Z1243
Locomotive 1243 is the oldest surviving locally built locomotive being one of the "Australian eight wheeler" locomotives built at the Atlas Engineering Company Works, Sydney for the expanding New South Wales Government Railways express passenger services.[1]
NSWGR 1243 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() 1243 at Powerhouse Museum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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History
During the 1870s, the Government came under pressure to provide work for colonial industry and the manufacture of railway locomotives was investigated. The Department of Public Works, Railway Branch awarded a contract for construction of engines based on a pattern engine and design drawings supplied by the Railway Branch.[2] At that time, it was the largest single manufacturing order in Australia.
Trials of the first locomotive produced at Atlas Engineering Co commenced on 11 January 1882.[3] Locomotive 1243 was completed the following week with the only imported components of the engine being the steel axles and wheels.
1243 entered service as an express locomotive working passenger and mail mainline services throughout the state, although it was later relegated to other services towards the end of its service life.
Preservation
By 1954, only ten of the original 68 Z12 class engines remained in service.
In 1955, the locomotive was restored to its original livery for the NSW Railways centenary celebrations at Sydney Central Station and for special 'Vintage Train’ excursions run by NSWGR. In 1958, 1219 was originally set aside for the Powerhouse Museum transport collection.[4] but later replaced with 1243.
In 1969, a repainted 1243 in its green livery was used in making the 1970 film Ned Kelly running on the closed Captains Flat railway line with buildings simulating Glenrowan railway station.
Until 1982, 1243 was used as an operational exhibit for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum when it was restored to original condition with short smokebox and low-side tender. In 1988, 1243 was placed on permanent display at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, New South Wales.
See also
References
- "CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE MADE IN NEW SOUTH WALES". Illustrated Sydney News. NSW: National Library of Australia. 26 January 1888. p. 16. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- "DEPUTATIONS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 2 August 1879. p. 3. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- "THE ATLAS COMPANY'S FIRST LOCOMOTIVE". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 12 January 1882. p. 6. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- Powerhouse Museum collection – Steam Locomotive No. 1243
Further reading
- A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives, Sydney: Grunbach,A -ARHS-NSW Division, 1989
- Early Australian Steam Locomotives 1855–1895, Sydney: Jim Turner, 1998
- Locomotives of Australia, Sydney: Leon Oberg, 2010
- Tender to Tank, Sydney: R.G. Preston-New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1984
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to NSWGR 1243. |