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3102T Privately owned |
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3102T in storage at the
Canberra Railway Museum on 29 June 2003.
The boiler clothing has
been removed in order to prevent moisture trapped in the insulation causing
pitting in the boiler platework.
This view of 3102T highlights the simple & rugged
design of these saturated steam locomotives.
|
Builder |
Beyer
Peacock & Co, Manchester |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
5797
of 1912 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
4-6-0 |
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No. in class |
77 |
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3102T
was built by Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester under a repeat order for
additional (S) 636 class locomotives of 4-6-4T ‘Baltic’ configuration for
Sydney suburban passenger duties. It was originally numbered S 1230 and later
3102 of the (C) 30 class at the NSWGR 1924 renumbering. Following
the electrification of the Sydney suburban system, 3102 became one of 77
class members converted from 4-6-4T to 4-6-0 tender configuration for use on
country branch lines. These converted locomotives were known as the (C) 30T
class to differentiate them from the remaining 68 (C) 30 class tank
locomotives, the ‘T’ denoting tender locomotive. The (C) 30T class replaced a
mixed fleet of older 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 locomotives allocated to country loco
depots; indeed many (C) 30T's were allocated second-hand bogie Baldwin or
6-wheeled tenders from the obsolete locomotives they were displacing. The
first conversion 3088T was outshopped in July 1928, and the final conversion
was completed in 1933. 3102T
was converted from tank to tender configuration in October 1929. While a
number of (C) 30T locomotives later received superheated boilers and other
improvements, 3102T retains the original saturated boiler design. 3102T
was withdrawn from NSWGR service as late as June 1972, with 2,036,300 km
recorded as travelled. Fortunately it was saved for preservation by the
Canberra branch of the Australian Railway Historical Society (ARHS) for their
Canberra Railway Museum. During the 1970's & 80's it was maintained in
operational status and saw much use on tourist and enthusiast trains in the
Canberra region. One such tour saw 3102T paired with the NSWRTM's 3001T to
haul the last train on the Crookwell branch line in 1985. I understand 3102T
came to be known as ‘The Mouse’ by ARHS Canberra members. 3102T
was withdrawn from operation by the ARHS Canberra in August 1987 (with 3016T being returned to operation in its
place) and has since been stored at the Canberra Railway Museum awaiting
overhaul. Apparently it occasionally donates boiler tubes to operational loco
1210. Here is a link to the 3102
Blog with some background to the required restoration work. For
further information and historical photographs of the (C) 30 class
locomotives, readers are directed to Ron Preston's excellent book ‘Standards
In Steam - The 30 Class’ published by the New South Wales Rail Transport
Museum. UPDATE: Unfortunately,
calamity struck the Canberra Railway Museum during November 2016 when
receivers were appointed to their freight-haulage subsidiary ESPEE Railroad
Services. Apparently ESPEE debts were secured against Canberra Railway Museum
assets, so the receivers selected items judged to be non-core to the museum’s
survival and arranged sale including 6029, 3102T and 3013 together with
various carriages and spare parts. (1210, 3016T and other carriages were not
offered for sale, hopefully leaving Canberra Railway Museum with sufficient
assets for future operations.) I believe
3102T has been purchased by a private owner but I don’t have any further
details. Hopefully a change of fortunes for the better will follow for this
loco; contributions of further information would be appreciated. |
A rear view of 3102T in
store at Canberra Railway Museum on 29 June 2003.
This view shows some of
the modifications made to (C)30T locomotives upon
conversion from 4-6-4T configuration;
the locomotive frame has been truncated and
a reinforcing valance (seen in red trim) added to the footplate above the
driving wheels.
3102T heads a tour along the Crookwell line in June 1979.
This fine view is from the collection of John Hurst & used
with permission.
Happier days for 3102T as she heads a tour up the Molongo Gorge in April 1981. Photo from the
collection of John
Hurst & used with permission.
A second view of 3102T
as it heads through Fyshwick on a trip tough the Molongo
Gorge in April 1981. Photo from the collection of John Hurst & used
with permission.
3102T is immaculately
presented in lined green livery with polished brass steam dome. It is paired
with a 3650 gallon bogie tender.
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. |
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b |
‘Steam
Locomotive Data’ July 1974 edition, compiled by J. H. Forsyth for the Public
Transport Commission of NSW. |
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c |
‘Standards In Steam - The 30
Class’ by Ron Preston, published by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1985. |
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d |
Wikipedia
entry for the NSWGR (C)30 class, retrieved 15 March 2018. |
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e |
Project 3102T
blog, retrieved 15 March 2018 |
Page updated: 16 March 2018
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