Description
“No. 259 – The Curious Story of a Forgotten Locomotive”
By Ralph Holden
Paperback cover 40 pages black/white photos
INTRODUCTION
The Arrival of a Stranger – In the middle of 1913 a very curious locomotive arrived at Port Lincoln on board the ss Morialta. It was an internal combustion engined machine built by the Ruhrthaler Maschinenfabrik Gmbh of Mülheim in Germany. The sale had been arranged through the agents Ironside Son & Dyckerhoff (London), and the locomotive was shipped initially to Port Adelaide on the ss Essinglen. It had arrived at its Eyre Peninsula destination on 30th July 1913.
A report in the West Coas Recorder of 6th August said, ”There arrived in Port Lincoln by the Morialta on Wednesday last an engine entirely different to anything previously seen in the Commonwealth, and its appearance has evoked considerable interest, as there is the probability it will revolutionise the present system of propelling railway engines by steam. The new arrival is of a most peculiar design compared to the usual class of engine in vogue, and its square-shaped body and low wheels gives one the impression that it is not a very fast engine but rather designed for drawing heavy loads. The engine now is minus several important parts but a fair idea can be gauged of what will be its appearance when it is complete”. The need to await additional ‘important parts’ may have been the reason why the locomotive did not enter service until 6th June 1914.
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