New South Wales Z20 class locomotive

The New South Wales Z20 class was a class of 2-6-4T steam locomotives operated by the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.

New South Wales Z20 class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Company (12, new)
Serial numberBP 3202–3207, 3289–3294 (new)
Build date1890–1891 (new)
Total produced19 new, 14 rebuilt from Z19 class
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-6-4T
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Driver dia.4 ft 0 in (1,219 mm)
Adhesive weightE(10): 77,000 lb (34,927 kg);
A/E: 84,000 lb (38,102 kg)
Loco weightE(10): 126,000 lb (57,153 kg);
A/E: 137,000 lb (62,142 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Grate area18 sq ft (1.7 m2)
Boiler pressure150 psi (1.03 MPa)
Heating surfaceE(10): 1,380 sq ft (128 m2);
A/E: 1,320 sq ft (123 m2)
SuperheaterNone
Cylinders2
Cylinder size18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort20,655 lbf (91.9 kN)
Career
OperatorsNew South Wales Government Railways
ClassNew: E(10), rebuilds: A/E; both later Z20
Preserved2029
Disposition1 preserved, 32 scrapped

History

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There was a total of 33 members of this class of 2-6-4T mixed traffic side tank locomotives. There were three differing types.

Twelve were classified E(10) class under the pre-1924 recording. These locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock & Company and delivered in 1891 for use on Newcastle coal traffic. They proved very successful in suburban goods and coal traffic, picnic trains to Toronto, but were unsuited to main line passenger traffic. When displaced by more powerful locomotives, many were used as shunters. Their final services were on short light branch lines, such as Kurrajong, Carlingford, Camden, Rogans Hill and Morpeth. A number were also to be found shunting the industrial sidings at Port Kembla.[1][2]

In 1902, there was a shortage of tank locomotives. Six members of the A(93) class 0-6-0 tender engines were converted to a new A/E class tank locomotives by Eveleigh Railway Workshops. A further eight conversions were made in 1909/10. In 1911, seven new locomotives were constructed at Eveleigh. As part of the 1924 reclassification scheme,, these 21 locomotives were grouped with the twelve E(10) class to form the (Z)20-class.[3][4]

Later years

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As more tender locomotives became available for suburban goods traffic, the surplus locomotives of the combined class were scrapped or sold. Some of the locomotives which were sold to industrial interests include:

Preservation

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The last member of the class in service with the New South Wales Government Railways was 2029 which had been retained for working the Holsworthy railway line. It has been preserved by the NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere and cosmetically restored.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Preston, Ron G (1984). Tender into Tank. Sydney: New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. pp. 151–194. ISBN 0-909862-18-4.
  2. ^ Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 92, 93, 138, 139. ISBN 0-909650-27-6.
  3. ^ NSW Railways Z20 Class Locos Truck & Bus Transportation July 1941 page 47/48
  4. ^ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850's - 1980's. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 36. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  5. ^ Locomotive, Steam 2029 Office of Environment & Heritage