Being Different

Did you know that out of the 45 classes of steam locomotive that ran in South Australia only eight examples of them remain. This means that thirty-seven no longer exist. On the narrow gauge there were three who are missing. The K, U and the X class. K52 was an anomaly, a one-off, the U class were in many ways the same as the W class, the main difference having horizontal instead of inclined cylinders. The X class however is a completely different beast. A total breakaway from the English traditions of design. Every aspect is different. From the position of driver and fireman to types of appliances. Everything was supersized.       If ever there was an engine to get attention, this would be it.