3801 (NSW steam locomotive)
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 3801 a few years after restoration |
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Clyde Engineering |
| Build date | 1943 |
| Configuration | 4-6-2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Driver size | 5 ft 9 in (1,752 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 65 ft 7 1/8 in (23,282 mm) |
| Total weight | 201 tons (204,000 kg) when in steam |
| Tender capacity | 14 tons (14,224 kg) coal; 8,100 gallons (36,450 l) water |
| Boiler pressure | as built: 245 psi (1,688 kPa) as restored: 215 psi (1,481 kPa) |
| Fire grate area | 47 ft² (4.32 m²) |
| Heating surface: Tubes | 142 tubes, 2¼ in (51.7 mm) dia each |
| Heating surface: Flues | 36 flues, 2¼ in (139 mm) dia each |
| Heating surface: Total | 3,367.79 ft² (309.82 m²) |
| Superheater type | 36 element |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Tractive effort | as built: 36,200 lbf (161,017 N) as restored: 31,767 lbf (141,300 N) |
| Career | NSWGR |
| Class | 38 class |
| Number in class | 30 |
| Number | 3801 |
| Nicknames | the Grey Nurse |
| Locale | Australia |
| First run | January 1943 |
| Last run | December 1962 |
| Disposition | restored for excursion service |
3801 (pronounced Thirty-eight o-one) is Australia's best known and most widely travelled steam locomotive. The streamlined locomotive was designed to haul express trains such as the Newcastle Flyer and Melbourne Limited for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR). 3801 is the only steam locomotive to visit every mainland state and territory in Australia. It was operated by the non-profit organisation 3801 Limited up and until the company's 20 year lease on the locomotive ran out on the 26th of November, 2006. The locomotive will now return to the custody of the NSW Rail Transport Museum where it will continue to perform for the public on rail tours.
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[edit] Construction
Built in 1943 by Clyde Engineering, 3801 was the first of 30 38 class locomotives built to haul express trains and replace the 36 class on these premium workings. 3801 - 3805 were built in Sydney by Clyde Engineering to a streamlined design, whilst the other 25 locos in the class were built by the NSWGR and were unstreamlined.
The 38 class were first conceived in 1938. They suffered many delays during construction - mostly due to the Second World War. 3801 was the first engine completed and entered service in January 1943 to little fanfare. It became known at the time as the "Grey Nurse" due to its drab, all grey colour scheme - a wartime economy.
[edit] In service
When joined by 3802 in April, these engines were allotted to working the Melbourne and Melbourne Limited expresses between Sydney and Goulburn. In early 1947 3801 was given a heavy overhaul and was painted in its standard colour scheme of green with yellow lining. A Waratah emblem was added to the top of the nose cone in later years. In 1955 3801 was overhauled again, being painted black with red lining as a cost-cutting measure. It was around this time that diesel locomotives started appearing on the rails of NSW. These would take the "glamour workings" away from the 38 class, who would be confined to all-stations passenger and even goods trains. In December 1956 3801 was the first in its class to reach 1 000 000 miles of service. In 1960, the 38 class were transferred from Eveleigh to Broadmeadow sheds to reflect their decreased importance and in 1962, 3801 was slated for withdrawal. A "final run" was organised in September 1962, however 3801 continued working into December.
In early 1963 3801 was given a major overhaul, returned to green paint and to service. 3801 was often used on special services operated by railway heritage organisations, the most famous being a non-stop run from Sydney to Newcastle on 28 June 1964. Just failing to break the 2hr barrier, this remains the fastest journey from Sydney to Newcastle by rail (2 hours 1 minute 51 seconds). On the return journey 3801 again fell just short of the 2hr mark. In October 1965 the locomotive was found to have serious boiler problems, so was withdrawn and placed in the care of the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. The museum contributed $18,000 to return 3801 to service and the boiler from 3819 was fitted. In October 1966 3801 returned to service, however the following year boiler problems re-emerged and the loco was withdrawn. Another boiler exam gave the loco a reprieve and allowed it to return to service. During this time it operated a train celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Newcastle Flyer on 31 May 1969, as well as the Western Endeavour special across the continent to Perth between 22 August and 12 September 1970. From the end of April 1974 all steam trains were barred from NSW rails, however during June and July of that year 3801 was allowed back to be used as the star of the award-winning film A Steam Train Passes.
