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3112 Privately owned |
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3112 departing Thirlmere with one of the
NSWRTM’s regular “Loop Line” tourist trains.
3 March 2002.
Builder |
Beyer Peacock
& Co, Manchester |
Builder’s Number & Year |
5807
of 1914 |
Wheel Arrangement |
4-6-4T |
No. in class |
(C)30T
class – 77 (4-6-0 Tender) (C)30
class – 68 (4-6-4T) |
This
locomotive was built for Sydney suburban passenger duties, originally
carrying the number S 1240 of the S 636 class. This very successful design grew to 145
class members with repeat orders from Beyer Peacock and the NSWGR Eveleigh
Workshops. They became the (C)30 class in the 1924 renumbering scheme, with S 1240 renumbered
to 3112. Following
the electrification of the Sydney suburban system, 77 class members were converted
to 4-6-0 tender configuration for mixed traffic use on country branch
lines. The converted locomotives were
known as the (C)30T class. 3112
was one of the last (C)30 class locomotives in NSWGR
service when withdrawn in February 1972.
It languished at Enfield Depot until purchased for the Lachlan Vintage
Village, Forbes in October 1974. 3112
was stored for a few years at Parkes before reaching the Lachlan Vintage
Village around 1979. The Lachlan Vintage Village
was an interesting local history museum featuring relocated historical
buildings, a recreated Aboriginal camp and other displays relevant to the
region. From a railway perspective it
included a 2’ gauge line using ex-sugar industry locomotives and a standard
gauge railway which ringed the site.
Unfortunately the Lachlan Vintage Village did not succeed as an
ongoing concern and the railway assets were progressively sold off. Standard Goods loco 5367 was sold to the
Lachlan Valley Railway, the ex-Sugar industry locomotives passed into private
hands and the remaining standard-gauge steam locos 1919 (on gate duty), 3112
and 6042 went to auction in November 1986.
3112 was purchased privately by the late Barry Tulloch and
subsequently restored for main line duties at Cowra Depot with the assistance
of a group of supporting volunteers. 3112
was very active in the NSW steam scene from 1988 onwards, with highlights
including a trip to Melbourne for the “AusSteam 88”
railway festival. 3112 participated in
various rail tour operations around Sydney in the following years,
occasionally doubling with sister 3137 at the NSWRTM Festival of Steam. 3112 also participated in various community
events and historical re-enactments, including occasional trips on the North
Shore line and the branch to Lavender Bay.
During the 1990's it was normally housed at the old Eveleigh
"Large Erecting Shop", together with 3801 and 3830. (As an aside - I always found Barry Tulloch
and members of the supporting group to be very friendly and accommodating during
my encounters with them.) In
2007, locomotive 3112 changed hands and the new owner has arranged storage in
Canberra on a private siding adjacent to the Canberra Railway Museum. Although nominally operational, I
understand 3112 is not currently in use; perhaps it requires some repair or
recertification. Hopefully new owner
will facilitate the return to service of this fine locomotive so it can
continue to give pleasure to many. 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. A
Wikipedia page for 3112
provides more information about this locomotive and its preservation history. |
3112 under the Jacaranda tree at south end of Thirlmere
station. 3 March 2002.
3112 in storage on a
private siding in Canberra on 5 August 2012
(This picture taken via
the webmaster craning his camera over the fence from the adjacent Canberra
Railway Museum!)
This view highlights the
symmetry of the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement, ideal for bi-directional running.
It can also be seen how
the bunker sides have been raised for increased coal capacity.
References
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. |
b |
"Standards In Steam - The 30
Class" by Ron Preston, published by
the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1985. |
c |
Webmaster's observation or comment |
Page updated: 14 April 2015
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