The two pinion wheels are set at 70 mm above the rail, they are powered by a second set of steam cylinders, The pinion when engaged drag the locomotive up the rack sections, and then brakes the locomotive on its decent. Dr Roman Abt's     design of two sets of teeth per pinion ensure that  the pinions are constantly engaged while on the rack sections.

There where five Abt  locomotives in service on the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Co, between 1896 and 1963 these being Abt No 1  1896  Dubs & Co 0-4-2  Tank    Abt No 2    1898   Dubs & Co 0-4-2   Tank   Abt No 3 1898   Dubs  & Co 0-4-2  Tank   Abt No 4 1901 Dubs & Co 0-4-2  Tank Abt No 5 1938  N B L   0-4-2 Tank  These locomotives where coal till around the late 1950,s 60 when Mt Lyell decided to change them to oil, It was after this that it was found that No 4 did not steam  as required and she was scrapped, and with one Baldwin loco they now rest in the old lime stone quarry  at Queenstown  known as Barnies Hole by the locals

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