Victorian Railways Dd class
Encyclopedia
The Dd class was a passenger and mixed traffic
steam locomotive
that ran on Victorian Railways
from 1902 to 1974. Originally introduced on mainline express passenger services, they were quickly superseded by the much larger A2 class
and were relegated to secondary and branch line passenger and goods service, where they gave excellent service for the next fifty years. The Dd design was adapted into a 4-6-2T tank locomotive for suburban passenger use, the Dde (later D4) class. They were the most numerous locomotive class on the VR, with a total of 261 Dd and 58 Dde locomotives built.
designs of the Old A, New A, and the most recent AA class
. These locomotives reflected contemporary British
locomotive practice (as did the VR's fleet of 0-6-0
goods locomotives), in no small part due to VR having appointed in 1884 a Midland Railway
manager Mr. R Speight as its first Chief Commissioner as well as a British engineer (Mr. E Jeffreys) and a British locomotive manufacturer (Kitson & Co.
of Leeds
) to provide standard designs for the VR.
At the turn of the century, in what marked a major shift in policy, the VR under recently appointed Commissioner Mr. J Mathieson set up a Locomotive Design Section for in-house development of future motive power. The Dd class locomotives were the first product of this exercise. A 4-6-0
design equipped with 5 ft 1 in driving wheel
s, saturated steam boiler and Belpaire firebox
, the Dd reflected the considerable talent of VR's design team, which included ex-Beyer, Peacock and Company
recruit Eugene Siepen, future VR Chief Mechanical Engineer Alfred Smith, and Rolling Stock Branch manager Thomas Woodroffe.
, and the first locomotive class to be built in large numbers by VR's own Newport Workshops. Victoria's conservative Irvine
Government sought to reduce the costs of locomotive construction and Newport Workshops was asked to tender for the construction of the Dd class locomotives. A fierce tender war between Newport and Phoenix eventually resulted in a Royal Commission, which found that Newport could produce a locomotive for £
3,364, some £497 cheaper than Phoenix's cost. The Phoenix Foundry produced just seven Dd locomotives and received no further orders, going into voluntary liquidation a year later. VR's Newport, Ballarat and Bendigo workshops went on to build virtually all subsequent locomotives for the VR system until the post-war
era.
and Ballarat, but were soon seen on mainline passenger services on a number of lines.
The first years of the 20th century saw on the VR (as elsewhere in the world) a considerable increase in both the amount of traffic and the size and weight of rolling stock being hauled. In 1907, the Dd class was supplanted by the much larger and more powerful Victorian Railways A2 class
on principal mainline services. However, with their light axle load (just 12 t 10 cwt in their original form), they were quickly reassigned to the VR's branchline network, where they became a fixture for the next fifty years.
With their light axle load and express passenger speed, the Dd was also an ideal choice as motive power for the Victorian Railways Commissioner's train (used to carry the VR Commissioners on inspection tours to every corner of the VR network). In 1916, locomotive Dd 980 (later rebuilt as D3 639) was assigned as the Commissioner's engine and continued in this role for the next forty years.
, classed Dde. They were put to work on longer and hillier suburban routes such as the Dandenong, Frankston, Upper Ferntree Gully, Williamstown, Werribee, Lilydale, Darling and Kew railway lines. A total of 58 were built between 1908 and 1913.
With electrification of the suburban network already on the drawing board (the first electrified lines opening in 1919), the Dde was designed for easy conversion to Dd tender engines in the event of electrification making them redundant. However, only two were modified in this way. Ten were scrapped in 1924, followed by another four in 1925 and the sale of Dde 704 to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria
. The remaining Dde locomotives remained in service on non-electrified outer suburban routes or found new roles as suburban goods locomotives or shunters. Some were allotted to Ballarat to work the short branch line to Newlyn
.
design, a feature incorporated at the request of Victorian Railways Chief Commissioner and former Canadian Pacific Railway
Transportation Manager Thomas Tait
. These became hallmarks of all subsequent VR steam locomotive designs.
Although the Dd was considered to be a successful design, it had a key shortcoming in that its boiler performance was not sufficient for the traffic demands being placed on it. In 1914, an experimental superheater
was fitted to Dd 882 and was found to be very successful. Both Dd and A2 designs (both locomotive classes still under construction at the time) were modified with superheated boilers (with all of the existing A2 class locomotives eventually fitted with superheated boilers). Superheaters were also fitted to three of the Dde locomotives. Further Dd locomotives were also built with 19 in. diameter cylinders in place of the original 18 in. cylinders.
