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1308 Valley Heights Steam Tramway |
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1308's boiler, side tanks and cab at the Valley Heights
Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum on 18 January 2009.
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Builder |
Beyer
Peacock & Co, Manchester |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
1620 of 1877 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
4-4-2T (originally 4-4-0) |
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No. in class |
68 |
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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. |
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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. |
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1308’s components stored near the NSWRTM old workshops on 23 November 2008, prior to transfer to Valley Heights. |
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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
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a |
‘Locomotives
of Australia’ by Leon Oberg, published
by J. W. Books Pty Ltd, 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. pp.41
& 136 |
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c |
‘Steam
Locomotive Data’ July 1974 edition, compiled by J. H. Forsyth for the Public
Transport Commission of NSW. |
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d |
‘Roundhouse’
magazine published by the NSWRTM, Volume XIII No.2 of July 1976, article
‘Museum on the Move’ pp.17. |
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e |
‘Tender
Into Tank’ by R. G. Preston. Revised,
enlarged & republished by New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1984. |
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f |
Webmaster's observation or comment |
Page updated: 25 March 2024
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