07/10/2024
๐ช๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ก ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ข๐๐ก๐ง ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐?
One of the most common questions we regularly get asked is.. What happened to the train that was at the front of Centrepoint Midland Shopping Centre?
R174 played a major role in the record breaking rescue of Italian miner, Modesto Varischetti from a mine at Bonnie Vale (north of Coolgardie) in March 1907 after the mine became flooded and Varischetti was trapped 300 metres below ground.
R174 pulled the special train, carrying two divers, their assistants and equipment plus 800ft of air piping reaching the destination with 13 hours.
The locomotive was built in 1898 by Dubs and Company in Glasgow, Scotland and was in service with the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between March 1898 and May 1953.
Since 2011, R174 has called the Rail Heritage WA Museum in Bassendean home.
It was again restored by the volunteers at Rail Heritage WA and now sits pride of place within its museum amongst many other railway locomotives and rolling stock that have serviced our state.