Geared steam locomotive
A geared steam locomotive is a type of steam locomotive which uses gearing, usually reduction gearing, in the drivetrain, as opposed to the common directly driven design.
British Australian Tramway, Coffs Harbour
The first steam locomotive was procured second-hand in Tasmania in 1904. Originally, it was a 4-6-0 type with two non-driven leading axles and three coupled drive axles before the BAT had one drive axle removed during a conversion so that it had the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement. The locomotive coped well with the journey over Macaulay's Headland, but after the route had been extended to Bruxner Park, it was found to be inadequate. The locomotive was too heavy for the easily laid rails of the forest railway and spread the rails several times in different places. Therefore, Dalgety Holdings sought a more suitable locomotive, and acquired a 25 or 27 ton Shay locomotive, which was delivered on July 8, 1909 on the ship "Cooloon". The Shay could be used without major problems along the entire length of the forest railway.