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5910 Statically displayed at Trainworks, Thirlmere |
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5910 statically displayed in the main hall at ‘Trainworks’
on 1 March 2015.
It is nicely presented in lined black livery, with
‘American’ touches including white wall tyres.
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Builder |
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Builder’s Number & Year |
75573 of 1952 |
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Wheel Arrangement |
2-8-2 |
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No. in class |
20 |
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5910 is
one of twenty (D)59 class goods locomotives ordered by the New South Wales
Government Railways (NSWGR) from Baldwin Lima Hamilton Corp, the famous
American locomotive builders Baldwin having merged with Lima-Hamilton in
December 1950. The (D)59’s were ordered at a turbulent time in the history of Australian
labour relations, with the 1949 coal strikes crippling the railways and hence
the broader economy. In response, the
NSWGR specified the (D)59 class as oil-burners, while significant numbers of
the earlier (D)55 class Standard Goods Engines were also converted to oil
firing. The NSWGR specified short
‘bobtail’ tenders so the (D)59’s could be turned on 60’ turntables, but the
design and manufacture of these tenders delayed the normally speedy delivery
by Baldwin. The class was placed in
service between 30 August 1952 and 31 March 1953, with most converted to coal
firing during the 1960’s. (For further
general information about the (D)59 class, refer to the entry for 5908.) The authorative
‘Steam Locomotive Data’ (July 1974 edition) provides the following milestones
for preserved loco 5910:
5910 contributed
to the relocation of NSWRTM exhibits from the old Enfield Loco Depot site to
Thirlmere when it hauled 3642, 5096 and several other exhibits to Thirlmere
on 18 June 1975, following which it was available for traffic at Thirlmere
until withdrawn in the late 1970’s owing to deteriorating boiler
condition. Fortunately
the NSWRTM had the foresight to save a spare (D)59 boiler from the condemned
locomotives at Enfield and hence boiler tab 5915 was swapped into 5910 in
1981 at the start of a comprehensive overhaul. 5910 returned to service during 1985,
running her first few tours still wearing a livery of primer and
undercoat! Full repaint to lined black
livery followed, including white tyres and other ‘American’ refinements. 5910 found extensive use as a NSWRTM rail
tour locomotive after 1985, with the webmaster having fond memories of this
loco on the regular ‘Thirlmere Flyer’ train from Sydney Central. Unfortunately,
deteriorating boiler condition again caught up with 5910 and it was withdrawn
from traffic around 1998 and placed on static display within the main hall at
the NSWRTM Thirlmere, now known as Trainworks. Should a further overhaul ever be
undertaken, the spare boiler remains available, and statically preserved 5908
& 5916 could perhaps swap any worn parts. The
definite history for the NSWGR (D)59 class can be found in the excellent book
‘The 59 Class’ by Harry Wright, published by the New South Wales Rail
Transport Museum in 1996 and featuring many colour and B&W photographs. Further information about 5908 can be found
on the NSW Office on Environment and Heritage fact sheet for this locomotive. Additional technical details can also be
found on the Wikipedia entry for the NSWGR (D)59 class. |
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5910 and 5595 rest in their designated display positions at
Trainworks, Thirlmere on 7 January 2012.
The Baldwin Lima Hamilton builder’s plate attached to
5910’s smokebox. 1 March 2015
A webmaster visit to the NSWRTM Thirlmere in March 1985
found 5910 undergoing steam trials in the workshop area.
5910 was coming to the end of a heavy
overhaul by the NSWRTM including a boiler swap with the spare boiler ex-5915.
5910 was still painted in primer only at
this stage, with various items such as the headlight yet to be fitted.
(Loco 1905 can be seen in the former ‘Restoration Road’ on
the right at the beginning of its meticulous static restoration.)
My thanks to John
Hurst for allowing use of this fine study of 5910 taking water at Moss Vale
in 1973.
Also displayed at Trainworks is this much earlier Baldwin
builder’s plate which belonged to (C)32 class 4-6-0 loco No.3282.
References
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a |
‘The 59
Class’ by Harry Wright, Published
by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1996. |
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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 |
‘Roundhouse’ magazine published by the NSWRTM, Volume XIII No.2 of July 1976, Article ‘Museum on the Move, pp.16. |
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d |
‘Steam
Locomotive Data’ July 1974 edition, compiled by J. H. Forsyth for the Public
Transport Commission of NSW. |
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e |
Wikipedia
entry for the NSWGR (D)59 class, retrieved 9 February 2016 |
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f |
Webmaster's
observation or comment |
Page updated: 1 September 2021
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