|
The
DD17 class locomotives were the final development of Queensland Railways (QR)
steam power for Brisbane suburban workings; this successful design
benefitted from the early lessons from the 6D16 class 4-6-2T locos (later
converted to 4-6-4T) and experience with the later D17 class 4-6-4T locos.
The 4-6-4T configuration was popular around the world for suburban
passenger traffic, key features being a symmetrical wheel arrangement that
was equally suited to forward or reverse travel at speed, good adhesion
from the mass of water tanks over the driving wheels, and good visibility in
both directions. The DD17’s were modern locomotives, featuring extensive
use of welded components, superheated boilers, electric lighting,
mechanical lubricators and roller bearings on all axles. Twelve DD17 class
locomotives were built at Ipswich Railway Workshops, the first six (949 -
954) in 1948-49 and the final six (1046 – 1051) between 1950 and 1952. The
class featured an attractive blue livery, a stark contrast to the black
livery worn by the earlier D17 and 6D16 class locomotives. I believe the class
were known as ‘Blue Babies’ by railwaymen and Brisbane residents.
No.1049
entered service in December 1951 and was the second-last class member in QR
service when condemned in June 1969. Fortunately No.1049 together with
sisters No.1046 and 1047 were saved from the Ipswich Workshops scrap line
by the Zig Zag Railway Preservation Society Co-Operative Ltd. for use on
their formative heritage railway based on the Great Zig Zag Railway at
Lithgow, NSW. (Presumably these three DD17’s were judged to be the best
candidates among the steam locos on the Ipswich scrap line at that time;
records show they were the last three DD17’s to be condemned, together with
their modern design and suitability for operation in either direction as
required by the Zig Zag reversals. Other candidates on the Ipswich scrap
line at the time included several PB15 class 4-6-0 locos.) The three DD17’s
were delivered to the Zig Zag Railway’s newly created Bottom Points depot
on 16 March 1975 via standard-gauge flatcars; interestingly, a temporary
slew was created on the adjacent Great Western Railway main line to allow
the locos (and some NSWGR passenger stock) to be reversed into the depot,
which is in an otherwise inaccessible location.
No.1049
was stored at the Zig Zag Railway’s Bottom Points
depot from 1975 to 1994, when its turn for restoration finally came. The
loco was road hauled to an apprentice training facility 'Skills West' in
Penrith, where it received a comprehensive and fast overhaul. It was
returned to service wearing a very handsome but unauthentic lined maroon
livery. In more recent years No.1049 has been repainted to a livery
described by the Zig Zag Railway as 'Improved Thomas Blue', which is also an
unauthentic livery but similar to the original 'Blue Baby' livery worn in
Brisbane suburban service. ‘Improved Thomas Blue’ has the added advantage
of being particularly popular with the Zig Zag Railway’s younger visitors!
Alas
the Zig Zag Railway has not been operational since 2011 due to
accreditation issues, compounded by repeated bushfire damage and a
significant embankment slip near Clarence. As a result, No.1049 has been
stored at the Bottom Points workshop and depot;
fortunately it seems to have escaped bushfire damage which did destroy
wooden carriages stored nearby. I believe the loco is in reasonable order
but any future return to service for No.1049 would require overhaul and
full documentation to modern regulatory requirements.
Further
information regarding DD17 No.1049 and the Zig Zag Railway can be found on
their web
site.
|
