Industry Wall
Selected from the Burnie Regional Museum’s Industry collection, these objects represent a cross-section of the region’s industrial life and development.
Spanning more than a century, they reflect the evolution of industry on Tasmania’s North-West Coast—from early steam railways and mineral transport to large-scale manufacturing and modern automated systems.
1) Locomotive No. 3 (1888–1940)
The No. 3 locomotive was a 0-6-4T tank engine built in 1888 by Neilson & Company (builder’s number 3765) for the Emu Bay & Mount Bischoff Railway Company. Designed under the direction of English consulting engineer E.G. Sheward, it was poorly suited to the demanding Tasmanian terrain and performed even less effectively than the company’s earlier Hunslet locomotives. Once more reliable engines were introduced for mainline operations, No. 3 was restricted to the Waratah branch and later to shunting duties in the Burnie yards. Withdrawn from service by the late 1930s, the 24-ton engine was scrapped in the early 1940s as part of the wartime metal drive, with the remains sold to BHP.
Gift of Herbert Illichmann, Burnie Regional Museum collection
2004.412.1
2) North Mount Lyell Copper Co. Train Rolling Stock Journal Cover (1899)
This journal cover, made by Hurst, Nelson & Co Ltd, Scotland, in 1899, was part of the North Mount Lyell Copper Company’s train rolling stock. A journal cover, also called a journal box or hot box, is the metal housing on a train’s axle that encloses the axle’s journal—a smooth, cylindrical section of the axle—and the axle bearing. It contains oil and a lubricating wick, which reduce friction and ensure smooth rotation of the wheelset. The cover reflects both the industrial design of the late 19th century and the vital role of rail transport in moving copper ore and other materials across Tasmania’s rugged West Coast.
2004.412.22
Gift of Herbert Illichmann, Burnie Regional Museum collection
3) Builder’s Plate – Emu Bay Railway 10 Class Locomotive
This builder’s plate comes from one of the Emu Bay Railway’s 10 Class diesel-electric locomotives, introduced around 1963. Built for the demanding conditions of Tasmania’s rugged West Coast, the 10 Class represented a shift from steam to modern diesel power. These locomotives became the backbone of the railway, hauling heavy mineral trains and marking a new era in efficiency and reliability. The plate serves as both an industrial hallmark and a tangible reminder of the railway’s transition into the modern age.
Gift of Pasminco Ltd., Burnie Regional Museum collection
2002.359.10398
4) No. 1 Continuous Digester Mimic Diagram
This mimic diagram came from the control room of the Burnie Associated Pulp & Paper Mill. It displayed the operations of the No. 1 Continuous Digester, a key piece of equipment that converted wood chips into pulp for paper production. The diagram allowed operators to monitor and adjust the complex chemical and mechanical processes in real time. More than just a technical tool, it represents the shift to modern, automated systems that underpinned large-scale paper production in Burnie.
Gift of Australian Paper, Burnie Regional Museum collection
2006.561.312
5) Factory Sign – Australian Titan Products
This sign, reading “ATP Titanium Pigments”, comes from the Australian Titan Products factory at Heybridge, near Burnie. The plant, established in 1949 as a wholly owned subsidiary of British Titan Products Limited, initially produced 1,500 tons of titanium dioxide pigment per year, growing to over 35,000 tons by 1988. Titanium dioxide, a non-toxic white pigment, was used primarily in paints, plastics, and paper. The site was chosen for its access to sulphuric acid, cheap electricity, local coal, water, and the deep-water port at Burnie, as well as the ability to discharge effluents into Bass Strait. Employment ranged from around 100 to 450 staff. In 1972, the company became Tioxide Australia. Economic pressures led to the plant’s closure in 1996, demolition by 1998, with the site now earmarked for the TasNetworks’ Marinus Link converter station.
Gift of Ulverstone Local History Museum, Burnie Regional Museum collection
2020.1253.2
6) Hobart Savings Bank, Burnie branch - painted door windowpane
This door windowpane is from the Burnie branch of the Hobart Savings Bank and was originally part of the front door of the purpose-built Burnie premises, constructed in 1921. The branch was first established in 1919 and soon outgrew its original site. In a half-yearly report published by The Advocate in March 1921, it was noted: “Due to a substantial increase in business during the past couple of years, it has been found necessary to erect new and commodious offices at Burnie. The new building, which is of brick and freestone, is situate on the corner of Cattley and Mount Street, facing the Town Hall buildings, is a handsome design that forms a striking improvement to that particular locality of the town.” The building still stands today, a lasting reminder of the bank’s presence and significance in Burnie.
Burnie Regional Museum collection
2021.1275.110
7) Bundy Clock
This Bundy clock was used at the Associated Pulp and Paper Mills (APPM) in Burnie from around 1964. Workers inserted their time cards into the machine to record the beginning and end of each shift. The clock was central to daily life at the mill, regulating work hours and ensuring accurate payroll records. For decades, it symbolised the rhythms of factory life and the routine of shift work.
Gift of Australian Paper, Burnie Regional Museum collection
2006.561.3308
8) Bundy Clock Time Card Rack
This metal time card rack was used at the Associated Pulp and Paper Mills (APPM) in Burnie from around 1939 until 2010. Workers placed their time cards here to “clock on” and “clock off” each shift using the Bundy clock system. For decades, it was a daily ritual that recorded attendance and working hours, reflecting both the discipline of factory life and the sense of routine shared by generations of employees.
Gift of Australian Paper, Burnie Regional Museum collection
2006.561.313