143, 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, working on the Welsh Highland Railway.
No. 143 was built at Beyer Peacock's Gorton works in Manchester in 1958 (works number 7868) and is the very last steam locomotive that Beyer Peacock ever built. 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.
The Welsh Highland Railway thus uniquely operates both the very first Garratt ever built (K1 of 1909) and the very last (143 of 1958). 143 was repatriated from South Africa in 1997 and now runs on the rebuilt WHR.
Notable history
Built by Beyer Peacock at Gorton, Manchester, in 1958 (works number 7868) and the very last steam locomotive Beyer Peacock ever built. Part of the 137 to 143 batch originally ordered by the Tsumeb Copper Corporation and taken over by South African Railways before delivery. Worked SAR narrow-gauge service until repatriation to Wales in 1997, and now runs on the Welsh Highland Railway.
Additional notes
Location, livery and status last confirmed pre-2024, subject to verification.
