About Us

TWO SIMPLEX DOORMAN ENGINES IN THE LONG GRASS

Whilst conducting a tour of Broome in 2005, Clive Johnson noticed two large machines in the long grass next to the museum.

On looking closer he established they were two Simplex 3 cylinder Dorman engines – 3’6” (1016mm) rail gauge. Clive contacted, Val Burton, who was President of the museum. Val was sitting on a high stool when Clive first asked her what the museum was going to do with the old engines. Val said that they were two of the original engines that used to run on the tramway in Broome and it has been her dream to restore one of the engines to working condition. Clive replied that he would be willing to be involved in the restoration of the engine. With that Val "fell off the stool", Clive picked her up as she was very emotional!

The way forward

Clive researched the engines and found that they were build in Bedford, England, one in 1948 and the other in 1955. They replaced the steam engines formerly used; an Orenstein & Koppel 1910 named “Coffee Pot” and the Andrew Barcley 1921 “Kimberley”. The Simplex engines ran from Demco (meatworks site) to the old jetty at Town Beach. Clive spoke to the Shire President (Graeme Campbell) and was so excited he called a special meeting involving ex-members of the Shire and the Shire Engineer. At the meeting Clive told them the history of the tramway and where the project was at that time. At the next Shire meeting it was agreed to put $50,000 aside to research the possibilities of completing the project.

Procuring a shed was a major stumbling block but was resolved when the Shire offered a space in their workshop. Currently one Simplex Engine has been dismantled and is awaiting sand blasting. Research continues into the operation of running a tramway and the history of the jetty.