of Devonshire, ran aground on Friday Island in the Torres Strait. The locomotives had rust damage but all were salvaged and put into service in 1897.
Registration number
R6781