Silverton Tramway W class

The Silverton Tramway W class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Silverton Tramway Company.

History
In January 1949, the Silverton Tramway Company ordered two 4-8-2 locomotives to the same design as the Western Australian Government Railways W class from Beyer, Peacock & Co, Manchester. A further two were ordered in November 1950.

All four arrived at Port Pirie in October 1951 and after final assembly, moved to Broken Hill in a convoy with two in steam. Until 1953, all were hired to the South Australian Railways on a rotating basis operating services out of Peterborough until the 400 class were delivered.

They differed from the WAGR examples in having a skyline cowling running the length of the boiler and smokebox, Westinghouse air brakes and an additional blow-down valve in the middle of the bottom of the boiler barrel.

The locomotives were retired after only 10 years in 1961, when the 48s class diesels arrived. They remained in store until disposed of in 1970 with three preserved. The Pichi Richi Railway have a locomotive operating as W22, however this is actually W916 masquerading with some parts from W22.