Minister for the Arts Joy Burch recently announced that a 1925 road locomotive which played a key role in building early Canberra is set to return to the Capital almost 90 years on.
“It is a real thrill to secure this important piece of Australia’s heritage,” Ms Burch commented.
Ms Burch explained that The Cultural Facilities Corporation and the Land Development Agency have secured the purchase of the Fowler 16161 engine with part funding of $180,000 from the Australian Government’s National Cultural Heritage Account, which helps to keep important items of Australia’s cultural heritage in the country. “This Leeds-manufactured engine was used between 1925 and 1927 to haul materials from the Kingston railhead and Canberra Brickworks for the construction of Parliament House.” Ms Burch commented.
Ms Burch explained that the 10m long, 19 ton engine is in excellent condition, but will require some restoration work before it returns to Canberra to go on display. It will be operated for special events. Its ultimate home is yet to be determined, but the engine’s early links with the Kingston railhead and Canberra Brickworks make these sites forerunners.
“In recognition of the strong ties between the road locomotive and key urban renewal sites, such as the Kingston Foreshore and the Canberra Brickworks, the Land Development Agency has committed significant financial support to the purchase and restoration of this iconic piece of Canberra’s history,” Treasurer Andrew Barr said. “The purchase and restoration of this locomotive provides a unique opportunity for Canberrans to see the type of machinery which helped to develop our city.”
Mr Barr explained that the locomotive has passed through several owners starting In 1947 when the Federal Capital Commission sold the road locomotive to Thomas Field who used it to clear farming land at Lanyon. The Fowler engine left the region in the early 1950s when it was put to work to power a timber mill at Reids Flat about 170km from Canberra. It then passed into the hands of Cowra-based steam enthusiast Bob McLeod in the early 1960s, who famously used it to recover a rail locomotive which had dropped into the Cowra turntable pit in 1966. The engine was subsequently bought by a Sydney-based collector in 1976 from whom it is now being bought.
“This engine represents a unique and evocative link to our city’s past and will provide fantastic opportunities to engage locals and visitors with the story of Canberra’s creation,” Ms Burch said.