Western Australia Government Railways 4-6-2 No. 655
Bassendean, Western Australia, Australia 		Location: The Railway Museum
Status: Display
Posted: Aug 13, 2018 @ 04:08:28 by Robin R Beck
In 1942 The British War Department in 1942 had 55 locomotives built for possible use in Africa. They were oil fired and 42 inch gauge. At the end of the war 20 were surplus and stored. With a shortage of locos, WAGR obtained 14 of these locos becoming their U class. They operated passenger and freight on Perth's southern line to Albany & Bunbury. The arrival of the X class diesel saw them move to lesser freights. By 1957 the running cost of these oil fired locos as three times as much as other coal fired locos. They were all stored, occasionally returning to work. Five engines were used in 1961 during a coal shortage & some again in the late 60s. WAGR 655 in service 1947. Stored along with others in 1957. 1967 returned to work short trip freights. Was the last class member when withdraw in 1970. Now displayed at the Bassendean railway museum

In 1947 WAGR started the Australind express train from Perth to Bunbury. The U class hauled this train taking 3 hours 15 minutes over 115 miles. This time included all stops and a passenger meal break at Pinjarra, becoming the fastest narrow gauge passenger train in Australia. A year later X class diesels took over, with the train having a catering service. Ran even quicker. The service today takes 2 hour 30 minutes.