[1] The Launceston and Western Railway opened in 1871 and had a track gauge of 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm).

When the Tasmanian Government took over the line in October 1873, this locomotive became a member of their A class.

1 was sold to a private company in Victoria for use between mines at Woolamai and a jetty at Queensferry.

It was then sold to Smith and Timms for use on the construction of the railway line to Angaston from Gawler in South Australia.

Once construction was completed on the Gawler to Angaston line, the contractors sold locomotive No.