BATHURST, NSW – Two former NSW Government Railways steam locomotives will operate 1.5-hour shuttle rides from Bathurst Station, including a day trip to Orange this June long weekend (10-12 June).
Over 3,000 people are expected to travel behind historic locomotives 3526 and 3642, as they make a welcome return to the Central West.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for families and heritage enthusiasts alike to step back in time and connect with the our State’s rich rail history,” said Mr. Moritz.
“Both locomotives operated in the region at various points during their lifetimes with the 36-class in particular being a regular on the Central West Express up until the late 1960s.”
The region has played a crucial role in the State’s railway history, with Bathurst being a key stop along the Western line since its inception.
“In its heyday, the NSW Government Railways had more than 500 staff in Bathurst dedicated to the servicing and operation of steam locomotives housed there,” said Transport Heritage NSW CEO, Andrew Moritz.
“Even former Prime Minister Ben Chifley began his career at the Bathurst locomotive shed, where he worked his way through the ranks to locomotive driver before entering politics.”
Transport Heritage NSW is once again partnering with Bathurst Museums to deliver this year’s event, with all ticket holders receiving 20% off entry to the Bathurst Rail Museum.
For more information and tickets, visit www.thnsw.com.au/bathurst or call THNSW on 1300 11 55 99.
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Key Facts:
About locomotive 3526
Reclassified as the 35 class during the 1924 renumbering program, these locomotives were originally known as the NN class, giving rise to the nickname 'Nanny'.
Built in 1917, 3526's original number was 1314.
The 35 class 4-6-0 locomotives were built by the NSW Government Railways (NSWGR) at their workshops at Eveleigh. Coincidentally, there were 35 engines in the 35 class. They were intended to reduce the amount of 'double-heading' required for main line express trains following the introduction of heavy, twelve-wheeled corridor compartment cars.
Teething problems with the new design were overcome by several modifications throughout their service (including re-framing and re-balancing the driving wheels), seeing them develop into solid performers. The original cabs were replaced to provide the crew greater protection against the weather.
With the advent of the 36 and later the 38 classes, the 35s spent the greater part of their lives on northern services.
Withdrawn in 1967, locomotive 3526 in that year became the first exhibit to be painted by the NSW Rail Transport Museum, forerunner of Transport Heritage NSW. 3526 is one of the few NSW locomotives to have been painted in blue livery for a time, while hauling the Caves Express services from Sydney to Mount Victoria in the 1930s. Following a major overhaul completed in 2018, it now appears in Brunswick Green livery with red and yellow trim.
About locomotive 3642
Designed to be able to operate non-stop for distances of up to 100 miles (161km), the first of the 36-class entered service in 1925. Nos 1 to 10 were built by the NSW Government Railways at Eveleigh (Redfern, Sydney), while the remaining 65 were constructed by Clyde Engineering.
An interesting quirk saw the Clyde-built locomotives finished before the NSWGR built engines, which meant that 3610 was the last of the class to enter service.
The 36 class locomotives were originally fitted with round-top boilers, which gave them a somewhat porcine appearance, and this, coupled with difficulties in firing their narrow fireboxes and the regular repairs required to the boilers, led to the nickname ‘Pig’. Most of them were re-boilered with Belpaire fireboxes and given new style cabs to match during their service lives, although the nickname remained.
With the 36 class came the introduction to the NSW railways of the ‘turret’ style tenders, which gave the crews better vision when travelling in reverse. Locomotive 3642 entered traffic in January 1926 and was withdrawn from active service in November 1969 before being retained for the NSW Rail Museum.
Locomotive 3642 is set to be overhauled in the near future, so it can continue to support heritage train experiences. In the meantime, 3642 is maintained in operational condition so the engine can be utilised for occasional events, including the Bathurst Steam Weekend.
Contact details:
David Bennett
Transport Hertiage NSW
0417 44 55 33
