John Fowler 7nhp Steam Road Locomotive facts for kids

The John Fowler 7nhp Steam Road Locomotive is a really old and special type of steam engine. It used to pull heavy things on roads. This amazing machine has 7 horsepower (about 5.2 kilowatts). It is now on display in Wellington, Australia. It was designed and built in 1912 by a company called John Fowler & Co. in England. Today, it's owned by the Dubbo Regional Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 2011. This means it's an important piece of history.

The Story of the John Fowler Steam Engine

How the Engine Arrived in Wellington

In 1911, the local council in Wellington, called Macquarie Shire Council, decided they needed new road-building equipment. They chose a steam road locomotive from a company in Sydney. The engine was built in England during 1912. It was then shipped all the way to Australia.

Bringing such a heavy machine to Wellington was tricky. The roads over the Great Dividing Range were not good enough. So, the engine had to be taken apart. It was then sent by train to Wellington. Once it arrived, it was put back together. An engineer came to help set it up and teach people how to use it. This happened in June 1912.

Building Roads with Steam Power

This steam road locomotive became very important for building roads in the Wellington area. Soon after it arrived, the government gave money to improve local roads. These roads were mostly just tracks for bullocks and horses. The steam engine helped turn them into proper roads.

The locomotive worked on many roads, like Arthurville, Yullundry, and Finger Post roads. It also helped at different quarry sites. Quarries are places where rocks are dug up for building. The engine and its wagons could make seven trips from the quarries in one day. This was much faster and cheaper than using horses.

Who Used the Engine?

The first driver for the council was Mr J. J. Fitzgerald. Other drivers included Bill Cameron and Jim Watson. From 1912 to 1922, the council also used the engine to carry coal. The coal went to the gas works and the water pumping station.

In 1922, the council sold the locomotive to Jacob Offner. The Offner family used it on their farms. It helped with things like threshing wheat and cutting chaff. It also pumped water and cleared land. They used it until newer machines became available.

A Journey Through Different Owners

In the 1950s, the engine was sold to Mr McNamara from Molong. He made repairs to keep it working. Later, in the 1980s, Peter Strickland from Narromine bought it.

In the 1990s, the locomotive was put up for sale again. People worried it might be bought and moved overseas. So, the Wellington Council bought it at an auction in 1994. After that, a group called "Friends of the Fowler" was formed. Their goal was to protect and preserve this special steam engine.

The Engine Today

Today, the John Fowler Steam Road Locomotive is used for public displays. It often appears at festivals. It even traveled to Canberra in 2001 for the Centenary of Federation parade. Most of its parts are original. Only parts that wore out from normal use have been replaced.

What is a Steam Road Locomotive?

A steam road locomotive is a type of traction engine. It's like a railway locomotive, but it runs on roads instead of tracks. Its main job was to pull heavy loads. These engines were very important for building roads and developing towns in rural areas. They helped open up new districts before trucks became common. Shire councils often used them for road building.

Where Did They Come From?

Traction engines first appeared in England around 1860. Companies in the UK, USA, and Europe built them for about 60 years. Famous makers included John Fowler of Leeds, Charles Burrell, and Aveling & Porter. Leeds was a major center for building these engines. They came in many forms, like general-purpose engines, steam rollers, and road locomotives.

By the 1890s, road steam technology was well developed. It didn't change much until the 1930s. Engines made for Australia were changed to suit local conditions. Australian companies also built some, but not many.

How They Worked

General-purpose traction engines usually had 5 to 8 horsepower. They often had one cylinder, but some had two. To pull heavy loads, their back wheels needed at least two gears. Sometimes they had three gears for faster speeds on long journeys. These engines were mostly used on farms. They helped with threshing, carrying wool, wheat, and timber. They also cleared land and powered farm machines.

Why They Disappeared

Steam traction engines were eventually replaced by tractors. These new tractors used internal combustion engines, like car engines. Many of these tractors became available after the First World War. By the 1920s, fewer people were ordering steam engines. By 1930, the era of the general-purpose traction engine was mostly over. After the Great Depression in the 1930s, many companies stopped making them.

Condition and Changes

How the Engine Looks Today

As of 2011, the John Fowler Steam Road Locomotive was in excellent condition. It was planned to have some repairs that year. These repairs would make sure it could keep working.

Many parts are still original. This includes the boiler, gears, fire box, smoke box, stack, chassis, and wheels.

What Has Been Changed?

On 28 November 1994, the back steel wheels were fitted with rubber tyres. This was done to protect bitumen roads from damage. Also, the original brass name plates, which said "Macquarie Shire," have been replaced.

In 2011, more work was planned to preserve the engine. This work was supported by a grant.

Why This Engine is Special

The John Fowler 7nhp Steam Road Locomotive is very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows us how old technology helped build roads in rural areas. This made it easier to travel and connect different parts of the state in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Because it still works well, it's a rare chance to see how powerful these machines were.

Showing History

This engine shows how steam road locomotives helped develop land in rural NSW. It was used in the Wellington area from 1912 to 1922. So, it has local historical importance too.

Connected to People and Groups

The engine is linked to the Macquarie Shire Council (now part of Wellington Council). It's also connected to local farm owners. They kept using the engine, which saved it from being sold for scrap metal.

Technical Achievement

The John Fowler Steam Road Locomotive is a working example of old machinery. It shows the strength and speed of machines used for road building back then. It also lets us compare engines made for Australia with those made for Europe.

Community Connection

Many people across NSW have seen and interacted with this locomotive. This helps them understand the technology and challenges of building roads in the past. The local council and community also worked hard to buy and preserve it.

A Rare Find

This John Fowler Steam Road Locomotive is a rare example in NSW. It's special because of its size and type, and because it can still operate. It's even rarer because it's owned by the public and is still in the area where it was first used. It's in good physical shape, with only worn-out parts replaced.

An Example of Old Technology

This locomotive is a great example of a type of machine that is no longer made. It was widely used for road building in regional NSW in the late 1800s and early 1900s.