New South Wales Z17 class locomotive

New South Wales Z17 class locomotive
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:
Total		 1,285 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

Further reading

Full Steam across the Mountains by Phil Belpin.

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