1308

Valley Heights Steam Tramway

 

1308's boiler, side tanks and cab at the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum on 18 January 2009.

Builder

Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester

Builder’s Number & Year

1620 of 1877

Wheel Arrangement

4-4-2T (originally 4-4-0)

No. in class

68

 

Built by the famous Manchester, UK builders Beyer Peacock & Co as early as 1877, this locomotive began its career as 4-4-0 tender engine C 123 of the C(79) class for express passenger and mail train duties.

Following the introduction of the P(6) class 4-6-0 locomotives in 1892, some of the smaller C(79) class locomotives became surplus. Accordingly, between 1896 and 1902 twenty members were converted to 4-4-2T configuration for Sydney suburban passenger duties. The first locomotive converted was class leader C 79, and hence the 4-4-2T locomotives became known as the CC(79) class (later Z13 class), while the remaining 4-4-0 tender locomotives became the C(80) class (later Z12 class).

The CC(79) class tank locomotives were again displaced from suburban passenger duties following the introduction of the more powerful S(636) class 4-6-4T locomotives from 1903. Members of the CC(79) class found further employment on various branch line duties including the Yass Tramway and the Picton-Mittagong Loop Line, while others were used as shunters.

Photos show 1308 was based at Picton depot during the 1950's for Picton-Mittagong Loop Line duties and accordingly would often pass through Thirlmere, which later became the home of the NSW Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM). 1308 was fortunate to be retained for the NSWRTM collection, although weathered from years of open storage at Enfield following withdrawal. This locomotive would have made authentic and historic motive power for NSWRTM loop line tourist trains, had it ever been restored to working order, possibly explaining why three members of the Z13 class (1301, 1307 & 1308) were originally retained by the NSWRTM.

1308 was transferred to the NSWRTM Thirlmere site in 1975, where it remained in storage. It was ultimately deemed surplus to requirements and in 1985 placed on long-term loan to the Parramatta Park Steam Tramway & Museum for restoration.

By 1988 locomotive 1308 was dismantled for overhaul at Parramatta Park with restoration of the frames and other components underway. Alas, tragedy struck on 7 June 1993 when the Parramatta Park Steam Tramway & Museum depot was destroyed by arson. The dismantled components of 1308 returned to Thirlmere and were stored at various locations around the NSWRTM site and within a 4-wheel S-truck.

The Parramatta Park Steam Tramway & Museum later relocated their surviving collection to the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum and have since rebuilt key exhibits and operations. In late 2008 / early 2009 the dismantled components of 1308 also made the move to Valley Heights. Hopefully funds & resources can be found to restore this interesting locomotive and undo the damage caused the Parramatta Park fire. Details and photographs of 1308's restoration appear on the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum website.

Ron Preston's wonderful book ‘Tender into Tank’ includes many photographs and historical details of the Z13 class locomotives and their operations.

UPDATE:

The webmaster enjoyed a visit to the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Museum on 9 December 2023 and found 1308’s restoration to be progressing. All wheelsets and the side tanks had been cleaned and painted. Comparison with earlier photos showed similar attention has been given to the boiler, bunker and frames, while recent newsletters also reported workshop progress with numerous smaller parts. It was heartening to see progress with this very worthy long-term restoration project.

1308's wheels stored at the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum on 18 January 2009.

The tall driving wheels reflect 1308's heritage as an express passenger locomotive.

1308’s components stored near the NSWRTM old workshops on 23 November 2008, prior to transfer to Valley Heights.

1308's frames stored at the south of the NSWRTM Thirlmere site on 17 September 2005, as they were for 15 years following the Parramatta Park fire of 1993.

The frames have since been transferred to Valley Heights, and the NSWRTM's new locomotive depot since constructed on this site.

A scanned print view of 1308 and carriage ready to depart Thirlmere for Parramatta Park in 1985.

The cab and side-tanks had already been removed, presumably during assessment for restoration.

References

a

‘Locomotives of Australia’ by Leon Oberg,

published by J. W. Books Pty Ltd, 1982 reprint.

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.

pp.41 & 136

c

‘Steam Locomotive Data’ July 1974 edition, compiled by J. H. Forsyth for the

Public Transport Commission of NSW.

d

‘Roundhouse’ magazine published by the NSWRTM, Volume XIII No.2 of July 1976,

article ‘Museum on the Move’ pp.17.

e

‘Tender Into Tank’ by R. G. Preston.

Revised, enlarged & republished by New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1984.

f

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Page updated: 25 March 2024

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