Ashley
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Ashley
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December 26th 1986 saw the first public operation on the 610mm (2ft) gauge Harvey Fruit Bowl/Big Orange railway at Tilden Orchard. Modeled on the Big Pineapple (QLD) idea, it was situated on South Western Hwy on the northern approach to the Harvey township, the "Big Orange" on top of the main building being most notable from the highway when approaching Harvey from the north.. 2.5km of 45lb rail ex Meekatharra branch (much dating back to 1896) was laid to make a circuit through the orchards of a large variety of citrus fruits, nuts etc. One long steep grade and four bridges were a feature on the line including one bridge over the old Harvey River watercourse.
The locomotive used was a steam outlined 4 wheel drive 4.8 tonne unit built by Kless Engineering of Marayong NSW (Kless Engineering was operated by Malcolm Baldwin of the Baldwin Loco production family), powered by a 4 cylinder Perkins diesel engine transmitting drive to the wheel through a Twin-Disc torque converter transmission to the rear axle and then a tail shaft to the leading axle.
The 3 bogie coaches used were built on site in Harvey using wheels built by Connellan in Queensland. On closure of the Big Orange complex, the BBR sought to purchase the rails in 1994, but were unsuccessful with the rail being sold to a scrap merchant. In February 1994, the locomotive and coaches were purchased by the Brajkovich family for the "Dizzy Lamb Park" - a fun park located at Carrabooda, north of Wanneroo where it saw minimal use on the railway there. Closure of this facility in 2000 saw the locomotive & coaches relocated to the Brajkovich family chicken farm in Herne Hill Middle Swan. After a visit to Whiteman Park by a member of the Brajkovich family in 2004, contact was made with the BBR indicating that they had a 2ft gauge locomotive that may be available and enquired if were we interested. In September 2004, members of the BBR visited the farm where the loco was stored to see what condition it was in and its viability for use on the BBR.
Whilst at the Farm, other items including the 3 bogie carriages, some wheel sets, a tipping ore hopper , a grain elevator and Ridley#1 were shown. The BBR later negotiated for these items also. After some further dealings with the Brajkovich family, the little Kless loco named "Ashley" and its train known as the "Orange Blossum Special", were donated to W.A.L.R.P.A for use on the BBR on a long term loan agreement, on the condition that BBR keep them in working condition. After arrival at the Mussel Pool depot during October 2005, Ashley was started and found to be in good running order. A new fuel tank was fitted and then several test runs were made. Then the locomotive was given a new nose cone, sound proof lining of the cab, new paint & livery and a new whistle.
The 3 Harvey/Dizzy Lamb coaches arrived at the Mussel Pool depot on 26/06/06 and were in a poor condition. The coaches frames were sandblasted, primed and then received new tin roofing. New timber side panels & seat timbers were fitted and then a new coat of paint was applied to match the locomotive. "ADL" is the BBR classification for the coaches and they are numbered 101, 102 & 103.
Ashley and its coaches entered service on the BBR for the Friends of Thomas day on 20th October 2006. In its "Thomas Blue" livery with the open "Toast Rack" style coaches, it is one of the most popular trains for the riding public, with passengers clamouring to get a seat each time it arrives at the station.
Ashley is a welcome addition to the BBR operating fleet and will primarily see use on FOTTE days where its popularity & capability to move large numbers of people assists greatly in the smooth operation of BBR's biggest event.
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Bennett Brook Railway Webmaster N. Blinco
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