Queensland 6D13½ class locomotive

The Queensland Railways 6D13½ class locomotive was a class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives operated by the Queensland Railways.

Queensland Railways 6D13½ class
B13 1/2 398 - nicknamed Pompey - stored at the Ipswich Railway Workshops after being displayed for a long time.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder North Ipswich Railway Workshops Serial number 2-7 Build date 1904-1905 Total produced 6 Rebuilder North Ipswich Railway Workshops Rebuild date 6 Number rebuilt 1937-1938
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T (as built) 0-6-0 (as rebuilt) Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 3 ft 0 in (914 mm) Length 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m) Fuel type Coal Cylinders 2 outside Cylinder size 13.5 in × 20 in (343 mm × 508 mm)
Career Operators Queensland Railways Numbers 396-401 Preserved 398 Disposition 1 preserved, 5 scrapped

History

In 1904 the North Ipswich Railway Workshops assembled six 0-6-0T locomotives. The wheel sets came from B15 class locomotives and the cylinders have been purchased for an aborted project. Per Queensland Railway's classification system they were designated the 6D13½ class, 6D representing they were a tank locomotive with six wheels, and the 13½ the cylinder diameter in inches.[1][2]

They were generally used as shunters in Brisbane, but on occasions were used in Toowoomba and Warwick. In 1937-1938 all were converted to 0-6-0 tender locomotives and reclassified as the B13½ class with tenders from B13 and C15 class locomotives.[1][2]

Class list

Number Works number In service Notes 396 2 July 1904 397 3 August 1904 398 4 October 1904 Preserved at Workshops Rail Museum 399 5 November 1904 400 6 February 1905 401 7 April 1905

Preservation

One has been preserved:

• 398 at the Workshops Rail Museum

References

1. Armstrong, John (1994). Locomotives in the Tropics Volume 2. Brisbane: Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 88, 89, 109, 110. ISBN 9780909937263.
2. Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. pp. 36, 115, 151. ISBN 086417778X.