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5711 Last of the NSWGR's ‘Big Engines’ |
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This view of 18 January 2009 shows 5711 at Valley Heights,
where it had recently arrived by rail.
It is coupled to a spare 36-class tender
(tab 3617) as a suitable tender was required to effect rail transport and its
own tender is dismantled and under restoration.
The Gresley conjugating valve gear can be seen, together
with the inclined third (middle) cylinder just visible under the smokebox.
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Builder |
Granville
NSW |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
435 of 1930 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
4-8-2 |
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5711
was built by Clyde Engineering, Granville as one of 25 members of the D-57
class heavy freight locomotives. These locomotives differed from earlier
NSWGR motive power via several innovations including a cast steel frame, a
third / inside cylinder (using Gresley conjugating valve gear), and an
automatic stoker to feed the large firebox. Due
to civil engineering constraints, the class was confined to operations from
Sydney to Thirroul on the Illawarra line, to Junee on the Main Southern line
and to Lithgow on the Great Western line. The D-57 class were significantly
more powerful than the Standard Goods classes of 2-8-0 freight locomotive
which they displaced, and accordingly their introduction led to significant
increases in freight train loads and operations on those routes. A
further batch of 25 similar locomotives of the D-58 class were planned in the
1950's, however certain design modifications proved less successful.
Impending diesel locomotive deliveries led to only 13 D-58 class locomotives being
completed. Both
the D-57's and D-58's were withdrawn early in the changeover to diesel
traction, and 5711 was the last in service when withdrawn in October 1961.
Photographs from the early 1960's often feature the melancholy sight of lines
of D-57 & D-58 ‘big engines’ lined up on the scrap roads at Enfield
locomotive depot, many separated from their tenders as these were given a
further lease of life as water tankers. Fortunately, 5711 was retained for
preservation following approaches by enthusiasts to the NSWGR administration
and was safely stored at the Enfield No.3 roundhouse pending the formation of
a railway museum, which ultimately became the NSW Rail Transport Museum
(NSWRTM - now Transport Heritage NSW). (I understand that a request to also
preserve a D-58 locomotive failed as the Railways administration considered
the D-57's & D-58's as the same class from an operational perspective.) For
many years 5711 featured in the logo of the NSWRTM, symbolising its place in
the organisation's formation. A
static restoration by a group of NSWRTM members was underway by the early
1970's and contemporary photos show the tender had been repainted. This
restoration ended tragically in 1972 when three NSWRTM members died in a car
accident as they headed north to photograph steam operations in the Hunter
Valley. 5711
was transferred from Enfield to Thirlmere on 17 June 1975 as part of a train
of exhibits hauled by 3801. At this stage 5711 showed the effects of years of
open storage at Enfield and continued to deteriorate in the open display
conditions of early years at the NSWRTM Thirlmere site. A second restoration
was begun in the early 1980's with the intention of returning 5711 to steam. By
1985 the engine unit had been stripped and de-rusting of components was well
underway, with the tender dismantled and stored in the workshop area. Unfortunately
technical, operational and financial constraints have dogged the proposed
restoration to steam and, although many components had been reconditioned,
there had been no visible progress with reassembly since the early 1990's. The
NSWRTM subsequently decided to proceed with a static restoration of 5711 and
progress restarted during 2007 following transfer of the tender frame &
bogies, locomotive cab and other components to the Valley Heights Locomotive
Depot Heritage Museum. Since that time there has been good progress at Valley
Heights with the repair and restoration of the tender frames and bogies to a
high standard. The locomotive unit of 5711 also arrived by rail at Valley
Heights during the night of 15 September 2008, and in subsequent years the
loco has received a full repaint by the volunteer team at Valley Heights. Details
and photographs of the restoration can be found on the Valley
Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum website. 5711 is one of NSW's most significant rail heritage items and hopefully the full static restoration of this locomotive will now be completed at Valley Heights, fulfilling the vision of the NSWRTM's founders and the many members connected with the locomotive over the years. Update: The NSW
Rail Museum’s ‘Roundhouse’ magazine of Autumn 2025 contained the welcome news
that 5711’s tender restoration at Chullora is now complete, and the
photographs in the article bore testament to an extremely thorough and
high-quality repair including some replacement frame gussets, overhauled
bogies and mechanical items including the stoker, and fully de-rusted tank interior
with enamel coating. The NSW Rail Museum volunteers are to be congratulated
on this achievement. Hopefully funding
and resources for the restoration of the 5711 locomotive proper will follow the tender’s completed
overhaul, but in the meantime the capable Chullora volunteer team are taking
on the static conservation and refresh of 3820. |
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This view of 17 January 2004 shows 5711 as it appeared from
the early 1990's until its transfer to Valley Heights in 2008.
The cab had been restored but the boiler
sheeting remained piled to the side of the locomotive.
Various other components were stored nearby.
This April 1985 photo shows the early stages of 5711's
restoration at the NSWRTM, with components being removed and the firebox being needle
gunned.
Other locos in view are 5096 (front,
tender) and 6040 (behind) with B390 (2419) to the right.
Today this area is enclosed within the NSW Rail Museum
display hall.
These four black & white images are kindly provided by
Rod Hawkes and show 5711 stored at Enfield No.3 turntable in the 1965/66
period.
References
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a |
Grunbach,
A. ‘A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives’ published by the Australian
Railway Historical Society, New
South Wales Division, 1989, pp.201, 205. |
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b |
Oberg, L. ‘Locomotives of Australia’ published by J. W.
Books Pty Ltd, 1982 reprint. |
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c |
Eardley, G. H. 'Locomotives: A Guide - Enfield Railway
Museum', published by the NSWRTM, 1973. |
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d |
Webmaster’s
observation or comment |
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e |
‘Roundhouse’
magazine published by the NSWRTM, Volume XIII No.2 of July 1976, article
‘Museum on the Move’ pp.16. |
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f |
‘Roundhouse – The NSW Rail Museum Magazine for Members and
Enthusiasts’ Autumn 2025 (Vol.62
No.2) Article ‘5711
Tender restoration complete’ by David Oram. |
Page updated: 15 May 2025
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