Friends of the Rail Forum

This is a photo of Australian U class 4-6-2 no 655 (North British 24863 of 1942), manufactured as part of the British war effort for North Africa during World War 2, but which was unused and became war surplus. Identical locomotives were supplied to the Sudan Railways. U655 is one of 14 locomotives purchased from the British Ministry of Munitions by the WAGR in 1946.

This loco is at ARHS Railway Museum, Bassendean, Perth. Photo date 9 May 2002.

Photo and details at http://www.australiansteam.com/wagrframe.htm , reproduced with the kind permission of the copyright holder.

Here is 660 from the same batch in store, servicable, at Midland Junction North of Perth in case of coal supply problems while steam still survived. The whole class was in a line there.

Taken 19 September 1965



Ian