Z1243

NSWGR 1243

Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Beyer, Peacock & Co.
Builder Atlas Engineering Company
Build date 1882
Specifications
Configuration 4-4-0
UIC class 2'Bn
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia. 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m)
Adhesive weight 57,000–62,000 lb (26–28 t)
Loco weight 84,000–95,000 lb (38–43 t)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		 15 sq ft (1.4 m2)
Boiler pressure 130 psi (0.9 MPa) as built; 140 psi (1.0 MPa) later
Heating surface 1,070–1,120 sq ft (99–104 m2)
Superheater None
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (460 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 13,019–14,020 lbf (57.9–62.4 kN)
Career
Operators New South Wales Government Railways
Disposition static display

Locomotive 1243 is the oldest surviving locally built locomotive being one of the "Australian eight wheeler" locomotives built at the Atlas Engineering Company Works, Sydney for the expanding New South Wales Government Railways express passenger services.[1]

Description

1243 is a C79 Class (Z12 from 1924) 4-4-0 passenger steam locomotive. The locomotive is a two-cylinder, simple, non-condensing, saturated ‘American’ type steam locomotive. Frame is inside plate steel riveted with a saturated Belpair firebox boiler supplying steam to two inclined outside cylinders driving two large spoked wheels with plain journal bearings. Power is transmitted from the cylinders through ‘Stephenson link Motion’, four bar crossheads and plain unfluted connecting and coupling rods.

History

During the 1870s the Government came under pressure to provide work for colonial industry and the manufacture of railway locomotives was investigated. The Department of Public Works, Railway Branch awarded a contract for construction of engines based on a pattern engine and design drawings supplied by the Railway Branch.[2] At that time the largest single manufacturing order in Australia.

Trials of the first locomotive produced at the Altas Engineering Co commenced on 11 January 1882.[3] Locomotive 1243 was completed the following week. The only imported components of the engine being the steel axles and wheels.

1243 entered service as an express locomotive working passenger and mail mainline services throughout the state. Later relegated to other services at the end of its service life.

Preservation

By 1954 only ten of the original 68 Z12 class engines remained in service.

In 1955 the locomotive was restored to its original livery for the NSW Railways centenary celebrations at Sydney Central Station and for special 'Vintage Train’ excursions run by NSWGR. In 1958 1219 was originally was set aside for the Powerhouse Museum transport collection.[4] but later replaced with 1243.

In 1969 a repainted 1243 in its green livery was used in making the 1970 film Ned Kelly running on the closed Captains Flat railway line and buildings as Glenrowan railway station.

Until 1982 1243 was used as an operational exhibit for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum when it was restored to original condition with short smokebox and low-side tender. In 1988 1243 was placed on permanent display at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, New South Wales

Photographs courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE MADE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.". Illustrated Sydney News. NSW: National Library of Australia. 26 January 1888. p. 16. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "DEPUTATIONS.". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 2 August 1879. p. 3. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "THE ATLAS COMPANY'S FIRST LOCOMOTIVE.". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 12 January 1882. p. 6. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  4. ↑ Powerhouse Museum collection – Steam Locomotive No. 1243

Further reading

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