In 1923-4, DD.1022 was experimentally fitted with Pulverised Brown Coal (PBC) burning equipment.
With the introduction of a further D3 class in 1929, the Dde tank locomotives were reclassified as D4 class in 1929.
branch line
goods locomotive, the K class
was introduced, with noticeably superior boiler performance to that of the Dd. In 1929, a Dd class locomotive was rebuilt with a larger boiler derived from the K class design. Based on the success of the rebuild, a further 93 D1 or D2 class locomotives were converted between 1929 and 1947.
The D3s were economical and efficient, but also renowned for their superior performance. They could be worked hard and were a favourite with crews. Although restricted to a maximum permitted speed of 60 mph (96 km/h), the D3s were known to be capable of up to 75 mph (120 km/h).
With their ability to travel at relatively high speed and their low axle load, the D3 helped to speed up passenger services on many lightly laid branch lines.
locomotives taking over branch line goods services and Petrol Electric Rail Motors (and later Diesel Electric Rail Motors) starting to replace mixed train
s and locomotive-hauled branch line passenger services. The unrebuilt saturated steam D1 class locomotives were the first to go, and by 1951 no fewer than 120 had been scrapped.
By 1951, the remaining D1 locomotives were shunters, the D2 locomotives providing suburban goods and branch line goods and passenger service, and the D3 performing both branch line and mainline service. However, with the massive postwar upgrading of the VR locomotive fleet as part of 'Operation Phoenix
' came the introduction of J class
2-8-0
branch line steam locomotives and T class (EMD G8
) diesel electric locomotives to replace the various remaining Dd locomotives.
The first D3 locomotive to be scrapped was none other than Commissioner's locomotive D3 639 in November 1958. However, this locomotive had attained sufficient prestige that its brass fittings and number plates were transferred to another locomotive, D3 658, which took over its role as Commissioner's locomotive and its identity as "D3 639".
Withdrawals and scrappings continued throughout the 1950s and 60s. The last Dd in VR service was the Commissioner's locomotive D3 639, which was replaced in this role by a Y class
(EMD G6B) diesel electric locomotive specially regeared for 60 mph (27 m/s) operation (Y 175) in 1968. However, D3 639 had since October 1964 taken on a new role providing motive power for the ARHS
'Vintage Train' as the first 'Special Trains Vintage Engine', and continued in this popular role until deteriorated boiler condition saw it finally withdrawn from service in 1974.
Bob Hawke
on 17 November 1984. Since this date, it has continued in service hauling various rail enthusiast special trains. It has also been used in a number of films, and could be seen hauling passenger trains beneath an inoperable overhead catenary
in the 2000 remake of the post-apocalyptic
film On the Beach
.
, A rebuild of a 1903 Dd locomotive, it made a special long-distance journey to Mildura, Victoria
in 2002 as that line approached its centenary, and celebrated its own 100th anniversary in 2003 with a journey to Swan Hill
. , it has reverted to its earlier D3 658 numbering. As of 2009 the loco has again reverted to the 639 number.
North Williamstown Railway Museum, as well as a further example of the D3 class, D3 635.
13 other D3 class locomotives remain, either preserved in static display or stored awaiting restoration or as a supply of parts.
No original D1 class locomotives have survived into preservation.
Mixed-traffic locomotive
A mixed-traffic locomotive is one designed to be capable of hauling both passenger trains and freight trains. The term is mostly used in the United Kingdom and those nations following British practice...
steam locomotive
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...
that ran on Victorian Railways
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways operated railways in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations...
from 1902 to 1974. Originally introduced on mainline express passenger services, they were quickly superseded by the much larger A2 class
Victorian Railways A2 class
The A2 class was an express passenger locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1907 to 1963. A highly successful design entirely the work of Victorian Railways' own design office, its long service life was repeatedly extended as economic depression and war delayed the introduction of more...
and were relegated to secondary and branch line passenger and goods service, where they gave excellent service for the next fifty years. The Dd design was adapted into a 4-6-2T tank locomotive for suburban passenger use, the Dde (later D4) class. They were the most numerous locomotive class on the VR, with a total of 261 Dd and 58 Dde locomotives built.
History
By 1900, Victoria's express passenger locomotive fleet was almost exclusively made up of 4-4-04-4-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels...
designs of the Old A, New A, and the most recent AA class
Victorian Railways AA class
The AA class was an express passenger locomotive that ran on the Victorian Railways between 1900 and 1932. The largest, heaviest and most powerful 4-4-0 steam locomotive to run in Australia, it was the final development of this locomotive type in Australia....
