Dübs     Works No 2641    Class Z24    2419    2-6-0        NSW Government Railway, Australia    Gauge 4ft 8½in

Driving Wheels4ft 0ins
Weight46 tons
Boiler Pressure140psi
CylindersOutside – 18in x 26in
Tractive Effort20,855 lbf

In 1889 Dübs and Company in Glasgow built the first of 25 locomotives for the New South Wales Government Railway (NSWGR) which were initially classed as B55 locomotives. They were coded as the Z24 class in the NSWGR reclassification in 1924.

This locomotive was built in 1891 and entered service as B390 before being renumbered 2419 as part of the reclassification exercise in 1924.

In November 1901 the locomotive was hauling a freight train of 41 waggons from Quirindi towards Sydney. When the train was climbing Black Hill with the steam at full pressure something burst inside the boiler. The driver and fireman were enveloped in the escaping steam and the train began to move backwards down the hill. After crossing a viaduct the driver and fireman jumped from the train. The guard and the fireman then applied the handbrake and braked the waggons where possible. The train was eventually stopped where some platelayers were working. The driver then directed the throwing of earth onto the fire to extinguish it which saved the boiler from further damage. It was later discovered that a boiler plate had fractured which gave rise to the escape of steam.    

The locomotives were originally supplied with round-top boilers, sloping smokeboxes and stovepipe chimneys.  As boiler renewals became necessary between 1903 and 1908 they received Belpaire boilers, new smokeboxes and cast-iron chimneys. 

They were employed on main line freight traffic until being displaced by newer locomotives and moved to branch line duties.

The first locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1929.

When the locomotive was withdrawn from service it was selected for preservation as part of the collection of the formative New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM) which was being established at Enfield.

The locomotive was then restored to its original pre Belpaire boiler condition by fitting a round-top boiler salvaged from a scrapped class Z26 locomotive.

In 1975 it was transferred to the new site at Thirlmere along with the rest of the rest of the exhibits.

In 1985 the locomotive was loaned to the Transport Heritage NSW at Goulburn Roundhouse where it was put on display.

Three other class Z24 locomotives built by Dübs and Company are preserved.

Back to Locomotives

Back to Preserved Outside Britain – By Country

Back to Preserved Outside Britain – By Builder

Back to Preserved Outside Britain – Australia

served Outside Britain – By Country

Back to Preserved Outside Britain – By Builder

Back to Preserved Outside Britain – Australia