Loco 1086 0843[1]

Loco 1086 was delivered by road this morning. It is the same type as our 1037, BB18 1/4, though this one was made in Queensland rather than England. Some members were contemplating the HUGE restoration job ahead. July 2025.


An extract from a DownsSteam document.
"BB18¼ No.1086
No.1086 was one of the later BB18¼ locomotives, built by Walkers Limited in 1957 as part of the final batch of twenty. After a decade of service (likely based out of Rockhampton or Townsville depots), No.1086 was withdrawn by 1969–1970 during the diesel transition. Instead of being scrapped, it found a second life as a display piece in the town of Emerald, QLD. There it was placed on a plinth and christened the “Spirit of Emerald,” serving as a static monument to the steam age.
Around 2000, Emerald’s BB18¼ was made available for preservation. The Mackay Heritage Railway group, already restoring 1037, acquired No.1086 as a future project (essentially for
spare parts or eventual restoration). The locomotive was moved to Mackay to join 1037, but with limited resources the volunteers focused on finishing 1037 first. No.1086 remained in storage, patiently awaiting its turn. By 2025, with 1037 operational, attention finally turned to No.1086.
In mid-2025, No.1086 was transported south to DownsSteam in Toowoomba – the same facility hosting 1037. The plan is for DownsSteam’s experienced team to take on the restoration of 1086 to full running condition. At the time of its move, the locomotive was largely complete but in ex-restoration or “stored” condition (many parts needing overhaul, some components cannibalised over years to assist 1037’s rebuild). DownsSteam volunteers have begun assessing 1086’s boiler, running gear, and cab fittings, laying out a strategy for its overhaul. Given the group’s recent success, hopes are high that 1086 will follow 1037’s footsteps back to steam in the coming years."