Queensland B15 class locomotive

The Queensland Railways B15 class locomotive is an old class of 4-6-0 engines operated by the Queensland Railways.

Queensland Railways B15 class
Photograph of a B15, c.1890
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Nasmyth, Wilson & Co (15) Evans, Anderson, Phelan & Co (21) Yorkshire Engine Company (10) Walkers Limited (52) Build date 1889-1899 Total produced 98
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 3 ft 0 in (914 mm) (as built) 3 ft 9 in (1,143 mm) (replacements) Length 45 ft 7 in (13.89 m) Fuel type Coal Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 15 in (381 mm) Valve gear Stephenson
Career Operators Queensland Railways Numbers 3, 23, 42, 54, 95, 205-219, 235-244, 270-280, 289-338, 341-346, 539 Preserved 290, 299 Disposition 2 preserved, 96 scrapped

History

In 1889 the first B15 class locomotives built by Nasmyth, Wilson & Co entered service. Further orders from Evans, Anderson, Phelan & Co, Yorkshire Engine Company and Walkers Limited saw the class total of 92 engines by 1899. Per Queensland Railway's classification system they were designated the B15 class engine, B representing they had three driving axles, and 15-inch (381 mm) diameter cylinders. A further six engines were acquired In 1919 when the Queensland Railways took over the Chillagoe Railway & Mining Co.^[1][2][3]

Problems with broken rails saw three sets of 45-inch (1,143 mm) driving wheels acquired from the South Australian Railways and fitted to 336 at North Ipswich Railway Workshops in November 1900. Judged a success, most others were fitted over the next 30 years. They spent most of their life operating out of Cairns.^[1][2][3][4]

Preservation

Two examples are preserved.

• 290 at the Workshops Rail Museum
• 299 at Maryborough station^[4]