S Class Locomotive
S 549 and S 542
S 549 'Greenmount' undergoing steam trials at Bassendean after restoration to working order.
The S class was the first class of steam locomotive to be wholly designed and built in Western Australia. Three engines were built at Midland in 1943, intended for use on goods trains. Another seven, including S 549, were constructed after the Second World War. S 549 entered service on 9 October, 1947 and was named 'Greenmount'. All ten locomotives of the class worked till the end of steam in Western Australia in 1971, with S 549 hauling the last scheduled steam train at Collie on 24 December, 1971. It was then set aside and stored, being written off on 14 August, 1972. On 2 December, 1972 it was moved into the Rail Transport Museum where it sat on display till September, 1985 when work began on its restoration to operating order. After much effort on the part of ARHS members S 549 was returned to steam for the 1997 steam season. After a period hauling tour trains for Hotham Valley Tourist Railway at Pinjarra, S 549 was returned to Bassendean on 2 October 1999. In December 2006 it was steamed to the railway centenary event at Dowerin but has since been displayed at Bassendean.