Choo Choo 224
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The South Australian Railways Rx class locomotive
In 1886, six R class locos were delivered from Dubs & Co in Scotland to work on the new Bordertown line, being highly successful a further 24 were delivered between 1890 & 1895 from James Martin in Gawler, these locos were used on goods & passenger trains on the northern lines.     Major changes were made to these locos between 1899 & 1913 and were designated Rx, a further 54 locos to the new design were acquired from various makers during 1909-1916, making a total of 84, the largest number in a class on the SAR.    They were used on all trains including the 'Melbourne Express' where sometimes they double-headed with another pushing, until the big power arrived in 1926.    A large number survived until the demise of steam in the late 1960's, with a few preserved in parks, Rx93 (from the first order) is preserved at the National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide, Rx207 & 224 are kept by Steam Ranger for tourist trains.    When the main Melbourne line was standardised in 1996, Steam Ranger relocated to the Mt Barker-Victor Harbour line, where Rx207 & 224 have been a popular attraction on the Cockle Train, between Goolwa & Victor Harbor. Ref:- Steam Locomotives & Railcars of the South Australian Railways, by R E Fluck, R Sampson, K J Bird. National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide   http://www.natrailmuseum.org.au SteamRanger at Mount Barker  http://www.steamranger.org.au
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