Matheran Light Railway Locomotives 1 to 4

MLR 1 to 4 were a series of four Steam Locomotives, that originally plied on the Matheran Hill Railway. These were supplied by the German engineering company, Orenstein and Koppel.^[1] These served on the railway since its inauguration in 1907, all until 1982, when they were withdrawn from service, and completely replaced by Diesel locomotives.^[2]

MLR-1 to 4
MLR no.740
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Orenstein & Koppel Serial number 1766, 2342, 2343, 1777 [3] Build date 1905[4] Total produced 4
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0 Gauge 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) Driver dia. 30 in (0.762 m) Loco weight 15 tons (empty), 17 tons (working) Water cap. 450 gallons Firebox: ​  • Grate area 7 sq ft (0.65 m2) Boiler pressure 176 psi Heating surface 452 sq ft (42.0 m2) [5] Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 11.81 in × 13.78 in (300 mm × 350 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 81,101 lbf (360.76 kN) at 85% boiler pressure [6]
Career Operators Matheran Hill Railway Numbers MLR 1-4 (old) MLR 738-741 (new) First run 1907 Retired 1982 Disposition All Four preserved

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] All models have been preserved at various locations.