New South Wales AD60 class locomotive
Encyclopedia
The AD60 class was a class of steam locomotive
s operated by the New South Wales Government Railways
in Australia
. They were built with the 4-8-4+4-8-4
wheel arrangement. They are commonly considered the most powerful Australian steam locomotives although the NSWGR 57 class was actually slightly more powerful on paper. They did however have a formidable reputation of being able to lift huge trains single handed over steep grades and in difficult conditions.
type locomotive on the New South Wales Government Railways, although this type of articulated unit had seen considerable use on the narrow gauge lines of other Australian systems for many years. Designed to a light axleload of only 16 tons (16.3 t), they were apparently intended for hauling feeder branch-line services to the main lines where heavier main-line locomotives could continue with the load.
Twenty five locomotives, and subsequently a further twenty five, were ordered from Beyer, Peacock and Company
, but following the change of policy in favour of diesel traction, attempts were made to cancel part of the order. Forty two complete locomotives were delivered, together with spare parts equating to approximately five further locomotives. Being composed of three distinct sections with live steam connections between, some assembly was required subsequent to delivery.
Locomotive 6002 was the first to enter service, it emerging in July 1952. All 42 were in traffic by January 1957.
Whilst there were more powerful Garratts on the narrow gauge lines in Africa, the 60-class were a fairly sizeable locomotive, having a greater tractive effort
than any other steam locomotive in Australia with the exception of the New South Wales D57 class locomotive. Some modifications were made subsequent to entering service and they became a most useful locomotive. Crews began to express a preference for operating them.
The coal bunkers were enlarged from 14 to 18 tons capacity. Ventilation of the cabs caused considerable concern. Consequently, the class was banned from working through single-line tunnels, this ban also being in response to the difficulty crews would have climbing out in the event of failure within such tunnels. Amongst attempts to improve cab ventilation, 6011 was experimentally fitted in September, 1952 with a large tube along the front bunker and boiler to funnel air from the front of the locomotive into the cab. It was unsuccessful and was removed in 1955. Some improvement was obtained by running the locomotives coal-bunker first.
Owing to the length and noise of the locomotive, crews found difficulty in hearing warning detonators
. To rectify the situation, tubes were fitted to convey the sound from the leading wheels to the cab.
It became apparent that the Garratts would see more service on main lines than on the lighter branch lines. It was decided to increase the tractive effort of a number of the class. This was achieved by enlarging the cylinder diameter and by altering the weight distribution by removing liners from the bogies. This increased the axleload on each of the driving wheels by approximately 2 tons. Thirty locomotives were so treated.
Due to the lack of suitable turning facilities and the extreme difficulty of observing signals when running coal-bunker first, it was decided to fit dual controls to enable the crew to be positioned on the correct side of the cab and facing the direction of travel. This modification was carried out on the 30 locomotives which had increased tractive effort. The buffer beams were marked with a special symbol next to the number to indicate that the locomotive was so fitted.
The train most closely associated with the Garratt locomotives was the ore concentrate train from Broken Hill
to Sulphide Junction, near Cockle Creek
, known as W44
. Another well known duty was the Glenlee, south of Campbelltown
, to Rozelle
coal traffic which operated prior to electrification of the route and when export coal was handled in Sydney Harbour. When the electrification works were under way and watering facilities had been removed at Campbelltown and Liverpool, 7,000 gallon (31,822 litre) water gins were added between the locomotive and the load. This was the only instance of australian Garratt locomotives running with water gins.
As well as their operation between Molong
and Orange
on train W44, from early 1966 double-headed Garratts were commonplace between Gosford
and Broadmeadow
or Port Waratah, the then export coal port near Newcastle
. This working lasted right up to the very end of regular steam operations on the N.S.W.G.R. in 1972.
and 6040 (the last steam locomotive to enter service with the N.S.W.G.R.) is at the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum
which has recived some much need cosmetic work.
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s operated by the New South Wales Government Railways
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. They were built with the 4-8-4+4-8-4
4-8-4+4-8-4
A 4-8-4+4-8-4, in the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives by wheel arrangement, is a Garratt articulated locomotive. The wheel arrangement is effectively two 4-8-4 locomotives operating back to back....
wheel arrangement. They are commonly considered the most powerful Australian steam locomotives although the NSWGR 57 class was actually slightly more powerful on paper. They did however have a formidable reputation of being able to lift huge trains single handed over steep grades and in difficult conditions.
Introduction
This was the first appearance of the Beyer-GarrattGarratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
type locomotive on the New South Wales Government Railways, although this type of articulated unit had seen considerable use on the narrow gauge lines of other Australian systems for many years. Designed to a light axleload of only 16 tons (16.3 t), they were apparently intended for hauling feeder branch-line services to the main lines where heavier main-line locomotives could continue with the load.
Twenty five locomotives, and subsequently a further twenty five, were ordered from Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company
Beyer, Peacock and Company was an English railway Locomotive manufacturer with a factory in Gorton, Manchester. Founded by Charles Beyer and Richard Peacock, it traded from 1854 until 1966...
, but following the change of policy in favour of diesel traction, attempts were made to cancel part of the order. Forty two complete locomotives were delivered, together with spare parts equating to approximately five further locomotives. Being composed of three distinct sections with live steam connections between, some assembly was required subsequent to delivery.
