Western Australian Government Railways class V

In the fifties, when other railways were already transitioning to diesel, the WAGR still ordered 24 Mikados from Beyer, Peacock. The cause for this was that they needed to increase their coal carrying capacity from the Collie fields where fuel was available in large quantities. It was designed to use as many parts as possible interchangeable with the 4-8-2 class W, but had a much higher axle load and was thus much heavier. The boiler had a firebox with combustion chamber and an thermic syphon, and a superheater with a surface of nearly 500 square feet. All axles were mounted in roller bearings.

As Beyer, Peacock did not have much spare capacity at this time, they subcontracted construction to Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns. The 24 locomotives entered service between April 1955 and November 1956. After some years in coal service, they were also used for regular freight service on the Great Southern Line between York and Albany. Depending on the line they were rated for 1,320 to 1,600 tons. All class members were withdrawn in 1971 and 1972. In June 1972, V1220 hauled the last WAGR steam train. Four were preserved, among which is V1220.