# Walkers Limited > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Walkers_Limited > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Walkers_Limited.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkers_Limited > Source revision: 1248666406 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Australian locomotive manufacturer Walkers Limited Queensland’s first steam locomotive, c.1873 Industry Engineering Founder John Walker Defunct 12 January 2020 Fate Acquired by Downer Rail Successor Downer Rail Products Railway locomotives Railway rolling stock Ships Parent Evans Deakin Industries **Walkers Limited** was an Australian engineering and shipbuilding company based in [Maryborough, Queensland](/source/Maryborough%2C_Queensland). It built large vessels and railway locomotives. The Walkers factory still produces locomotives and rolling stock as part of [Downer Rail](/source/Downer_Rail). ## History [HMAS *Toowoomba*](/source/HMAS_Toowoomba_(J157)) in 1941 Former [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy) [*Attack*-class patrol boat](/source/Attack-class_patrol_boat) [HMAS *Advance*](/source/HMAS_Advance) on [Port Jackson](/source/Port_Jackson) in October 2013 "Mary Ann", the first steam locomotive built in Queensland, built by John Walker & Co, circa 1875 Preserved [Queensland BB18¼ class](/source/Queensland_BB18%C2%BC_class_locomotive) at [Enoggera](/source/Enoggera_railway_station) in April 2009 Preserved [Emu Bay Railway 10 class](/source/Emu_Bay_Railway_10_class) on the [Zig Zag Railway](/source/Zig_Zag_Railway) in July 2011 [State Rail Authority](/source/State_Rail_Authority) [73 class](/source/New_South_Wales_73_class_locomotive) at [Grafton station](/source/Grafton_railway_station%2C_New_South_Wales) in January 1986 In 1863 John Walker and three friends set up the *Union Foundry* of **John Walker & Co** in [Ballarat](/source/Ballarat). In 1867 a branch was opened in [Maryborough](/source/Maryborough%2C_Queensland).[1] The Ballarat assets were disposed of in 1879 and in 1884, the business became a [limited company](/source/Limited_company) under the title *John Walker & Co Limited*, being renamed *Walkers Limited* in 1888. The company produced most of the parts for machinery at sugar mills.[2] In 1980 Walkers Limited was sold to [Evans Deakin Industries](/source/Evans_Deakin_%26_Company). It was included in the purchase of Evans Deakin by [Downer Group](/source/Downer_Group) in March 2001 and today the Maryborough factory continues to operate as part of [Downer Rail](/source/Downer_Rail).[3][4] In 2003 Bundaberg Foundry Engineers completed the acquisition of the Walkers Sugar Business and moved to change the operating name to Bundaberg Walkers Engineering in January 2008.[5] ## Ships In 1884, the firm began work on five [hopper barges](/source/Barge) for the Queensland Department of Harbours & Rivers. During construction the decision was taken to convert them to also serve as [auxiliary gunboats](/source/Gunboat), which made them the largest warships built in Australia before federation. During World War II, Walkers constructed two [River-class](/source/River-class_frigate) [frigates](/source/Frigate), a [Bay-class](/source/Bay-class_frigate) frigate and seven [*Bathurst*-class](/source/Bathurst-class_corvette) [corvettes](/source/Corvette), in addition to other smaller vessels. Post war naval contracts included seven [*Attack*-class](/source/Attack-class_patrol_boat) [patrol boats](/source/Patrol_boat) in the late 1960s and eight [*Balikpapan*-class](/source/Balikpapan-class_landing_craft_heavy) [landing craft heavy](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Landing_craft_heavy&action=edit&redlink=1) in the early 1970s. After the completion of the latter, Walker's Maryborough shipyard closed in 1974. ### Royal Australian Navy ships - 1 Bay-class frigate: [HMAS *Shoalhaven*](/source/HMAS_Shoalhaven) - 2 River-class frigates: [HMAS *Burdekin*](/source/HMAS_Burdekin) and [*Diamantina*](/source/HMAS_Diamantina_(K377)) - 7 *Bathurst*-class corvettes: [HMAS *Bowen*](/source/HMAS_Bowen), [*Cairns*](/source/HMAS_Cairns_(J183)), [*Gladstone*](/source/HMAS_Gladstone_(J324)), [*Maryborough*](/source/HMAS_Maryborough_(J195)), [*Rockhampton*](/source/HMAS_Rockhampton), [*Tamworth*](/source/HMAS_Tamworth) and [*Toowoomba*](/source/HMAS_Toowoomba_(J157)) - 7 *Attack*-class patrol boats: [HMAS *Advance*](/source/HMAS_Advance), [*Aitape*](/source/HMAS_Aitape), [*Arrow*](/source/HMAS_Arrow), [*Bandolier*](/source/HMAS_Bandolier), [*Barbette*](/source/HMAS_Barbette), [*Ladava*](/source/HMAS_Ladava) and [*Lae*](/source/HMAS_Lae_(P_93)) - 8 *Balikpapan*-class landing craft heavy: [HMAS *Balikpapan*](/source/HMAS_Balikpapan), [*Brunei*](/source/HMAS_Brunei), [*Labuan*](/source/HMPNGS_Lakekamu), [*Tarakan*](/source/BRP_Batak), [*Wewak*](/source/HMAS_Wewak), [*Salamaua*](/source/HMPNGS_Salamaua), [*Buna*](/source/HMPNGS_Buna) and [*Betano*](/source/HMAS_Betano) - 9 *Koala*-class boom defence vessel: [HMAS *Kimbla*](/source/HMAS_Kimbla) - 2 *Explorer class general-purpose vessels*: [HMAS *Bass*](/source/HMAS_Bass), [HMAS *Banks*](/source/HMAS_Banks) ## Trains The company's first locomotive was built at Maryborough in 1873 for [William Pettigrew's](/source/William_Pettigrew_(politician)) (now heritage-listed) [Cooloola Tramway](/source/Cooloola_Tramway); it was called "Mary Ann" as it was the name of the daughter of William Pettigrew and also the name of the daughter of his business partner William Sim.[6][7][8] The first major contract for locomotives came in 1896, when an order for thirty B15 class [steam locomotives](/source/Steam_locomotive) was placed by [Queensland Railways](/source/Queensland_Railways).[1] In the 1960s Walkers offered a diesel-hydraulic unit to Queensland's sugar operators. Although not successful, it did sell six to [BHP](/source/BHP), [Whyalla](/source/Whyalla) from 1962. It had more success with its [DH class](/source/Queensland_Railways_DH_class) shunter with over 130 built for [Queensland Rail](/source/Queensland_Rail), the [New South Wales Government Railways](/source/New_South_Wales_Government_Railways), [Emu Bay Railway](/source/Emu_Bay_Railway) and [Western Australian Government Railways](/source/Western_Australian_Government_Railways). ### Steam locomotives - 46 Queensland B class - 122 [Queensland PB15 class](/source/Queensland_PB15_class_locomotive) - 45 [Queensland C16 class](/source/Queensland_C16_class_locomotive) - 138 [Queensland C17 class](/source/Queensland_C17_class_locomotive) - 6 Queensland C19 class - 59 [Queensland B18¼ class](/source/Queensland_B18%C2%BC_class_locomotive) - 20 [Queensland BB18¼ class](/source/Queensland_BB18%C2%BC_class_locomotive) - 20 [Victorian DD class](/source/Victorian_Railways_Dd_class) - 20 [Commonwealth Railways KA class](/source/Commonwealth_Railways_KA_class) - 8 [Commonwealth Railways C class](/source/Commonwealth_Railways_C_class) - 40 [South Australian T class](/source/South_Australian_Railways_T_class) - 3 [Tasmanian Government Railways Q class](/source/Tasmanian_Government_Railways_Q_class) ## Diesel electric locomotives - 12 [Queensland 1170 class](/source/Queensland_Railways_1170_class) ## Diesel hydraulic locomotives - 6 [BHP Whyalla DH class](/source/BHP_Whyalla_DH_class) - 3 [Emu Bay Railway 10 class](/source/Emu_Bay_Railway_10_class) - 73 [Queensland Railways DH class](/source/Queensland_Railways_DH_class) - 50 [New South Wales 73 class](/source/New_South_Wales_73_class_locomotive) - 7 [Emu Bay Railway 11 class](/source/Emu_Bay_Railway_11_class) - 5 [Western Australian Government Railways M class](/source/Western_Australian_Government_Railways_M_class_(diesel)) ## Electric locomotives - 50 [Queensland Rail 3500/3600 class](/source/Aurizon_electric_locomotives) - 30 [Queensland Rail 3900 class](/source/Aurizon_electric_locomotives) ## Electric multiple units A former Kuala Lumpur Metro rolling stock of [Adtranz](/source/Adtranz)-Walkers EMU - 264 [Queensland Rail EMU](/source/Electric_Multiple_Unit_(Queensland_Rail)) carriages - 36 [Queensland Rail SMU200](/source/Suburban_Multiple_Unit_(Queensland_Rail)#200_series) carriages - 90 [Queensland Rail SMU220](/source/Suburban_Multiple_Unit_(Queensland_Rail)#220_series) carriages - 20 [Queensland Rail ICE](/source/InterCity_Express_(Queensland_Rail)) carriages - 30 [Queensland Rail IMU100](/source/Interurban_Multiple_Unit_(Queensland_Rail)#100_&_120_series) carriages - 12 [Queensland Rail IMU120](/source/Interurban_Multiple_Unit_(Queensland_Rail)#100_&_120_series) carriages - 96 [Transperth A series](/source/Transperth_A-series_train) carriages - 90 [Kuala Lumpur Metro Line 3 & 4](/source/Ampang_Line) light rail vehicles[9] ## Tilt Trains - 12 [Queensland Rail Tilt Train](/source/Electric_Tilt_Train) carriages ## Awards In 2017, Walkers Limited was inducted into the [Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame](/source/Queensland_Business_Leaders_Hall_of_Fame). Walkers Limited is regarded as being one of Queensland's greatest companies spanning 150 years in the engineering manufacturing sector.