1086

The BB18¼ class were 4-6-2 “Pacific” steam locomotives built for Queensland Railways in the 1950s. They were designed to be versatile workhorses capable of hauling express passenger, mail and freight services across the Queensland narrow-gauge network. Fifty-five of the class were built between 1950 and 1958 by Vulcan Foundry (UK) and Walkers Limited (Maryborough).

No. 1086 — Historical Summary

Construction: No. 1086 was built as part of the final group of 20 locomotives produced by Walkers Limited in Maryborough between 1955 – 1958, towards the end of steam locomotive construction in Queensland. 

Service: Like its sisters, No. 1086 would have been used on a wide variety of duties—country passenger trains, mail services, and goods trains—across the Queensland Rail network throughout the 1950s and 1960s as diesels gradually took over. 

Retirement and Preservation: Many of the BB18¼ class were withdrawn as steam operations wound down in the late 1960s and early 1970s. No. 1086 survived and is preserved. 

Current Status: In recent years, No. 1086 has been returned to preservation with DownsSteam in Toowoomba, giving heritage rail enthusiasts a chance to enjoy and conserve this iconic locomotive.