- New South Wales Z17 class locomotive
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New South Wales Z17 class 
1709 passing through Mittagong on an excursion train. Power type Steam Builder Vulcan Foundry Serial number 1164–1175 Build date 1886 Total produced 12 Configuration 4-4-0 UIC classification 2'Bn Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver diameter 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m) Weight on drivers 64,000 lb (29 t) Locomotive weight 95,000 lb (43 t) Water capacity 2,500 imp gal (11,000 l; 3,000 US gal) Boiler pressure 140 psi (970 kPa) Firegrate area 20 sq ft (1.9 m2) Heating surface:
Total1,285 sq ft (119.4 m2) Superheater type None Cylinders Two Cylinder size 19 × 26 in (483 × 660 mm) Tractive effort 16,920 lbf (75.3 kN) Train brakes Air Career New South Wales Government Railways Class H373 (Z17 from 1934) Number H373–H384 Retired 1934– Disposition One preserved, eleven scrapped The 17 class (formerly the H373 class before 1924 re-classification) was a class of steam locomotive built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.
History
Ordered from the Vulcan Foundry, this class, originally numbering 12, were placed in service in 1887. They had the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement that most locomotives had at the time. The class leader was originally placed in a test against the Baldwin-built L304 class to see which one could make a faster and better run across the Blue Mountains to Eskbank, in 1887, which the Baldwin locomotive proved to be the successor. They were also intended for passenger service on the steeply graded Sydney to Kiama and Sydney to Newcastle lines.
They proved unpopular with both locomotive crews and track maintenance staff and were displaced from mainline working and relegated to branch line work. In 1905-06, new boilers with Belpaire fireboxes were fitted and the smokeboxes shortened.
They lasted until quite late, the first withdrawal not occurring until 1934. More recently, 1709, in company with 1243, formed part of the Vintage Train fleet of the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors, touring the state with visits to local celebrations. 1709 is now the sole remaining member and is displayed operational at the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.
References
- 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". http://orion.math.iastate.edu/jdhsmith/term/slaunsw.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
- "Vulcan Foundry locomotive list". http://www.enuii.org/vulcan_foundry/locomotive_list.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
Further reading
Full Steam across the Mountains by Phil Belpin.
Sydney and New South Wales Rail Rollingstock NSWGR steam locomotive X10 class • Z11 class • Z12 class • Z13 class • Z14 class • Z15 class • Z16 class • Z17 class • Z18 class • Z19 class • Z20 class • Z21 class • Z23 class • Z24 class • Z25 class • Z26 class • Z27 class (2705) • Z28 class • Z29 class • C30 class (3112) • C30T class (3016T) • C32 class (3237) (3265) • C34 class • C35 class (3526) • C36 class (3642) • C38 class (3801) (3820) (3830) • D50 class • D53 class • D55 class • D57 class • D58 class • D59 class (5917) • AD60 classNSW Private Steam SMR10 classDiesel locomotive Electric locomotive Electric multiple unit U set • L, R, and S sets • K set • C set • V set • T & G sets (Tangara) • M set (Millennium) • H set (OSCARs) • A set (Waratah)Diesel railcar 
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