Locomotive 6002 was the first to enter service, it emerging in July 1952. All 42 were in traffic by January 1957.
Operation
Tractive effort
As used in mechanical engineering, the term tractive force is the pulling or pushing force exerted by a vehicle on another vehicle or object. The term tractive effort is synonymous with tractive force, and is often used in railway engineering to describe the pulling or pushing capability of a...
than any other steam locomotive in Australia with the exception of the New South Wales D57 class locomotive. Some modifications were made subsequent to entering service and they became a most useful locomotive. Crews began to express a preference for operating them.
The coal bunkers were enlarged from 14 to 18 tons capacity. Ventilation of the cabs caused considerable concern. Consequently, the class was banned from working through single-line tunnels, this ban also being in response to the difficulty crews would have climbing out in the event of failure within such tunnels. Amongst attempts to improve cab ventilation, 6011 was experimentally fitted in September, 1952 with a large tube along the front bunker and boiler to funnel air from the front of the locomotive into the cab. It was unsuccessful and was removed in 1955. Some improvement was obtained by running the locomotives coal-bunker first.
Owing to the length and noise of the locomotive, crews found difficulty in hearing warning detonators
Detonator (railway)
A railway detonator is a device used to make a loud sound as a warning signal to train drivers. The detonator is the size of a large coin with two lead straps, one on each side. The detonator is placed on the top of the rail and the straps are used to secure it...
. To rectify the situation, tubes were fitted to convey the sound from the leading wheels to the cab.
It became apparent that the Garratts would see more service on main lines than on the lighter branch lines. It was decided to increase the tractive effort of a number of the class. This was achieved by enlarging the cylinder diameter and by altering the weight distribution by removing liners from the bogies. This increased the axleload on each of the driving wheels by approximately 2 tons. Thirty locomotives were so treated.
Due to the lack of suitable turning facilities and the extreme difficulty of observing signals when running coal-bunker first, it was decided to fit dual controls to enable the crew to be positioned on the correct side of the cab and facing the direction of travel. This modification was carried out on the 30 locomotives which had increased tractive effort. The buffer beams were marked with a special symbol next to the number to indicate that the locomotive was so fitted.
The train most closely associated with the Garratt locomotives was the ore concentrate train from Broken Hill
Broken Hill, New South Wales
-Geology:Broken Hill's massive orebody, which formed about 1,800 million years ago, has proved to be among the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposits. The orebody is shaped like a boomerang plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the...
to Sulphide Junction, near Cockle Creek
Cockle Creek railway station, New South Wales
-Transport links:Newcastle Buses runs one route via Cockle Creek railway station:*Route 363 - Between Belmont and Newcastle Station.Toronto Bus Services runs two routes via Cockle Creek railway station:*Route 270 - Between Industries and Toronto West....
, known as W44
W44 Concentrate Train
The W44 Concentrate Train conveyed lead and zinc concentrates from the Zinc Corporation-owned mines at Broken Hill, New South Wales to the new Sulphide Corporation Cockle Creek Smelter south of Newcastle....
. Another well known duty was the Glenlee, south of Campbelltown
Campbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Campbelltown is located 51 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Campbelltown.- History :Campbelltown...
, to Rozelle
Rozelle, New South Wales
Rozelle is a suburb in the inner west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 4 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
coal traffic which operated prior to electrification of the route and when export coal was handled in Sydney Harbour. When the electrification works were under way and watering facilities had been removed at Campbelltown and Liverpool, 7,000 gallon (31,822 litre) water gins were added between the locomotive and the load. This was the only instance of australian Garratt locomotives running with water gins.
As well as their operation between Molong
Molong, New South Wales
Molong is a small town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia, in Cabonne Shire.Molong is located on the Mitchell Highway about 300 kilometres west of Sydney and about 30 kilometres from the city of Orange. It is elevated at 529 metres above sea level. At the 2006 census, Molong...
and Orange
Orange, New South Wales
Orange is a city in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. It is west of the state capital, Sydney, at an altitude of . Orange has an estimated population of 39,329 and the city is a major provincial centre....
on train W44, from early 1966 double-headed Garratts were commonplace between Gosford
Gosford, New South Wales
Gosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 76 km north of the Sydney central business district...
and Broadmeadow
Broadmeadow, New South Wales
Broadmeadow is the geographic centre of Newcastle city. Its main commercial hub is located at the “Nineways”.-Origins:Broadmeadow was originally part of the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve of 648 hectares...
or Port Waratah, the then export coal port near Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
. This working lasted right up to the very end of regular steam operations on the N.S.W.G.R. in 1972.
Preservation
6029 is currently under restoration by Australian Railway Historical Society, A.C.T. Div. Information on the restoration can be found here; 6039 and 6042 are with the Dorrigo Steam Railway and MuseumDorrigo Steam Railway and Museum
The Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum in Dorrigo, New South Wales, Australia is a large, privately owned collection of preserved railway vehicles and equipment from the railways of New South Wales, covering both Government and private railways...
and 6040 (the last steam locomotive to enter service with the N.S.W.G.R.) is at the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum
New South Wales Rail Transport Museum
The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum located in Thirlmere, New South Wales south-west of Sydney, is a museum dedicated to displaying former locomotives, carriages and goods wagons from the New South Wales Government Railways as well as private operations in NSW. The collection features steam,...
which has recived some much need cosmetic work.
Further reading
- http://project6029.blogspot.com