Australian railways include a variety of gauges. Having a non-unified
rail system has caused significant transportation problems for many years.
In the southern states "broad gauge" (5'-3") was used. In the northern
state of Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania a narrow 3'-6" gauge
was used. In the sugar cane fields 2' gauge was found. In more recent
times Australia has converted some of their system to "standard gauge"
(4'-8½). Unlike the railroads of North America where the lines and
locomotives were owned and operated by various corporations, Australian
mainline railways were government owned and operated. The primary builders
of Australian steam locomotives were Fox Walker & Co of England,
Victoria Rails Newport Workshop, John Fowler & Co of England, and
Perry Engineering to name a few.
The links below will display complete lists of surviving steam locomotives in Australia. The lists are organised by state. Within each list the locomotives are sorted by city name and then by wheel arrangement.
Steve Llanso has provided detailed principal dimentions for many Australian steam locomotives. The data is organized by wheel arrangement and then by railway line/owner.
DimensionsThe photographs below were taken between 1999 and the present. Most are from regions of Queensland and Victoria. There are also some from the Northern Territory.