Silverton Tramway 4-8-2 No. W 22
Quorn, SAUS, Australia 		Location: Pichi Richi Railway
Status: Parts Source
Posted: Aug 11, 2017 @ 15:08:32 by Robin R Beck
The W class of 4 locos was introduced in 1951. Very similar in design to the 60 W class locos of Western Australia. The cowling (skyline) running the top of the boiler being the easiest difference to see. All four were painted green, a departure from the Silverton Tramway black livery. They replaced the A class on heavy freight. They could haul trains of 1,200 tons. Even though a successful locomotive, dieselisation cut their lives short.

W22 last ran December 1960. It had only travelled 220,000 miles. Years later it operated a steam special over the Silverton Tramway before being hauled to Port Pirie and shipped to Victoria, arriving February 1969 at the open air museum at Menzies Creek on the Puffing Billy railway.

W22 was moved to The Pichi Richi railway and entered their workshops at Quorn to be made operational. The years of standing outdoors in a semi rain forest had done serious damage. The loco was beyond economic repair. So W 916 was restored as W22. Some parts were used off W22, most noticeable its nameplate and builder plates. Maybe also the cowl. Today W 22 sits outside stripped of all identity, with its tender nearby. Only the different paint on the cab front, where the cowl was hints at its true identity.