Historical information

Sub Nigel Gold Mines No. 3
Wheels: 0-6-0 WT
Builder: Orenstein & Koppel
Build Date: June 1931
Construction No.: 12331
Empty Weight: 10 tons 7 cwt
Weight in working order: 12 I/2 tons
Driver Diameter: Unknown
Tractive Effort: Unknown
Boiler Pressure: 185 lbs
Cylinders: Unknown
Fuel: Coal
Gauge: 2 ft 6 in (760mm)
Builders Number 12331
Used to haul gold bearing ore from mine to reduction works at the Sub Nigel Mine at Dunnattar, Transvaal, South Africa.
It was the first locomotive fitted by roller bearings by SKF and featured in the SKF catalogue at the time.

This interesting 0-6-0WT locomotive was built by Orenstein & Koppel in 1931 as their builder's number 12331, becoming No.3 in the locomotive fleet at the Sub Nigel Gold Mines Ltd, South Africa.
No.3 was obtained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society and imported to Australia in the early 1970s.
It arrived at the museum on 30th Jan 1973.
It has since been displayed at the Puffing Billy Museum, Menzies Creek.

Details from http://www.australiansteam.com/ok12331.htm

Donated by Gold Fields Property Co. Ltd South Africa in 1973.

Significance

Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge railway - Steam Locomotive with SKF Roller bearings - used at the Sub Nigel Mine at Dunnattar, Transvaal, South Africa.

Physical description

Steam Locomotive - Steel (Painted)

Inscriptions & markings

The Sub Nigel Ltd / 12331