| Weight | 281t (later 291t) |
| Length | 108ft 7ins |
| Driving Wheels | 4ft 7ins |
| Boiler Pressure | 200psi |
| Cylinders | Four Outside – 19.25in x 26in |
| Tractive Effort | 59,560lbf |
| Valve Gear | Walschaert |
This locomotive was built in 1956 by Beyer Peacock for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) in Australia. It was one of 42 built to a Beyer-Garratt patent which consisted of a boiler carried on a separate frame in the centre of the locomotive and supported by the frames of the two engines, one at each end. The locomotive thus consists of three parts: a front engine unit carrying a water tank, an intermediate chassis pivoted to each engine unit supporting a boiler and cab, and a rear engine unit carrying a coal bunker and water tank.
These class AD60 locomotives were the only type of Garratt to operate on the NSWGR. They were designed to have a light axle load and were intended for hauling feeder branch-line services to the main lines where heavier main-line locomotives could continue with the load.
The initial order placed with Beyer Peacock in 1949 was for 50 locomotives but following a change in policy by the NSWGR to move to diesel traction the order was amended to 42 complete locomotives plus spares for a further 5. The sets of spares parts did not include engine unit frames. The last three locomotives were cancelled completely and were subsequently delivered to the South African Railways. The locomotives supplied to the NSWGR were delivered in their five major component pieces – front engine, rear engine, boiler-cab, rear bunker and front water tank. These five sub-assemblies were then built into a complete locomotive in NSW. The first locomotive entered service in July 1952.
The locomotives were the most powerful to operate in Australia.
Early trials established that the bunker was insufficient to allow the locomotives to operate from Enfield to Goulburn resulting in the bunkers being enlarged. This locomotive which carried the number 6040.
Ventilation of the cabs caused considerable concern and consequently, the class was banned from working through single-line tunnels.
Owing to the length and noise of the locomotive, crews found difficulty in hearing warning detonators. To rectify the situation, tubes were fitted to convey the sound from the leading wheels to the cab.
When it became apparent that the Garratts would see more service on main lines than on the lighter branch lines, it was decided to increase the tractive effort of a number of the class by enlarging the cylinder diameter and by altering the weight distribution by removing liners from the bogies. This increased the axle load on each of the driving wheels by approximately 2 tons with 30 locomotives treated. To distinguish these improvements the double plus sign ++ was painted after the number and they were nicknamed Super Garratts. These 30 were also fitted with dual controls for bunker first running and denoted DC. To accommodate them, 105-foot turntables were installed at Broadmeadow, Enfield and Werris Creek depots.
The class initially entered service on the Main North and Main South and later Main Western line as far as Dubbo and Parkes. Because of their light axle load they were cleared to operate on the Crookwell, Captains Flat, Temora, Narrandera and Bourke lines.
The first member of the class was withdrawn from service in 1955. A few were withdrawn in 1961 after suffering damage in major collisions. The rest were withdrawn from service as a result of the introduction of diesel traction from 1965.The last (number 6042) was withdrawn in March 1973 and is one of four preserved.
This locomotive (number 6040) was condemned in November 1967 and placed in store prior to joining the formative collection of the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM) at Enfield. It was displayed in an unrestored and rusty condition at the NSWRTM until 1991, when it received a cosmetic repaint into black livery.
By March 2007 restoration efforts had started on the restoration of the locomotive. The locomotive was placed back on display as a prime exhibit at the new Trainworks museum at Thirlmere by January 2012. It was not until some years later that the restoration project had been completed and the locomotive was on static display in its complete state.
There are three other members of the class preserved.
- 6029 – Beyer Peacock works number 7531
- 6039 – Beyer Peacock works number 7541
- 6042 – Beyer Peacock works number 7544
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