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3265 "Hunter" Restored by the Powerhouse Museum |
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The finished product! This photo was kindly submitted by Thomas
Barnes and shows restored 3265 at the Hunter Valley SteamFest,
Maitland on 17 April 2010.
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Builder |
Beyer
Peacock & Co, Manchester |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
4221 of 1901 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
4-6-0 |
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No. in class |
191 |
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The
handsome P(6) class passenger engines were one of
Australia’s most successful locomotive types and the backbone of the New South
Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) passenger fleet for many decades. These fast and versatile engines were
designed by Chief Mechanical Engineer William Thow
in conjunction with Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester, with an initial order
for 50 locomotives. The type were
immediately successful and grew to 191 examples over a period of 19 years,
with most lasting in service until replacement by diesel-electric locomotives
in the 1960’s. According
to “Steam Locomotive Data” (the official source for NSWGR steam locomotive
service records), 3265 entered service as P 584 on 6 January 1902 and became
3265 of the (C)32 class in 1924. 3265 was superheated in June 1933 before
being condemned after 66 years and 2,965,840km of service on 21 October 1968. In
1929, 3265 became one of four members of the class to
receive special crimson red with cream lining for the Inter City Express and
Northern Commercial Limited, along with carriage sets CUB80 and CUB81. These engines were named after the four
rivers crossed by the Northern Commercial Limited en-route
from Sydney to Newcastle: 3201
WYONG The WYONG, PARRAMATTA, HAWKESBURY, MACQUARIE
and HUNTER nameplates survive today in the collection of the New South Wales Rail Transport
Museum. 3265 is unique among the four preserved C-32-class locomotives as the only one to retain its original "low" frame design, most clearly seen by the curved frame extensions leading down from the smokebox to the front buffer beam. This contrasts with the higher replacement frames evident on surviving sisters 3203, 3214 and 3237, which rise higher above the running board and have straight extensions from the smokebox down to the front buffer beam. 3265
was one of three NSWGR steam locomotives (1243, 3265 and 3830) retained for
preservation by the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, which later became
the Powerhouse Museum. These
locomotives were moved to New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM) for
storage following closure & demolition of the Enfield Roundhouses, with 3265
arriving at Thirlmere on 24 June 1975. 3265 was displayed at the NSWRTM Thirlmere
from 1975 in company with other Enfield refugees but was rather rust-streaked
and derelict during this phase of its life, having been in stored exposed to
the weather for many years. 3265
moved to the Large Erecting Shop (L.E.S.) in the former NSWGR Eveleigh
Workshops in approximately 1988 and a thorough restoration commenced ten
years later in 1998. 3265 was stripped
down, overhauled and extensively rebuilt including a new riveted tender tank
and a new welded boiler. 3265 has now
been returned to operation, having run a first trial run from Eveleigh to
Meeks Rd and return in the evening of Thursday 2 July 2009. It carries maroon
livery with its original "Hunter" nameplates attached and has been
a regular performer on rail tours and enthusiast festivals such as the
Maitland Steamfest. In recent years it
has generally been based at Trainworks, Thirlmere. Ron
Preston's book "Standards In Steam - The 32 Class" provides a
comprehensive history of the NSWGR C-32 class locomotives together with many
photographs of these locomotives in operation. |
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3265 "Hunter" at Newcastle
railway station, 1934. Picture / John Buckland - National Library of Australia.
Another historical view of 3265.
This view of 27 October 2008 is provided by Philip Isepy
and shows the new welded boiler being lowered into the frames.
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Here is a second photo of 3265 receiving its new boiler
outside the L.E.S. Eveleigh on 27 October 2008; photo courtesy of Philip
Isepy. |
This view of 15 April 2009 shows 3265 being reassembled
within the L.E.S. Eveleigh; photo courtesy of Philip Isepy.
Almost there! This photo
of 24 April 2009 is kindly provided by Philip Isepy and shows 3265 inside the
L.E.S. Eveleigh.
The final components are being fitted after 3265's
extensive overhaul and renewal.
3265's "Hunter" nameplate and ornate
"NSWR" lettering on the sandbox. 2 March 2013
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. |
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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 |
"Standards In Steam - The 32
Class" by R. G. Preston, published in 1987 by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. |
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e |
“Roundhouse"
magazine published by the NSWRTM, Volume XIII No.2 of July 1976, article
"Museum on the Move" |
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f |
Webmaster's
observation or comment |
Page updated:
28 September 2015
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