Phoenix Foundry Model Locomotive Engine

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ballarat historical society, Ballarat industrial history, Ballarat social history, railway history

MODEL LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE CREATED BY APPRENTICES FROM THE PHOENIX FOUNDRY, BALLARAT

Model Locomotive Engine, Ballarat Historical Society Collection (78.0953)
Image: Gold Museum Collection

One of the highlights from the Ballarat Historical Society Collection is this working model of a locomotive engine. It was manufactured by five apprentices from the local Phoenix Foundry Company for the Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition held in Ballarat in 1878.

Established in 1856/57, the Phoenix Foundry was one of the most important iron and brass manufacturers in Ballarat. In 1871, the Foundry began building locomotive engines, and from 1873 until its closure in 1906, it held the government contract to build all the engines for the Victorian Railways.

100th Engine made by Phoenix Foundry Ballarat, April 13th, 1883
Image: Ballarat Historical Society Collection (218.80)

 On 15^th February 1878, the first Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition was held in Ballarat. Inspired by the Industrial Exhibitions of England, it aimed to “cultivate the inventive faculties of those who are in trades,” and “to enable all to show their handiwork, and obtain new ideas from each other”(Official Record, p.7).

Model Locomotive and Tender made by the Apprentices of the Phoenix Foundry, Ballaarat, for the Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, 1878
Image: Ballarat Historical Society Collection (217.80)

Amongst the entrants were a group of young apprentices from the Phoenix Foundry (depicted in the above image with their creation). The young men featured here are: James C. Brown, Francis H. Davis, Louis A.  Ballhausen, Samuel J. Morgan and Herman R. Warlond. They were all aged between 19 and 21 at the time of the exhibition.

Each of these exhibitors was awarded a silver medal, plus special prizes of £20.20s from two Melbourne judges. The Official Record of the exhibition also commented that it was “a splendid piece of work, deserving of high commendation.”

Interestingly, the Official Record lists two additional apprentices who were involved in the project: Theos. George and William S.T. Magee. According to articles in the Ballarat Courier during July 1879, there was a dispute between Mr. George and Mr. Magee against the other five over the amount each had (or hadn’t) contributed to the project. More research is needed to determine how the matter was resolved, but it is telling that only five apprentices were featured in the formal photograph shown above.

Model Locomotive Engine, Tender and Carriage as originally displayed in the Gold Museum
Image: Ballarat Historical Society Collection (78.0953)

The model locomotive engine and tender the apprentices created were crafted from steel, while the carriage was made from wood and highlighted with smoky glass windows. It has run over 2,000 miles on rail track, and has been restored to working order by Mr. H. Shaw, son of the late Mr. William Henry Shaw, a Manager at the Phoenix Foundry Company. The model is currently on display in the Gold Museum, but the tender and carraige remain in storage.

Mr. William Henry Shaw, Manager at the Phoenix Foundry, 1870 to 1896
Image: Ballarat Historical Society Collection (034.81)

Model Dimensions:

Engine  
Height: 58cm Base: 130cm Diameter: 30cm
Tender 
Height: 30cm Base: 54cm Diameter: 11cm
Carriage              
Height: 58cm Base: 1220cm Diameter: 34cm
Track 
Height: 3cm Base: 3000cm Diameter: 46cm

For more information, please see:

Ballarat and Industrial Heritage Project; Victorian Railways; Encyclopedia of Australian Science; Museum Victoria, “Bronze Medal from the Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition”(1878); Ballarat Historical Society.