Which company built the first Garratt locomotives for Tasmania?

Beyer, Peacock & Company built the first Garratt locomotives for Tasmania.

The Manchester-based British locomotive builder constructed Tasmanian Government Railways K1 and K2 in 1909. These two engines were ordered for the North East Dundas Tramway, where steep gradients, sharp curves and difficult terrain demanded a flexible locomotive with substantial pulling power.

The design originated with Herbert William Garratt, whose articulated concept separated the boiler and cab from two swiveling powered engine units. Beyer, Peacock developed and manufactured the design, making the K class the first Garratt locomotives ever built. Their works numbers were 5292 and 5293.

Beyer, Peacock went on to become the dominant Garratt builder, producing more than a thousand Garratts for railways around the world between 1909 and 1958. A frequent confusion is to credit the Tasmanian railway itself as the builder: Tasmania was the customer and operator, while Beyer, Peacock was the manufacturer. The firm closed in 1966.