Australian Railway History Magazine

Hugh Williams has authored an incredible article to mark the centenary of William Webb’s ‘Big Power’ Locomotives of the South Australian Railways (SAR). Webb arrived in 1922 to modernise SAR with American locomotive designs and infrastructure upgrades. He introduced the ‘big engine’ policy, focusing on larger, more powerful locomotives for freight and passenger services. Three classes were ordered from Armstrong Whitworth in the UK: 500 (4-8-2), 600 (4-6-2), and 700 (2-8-2), each designed for specific tasks. Initial teething troubles included mechanical defects, track limitations, and sharp curves, but despite these initial problems the 500, 600 and 700 classes contributed to increased efficiency, heavier loads, and modernised operations across South Australia. A special look also at the Last Runs of South Australia’s 500 Class Mountains is taken before all but one was cut up!
This issue also includes the Night the Prince Caught a Late-Night Train from Widgiewa, Royality taking the train is always an amazing moment, but a Prince took a train from where?!