WALLABY - ILRMS ALBION PARK - 12-7-2025

 

Builder: Hawthorn Leslie & Company (Newcastle-On-Tyne)

Builders #: 2988

Year: 1913

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Meet Wallaby — The Little Locomotive That Could (and Did!)

Built in 1913 for the Hoskin Lithgow Steel Works, Wallaby was a hardworking little engine with a big job — keeping the No. 2 blast furnace fed and fiery. For nearly two decades, it chugged around the steelworks like a true industrial champion.

In 1932, Wallaby packed its bags and rolled off to Port Kembla, courtesy of Australian Iron and Steel Ltd. (AIS), as steel production shifted to the coast. But this wasn't just a one-off trip — in 1933, it took a short detour to South Kembla Colliery for a working holiday before heading back to AIS, where it settled in for the balance of it's working life.

After nearly 50 years of hard work, Wallaby steamed into retirement on 19 November 1962. Not one to fade quietly into obscurity, it was placed on static display less than a year later, on 5 June 1963 — giving the public a chance to admire this oldie up close.

In December 1979, Wallaby found a new forever home when donated to the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, where it continues to charm rail fans and history buffs alike."

All photos taken by Brad Peadon.

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Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society

Website 

Facebook

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 Please note that all these shots were taken midway through WALLABY getting some much deserved TLC.

This was recently finished and the magnificent results can be seen in the image below taken by Brad Johns.

More shots can be found on the 'Illawarra Light Railway Museum' Facebook page.

Photo: Brad Johns via Illawarra Light Railway Museum Facebook page.

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Note: Coming up on our SRF YouTube channel is a visit to the 'Black Diamond Heritage Centre' at Bulli station. A good look around, with footage of the utmost lowest quality you have come to demand.

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Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter.

Brad Johns

Volunteers of the 'Illawarra Light Railway Museum'

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Hawthorn, Leslie & Company

Illawarra Light Railway Museum - Website

Illawarra Light Railway Museum - Facebook

All The Smutty Details Group (Detail Photos)

Australian Railway Detail Photos (ARDP)

Semi-Retired Foamer: Travel & Aviation Blog

Light Railway Research Society of Australia

Check Out Our Link Tree Site For Links To All Our Transport,
Heritage/Research, and Travel Sites..

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When I was training to be a kamikaze pilot, the instructor was demonstrating the moves.

He told us...

"I'm only gonna show you this once."

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SPOTLIGHT ON 6040.

 

Builder: Beyer Peacock & Company (UK)

Class: AD60

Builders #: 7542

Year: 1946

Wheel Arrangement: 4-8-4 + 4-8-4

Statically preserved at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere.

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 If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could get right up in the face of a Beyer-Garratt,” well, you’re in luck — and possibly in need of help. This photographic feast brings you every bolt, pipe, and grime-encrusted corner of New South Wales Government Railways’ AD60 class No. 6040, captured during a particularly unproductive 'Brad N Virls' visit to Thirlmere last year.

  For those playing at home, 6040 is one of four surviving examples of Australia’s biggest steam locomotives — the mighty AD60 class, built by Beyer, Peacock & Co. in Manchester. Designed to conquer the steep grades and heavy loads of NSW, they did so with style, smoke, and a noise level that could put the fear of god in livestock two shires away. These days, 6040 enjoys a peaceful, if not horridly boring, existence at the NSW Rail Museum, where it mostly just poses for cameras and tolerates foamers.

  So, whether you’re a modeller seeking the all important rivet-level accuracy, or just someone who enjoys staring at complicated machinery that have become condos for arachnids, welcome to a collection that proves beauty really is in the details (even with kettles) — especially when the details are the size of your arm.

AD60 6040's builders plate.

6040 photos above taken by Virlyn Artocillo.

Rest of the photos below by Brad Peadon.

Getting a good close look at the running gear of these beasts is always amazing. Particular when in operation.

 Photo: Brad Peadon.

Garratt 6040 makes a pretty impressive impression the second you walk out of the hall.

Photo: Brad Peadon.

Hopefully that collection of photos has been of some marginal use to someone.

If not, maybe some modicum of interest will come forward in whatever I decide to inflict upon you next.

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Note: Coming up on our SRF YouTube channel is a visit to the 'Black Diamond Heritage Centre' at Bulli station. A good look around, with footage of the utmost lowest quality you have come to demand.

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Virls.

The NSW Rail Museum volunteers.

The 'Australian Steam' website for the amazing effort you put in.

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NSW AD60 Class Locomotive - Wikipedia

Beyer Peacock and Company - Wikipedia

Australian Steam Website

NSW Railways - Past & Present Group

NSW Railway Museum - Thirlmere

All The Smutty Details Group (Detail Photos)

Australian Railway Detail Photos (ARDP)

Semi-Retired Foamer: Travel & Aviation Blog

Light Railway Research Society of Australia

Check Out Our Link Tree Site For Links To All Our Transport,
Heritage/Research, and Travel Sites..

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#semiretiredfoamer