A Pair of Bantams Come to Grief
by Chris Rowles, Perth Australia.

The following photographic report comes from Perth, Western Australia. The photographs cover the service testing of two Argyle locoworks 0-4-0ST Bantams. These are based upon a Dixon Locomotive Works of Scranton, Pennsylvania, small industrial and plantation-type steam locomotive for service in the African town of Lourenco Marges (Mozambique). The prototype is 60cm (2ft) gauge. Being outside framed, the model is convertible between 32mm and 45mm gauge (2ft to 3ft gauge).

The photos show the testing and first service operations of both locomotives. Builder's number 14, is owned by myself (with a strong caveat placed on her by her name sake, and my 11 eleven year old daughter, Alexandra). The dispute over ownership arose from the fact that the Alex feels that as the loco shares her name, she should be the one the love and care for it. Dad has since resolved the issue by ordering a second Bantam for her specifically. The delivery of the locomotive is dependent upon a significant financial contribution from said daughter.

The locomotive has been modified with a new builder's plate on the smoke box, name plates "ALEXANDRA" and number plates "9" and had a dome replacement to match other family characteristics of the line. I guess its a matter of aesthetics, I like spun brass dome covers, thin stacks and open cabs. This is what I'm used to seeing. Spark arresters and enclosed wooden cabs are not my particular cup of tea.

Builder's number 17, is owned by David Brown and is ex-shops from the Argyle Locoworks. She is younger of the pair by three weeks.

The photographs were all taken at Port Kennedy, south of Perth on David Brown's layout. The layout is the southern end of a three layouts used by a small group of enthusiasts for operation in the Perth area. This layout is at ground level for 60% of the run. It incorporates dual gauge code 332 track, with hand built dual gauge turnouts. A raised section has one 45mm single gauge station and then lead to a 32mm industrial siding. At the time of writing a second 45 mm high level station area is under construction. Further construction will modify the main dual gauge station and complete two additional 32mm station areas.

This line is unpowered, using either steam or battery operation only. At present, my layout is under going a reconstruction, after eight years of running. The track has been lifted and substantial landscaping has taken place. The new layout will be raised 700 mm from the back paved in area (operating level), however the track will be ground level in the raised garden beds. Track relaying will commence later this autumn (fall) when the weather cools off a little (and the rains come to make the ground manageable).

From an operating point of view, these locomotives are extremely simple to operate. They all have a running time of 20+ minutes on a single 70cc fill of the boiler, and a recharge of gas once steam is raised. The locos are extremely docile and at this stage manually controlled. At the time of writing, both locos were used as the centre piece of an exhibition and ran faultlessly for six hours of near continuous steaming.

As further testimony of the ease of the loco to operate, Alexandra has operated her name sake unassisted (but somewhat supervised). As she has consented to making a real contribution towards the purchase cost, a third loco was ordered for delivery in later 1999 or early 2000 for her use.

Double headed Bantams, builders number 14 leads builders number 17 as they drift down grade during the acceptance steam test of #17. Modified #14 has been running for about 3 weeks and was used to gauge the performance of stock locomotive #17. Up until this stage #17 had been steam tested on blocks and once around the layout under its own steam.

March 14, 1999: bantams hulled down in the dust. Both engines were in revenue service, lead locomotive ALEXANDRA, had been in service since March 7, and helper (b/n 17) new on the 14th, came to grief when an out of gauge rear axle on Alexandra interacted with an out of gauge rail joiner and derailed. Both locos remained upright for 8 meters, passed through a curved tunnel and them deflected in opposite directions as the leading engine dropped over the 32mm gauge check rail and came to rest in the ballast.

Over head shot of the same accident. The tunnel mouth is clearly visible in the background. The long over hang at the rear of the locos is due to the short wheel base of the Bantam design (the wheels are just off the rails). The lead loco has kicked off the rail, and been shunted by the trailing loco (neither coupled) which in turn has been deflected on the opposite tack. The initial modifications are clearly seen, a new British style dome cover and name plates have been fitted to the lead loco, the rear is out of shop from the Argyle Locoworks.

Bantam (b/n 14) named Alexandra, #9. Sporting a new name plate, number plate and dome cover, Alexandra is taking a string of 6 pairs logging disconnect bogies back to the woods for loading. In this shot you can see a dual gauge turnout above the loco. This loco which is gauge convertible between 32 mm and 45mm was configured for 45mm gauge at the time.

Alexandra #9. Same location as previous shoot, but from a slightly different angle (all the better to read the name plate)

Again, the same location from a slightly wider angle and 3/4 view of the locomotive. The track is set directly in the ground at this point, and held only by the ballast. The track subgrade is an inch of concrete to help hold the ballast and prevent it from sinking into the leached Perth sand. This track has been in operation for four years, and is watered for ten minutes every day by the garden reticulation system. It shows a need for additional ballasting, which will take place when the weather gets a little cooler.

Heading home- Bantam b/n14 drifts down the grade from the forest section to return loco and logging rolling stock to storage after another perfect summer's day labour.