| 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 6042.
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.In March 1973 this locomotive (number 6042) was the last member of the class to be withdrawn from service and is one of four preserved.
Although it was withdrawn from service hauling heavy freight duties in the Newcastle region it was made available for hauling enthusiasts tours until it was condemned in December 1974.
Although the locomotive carries the number 6042 it has been suggested that it was rebuilt from classmate 6010 which was built by Beyer Peacock as works number 7482 in 1953. The two locomotives apparently swapped identities during overhaul at Cardiff Workshops late in the steam era. It is apparent that the boiler cradle used in this rebuild came from number 6043 which was one of locomotives delivered as spare parts from Beyer Peacock.
After withdrawal the locomotive (number 6042) was listed amongst the collection of engines set aside at Enfield for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM).
As the Enfield site was wanted for a proposed container depot it was planned to move the locomotives to the smaller NSWRTM Thirlmere site. It is understood that the Thirlmere site could not accommodate two Beyer-Garratt locomotives and as a result 6042 was no longer required by the NSWRTM.
The locomotive was saved when it was purchased for the Lachlan Vintage Village at Forbes in 1974. It was housed at Parkes depot until 1978 when I was moved to Cowra depot and ran some local railtours. It was finally transferred to the Lachlan Vintage Village at Forbes in 1979
The Lachlan Vintage Village was an interesting local museum featuring relocated historical buildings, a recreated Aboriginal camp and other displays relevant to the region. Unfortunately the Lachlan Vintage Village did not succeed as an ongoing concern and the railway assets were progressively sold off. In November 1986 6042 was sold at auction to the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum collection at a cost of $50,000.
The locomotive remains at Forbes where it is stored for the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum.
There are three other members of the class preserved.
- 6029 – Beyer Peacock works number 7531
- 6039 – Beyer Peacock works number 7541
- 6040 – Beyer Peacock works number 7542
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