138, ex-South African Railways NG/G16 Garratt, Welsh Highland Railway
An ex-South African Railways NG/G16 2 ft gauge Beyer-Garratt 2-6-2+2-6-2, in regular service on the Welsh Highland Railway.
No. 138 was built at Beyer Peacock's Gorton works in Manchester in 1958 (works number 7863). It was part of the 137 to 143 batch, originally ordered by the Tsumeb Copper Corporation in South West Africa but taken over by South African Railways before delivery; that batch was the last set of steam locomotives Beyer Peacock ever built. After nearly forty years on SAR narrow-gauge service, 138 was repatriated to Wales in 1997 and rebuilt for operation on the rebuilt Welsh Highland Railway.
Notable history
Built by Beyer Peacock at Gorton, Manchester, in 1958 (works number 7863). The 137 to 143 batch (which includes 138, 140 and 143) was the last set of steam locomotives Beyer Peacock ever built; the order was originally placed by the Tsumeb Copper Corporation in South West Africa but was taken over by South African Railways before completion. Worked SAR narrow-gauge service for nearly forty years; repatriated to Wales in 1997 and now in regular service on the Welsh Highland Railway.
Additional notes
Location, livery and status last confirmed pre-2024, subject to verification.
