The D53 class was a class of
2-8-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a leading truck, eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels. ...
steam locomotives built for the
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) was the agency of the Government of New South Wales that administered rail transport in New South Wales, Australia, between 1855 and 1932.
Management
The agency was managed by a range of differe ...
of Australia.
History
This class of locomotive was designed by the
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) was the agency of the Government of New South Wales that administered rail transport in New South Wales, Australia, between 1855 and 1932.
Management
The agency was managed by a range of differe ...
as an improved version of the
T class. All the coupled wheels had flanges and a certain amount of side movement was given to the middle pairs with a laterally operating
knuckle joint being provided in the middle section of the coupling rods.
Clyde Engineering
Clyde Engineering was an Australian manufacturer of locomotives, rolling stock, and other industrial products.
It was founded in September 1898 by a syndicate of Sydney businessmen buying the Granville factory of timber merchants Huds ...
delivered the first locomotive in April 1912 and by November 1917, a total of 190 were in service. Most were fitted with superheaters when built and some fitted at a later date. There was a problem with the locomotives being unbalanced, causing speed restrictions to be imposed to avoid rough riding and track damage. Following further investigations, 24 of the class received balanced coupled wheels and these were permitted to operate at higher speed on mail and fruit trains.
When introduced, most of the class were fitted with a standard bogie tender, similar to those attached to the
50 class, although some saw service with large capacity "Wampu" tenders. In the later period of their lives, the majority were fitted with larger turret type tenders. In later years some were used as heavy shunting locomotives and from 1963 on some of these had automatic couplers fitted to the front.
[
Following the removal of the knuckle joints from the coupling rods, flanges from the second coupled and driving wheels and the fitting of boilers standard for 50 class; 53 class and 55 class, they became most useful locomotives.][
The 24 not fitted with superheaters were scrapped in the 1930s. The first superheated example was withdrawn in January 1957 with the fleet down to 39 by July 1969 with the last withdrawn in January 1973.][
The ]Commonwealth Railways
The Commonwealth Railways were established in 1917 by the Government of Australia with the Commonwealth Railways Act to administer the Trans-Australia and Port Augusta to Darwin railways. It was absorbed into Australian National in 1975.
Op ...
used the design of these locomotives for their 26 strong KA class for the Trans-Australian Railway
The Trans-Australian Railway, opened in 1917, runs from Port Augusta in South Australia to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, crossing the Nullarbor Plain in the process. As the only rail freight corridor between Western Australia and the easter ...
.[
]
Preservation
Three have been preserved:
Locomotive 5461 is fitted with the last "Wampu" style tender and was known as 1174 in the pre-1924 numbering scheme, 1174 was known to be an exceptionally bad steamer and was the subject of many poems.
Gallery
Image:200th steam locomotive built by Clyde TF 1164 from The Powerhouse Museum.jpg, 200th steam locomotive built by Clyde TF 1164 from The Powerhouse
Image:Arhs 5395 thirroul.jpg, Locomotive 5395 stands at Thirroul
Thirroul () is a northern seaside suburb of the city of Wollongong, Australia. Situated between Austinmer and Bulli, it is approximately 13 kilometres north of Wollongong, and 73 km south of Sydney. It lies between the Pacific Ocean and ...
with a Workers' Train from Port Kembla
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ha ...
See also
* NSWGR steam locomotive classification
In the first 36 years of its existence, the NSW Railways introduced 42 separate classes of locomotives. The appointment by the Premier of New South Wales, Henry Parkes of Mr E.M.G Eddy as Chief Commissioner in 1888 created an independent railway ...
References
{{NSWLocos
2-8-0 locomotives
Clyde Engineering locomotives
Railway locomotives introduced in 1912
53
Standard gauge locomotives of Australia
Freight locomotives