New South Wales D57 class locomotive

New South Wales D57 class
Class D57 locomotive
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderClyde Engineering, Granville (locomotives); Mort's Dock & Engineering Company (tenders)
Build date1929–1930
Total produced25
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-8-2
Gauge1435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Driver dia.5 ft 0 in (1524 mm)
Axle load23 long tons (25.8 short tons; 23.4 t)
Adhesive weight201,600 lb (91,400 kg)
Loco weight310,710 lb (140,936 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity14 long tons (15.7 short tons; 14.2 t)
Water cap.9000 imp gal (11,000 US gal; 41,000 L)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area65 sq ft (6.0 m2)
Boiler pressure200 psi (1379 kPa)
Heating surface3390 sq ft (315 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area775 sq ft (72.0 m2)
Cylinders3
Cylinder size23.25 in × 28 in (591 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearOutside (2): Walschaerts.
Centre (1): Gresley conjugated
Performance figures
Maximum speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Tractive effort65,000 lbf (289.1 kN)
Factor of adh.3.60
Career
OperatorsNew South Wales Government Railways
ClassD57
Numbers5701–5725
NicknamesLazy Lizzies
Withdrawn1957–1961
Disposition1 preserved, 24 scrapped

The New South Wales D57 class is a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives built for the New South Wales Government Railways in Australia by Clyde Engineering and by Mort's Dock & Engineering Company in respect of the tenders. When they entered service in 1929, they represented a revolution in locomotive design, having a tractive effort 67% higher than the previous most powerful New South Wales locomotive, the 55 class.[1]

History

The locomotives were among the heaviest in Australia, having a 23-long-ton (23.4 t; 25.8-short-ton) axle load. This factor and their width restricted their sphere of operation to Thirroul on the Illawarra line, Wallerawang on the Main Western line and Junee on the Main South line.[2][3][4]

Due to the immense size of the firebox, they could not be hand-fired so a mechanical stoker was fitted, the first New South Wales locomotive class to have one.[5]

The locomotives were not permitted to operate on the Main Northern line due to load limitations on some bridges and a tighter loading gauge. They had the highest tractive effort of any non-articulated steam locomotives used in Australia and were of approximately equal capability to the modified 60 class Garratt locomotives. They were very reliable and had the nickname Lazy Lizzies because they made heavy working seem effortless.[6] Another nickname, Chuckling Charlies, reflected their syncopated exhaust beat.[7]

The three-cylinder design fitted to the class gave it a distinctive off-beat exhaust sound when climbing upgrade. However, a couple of features, such as the Gresley conjugating valve gear, have been the source of debate as to its efficiency.[8] A further 13 were built to a similar design in 1950 as the 58 class.[1]

Although primarily a freight locomotive, 5719 was trialled on the Melbourne Limited passenger train between Sydney and Cootamundra in 1942.[9][10]

The first was withdrawn in October 1957, the last in September 1961. The last example in traffic was saved for preservation by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. In June 1975, 5711 was hauled from Enfield to Thirlmere by 3801.[11] In September 2008 it was relocated to the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.[12][13] The locomotive is to be relocated to Chullora in Sydney for a cosmetic restoration.

Experience with the D57 class led to design improvements in the three-cylinder 58 class, which entered service two decades later, the Gresley conjugating valve gear being replaced by rack and pinion gear.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "57 and 58 class, 4-8-2 locomotives". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin. 1 (new series) (151). Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division: 1–4. May 1950. ISSN 0005-0105.
  2. ^ Kings of the Road Roundhouse October 1979 page 23
  3. ^ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 157. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  4. ^ Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 201–209. ISBN 0-909650-27-6.
  5. ^ "Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 5711".
  6. ^ Oberg, Leon (February 1974). "The End of the 57-Class Locomotives". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 29–30.
  7. ^ Gifford Eardley, Locomotives, a guide
  8. ^ Slee, David E (January 2000). "D57 and D58 Classes — Design Differences and Power Comparisons". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 3–19.
  9. ^ D57 Class Freight Engines Tested on Fast Passenger Schedules Truck & Bus Transportation February 1942 page 43
  10. ^ Test with 57 Class Engines in Passenger Service Railway Gazette 19 June 1942 page 670
  11. ^ Museum on the Move Roundhouse June 1976 page 16
  12. ^ Locomotive, Steam 5711 Office of Environment & Heritage
  13. ^ The last 57 Railway Digest July 2016 pages 44-47

Further reading

  • Belbin, Phil; Burke, David (1981), Full steam across the mountains, Sydney: Methuen Australia

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