This post was first published on the Malta Railway Facebook Page in October 2024. Subsequently, an image of No. 3 has been identified.

The Malta Railway had three original engines built in the UK by manning Wardle Co of Leeds. As-built in 1882 they were identical, but during Government times the two surviving engines underwent repair and alteration. By this time No.3 had been scrapped, but No.1 and No. 2 both continued until closure in 1931.

I’ve discovered that you can identify the surviving 2 engines in photographs from the changes introduced by the engineers at Hamrun Workshops.

The canopy over the footplate of each engine had subtlety different forms above the driver’s entrance (A). No. 1 was more rectilinear, whilst No.2 had more curvaceous lines.

The open areas below the canopy (B) were filled in after purchase, but No. 2 had no side panel at the back of the cab. This, however, may have been infilled much later again.

The windows in the back of the cab of No.1 were added in a separate panel below the level of the canopy, with a noticeable horizontal join running across the back (C). No.2 had the whole back panel replaced and windows set higher and without the exposed joint between.

These differences allow for identification of otherwise anonymous engines of their class. To test the theory here are two photos of engines which have some of these unique identifying features, and that I hope remove any uncertainty of the loco captured.