INTRODUCTION

Locomotive 6029 was built in 1953 by Beyer Peacock in Manchester, UK and assembled in Sydney for use by the NSW Government Railways.

 

It was one of 42 members of the largest and most powerful steam locomotive class in Australia.

These giants weighed 265 tons [including 18 tons of coal and 40 tons of water] and had a tractive effort of 63,000 lbs [280kN] which is equates  to about 3000 horsepower.

6029 was in service hauling freight [mostly coal] and significantly, ended its career hauling coal trains in the Hunter Valley near the end of steam in 1972. A total of 996,827 kilometres were recorded in this role.

Purchased by the [then proposed] National Museum in 1975 it was placed in the care of the Australian Railway Historical Society ACT Division who, in turn; operated it from 1976 to 1981. Ownership of the locomotive was formally transferred to the Society in 1998 when the National Museum of Australia decided that it was not required for their display.

The engine has been out of service since 1981 due to boiler problems, notably in the firebox tube plate which has stress cracking. However, a replacement boiler; in good condition, has been recovered from  a timber mill in Victoria and is now (December 2007) at the worksite pending assessment.

The ARHS ACT Division provides a heritage and tourist rail operation from its base in Canberra. Critical to its success is the ability to provide sufficient locomotives for traffic to meet timetable demands. The inclusion of 6029 in the operating locomotive fleet is central to the organisation’s focus on steam operations.

 

updated 10/03/08