Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotive - British War Office 327
Production date
1916
Country
England
State/Province
West Yorkshire
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Object detail
Description
A 2 ft gauge steam tank locomotive with a 4-6-0T wheel arrangement. The locomotive has been painted in matt black with khaki paint inside the cabin. Two plates, with 327 cast into them, have been attached to both side tanks.
Classification
TRANSPORT Railways steam locomotive
Maker
Production date
1916
Production place
Measurements
L6200 x W2200 x H3000 mm
Weight (kg) 14000kg
Weight (kg) 14000kg
Media/Materials description
Steel (Metals - Ferrous) Brass (Metals - Non-Ferrous) Paint (Surface Treatments)
Signature/Marks
THE HUNSLET ENGINE Co Ltd \ W ↑ D \ LEEDS \ INDENT No D.R.T 648 \ MAY 8th 1916. \ No 1239 - 1916
327
327
History and use
Hunslet tank locomotive No. 1239, a 2 ft gauge steam locomotive, was built in Leeds in 1916 for use in France during the First World War. It was one of 115 locomotives built by the Hunslet Engine Company between 1916 and 1919 for the British War Office. Hundreds of locomotives from British and American manufacturers, together with thousands of wagons, were supplied as part of the war effort. 1239 was allocated the running number 327 by the War Office.
Maintaining essential supplies to the front lines during the period of trench warfare on the Western Front was an extremely difficult operation. Early trucks and horse-drawn wagons proved inadequate to move the tonnages of supplies required. In 1916, the British Army was finally convinced to commission specially built 60 cm gauge light railways to transport food and ammunition from standard gauge railheads located away from the Front to forward positions. Hunslet locomotives were therefore commissioned.
These locomotives were expected to have a very short working life but many survived to undertake post-war service and Hunslet locomotives were used, amongst other things, for the evacuation of wounded and post-war reconstruction.
Despite the short life expectancy, in 1920 Hunslet No. 1239 was one of fifteen Hunslet tank locomotives transported to Queensland after the war. It was sold to the Queensland Government for use at North Eton mill. During its service in the sugar industry, Hunslet No. 1239 underwent a number of modifications, including extending the smokebox and removing the rear spectacle plate. It was decommissioned in 1964 and placed as a static exhibit in a local park at Eton in Queensland.
Hunslet No. 1239 was donated to the Museum by Mackay Sugar Co-operative in 2005.
Maintaining essential supplies to the front lines during the period of trench warfare on the Western Front was an extremely difficult operation. Early trucks and horse-drawn wagons proved inadequate to move the tonnages of supplies required. In 1916, the British Army was finally convinced to commission specially built 60 cm gauge light railways to transport food and ammunition from standard gauge railheads located away from the Front to forward positions. Hunslet locomotives were therefore commissioned.
These locomotives were expected to have a very short working life but many survived to undertake post-war service and Hunslet locomotives were used, amongst other things, for the evacuation of wounded and post-war reconstruction.
Despite the short life expectancy, in 1920 Hunslet No. 1239 was one of fifteen Hunslet tank locomotives transported to Queensland after the war. It was sold to the Queensland Government for use at North Eton mill. During its service in the sugar industry, Hunslet No. 1239 underwent a number of modifications, including extending the smokebox and removing the rear spectacle plate. It was decommissioned in 1964 and placed as a static exhibit in a local park at Eton in Queensland.
Hunslet No. 1239 was donated to the Museum by Mackay Sugar Co-operative in 2005.
Registration number
R5965
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