|
|
Z 256 Also known as "Polly" |
|
Z 256 / Polly displayed
with two 6-wheel passenger cars at the Steamrail Open Day, Newport Workshops on
12 March 2016.
This photo was kindly contributed by Tanis Fulcher.
|
Builder |
Victorian Railways, Newport Workshops |
|
Build Year |
1893 |
|
Wheel Arrangement |
0-6-0T |
|
Z
256 was the first locomotive built at Newport Workshops and completed in
1893. It was originally constructed to
a conventional 0-6-0T configuration for trip and suburban workings, but converted
to 0-6-0CT crane-tank configuration in 1903 for use at the North Melbourne
locomotive depot. Here it was
officially ‘No. 3 Crane’ but more commonly known as ‘Polly’. Polly
was written off by the Victorian Railways as late as June 1978, making it one
of the last steam locomotives in service in Australia. Fortunately its historical importance was
realised and Polly was retained for preservation. After
a period of storage, Polly was reconverted in 1983 to its original 0-6-0T
form for museum display. For many
years it was kept at the Scienceworks Museum in Spotswood, Melbourne, where it
carries a very attractive livery of lined apple green. (Unfortunately its location at the
Scienceworks Museum made photography very difficult and I was unable to
obtain any images of Z 256 / Polly at this location.) Polly
featured as a static exhibit at the Steamrail Open Day held at Newport
Workshops from 12 to 14 March 2016, displayed with two historic 6-wheel
passenger cars. My thanks to Tanis
Fulcher for contributing a number of views of Polly taken during this even,
as reproduced on this page. |
A closer view of Polly at the Steamrail Open Day, Newport
Workshops, 12 March 2016, photo courtesy of Tanis Fulcher.
Another view of Polly at
the Steamrail Open Day, Newport Workshops, 12 March 2016, photo courtesy of Tanis
Fulcher.
This view shows the
cylinders, slender connecting and side rods, and brake shoes.
Comparison between photos of Polly as a crane tank loco
show that the copper-top chimney has replaced a basic stovepipe variety.
A view into the cab, showing Z256 Polly’s spartan controls.
Builder’s plate detail.
12 March 2016
Polly resting among the
weeds and bric-a-brac on the storage sidings at Newport Workshops in September
1970.
Polly was later
cosmetically restored to its original 0-6-0T configuration.
My thanks to Anthony Winstone for contributing this photo.
References
|
a |
ARHS
Bulletin, Volume 36, No. 572 (June 1985) 'Crane Tank
Locomotives in Australia' by J. L. Buckland |
|
b |
Webmaster's observation or
comment. |
Page updated: 5 July 2016
|
Government Railways: |
|
|||||||||
|
Private & Industrial Railways: |
|