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The Picnic Train
Our locomotives
5917
This locomotive has become a much loved feature on heritage trains for nearly 50 years. This former freight locomotive is often seen on tour trains in the Hunter Valley, Kiama and further afield. One of 20 locomotives of the class bought by the NSW Government Railways in 1952 it is one of five survivors and the only locomotive still operational.
Above: 5905 (left) gets away from Gosford with a goods for Broadmeadow, in mid 1972. 5920 and 5917 (right) would depart bout an hour later - image © Graeme Belbin
Above: 5920 and 5917 are just beyond the end of the overhead wires as they run down the 'Gosford straight'. Double headed 59s were fairly uncommon until about the middle of 1972 when they began to appear occasionally on the Short North. - image © Graeme Belbin
DETAILS
Builder : Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton
Builder number : 75580
Built for : New South Wales Government Railways
Class : D59
Type : Mikado
Entered service : 12 March 1953
Class build dates : 1952 to 1953
Wheel configuration : 2-8-2
Weight : 153.4 tonnes loaded
Axle Load : 17 tonne
Original fuel : Oil
Current fuel : Coal
Fuel conversion : January 1963
Coal capacity : 11 tonnes
Water capacity : 24,750
Boiler pressure : 1,379 kPa - 200 psi
Firebox area : 4.4 sq. m.
Heating surface area : 201.1 sq. m.
Grate area : 3.9 sq. m.
Cylinders : 2 external
Cylinder size : 533 x 711 mm
Valve gear : Walschaerts
Tractive effort : 34,986 lbf / 155.6 kN
Maximum speed : 80 kmh
Drive wheels : 1,524 mm
Withdrawn : 10 August 1972
Number in class : 20
Number in class preserved : 5
Number in class operational : 1
R766
Our newest member of the fleet, this large powerful locomotive made history as the first Victorian steam locomotive to be converted to standard gauge for operation in NSW.
Above: A rather grimy looking R766 rolls through Flinders Street Station as an approaching Tait set brings more commuters into the busy station on 21 March 1966 - image © Weston Langford - www.westonlangford.com
Above: R766 sits awaiting its next duties on 14 April 1968. The end for steam would come soon as evidenced by the lurking diesels in the background being T331, T321, B76 and T374 at Bendigo locomotive works - image © National Rail Museum Port Adelaide
DETAILS
Builder : North British Locomotive Company - Glasgow
Builder number : 27056
Arrived date / ship - tender : 14 July 1952 - 'Rhexenor'
Arrived date / ship - engine : 22 July 1952 - 'Stentor'
Built for : Victorian Railways
Class : R
Type : Hudson
Entered service : 1 October 1952
Class build dates : 1951 to 1953
Wheel configuration : 4-6-4
Weight : 187 tonnes loaded
Axle Load : 19 tonne
Original fuel : Coal
Current fuel : Oil
Fuel conversion : 2001
Oil capacity : 9,500 litres
Water capacity : 45,000 litres
Boiler pressure : 1.5 MPa 210 psi
Firebox area : 3.9 sq. m.
Heating surface area : 251.3 sq. m.
Grate area : 3.9 sq. m.
Cylinders : 2 external
Cylinder size : 546 x 711 mm
Valve gear : Walschaerts
Tractive effort : 32,090 lbf / 142.7 kN
Maximum speed : 115 kmh (currently 80 kmh)
Drive wheels : 1,854 mm
Withdrawn : 1 April 1968
Number in class : 70
Number in class preserved : 7
Number in class operational : 4
4903
Affectionately known as 'Tarpy', our diesel locomotive continues to be the unsung hero of operations, moving carriages, helping to shunt trains or tagging along to provide a little assistance.
Above: 4903 passing the old Broken Hill station with what will be that days 'W44' on 22 March 73 which would depart for Parkes at 8.15pm - image © Robert Hillsmith
Above: 4903 idles away awaiting its next dutires along with sisters 4908 and 4707 at Parkes Loco on 31 March 1978 - image © Bob Richardson
DETAILS
Builder : Clyde Engineering, Granville
Builder number : 60-223
Built for : New South Wales Government Railways
Class : 49
Type : EMD G8C
Entered service : November 1960
Class build dates : 1960 to 1964
Wheel configuration : Co-Co
Weight : 80 tonnes
Axle Load : 13 tonnes
Fuel capacity : 3,100 litres
Prime mover : EMD 8-567C
Power output : 950 hp (710 kW) - traction 875 hp (650 kW)
Tractive effort : 32,000 lbf
Maximum speed : 115 kmh
Withdrawn : 2001
Number in class : 18
Surviving : 12
Surviving operational : 8
Preserved : 4
Preserved operational : 3