Matheran Light Railway Locomotives 1 to 4

MLR No.1-4
MLR no.740
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Orenstein & Koppel Serial number 1766, 2342, 2343, 1777[1] Build date 1905[2] Total produced 4
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T Gauge 2 ft (610 mm) Driver dia. 30 in (0.762 m) Loco weight 15 tons (empty), 17 tons (working) Water cap. 450 imp gal (2,000 L; 540 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 7 sq ft (0.65 m2) Boiler pressure 176 psi Heating surface 452 sq ft (42.0 m2) [3] 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 [4]
Career Operators Matheran Hill Railway Numbers MLR 1-4 (old) MLR 738-741 (new) First run 1907 Retired 1982 Disposition All four preserved

The MLR nos.1-4 were a series of four steam locomotives that ran the Matheran Hill Railway, and were supplied by the German engineering company Orenstein and Koppel.^[5] These served on the railway from its inauguration in 1907, until 1982, when they were withdrawn from service, and completely replaced by diesel locomotives.^[6]

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] with all of them have been preserved at various locations.