New South Wales D57 class locomotive

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New South Wales D57 class
Factor of adh.
3.60
Career
OperatorsNew South Wales Government Railways
ClassD57
Numbers5701–5725
NicknamesLazy Lizzies
Withdrawn1957–1961
Disposition1 preserved, 24 scrapped

The New South Wales D57 class was a class of

Mort's Dock & Engineering Company
.

History

The locomotives were among the heaviest of locomotives in Australia with a 23-long-ton (23.4 t; 25.8-short-ton) axle load and this along with their width restricted their sphere of operation to

Main South line.[1][2][3]

Due to the immense size of the firebox, they could not be hand fired and had to use a mechanical stoker, thus becoming the first New South Wales locomotive class to use a mechanical stoker. They were later followed by the 58 class and the 60 class[4]

They were not permitted to operate on the

Garratt locomotives. They were very reliable and had the nickname Lazy Lizzies because they made heavy workings seem effortless.[5] Another nickname was bestowed on the class, Chuckling Charlies due to their syncopated exhaust beat.[6]

The three cylinder design fitted to the class gave it a distinctive off-beat exhaust sound when climbing upgrade. This design was also fitted to the 58 class. However, a couple of features, such as the Gresley conjugating valve gear fitted to these locomotives has been the source of debate as to its efficiency.[7] A further 13 were built to a similar design in 1950 as the 58 class.[8]

Although primarily a freight locomotive, 5719 was trialled on the Melbourne Limited passenger train between Sydney and Cootamundra in 1942.[9][10]

The first was withdrawn in October 1957, the last in September 1961. The last example in traffic was saved for preservation by the

Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.[12][13]

References

  1. Roundhouse
    October 1979 page 23
  2. ISBN 0-730100-05-7
    .
  3. ISBN 0-909650-27-6
    .
  4. ^ "Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 5711".
  5. ^ Oberg, Leon (February 1974). "The End of the 57-Class Locomotives". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 29–30.
  6. ^ ±Locomotives, A Guide, written by Gifford Eardley
  7. ^ Slee, David E (January 2000). "D57 and D58 Classes—Design Differences and Power Comparisons". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 3–19.
  8. ^ 57 and 58 Class 4-8-2 Locomotives Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 151 May 1950 pages 1-4
  9. ^ D57 Class Freight Engines Tested on Fast Passenger Schedules Truck & Bus Transportation February 1942 page 43
  10. ^ Test with 57 Class Engines in Passenger Service Railway Gazette 19 June 1942 page 670
  11. ^ Museum on the Move Roundhouse June 1976 page 16
  12. ^ Locomotive, Steam 5711 Office of Environment & Heritage
  13. ^ The last 57 Railway Digest July 2016 pages 44-47

Further reading

  • Belbin, Phil; Burke, David (1981), Full steam across the mountains, Sydney: Methuen Australia

External links

Media related to New South Wales D57 class locomotives at Wikimedia Commons

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