[10] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AMWest_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AMWest_1-1) West, AM (1994). *Made in Maryborough*. Brisbane: [Australian Railway Historical Society](/source/Australian_Railway_Historical_Society), Queensland Division. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Maryborough"](http://queenslandplaces.com.au/node/553). *Queensland Places*. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121010160304/http://queenslandplaces.com.au/node/553) from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Evans Deakin Industries Limited](http://www.delisted.com.au/company/evans-deakin-industries-limited) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140106164648/http://www.delisted.com.au/company/evans-deakin-industries-limited) 6 January 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) delisted.com.au 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Annual Report 30 June 2001](http://www.downergroup.com/Documents/Investors/AGM,-Financial-Results--Reports/200001/Annual-Report/2001_ANNUAL_REPORT_20080811044448.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140106170546/http://www.downergroup.com/Documents/Investors/AGM,-Financial-Results--Reports/200001/Annual-Report/2001_ANNUAL_REPORT_20080811044448.pdf) 6 January 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Downer EDI 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [History](http://www.bundabergwalkers.com.au/?page_id=2) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151222100548/http://www.bundabergwalkers.com.au/?page_id=2) 22 December 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Bundaberg Walters 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["MESSRS. PETTIGREW AND SIMS' RAILWAY"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27278329). *[The Queenslander](/source/The_Queenslander)*. 8 November 1873. p. 10. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240124044309/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27278329) from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via National Library of Australia. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["WALKERS BUILD LOCOS"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150206738). *[Maryborough Chronicle](/source/Maryborough_Chronicle)*. Qld. 14 August 1952. p. 2. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240124044322/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150206738) from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via National Library of Australia. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-qhr_8-0)** ["Pettigrew's Cooloola Timber Tramway Complex (entry 602819)"](https://environment.ehp.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602819). *[Queensland Heritage Register](/source/Queensland_Heritage_Register)*. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** EDI Wins Light Rail Order Extension *[Railway Digest](/source/Railway_Digest)* June 1995 page 9 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame 2017 Inductee Walkers Limited"](http://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/walkers-limited/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180317081821/http://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/walkers-limited/) from the original on 17 March 2018. ## External links - [Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame – 2017 Inductee digital story – Walkers Limited](https://vimeo.com/225935999) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Walkers Limited](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkers_Limited) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkers_Limited?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.