. These locomotives reflected contemporary British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
locomotive practice (as did the VR's fleet of 0-6-0
0-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels...
goods locomotives), in no small part due to VR having appointed in 1884 a Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
manager Mr. R Speight as its first Chief Commissioner as well as a British engineer (Mr. E Jeffreys) and a British locomotive manufacturer (Kitson & Co.
Kitson & Co.
Kitson and Company was a locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Early history:The company started as James Kitson at the Airedale Foundry, off Pearson Street, Hunslet in 1835 with Charles Todd as a partner...
of Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
) to provide standard designs for the VR.
At the turn of the century, in what marked a major shift in policy, the VR under recently appointed Commissioner Mr. J Mathieson set up a Locomotive Design Section for in-house development of future motive power. The Dd class locomotives were the first product of this exercise. A 4-6-0
4-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
design equipped with 5 ft 1 in driving wheel
Driving wheel
On a steam locomotive, a driving wheel is a powered wheel which is driven by the locomotive's pistons...
s, saturated steam boiler and Belpaire firebox
Belpaire firebox
The Belpaire firebox is a type of firebox used on steam locomotives. It was invented by Alfred Belpaire of Belgium. It has a greater surface area at the top of the firebox, improving heat transfer and steam production...
, the Dd reflected the considerable talent of VR's design team, which included ex-Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, 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...
recruit Eugene Siepen, future VR Chief Mechanical Engineer Alfred Smith, and Rolling Stock Branch manager Thomas Woodroffe.
Production
The Dd class is notable for being the last class of locomotive to be built by VR's traditional supplier of locomotives for over thirty years, Ballarat's Phoenix FoundryPhoenix Foundry
The Phoenix Foundry was a company that built steam locomotives and other industrial machinery in the city of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Over 30 years they built 352 locomotives for the Victorian Railways, of 38 different designs.-History:...
, and the first locomotive class to be built in large numbers by VR's own Newport Workshops. Victoria's conservative Irvine
William Irvine (Australian politician)
Sir William Hill Irvine GCMG , Australian politician and judge, was the 21st Premier of Victoria. Irvine was born in Newry in County Down, Ireland, into a Scottish-Presbyterian family...
Government sought to reduce the costs of locomotive construction and Newport Workshops was asked to tender for the construction of the Dd class locomotives. A fierce tender war between Newport and Phoenix eventually resulted in a Royal Commission, which found that Newport could produce a locomotive for £
Australian pound
The pound was the currency of Australia from 1910 until 13 February 1966, when it was replaced by the Australian dollar. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.- Earlier Australian currencies :...
3,364, some £497 cheaper than Phoenix's cost. The Phoenix Foundry produced just seven Dd locomotives and received no further orders, going into voluntary liquidation a year later. VR's Newport, Ballarat and Bendigo workshops went on to build virtually all subsequent locomotives for the VR system until the post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
era.
Regular service
They were initially assigned to hauling the Adelaide Express over the steep gradients between MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and Ballarat, but were soon seen on mainline passenger services on a number of lines.
The first years of the 20th century saw on the VR (as elsewhere in the world) a considerable increase in both the amount of traffic and the size and weight of rolling stock being hauled. In 1907, the Dd class was supplanted by the much larger and more powerful Victorian Railways A2 class
Victorian Railways A2 class
The A2 class was an express passenger locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1907 to 1963. A highly successful design entirely the work of Victorian Railways' own design office, its long service life was repeatedly extended as economic depression and war delayed the introduction of more...
on principal mainline services. However, with their light axle load (just 12 t 10 cwt in their original form), they were quickly reassigned to the VR's branchline network, where they became a fixture for the next fifty years.
With their light axle load and express passenger speed, the Dd was also an ideal choice as motive power for the Victorian Railways Commissioner's train (used to carry the VR Commissioners on inspection tours to every corner of the VR network). In 1916, locomotive Dd 980 (later rebuilt as D3 639) was assigned as the Commissioner's engine and continued in this role for the next forty years.
Dde tank engine
The expansion of Melbourne's population into new suburbs early in the 20th century and the delay of the suburban electrification project saw the need for faster and more powerful steam locomotives for the suburban rail network. The basic design of the Dd was in 1908 adapted into a 4-6-2T tank locomotiveTank locomotive
A tank locomotive or tank engine is a steam locomotive that carries its water in one or more on-board water tanks, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. It will most likely also have some kind of bunker to hold the fuel. There are several different types of tank locomotive dependent upon...
