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1076 Goulburn Roundhouse Museum |
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My visit to the Goulburn Roundhouse Museum on 30 August
2025 found 1076 in steam and positioned with a demonstration heritage good
train.
Some miniature live steamers were also on
display at Goulburn, as seen in the foreground.
Comparison with 2008 photos below shows
the amazing transformation of this loco from its earlier derelict state.
Some of the modifications received over the years have been
removed, most notably the basic bunker and rear cab sheet added when the crane
was removed, circa 1959.
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Builder |
Newton-le-Willows,
Lancashire |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
995 of 1885 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
0-6-0T |
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This locomotive started life as R 288, the 4th of 6 members of the R 285 class of tank locomotives built for Sydney suburban work. It became 1804 of the Z-18 class in the 1924 renumbering scheme. In 1937 it was renumbered to 1076 amongst the X-10 class of miscellaneous obsolete locomotives, workshop shunters and mobile cranes, when the coal bunker was removed and a small jib-arm crane fitted. The crane was removed in 1959 and a rather basic welded bunker and rear cab spectacle sheet provided in replacement, but the number 1076 remained. 1076 received the boiler of F-351 class loco 1036 (like preserved sister 1033) during overhaul in 1966. It appears the locomotive's duties included mobile steam generation for workshop use & boiler testing, as it was fitted with a live steam valve on the right front running plate, with high-pressure steam supplied directly from the dome. 1076 was
withdrawn from workshop shunting service in 1971 and later transferred to the
NSWRTM collection. 1076 was shunted onto the long-term storage sidings at the
NSWRTM Thirlmere in 1983, where it subsequently remained out of public sight
for 25 years. Unfortunately, no restoration work was ever performed while
1076 was stored at Thirlmere, although in 1989 the webmaster did give the
loco a complete black-oil & lubrication to slow deterioration. On
4 November 2008, 1076 was transferred by road to Goulburn Roundhouse for
cosmetic restoration and display. The Goulburn Roundhouse is a fitting home
for 1076 as it had been based at Goulburn locomotive depot around the 1950's. My
visit to the Goulburn Roundhouse in January 2012 found 1076 dismantled for
overhaul to operating condition. Several photos on this page date from that visit.
By May 2017 the restoration was in the final stages, with video footage
showing the loco undergoing steam trials. Update – January 2026: My visit
to the Goulburn Roundhouse Museum
on 30 August 2025 revealed that an amazing transformation for 1076 had
occurred, with the loco in steam at the museum entrance and positioned with a
demonstration heritage freight train. The loco was resplendent in lined black
livery with details such as the builder’s plates refitted. The high sides of
the replacement welded bunker had been removed, together with the basic cab
rear spectacle sheet, leaving the cab rather open at the rear; I suspect this
configuration matches 1076’s appearance when based at Goulburn in the 1950’s. I
understand that 1076’s certification for operation does not permit it to move
under its own power and therefore is coupled to one of the museum’s preserved
diesels when repositioning is needed. In any case, it helps to bring the
Goulburn Roundhouse Museum to life with the atmosphere of the steam age. |
An earlier scanned view of 1076 awaiting restoration in the
long-term storage sidings at NSWRTM - 17 March 2003.
This photo is kindly provided by the RTM Exhibits Cleaning
Team and shows 1076 being loaded for road transfer to Goulburn on 4 November
2008.
This second view is also kindly provided by the RTM Exhibits Cleaning Team and shows 1076 being lowered onto the road trailer - 4 November 2008.
Clearly visible is the basic welded
bunker – with high sides - and live steam valve on the running board.
1076 also retains wooden buffer beams, and the last traces
of original NSWGR black livery with red lining can be seen.
1076's crank driving wheelset at Goulburn on 7 January 2012.
1076's front frames showing the cylinder chests. Goulburn, 7 January 2012.
1036's old boiler (as fitted to 1076) under repair at Goulburn, 7 January 2012.
Another view of 1076's frames at Goulburn on 7 January
2012.
A front view of 1076 in steam at Goulburn on 30 August
2025, with safety steps providing visitor access to the cab.
A rear view of 1075 at Goulburn on 30 August 2025.
Comparison with 2008 photo above shows
the bunker base is still the basic welded structure circa 1959?? But the high
extension removed…
The live steam valve on the front running
plate has also been removed.
I imagine this represents its configuration when 1076 was
based at Goulburn circa 19xx
A visit to Goulburn on 25 March 2023 found 1076 sitting in
one of the roundhouse bays.
The builder’s plate is mounted on the rivet line on the
side tanks.
These two plaques attached to 1076’s bunker commemorate the
team responsible for the loco’s amazing transformation.
Photo date: 30 August 2025.
References
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a |
L. Oberg, 'Locomotives of Australia', published by J. W. Books Pty Ltd,
Brookvale NSW. 1982 reprint. |
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b |
‘A
Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives’ compiled
by Alex Grunbach, published
by the Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales
Division, 1989. |
Page updated: 20 February 2026
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