Historical information

Steam Locomotive - 1711 Peckett
“Sir John Grice”
Date built - 1926
Locomotive type ; Cranmore
Original owner - Metropolitan Gas Coy., West Melbourne
Original gauge - 762mm
Withdrawn - 1941
Next owner - Whistle Stop Amusement Park, Frankston

Built in 1926 for the West Melbourne site of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and issued to traffic the same year this saddle tank locomotive was named “Sir John Grice” in 1928. It was withdrawn from traffic in 1941 and stored until sold privately in 1962. In 1965 it was sold again and went to the Whistle Stop Amusement Park in Frankston and again stored until bought at auction by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in 1974 and put on static display in the Steam Museum. Restoration started in 1978 and it was returned to service in 1981 painted light green with yellow lining. It is temporarily renamed “Thomas the Tank Engine” with a fibreglass “Thomas” body cover each time it appears in the “Thomas the Tank Engine” shows at Gembrook station.

Significance

Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Steam Locomotive used at the Metropolitan Gas Coy., West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Physical description

Steam Locomotive made of steel, wrought iron

Inscriptions & markings

Peckett