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Locomotive 1243 is the oldest surviving locally built locomotive being one of the "Australian eight wheeler" locomotives built at the Atlas Engineering Company Works, Sydney for the expanding New South Wales Government Railways express passenger services.[1]

NSWGR 1243
1243 at Powerhouse Museum
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Beyer, Peacock & Co. Builder Atlas Engineering Company Build date 1882
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0  • UIC 2'Bn Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Adhesive weight 57,000–62,000 lb (26–28 t) Loco weight 84,000–95,000 lb (38–43 t) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 15 sq ft (1.4 m2) Boiler pressure 130 psi (0.9 MPa) as built; 140 psi (1.0 MPa) later Heating surface 1,070–1,120 sq ft (99–104 m2) Superheater None Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (460 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 13,019–14,020 lbf (57.9–62.4 kN)
Career Operators New South Wales Government Railways Disposition static display

History

During the 1870s, the Government came under pressure to provide work for colonial industry and the manufacture of railway locomotives was investigated. The Department of Public Works, Railway Branch awarded a contract for construction of engines based on a pattern engine and design drawings supplied by the Railway Branch.[2] At that time, it was the largest single manufacturing order in Australia.

Trials of the first locomotive produced at Atlas Engineering Co commenced on 11 January 1882.[3] Locomotive 1243 was completed the following week with the only imported components of the engine being the steel axles and wheels.

1243 entered service as an express locomotive working passenger and mail mainline services throughout the state, although it was later relegated to other services towards the end of its service life.

Preservation

By 1954, only ten of the original 68 Z12 class engines remained in service.

In 1955, the locomotive was restored to its original livery for the NSW Railways centenary celebrations at Sydney Central Station and for special 'Vintage Train’ excursions run by NSWGR. In 1958, 1219 was originally set aside for the Powerhouse Museum transport collection.[4] but later replaced with 1243.

In 1969, a repainted 1243 in its green livery was used in making the 1970 film Ned Kelly running on the closed Captains Flat railway line with buildings simulating Glenrowan railway station.

Until 1982, 1243 was used as an operational exhibit for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum when it was restored to original condition with short smokebox and low-side tender. In 1988, 1243 was placed on permanent display at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, New South Wales.

Gallery

• 
  Driving wheel
• 
  Makers Name plate (Builder's plate)
• 
  Smokestack
• 
  Regulator
• 
  Steam gauge
• 
  Tender

Photographs courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

See also

References

Further reading

• A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives, Sydney: Grunbach,A -ARHS-NSW Division, 1989
• Early Australian Steam Locomotives 1855–1895, Sydney: Jim Turner, 1998
• Locomotives of Australia, Sydney: Leon Oberg, 2010
• Tender to Tank, Sydney: R.G. Preston-New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, 1984

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to NSWGR 1243.

• Official record at the Powerhouse Museum
• Powerhouse Museum's Steam Locomotives

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