460

On 13 January 1897, Walkers Limited completed their first steam locomotive, with a very successful trial run to Howard and return. This engine became known as a B15 class 4-6-0 tender design, and allocated QR No. 299, Walkers Limited works No. 1. The 'B' signifies three driving axles and the '15' is the cylinder diameter in inches. The Walkers Limited design was similar to that of locomotives imported from England, but they were fitted with much-improved cabs and were the first engines built for the Queensland Railways to come ready fitted with the Westinghouse automatic brake system. Builders plates were fitted to each side of the tender as well as each cab side, and in addition, a large circular maker's plate (complete with 5 point star and the words 'Walkers Limited Engineers') was carried on the smokebox door similar to early American engines. Source: maryboroughwhistlestop.org.au/299.html

Both the Shanghai-Nanking Railway and the Shanghai-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway were British concessions and I would expect them to use British locomotives (the railways did indeed order locomotives from Northern British in later years) but this is very definitely a French locomotive. Specifically, an État 3700 class 4 cylinder de Glehn compound 230. I wonder if this is really Shanghai? I looked at a few photos of the various Shanghai Train Stations from this period of virtualshanghai and they are all significantly larger than the building in the background. Wusong 1905, South Station 1908, North Station, 1908 The pilot (cow catcher) is similar to those fitted to locos in Indochina, which would make more sense for a French locomotive. This is a "ten wheeler", a 4-6-0 in American terms or a 230 under French classification, built in the first decade of the 20th century. schematic