Sir John Grice is an 0-4-0ST locomotive, and was built in Bristol, England in 1926 by Peckett & Sons Ltd. It was of that company’s “Cranmore” class, and has Peckett builder's number 1711.*

It has 20 in diameter driving wheels, 7 in x 10 in cylinders, and weighs 7-1/4 tons.

The locomotive was supplied new to the Metropolitan Gas Company Ltd, Melbourne, and was named after that Company’s then chairman.

The intention was to use it at the South Melbourne gasworks which had a double-track tramway running to the old Town Pier in Port Melbourne.

However, apart from one test run, it was never used on this tramway, as the Port Melbourne City Council refused permission to run steam locomotives through the streets. That tramway remained horse worked, and Sir John Grice joined the Couillet/Decauville locomotives John Benn and Carbon at the West Melbourne gasworks.

See also:

Sir John Grice in 1991

 

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Sir John Grice at Nobelius station, on 23 July 2007, on the Gasworks Trifecta Part 2. The temperature was a little below zero, and a thin coating of ice covered the ground!

Close up of Sir John Grice at Nobelius station, on 23 July 2007.

Sir John Grice takes water at Lakeside, on 23 July 2007, on the Gasworks Trifecta Part 2.

Sir John Grice at Wright station in the Wright Forest, on 23 July 2007, on the Gasworks Trifecta Part 2.

Sir John Grice crosses Bridge 8 - the big Wright bridge, on 23 July 2007, on the Gasworks Trifecta Part 2.

Sir John Grice at Cockatoo station, on 23 July 2007, on the Gasworks Trifecta Part 2.

Another view of Sir John Grice at Cockatoo station, on 23 July 2007.

Sir John Grice crosses Bridge 9 - over Cockatoo Creek, on 23 July 2007, on the Gasworks Trifecta Part 2.

See also Sir John Grice in 1991

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All photographs Copyright Frank Stamford who may be contacted by email at: frank.stamford@bigpond.com

Last updated: 30 March 2012