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2510 Beautifully restored by NSWRTM volunteers |
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This view shows the magnificently restored 2510 displayed
at Thirlmere on 6 March 2011.
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Builder |
Beyer Peacock
& Co, Manchester |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
2082 of 1881 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
2-6-0 |
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No. in class |
70 |
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The (B)
205-class were developed by Beyer Peacock & Co from their earlier (A)
93-class 0-6-0 locomotives by the addition of a leading pony truck, to help
steer these larger locomotive into curves.
The class were designed for main line freight duties and the class
grew to 70 locomotives with three repeat orders from Beyer Peacock &
Co. They became the (Z)25 class in the
New South Wales Government Railways’ 1924 renumbering scheme, receiving running
numbers 2501 (the former class leader B 205) to 2570. The
first 50 units had open cabs, round-top boilers and Salter safety valves; at
a later stage they were rebuilt with Belpaire
boilers and handsome wooden cabs.
Engines delivered in the final order of 20 locomotives received “cut-away”
cabsides, similar to the example fitted to preserved
(Z)19 class engine 1923. Inevitably
the (Z) 25 class were relegated to secondary roles as more modern and
powerful steam locomotives became available. A number were sold to industrial, colliery and
quarry operations. 2510
remained in NSWGR service through its life and was one of the early exhibits
saved for preservation by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. 2510 was the subject of a very thorough and
lengthy static restoration by a group of NSWRTM volunteers. It is proudly displayed in the main exhibit
hall at Trainworks, Thirlmere where it wears black livery. A nice finishing touch to its display is the
headlight, marker and cab lights are lit, which adds life to the exhibit. Cousins
to the NSWGR (B)205 / Z(25) class locomotives were two copies built by Beyer
Peacock & Co for the Midland & South-Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR)
in England. Although these two
locomotives are long gone, an enthusiast group hopes to build a replica;
further details and photos can be found on their Galloping Gertie
website. The
(Z) 27-class 2-6-0 locomotives (represented in preservation by 2705) were fitted
with (Z) 25-class boilers when their original non-standard boilers wore
out. Accordingly a spare Z(25) boiler had been stored at the NSWRTM Thirlmere for
many years; this spare boiler was swapped into 2705 at its most recent overhaul.
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This information board displayed alongside 2510 provides a
good summary of the (B) 205 / Z (25) class history.
The Beyer Peacock & Co builder's plate affixed to the centre driving wheel splasher. 6 March 2011.
A view into the cab.
Detail of 2510’s wooden cab. Later class members had steel “cut-away” cab sides.
Unfortunately 2510 has
been missing its connecting rods since entering preservation.
This state of affairs
give some insight to the founding days of the NSWRTM,
when the initial exhibits were retrieved from the scrap roads at Enfield depot.
References
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a |
"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.94 & 108. |
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b |
Webmaster's
observation or comment |
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Page updated: 29 April 2015
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