New South Wales C30 class locomotive
Encyclopedia
The C30 class was a class of steam locomotive
built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways
of Australia
. These 145 4-6-4
T wheel arrangement locomotives were specifically designed to handle Sydney's ever increasing suburban traffic, particularly over the extremely heavy grades on the Northern
, North Shore and Illawarra lines.
, being placed in service during 1903–1904. A further 60 engines were added between 1905 and 1917 from Beyer, Peacock and 50 from the New South Wales Government Railways
' Workshops at Eveleigh.
The electrification of the inner suburban lines resulted in a surplus of the class too valuable to scrap. Accordingly, between 1928 and 1933, 77 of these locomotives were converted to light tender 4-6-0 type locomotives and used to replace obsolete engines that were then operating on lightly built country branch lines. The remaining tank locomotives were mostly employed working Sydney's outer suburban, Newcastle and Wollongong suburban trains. A few drifted to the country areas, working on sections where no turntable was readily available, such as Casino to Border Loop and shunting at yards such as Bathurst. The daily passenger trains on the extremely steep Unanderra to Moss Vale line were operated by these locomotives almost until the end of the steam era.
Following the electrification of the country platforms at the Sydney Terminal Station, the C30-class replaced the Z26-class
locomotives used to shunt carriages in the Yard, they being not so dangerous to water under the traction wiring.
Five examples remain in preservation. 3085 and 3137 are held by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum
, 3013 by the Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT division) - 3013 was formerly at Lachlan Valley Railway
, 3046 by the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum
whilst 3112 is at the Canberra, A.C.T., Railway Museum on behalf of its private owners.
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. These 145 4-6-4
4-6-4
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles .Other equivalent classifications are:UIC classification:...
T wheel arrangement locomotives were specifically designed to handle Sydney's ever increasing suburban traffic, particularly over the extremely heavy grades on the Northern
Northern railway line, Sydney
The Northern Line is part of the metropolitan rail network in Sydney known as CityRail. It serves the northern suburbs of Sydney and the Lower North Shore, along with parts of the Inner West and the Hills District. The line utilises the Epping to Chatswood Line and parts of the Main Northern Line,...
, North Shore and Illawarra lines.
History
The first batch of 35 locomotives was obtained from Beyer, Peacock and CompanyBeyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company was an English railway Locomotive manufacturer with a factory in Gorton, Manchester. Founded by Charles Beyer and Richard Peacock, it traded from 1854 until 1966...
, being placed in service during 1903–1904. A further 60 engines were added between 1905 and 1917 from Beyer, Peacock and 50 from the New South Wales Government Railways
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
' Workshops at Eveleigh.
The electrification of the inner suburban lines resulted in a surplus of the class too valuable to scrap. Accordingly, between 1928 and 1933, 77 of these locomotives were converted to light tender 4-6-0 type locomotives and used to replace obsolete engines that were then operating on lightly built country branch lines. The remaining tank locomotives were mostly employed working Sydney's outer suburban, Newcastle and Wollongong suburban trains. A few drifted to the country areas, working on sections where no turntable was readily available, such as Casino to Border Loop and shunting at yards such as Bathurst. The daily passenger trains on the extremely steep Unanderra to Moss Vale line were operated by these locomotives almost until the end of the steam era.
Following the electrification of the country platforms at the Sydney Terminal Station, the C30-class replaced the Z26-class
New South Wales Z26 class locomotive
The 26 class is a class of steam locomotive built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.-History:Dübs and Company were asked to supply 20 large mineral tank locomotives, the design of which included the fitting of a Webb radial axle at the bunker end...
locomotives used to shunt carriages in the Yard, they being not so dangerous to water under the traction wiring.
Five examples remain in preservation. 3085 and 3137 are held by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum
New South Wales Rail Transport Museum
The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum located in Thirlmere, New South Wales south-west of Sydney, is a museum dedicated to displaying former locomotives, carriages and goods wagons from the New South Wales Government Railways as well as private operations in NSW. The collection features steam,...
, 3013 by the Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT division) - 3013 was formerly at Lachlan Valley Railway
Lachlan Valley Railway
The Lachlan Valley Railway Society Cooperative Limited is a non-profit rail preservation society based in the NSW Central Western town of Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. The museum's ex-NSWGR fleet ranges from their operational steam and diesel locomotives, to the fleet of heritage passenger...
, 3046 by the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum
Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum
The Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum in Dorrigo, New South Wales, Australia is a large, privately owned collection of preserved railway vehicles and equipment from the railways of New South Wales, covering both Government and private railways...
whilst 3112 is at the Canberra, A.C.T., Railway Museum on behalf of its private owners.