Matheran Light Railway Locomotives 1 to 4

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	0-6-0T
Gauge	2 ft (610 mm)
Driver dia.	30 in (0.762 m)
Loco weight	15 tons (empty), 17 tons (working)
Water cap.	450 imp gal (2,000 L; 540 US gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	7 sq ft (0.65 m2)
Boiler pressure	176 psi
Heating surface	452 sq ft (42.0 m2)
Cylinders	2
Cylinder size	11.81 in × 13.78 in (300 mm × 350 mm)

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Orenstein & Koppel
Serial number	1766, 2342, 2343, 1777
Build date	1905
Total produced	4

MLR nos. 1-4
MLR nos. 1-4
	MLR no.740
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Orenstein & Koppel
Serial number	1766, 2342, 2343, 1777
Build date	1905
Total produced	4
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	0-6-0T
Gauge	2 ft (610 mm)
Driver dia.	30 in (0.762 m)
Loco weight	15 tons (empty), 17 tons (working)
Water cap.	450 imp gal (2,000 L; 540 US gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	7 sq ft (0.65 m2)
Boiler pressure	176 psi
Heating surface	452 sq ft (42.0 m2)
Cylinders	2
Cylinder size	11.81 in × 13.78 in (300 mm × 350 mm)
Tractive effort
Performance figures
Tractive effort	81,101 lbf (360.76 kN) at 85% boiler pressure
Operators
Career
Operators	Matheran Hill Railway
Numbers	MLR 1-4 (old); MLR 738-741 (new)
First run	1907
Retired	1982
Disposition	All four preserved

MLR nos. 1-4 were four steam locomotives that operated on the Matheran Hill Railway, supplied by German engineering company Orenstein and Koppel.^[5] These locomotives served the railway from its inauguration in 1907, until 1982, when they were withdrawn from service, and completely replaced by diesel locomotives.^[6]

To navigate the tight curves on the MLR, the locomotives were fitted with an articulated wheel design, based on a patent by one John Clark in 1870.^[7] The design allowed for the rods to remain parallel to the engine at all times, while the wheels would follow the track's curves.^[8] The driving axles were Klien-Lindners.

The locomotives served on the line exclusively until 1965, when diesel traction was introduced on the line. Eventually, the four engines were retired in 1982,^[9] with all of them preserved at various locations.

Preserved examples

Out of the four Locomotives, only three remain in India, while the fourth has been transported to the UK in 1986, where it passed through multiple owners.

No.738 is plinthed at a mini-garden near the premises of the Neral Toy Train station. No. 739 is situated at National Rail Museum, New Delhi, while No. 741 is plinthed within the yard premises of Matheran Railway Station. No.740 was the locomotive ferried to UK, and was acquired by Amberley Chalk Pits Museum. It was then fully restored, and put to working condition. Between 2003 and 2008, it was on service on Leighton Buzzard Railway.^[6]