, classed Dde. They were put to work on longer and hillier suburban routes such as the Dandenong, Frankston, Upper Ferntree Gully, Williamstown, Werribee, Lilydale, Darling and Kew railway lines. A total of 58 were built between 1908 and 1913.
With electrification of the suburban network already on the drawing board (the first electrified lines opening in 1919), the Dde was designed for easy conversion to Dd tender engines in the event of electrification making them redundant. However, only two were modified in this way. Ten were scrapped in 1924, followed by another four in 1925 and the sale of Dde 704 to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria
State Electricity Commission of Victoria
The State Electricity Commission of Victoria was a monopoly electricity generation, transmission and supply utility located in Victoria, Australia...
. The remaining Dde locomotives remained in service on non-electrified outer suburban routes or found new roles as suburban goods locomotives or shunters. Some were allotted to Ballarat to work the short branch line to Newlyn
Newlyn, Victoria
Newlyn, Victoria is a town in Shire of Hepburn, west-central Victoria, Australia. It is located northeast of Ballarat and northwest of Melbourne.It is 452 metres above sea level....
.
Design improvements
During the construction of the Dd class, a number of changes were made. The first locomotives built featured low running plates with splashers over the driving wheels and a narrow cab. However, after 26 such examples were built the design was altered with high running plates mounted above the driving wheels and a more comfortable full-width pressed metal cab of CanadianCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
design, a feature incorporated at the request of Victorian Railways Chief Commissioner and former Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
Transportation Manager Thomas Tait
Thomas James Tait
Sir Thomas James Tait was a Canadian-born rail executive.Born in Melbourne, Quebec, the son of Melbourne McTaggart Tait, Tait entered the service of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1880, and by 1903 he was manager of transportation with Canadian Pacific Railway company.In March 1903 Tait was appointed...
. These became hallmarks of all subsequent VR steam locomotive designs.
Although the Dd was considered to be a successful design, it had a key shortcoming in that its boiler performance was not sufficient for the traffic demands being placed on it. In 1914, an experimental superheater
Superheater
A superheater is a device used to convert saturated steam or wet steam into dry steam used for power generation or processes. There are three types of superheaters namely: radiant, convection, and separately fired...
was fitted to Dd 882 and was found to be very successful. Both Dd and A2 designs (both locomotive classes still under construction at the time) were modified with superheated boilers (with all of the existing A2 class locomotives eventually fitted with superheated boilers). Superheaters were also fitted to three of the Dde locomotives. Further Dd locomotives were also built with 19 in. diameter cylinders in place of the original 18 in. cylinders.
In 1923-4, DD.1022 was experimentally fitted with Pulverised Brown Coal (PBC) burning equipment.
Reclassing: D1, D2 and D4 class
In 1922 a complex renumbering and reclassing of VR locomotives saw the Dd class split into two subclasses, the D1 class (comprising all the original saturated steam locomotives with 18 in. cylinders) and the D2 class (comprising superheated locomotives with either 18 or 19 in. cylinders).With the introduction of a further D3 class in 1929, the Dde tank locomotives were reclassified as D4 class in 1929.
The D3 class
Despite the success of the superheating the Dd boiler, it was still somewhat limited in steam raising capabilities. In 1922, a new design of 2-8-02-8-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
goods locomotive, the K class
Victorian Railways K class
The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive...
was introduced, with noticeably superior boiler performance to that of the Dd. In 1929, a Dd class locomotive was rebuilt with a larger boiler derived from the K class design. Based on the success of the rebuild, a further 93 D1 or D2 class locomotives were converted between 1929 and 1947.
The D3s were economical and efficient, but also renowned for their superior performance. They could be worked hard and were a favourite with crews. Although restricted to a maximum permitted speed of 60 mph (96 km/h), the D3s were known to be capable of up to 75 mph (120 km/h).
With their ability to travel at relatively high speed and their low axle load, the D3 helped to speed up passenger services on many lightly laid branch lines.
Demise
Scrapping of Dd class locomotives commenced as early as 1929, with newer K and N classVictorian Railways N class
The N class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1925 to 1966. A development of the successful K class 2-8-0, it was the first VR locomotive class designed for possible conversion from 5 ft 3 in broad gauge to 4 ft 8½ in standard gauge.-History:In 1923, in...
locomotives taking over branch line goods services and Petrol Electric Rail Motors (and later Diesel Electric Rail Motors) starting to replace mixed train
Mixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
s and locomotive-hauled branch line passenger services. The unrebuilt saturated steam D1 class locomotives were the first to go, and by 1951 no fewer than 120 had been scrapped.
