Hunslet 306

[Lee]

A recent addition to the Australian War Memorial Museum In Canberra is a Hunslet 306 4.6.0 light locomotive. This little loco was used by Australian Troops In France in 1917 / 1918 to haul ammunition. It was then transported to Queensland and used by a sugar mill till 1960. It has been fully restored and still has a certified boiler but it is unlikely to be steamed again.
For anybody visiting Canberra the memorial is a must see it has just been renovated and extended. Sound and Light shows and interactive computer screens help make this an awesome place to spend a few hours.

[Tel]

Geez - I haven't been to the War Museum since about 1968, might have to make the three hour trek down there.

[englishsteamer]

I'm building a 7 1/4 version. Can be found on my website if anyone interested. www.co2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

[brozier]

Hi Lee,

Do you have any pictures of the Hunslet?

The Spencer I'm building is a 3 1/2" Gauge version, more pictures are always useful.

Englishsteamer there is a repatriated WD Hunslet which will be on display in Staffordshire in September. Would you like the details? I'll be going to visit it with my camera!

Cheers
Bryan

[englishsteamer]

That would be kind of you. Somebody sent me a picture of it arriving on a lowloader.

[brozier]

Hiya,

This is the info I've got....

Re: News Update


More details of the MRT & site/location at www.mrt.org.uk

September 13/14th are certainly the days to aim for!

Cheers,
Gareth

--- In [e-mail], "Ian Hughes" <hughesi.460@...> wrote:
>
> >
> > Which Apedale is this? I'd quite like to visit 1215 at some point.
> >
> It's near Newcastle-under-Lyme, there's a mining heritage centre
there
> which is open to the public, other than that you can take pot luck as
> to whether there will be an MRT member on site who can spare the time
> to show you about, unless of course you can wait until the open
> weekend, when ther should be some interesting things moving about.
>
> Cheers
>
> Ian
>

[Lee]

I only just noticed this post. Sorry Bryan I no longer have the photos of the Hunslet.
I have just done a search of the AWM web site and found some info but no photos.

Lee

www.awm.gov.au/

REL29508
Title: Serial 306 Hunslet 4-6-0 T, narrow gauge locomotive : British Army
Maker: Hunslet Engine Company, Leeds
Object type: Vehicle
Place made: United Kingdom: England
Date made: 1916
Brass; Copper; Steel; War Department, standard narrow gauge, 4-6-0 locomotive engine. Works number '1218' and War Department number '306'. The locomotive has been fully restored to represent service on the Western Front during the First World War. It is painted overall black. Rectangular shaped saddle tanks are fitted to each side of the boiler with the WD number rivetted to the side of each tank. The engineers compartment has been fully completed with steel hand rails, brass pressure fittings and copper piping.
This locomotive was one of the first batch supplied by Hunslet to the War Department. It is known to have operated on the Western Front from 1916, and appears to have undergone relatively limited modification after the war. It is probable that it was initially allocated to the area around Trones Wood, South-East of Guillemont and was then transferred to the Ypres area. Three Australian light railway companies operated some locomotives of this type. The locomotive was re-purchased by Hunslet at the end of the war and was overhauled, slightly modified, re-gauged (from 600 to 610mm) and supplied to the Engineering Supply Company of Australia in 1924. They sold it to Gin Gin Sugar Mill of Queensland where it operated until 1966 when it was sold into private hands. Modifications include re-gauging, addition of an extended smokebox, possible re-cylindering (or modifications to the lagging) and minor alterations to fittings.

[spurley]

[brozier]

Hi Lee,

No worries - I hadn't noticed the date of your original posting more than four years ago!

I found a picture on the museum site it looks like it is a pig to photograph - a black thing in a dark room. Looks like it is the best preserved example, I'd love some pictures of the inside of the cab.

Thanks for your pic spurley do you know where it's from?

Cheers
Bryan

[Lee]

Bryan
I will see if I can find the time to get over there and take some photo's of inside the cab. It isn't very far from home unfortunately it is fairly dark in there. A common complaint.

Lee

[olly]

hi lee
you better be quick and get to the AWM as they plan to move the hunslet into storage in the near future to make way for WW1 war bird display. i was one of the many volunteer's that worked on the restoration of this loco, it was stripped down to its bare chassis and 90 years of dirt and grime removed a long and dirty job. It was given a new smoke box,new side tanks,parts of the cab and numerous fittings however to my knowledge the boiler was never tested and i don't believe the power to be at the AWM will ever put it back in steam as there policy is to mothball all there exhibits. please if you get to take any pictures of the inside of the cab DON'T get the pressure gauge in the shot its not the original and i believe it is marked the Sydney sprinkler company.
I will see if my contacts at the AWM have any photos i can down load on the site

[spurley]

Hi Bryan

Would you believe I got it from the museum site link earlier in the thread!? I visited the site and it was well hidden.

I hope it's the right engine!!?!

Cheers

Brian

[brozier]

Hiya Guys,

I'd appreciate any photos you could get me, though only if it's not a lot of hassle for you.

Cheers
Bryan