This locomotive was designed by James McConnell and built by Robert Stephenson & Company at Newcastle on Tyne in 1854 and was delivered to the Sydney Railway company in January 1855 as one of four such locomotives. It is believed to be the only example of its type in the world.
Work on establishing a railway in New South Wales started in 1846 when the Sydney Railway company was formed as a private company. The objective of the company was to build a railway between Sydney and Parramatta. Construction of the railway started in 1851 but progress was slow due to labour shortages and internal debates. The four steam locomotives arrived in January 1855 which then led to this locomotive hauling the first passenger train from Sydney to Long Cove viaduct (near the present site of Lewisham) in May 1855.
The high cost of constructing the railway presented the directors of the Sydney Railway Company with innumerable problems and in September 1855 the New South Wales Government assumed responsibility for its operation. The 14 mile line was officially opened in September 1855 and the journey took 50 minutes including stops at four intermediate stations. On the first day over 3,500 passengers paid the 4 shillings 1st class, 3 shillings 2nd class or 2 shillings 3rd class fares.
From 1857 the locomotive was mainly used to haul goods and passengers between Sydney, Campbelltown, Richmond and Penrith. It was withdrawn from service in 1877 after 22 years of operation, having travelled 155,667 miles.
After being taken out of service the locomotive languished in an area of the Railway Workshops at Eveleigh where old engines were put pending reconstruction or final condemnation. It was later refitted with parts of other engines of its class and presented to the Museum in May 1884.
The locomotive was initially displayed in the Museum’s original building, an Agricultural Hall in the Domain behind Sydney Hospital. In 1893 the engine was housed in a small building behind the Museum’s second home in Harris Street, Ultimo.
During the late 1970s the locomotive underwent an extensive restoration and conservation program.
The six-wheel tender attached to the locomotive was still in service in 1878 although it appears to have been withdrawn soon after. It was restored in 1955 for the New South Wales Railways’ Centenary celebrations and later presented to the Powerhouse Museum for display with the locomotive. Since 1988 the locomotive and tender have been displayed with 1st, 2nd and 3rd class carriages of the day in a permanent exhibition in the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
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