2254) "WA Railways W-945 'Banksiadale", Australia: "STEAM POWER - Australian Rail Heritage" - Steam Engines Coin Series": Fifth Coin in the 50 Cents Coin Series features the iconic Steam Engine WAGR Class introduced in 1950s: Year of Coin issue: 2022:
"Australian Rail Heritage Coin Series" brings together seven iconic locomotives to celebrate the golden age of Australian Steam Engines.
Covering more than a century of steam travel, the story of the railways opening up the country and putting Australia on a path to federation and a modern nation is presented on this Coin Series.
The Fifth Coin features the "WAGR W Class, Steam Locomotive/Engine - called "Banksiadale":
A Brief:
Banksiadale is a locality and former town in the Peel region of Western Australia north of Dwellingup. Its local government area is the Shire of Murray.
Banksiadale is named after the plant genus Banksia, as the area consists of jarrah forest with unusually thick understorey of Banksia grandis (Bull Banksia). For over 50 years, the area was home to a small timber milling town.
The WAGR W class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1951 and 1972, built and conceived by Beyer, Peacock & Co, United Kingdom in 1950.
The locomotive included many proprietary boiler and ancillary fittings, as well as parts interchange ability. The firebox was substantially altered to take into account the properties of Collie Coal. This included a combustion chamber, thermic syphons and arch bar tubes.
The running gear was based heavily on Beyer, Peacock & Co's Standard Light Garratt, which was built for the South Australian Railways as its 400 class.
The first 40 were delivered partially erected, whilst the final 20 were fully assembled prior to shipping.
The last 20 had larger tenders, capable of holding an additional 2,500 litres (550 imp gal; 660 US gal). All were delivered between April 1951 and June 1952.
The light axle load of the W class, 9.5t, gave it availability across the entire WAGR Network.
The class had a reputation for being free steamers and strong pullers.
Although they have a well-deserved reputation for their reliability, like any new class the W locos suffered some minor teething problems, including ashpan failures, and leaks in and around the foundation ring. The leaks were traced to faulty welding and rectified.
As dieselisation of WAGR continued, the class was gradually moved to the southern parts of the network.
Withdrawals commenced in 1968 with the last released from opertations in 1972.
Most of the class was scrapped in 1971, although 19 were held in reserve at Midland Railway Workshops until 1972. The last few remained at Midland until 1980.
The W Class locomotives - present day:
The light axle load of the W class along with their relative youth resulted in them being sought after by tourist operators, both in Western Australia and interstate with 15 preserved.
Presently, they form the backbone of the Hotham Valley Railway and Pichi Richi Railway fleets with each having three operational examples.
Until 2006, Hotham Valley Railway's Ws operated services on the Brookfield Rail network, but today they are confined to its own heritage line.
Preservation - W945 (Banksiadale) featured on this Coin is owned by Hotham Valley Railway (1977), and is still operational as a tourist heritage Railway engine.
The Coin featuring - the iconic "WAGR W Class, Steam Locomotive/Engine - called "Banksiadale" Steam Engine:
The Folder containing the Coin and a description of its history and how it helped shape modern day Australia
The Obverse of the 50 Cents Uncirculated Coin depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The peripheral inscription reads -"ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 50 CENTS".
The specifications of this Coin are:
Country of issue: Australia; Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Steam Power - Australia's Railway Heritage"; Coin Theme: "W-945 "Banksiadale - Steam Engine"; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Cents; Weight: 15.55 grams; Diameter/Size: 31.51 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated; Coin Folder: Coloured Uncirculated Coin and Folder, Coin Card; Minted By: Royal Australian Mint: Mintage: 20,000 pieces.
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Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very nice message on Railways. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
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