Australia: Darling, longevity of steam

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Steve Appleton
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Australia: Darling, longevity of steam

Post by Steve Appleton »

Posted on behalf of Dennis Mitchell:
These two shots may be of interest.

Pic 1.
This is a class 372 (Z19 class, No 1956 in the 1924 renumbering) at Darling Harbour in 1890. The loco is probably on the shunt even though it is only 9 years old -- although it could also be on a wool train from the Illawarra line. The reason for this is that from 1879, the little J 2-8-0s (Z28 class) took over the western line working with its 1 in 31 grades. In 1882, the B255 (Z25 class) 2-6-0 s began taking over the southern and northern workings. And in the next year, 1891, the Big J (Z29 class) would take over the western line working allowing the little Js to work the more important north and south lines' freights. Also in 1891, the B205 (Z24 class) 2-6-0s would bump the 0-6-0s off the Illawarra freights and they would go into branch, assist and shunt duties.

This loco, since entering service, has had some changes. The compressor tells us that it is fitted with Westinghouse air-brakes, probably No 4 type. And changes to come are the Belpaire boiler and thow-style porthole or cut-away cab, probably done at its 15 year overhaul (1906), and various other minor mods, over the years.

The people in the photo would probably be: on the footplate, the fireman and driver; on the ground would be the guard. The fellow next to him (in the bowler hat) I would guess to be the yardmaster and, hidden behind the loco, the shunter.

P.S. The presence of the guard would probably mean it's a wool train from the Illawarra. (1890 shot).

Pic 2.
90 YEARS LATER!! Sister loco No 1959 is on the 5th (mainline) shunt at Darling Harbour in November 1969. Changes visible are the cab (thow cut-away style), Belpaire boiler, chimney, and the clothing styles!!

What is still the same? The running gear, the sandbox, and the tender even down to the tap to check the water level in the tender!! So, whilst it's a bit like Grandpa's axe ("I've still got my Grandpa's axe. It's only had 7 new handles, 5 new heads and 2 new wedges... but it's original!!"), the basic design was a testament as to how good those 19th century C.M.E.s, draughtsmen, loco builders, fitters, boilermakers, etc were.
3721956 Darling Harbour 1890.jpg
1959 5th shunter november 1969.jpg
"To train or not to train, that is the question"
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