New South Wales C30 class locomotive

New South Wales C30 class
The 'Camden Tram' rushes towards the first grade after departing from Campbelltown
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Beyer, Peacock & Co. (95); NSWGR Eveleigh workshops (50) Serial number BP 4444–4478, 5034–5038, 5084–5088, 5140–5149, 5235–5244, 5971–5820 Build date 1903–1917 Total produced 145
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-4T  • UIC 2'C2'nt Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 7 in (1.397 m) Adhesive weight 86,000–95,000 lb (39–43 t) Loco weight 161,000 lb (73 t) Fuel type Coal Firebox: ​  • Grate area 24 sq ft (2.2 m2) Boiler pressure 160 psi (1.10 MPa) Heating surface 1,450 sq ft (135 m2) Superheater None Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 18.5 in × 24 in (470 mm × 610 mm) or 19 in × 24 in (483 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 20,311–21,424 lbf (90.3–95.3 kN) Factor of adh. 4.22 or 4.42
Career Preserved 3013, 3046, 3085, 3112, 3137 Disposition 77 converted to C30T class, 5 preserved, remainder scrapped.

The C30 class was a class of steam locomotive built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia. These 145 4-6-4T wheel arrangement locomotives were specifically designed to handle Sydney's ever increasing suburban traffic, particularly over the extremely heavy grades on the Northern, North Shore and Illawarra lines.

History

The first batch of 35 locomotives was obtained from Beyer, Peacock and Company, being placed in service during 1903–1904. A further 60 engines were added between 1905 and 1917 from Beyer, Peacock and 50 from the New South Wales Government Railways' Workshops at Eveleigh.

The electrification of the inner suburban lines resulted in a surplus of the class too valuable to scrap. Accordingly, between 1928 and 1933, 77 of these locomotives were converted to light tender 4-6-0 type locomotives and used to replace obsolete engines that were then operating on lightly-built country branch lines. The remaining tank locomotives were mostly employed working Sydney's outer suburban, Newcastle and Wollongong suburban trains. A few drifted to the country areas, working on sections where no turntable was readily available, such as Casino to Border Loop and shunting at yards such as Bathurst. The daily passenger trains on the extremely steep Unanderra to Moss Vale line were operated by these locomotives almost until the end of the steam era.

Following the electrification of the country platforms at the Sydney Terminal Station, the C30-class replaced the Z26-class locomotives used to shunt carriages in the Yard, they being not so dangerous to water under the traction wiring.

Five examples remain in preservation. 3085 and 3137 are held by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 3013 by the Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT division) - 3013 was formerly at Lachlan Valley Railway, 3046 by the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum whilst 3112 is at the Canberra, A.C.T., Railway Museum on behalf of its private owners.

References

Bibliography

• Grunbach, Alex. (1989), A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives, Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division, ISBN 0-909650-27-6
• Smith, J.D.H. "New South Wales Government Railways steam locomotives". Retrieved 16 October 2008.