This locomotive was built by Beyer Peacock in 1877 for the New South Wales Government Railway in Australia. It was the fourth locomotive of an initial order for six heavy freight locomotives of the A93 class and carried the number 96.
Beyer Peacock delivered 50 of the locomotives between 1877 and 1881 and a further 9 between 1880 and 1891. Henry Vale and Company supplied 18 in this latter period.
brown locomotives
The locomotives were capable of hauling loads of 128 tons over the Blue Mountain Line which ran from Sydney to Katoomba and then on to Mount Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst. Gradients on this line were as steep as 1 in 33
As the locomotives of the class were replaced by more powerful engines they were redeployed on steeply graded lines which had to be operated by light locomotives and on shunting duties. Such lines included Batlow / Kunama, Oberon and Dorrigo lines where the gradient was as steep as 1 in 25 in places and the radius on curves as little as 100 metres.
The locomotive was withdrawn from service in August 1972 whilst based at Port Waratah depot at Newcastle.
It was then purchased by the Hunter Valley Steam Railway & Museum (precursor to the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum) in 1977 for $4,500. Initially it was stored at Rhondda Colliery near Newcastle before being rail hauled to Glenreagh in late 1983 and then to Dorrigo in 1986.
During the mid 1930s the locomotive was based at Dorrigo so it has returned to one of its old bases.
The locomotive is stored within the Dorrigo Station yard, where it regularly receives a coat of black oil to provide some protection against the torrential rain in this area.
Three other members of the class built by Beyer Peacock are preserved.
- 1905 – Beyer Peacock works number 1647
- 1919 – Beyer Peacock 1761Beyer Peacock Works No 1761 Class Z19 1919 0-6-0
ed Outside Britain – By Country
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 