By 1951, the remaining D1 locomotives were shunters, the D2 locomotives providing suburban goods and branch line goods and passenger service, and the D3 performing both branch line and mainline service. However, with the massive postwar upgrading of the VR locomotive fleet as part of 'Operation Phoenix
Operation Phoenix (railway)
Operation Phoenix was a post World War II rehabilitation program carried out by the Victorian Railways in Australia. The program commenced in 1950 and was originally planned to take 10 years and cost £80 million pounds...
' came the introduction of J class
Victorian Railways J class
The J class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1954 to 1972. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K class 2-8-0, it was the last new class of steam locomotive introduced on the VR...
2-8-0
2-8-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
branch line steam locomotives and T class (EMD G8
EMD G8
The EMD G8 was a General Motors-built diesel locomotive of which 382 were built between 1954 and 1965 for both export and domestic use. They were built by both Electro-Motive Division in the United States and by General Motors Diesel Division in Canada for use in ten countries, being equipped to...
) diesel electric locomotives to replace the various remaining Dd locomotives.
The first D3 locomotive to be scrapped was none other than Commissioner's locomotive D3 639 in November 1958. However, this locomotive had attained sufficient prestige that its brass fittings and number plates were transferred to another locomotive, D3 658, which took over its role as Commissioner's locomotive and its identity as "D3 639".
Withdrawals and scrappings continued throughout the 1950s and 60s. The last Dd in VR service was the Commissioner's locomotive D3 639, which was replaced in this role by a Y class
Victorian Railways Y class (diesel)
The Victorian Railways Y class diesel electric locomotive is a small branch line and shunting unit built by Clyde Engineering . Three separate orders were delivered...
(EMD G6B) diesel electric locomotive specially regeared for 60 mph (27 m/s) operation (Y 175) in 1968. However, D3 639 had since October 1964 taken on a new role providing motive power for the ARHS
Australian Railway Historical Society
The Australian Railway Historical Society was founded in Sydney in 1933 as The Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. It aims to foster an interest in the railways, and record and preserve many facets of railway operations. Membership now exceeds 2,500, with Divisions in every...
'Vintage Train' as the first 'Special Trains Vintage Engine', and continued in this popular role until deteriorated boiler condition saw it finally withdrawn from service in 1974.
Preservation
Operational
D3 639 was restored to operating condition in 1984 and was recommissioned into service by the Prime Minister of AustraliaPrime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
on 17 November 1984. Since this date, it has continued in service hauling various rail enthusiast special trains. It has also been used in a number of films, and could be seen hauling passenger trains beneath an inoperable overhead catenary
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
in the 2000 remake of the post-apocalyptic
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction
Apocalyptic fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization due to a potentially existential catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, extraterrestrial attack, impact event, cybernetic revolt, technological singularity, dysgenics, supernatural...
film On the Beach
On the Beach (2000 film)
On the Beach is an apocalyptic television movie released in 2000, airing originally on Showtime. It is a remake of the 1959 film, and is based on the 1957 novel by Nevil Shute. It starred Armand Assante, Bryan Brown, and Rachel Ward...
.
, A rebuild of a 1903 Dd locomotive, it made a special long-distance journey to Mildura, Victoria
Mildura, Victoria
Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at just over 30,000.Mildura is a major agricultural centre...
in 2002 as that line approached its centenary, and celebrated its own 100th anniversary in 2003 with a journey to Swan Hill
Swan Hill, Victoria
Swan Hill is a city in the northwest of Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Murray Valley Highway, on the south bank of the Murray River, downstream from the junction of the Loddon River. At the 2006 census, Swan Hill had a population of 9,684.-History:...
. , it has reverted to its earlier D3 658 numbering. As of 2009 the loco has again reverted to the 639 number.
Static
A single example of each of the D2 and D4 locomotives were retained for preservation. D2 604 and D4 268 are today on display at the Australian Railway Historical SocietyAustralian Railway Historical Society
The Australian Railway Historical Society was founded in Sydney in 1933 as The Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. It aims to foster an interest in the railways, and record and preserve many facets of railway operations. Membership now exceeds 2,500, with Divisions in every...
North Williamstown Railway Museum, as well as a further example of the D3 class, D3 635.
13 other D3 class locomotives remain, either preserved in static display or stored awaiting restoration or as a supply of parts.
No original D1 class locomotives have survived into preservation.