- New South Wales D53 class locomotive
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New South Wales D53 class 5381 approaches Orange with a goods train. Power type Steam Builder Clyde Engineering (160),
NSWGR Eveleigh Workshops (30)Build date 1912–1917 Total produced 190 Configuration 2-8-0 UIC classification 1'Dh Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver diameter 4 ft 9 in (1.448 m) Weight on drivers 65 t (143,000 lb) Locomotive weight 72 t (159,000 lb) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 160 psi (1.10 MPa) Firegrate area 29 sq ft (2.7 m2) Heating surface:
Total1,755 sq ft (163.0 m2) Superheater area 365 sq ft (33.9 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 22 × 26 in (559 × 660 mm) Tractive effort 33,557 lbf (149.3 kN) Factor of
adhesion4.46 Career New South Wales Government Railways Class TF939, D53 from 1924 Disposition 3 preserved, remainder scrapped The D53 class is a class of 2-8-0 steam locomotive built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.
History
This class of locomotive was designed by the New South Wales Government Railways as a modification of the earlier T(524)-class, after 1924 classified 50-class. All the coupled wheels had flanges and a certain amount of side movement was given to the middle pairs with a laterally operating knuckle joint being provided in the middle section of the coupling rods.
The Clyde Engineering Company delivered the first locomotive in April, 1912 and, by November, 1917, a total of 190 were in service, 160 from Clyde and 30 from the NSWGR Eveleigh Workshops. Most were fitted with superheaters when built and some fitted at a later date. The superheaters caused some initial difficulties, giving the class a bad name.
There was also a problem with the locomotives being unbalanced, causing speed restrictions to be imposed to avoid rough riding and track damage. Following further investigations, 24 of the class were re-balanced and these were permitted to operate at a faster speed which made them useful on Wollongong suburban passenger services.
When introduced, most of the class were fitted with a standard bogie tender, similar as those attached to the 50-class, although some saw service with Wampu tenders. In the later period of their lives, the majority were fitted with larger turret type tenders. To enable tender first running, many had automatic couplers fitted to the front.
Following the removal of the knuckle joints from the coupling rods, flanges from the second coupled and driving wheels and the fitting of boilers standard for 50-class; 53-class and 55-class, they became most useful locomotives.
Many were in service right to the end of the steam era, four surviving to the very last day.
The then Commonwealth Railways used the design of these locomotives for their KA-class for the Trans-Australian Railway.
Preservation
5461 was selected for preservation by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum and is currently displayed with a WAMPU Tender at their Valley Heights museum. 5353 is preserved by the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum. 5367 was preserved by the Lachlan Valley Railway, and after providing many years of sterling service to the group is the subject of an attempt to return it to steam.
References
- Grunbach, Alex. (1989), A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives, Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division, ISBN 0-909650 27 6
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 Categories:- New South Wales locomotives
- 2-8-0 locomotives
- Clyde Engineering locomotives
- Railway locomotives introduced in 1912
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