Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Not so different after all

Aussie Steam Engine

The traditional British view is that foreign railways should be ignored and only the home-grown scene is of interest. I'll admit to preferring UK prototypes myself, but as these photos show, it's not as simple as this.

Take a look at the top photo. An Australian 3ft gauge prototype built by Beyer Peacock. Now look at this one:

Kissak
 
A 3ft gauge prototype, also built by Beyer Peacock. The front ends both show the "house style" or that the makers had a design that worked and weren't about to change it just because there were going to be more wheels and a tender behind the cylinders.
 
I wonder what would have happened if the Isle of Man had needed some tender engines...

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