After this, 3801 was loaned to the Rail Transport Museum and was called upon to help transport exhibits when the museum was forced to move to from Enfield to Thirlmere. 3801 hauled "dead" (not in steam) engines 5711 & 1905, 3 carriages and a brake van. The engine was then used on the museum's Loop Line until December 1976, when boiler problems forced it to become a static exhibit.
[edit] Restoration
In November 1980 David Hill Chief Executive of the NSW State Rail Authority (now RailCorp) enquired about the suitability of restoring 3801. Hill had the 1988 Bicentenary of British settlement in Australia in mind, and saw a restored 3801 as a representative of Australia's railways. The boiler was the major item needing repair and an investigation needed to be carried out to ascertain if restoration was viable. A visit was made to the South Maitland Railways (who at the time still used steam engines) to learn about modern boiler techniques. It was discovered that many advances had been made and it was possible to return boilers to service which previously would have been scrapped. The next step was to examine the boilers of the other preserved 38 class members - 3820 & 3830 (3813 - though it had survived - was completely stripped and in two different locations) - and compare them with 3801's boiler. It was decided to use the boiler already in 3801, however the inner firebox had suffered thermal fractures and would need extensive repairs. Restoration was deemed possible and a fundraising appeal began.
With some finance raised, 3801 was taken to Newcastle for restoration by the Hunter Valley Training Company - an apprenticeship scheme later involved in the restoration of 3830. This was due to the railway's workshops being stretched by regular work.
The firebox was to be completely replaced, however the dies and jigs used to press the boiler metal had been scrapped, so the old firebox was used as a template. This new firebox had a different shape and this reduced the boiler pressure to 215 psi. It was decided to weld the new firebox and some conservative engineers were sceptical as to whether this would work. Repairs and reconditioning of many other components were also carried out. The tender tank was so rusted, it needed to be replaced. The new tank was welded rather than riveted and this resulted in a sleek, plain tender. On the 8th November 1986 a fire was lit for the first time. By the 10th 3801 was running around nearby sidings. More short trials followed and on the 15th November 3801 was handed over and hauled a train to Maitland. More trial runs followed and on the 29th November 1986 3801 headed from Newcastle to a grand ball on the concourse of Sydney's Central Station.
[edit] Preservation
Since restoration 3801 has crossed the continent for the second time, visited Australia's "red centre" and run with LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman - the most famous locomotive in the world. 3801 was restored for Australia's Bicentenary so it was the natural choice to lead the Bicentennial Train. This train visited every mainland capital accessible by rail (Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne) during 1988. During 1988-89 LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman visited Australia and 3801 joined it on many trips including a number of doubleheaders.
On 6 May 1991, 3801 was involved in the Cowan rail crash. 3801 was struggling to climb the Cowan bank (on the Sydney side of the Hawkesbury River) when a CityRail Interurban passenger train crashed into the back of 3801's train. 6 people lost their lives. 3801 applied sand to the track to assist grip and an investigation into the crash suggested this caused the signals to malfunction. The handbrake in one of the carriages may also have been applied.
In 1992 3801 visited the "red centre" - Alice Springs - for the first time, using the standard gauge track laid in 1980.
The locomotives continues to haul day trips and longer excursions.
[edit] 3801 Limited
It was decided during restoration that a separate organisation needed to be formed to manage 3801 when it returned to service. In 1984 3801 Limited was established to oversee the operation of the locomotive. 3801 Limited is controlled by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum) and the Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW). The State Rail Authority and the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum were former stakeholders. 3801 Limited has 9 staff and over 100 volunteers who maintain the locomotive & carriages and operate 3801. The locomotive remains the property of the NSW Government passenger rail authority RailCorp. In 2005 RailCorp indicated that 3801 Limited's contract would not be renewed. In addition, the NSW Government has plans to redevelop the Eveleigh site for non railway purposes. Despite a campaign by 3801 Limited, on the 26th of November 2006 control of the locomotive passed to the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.
[edit] NSW Rail Transport Museum
The locomotives original and now current custodian, the NSW Rail Transport Museum, is an independent, not for profit company, established in 1962. The museum is located in Thirlmere, south-west of Sydney.
The Museum was a foundation, management member of 3801 Limited and have indicated the locomotive will continue to provide mainline tours but at a reduced frequency. [1]
[edit] Major accomplishments and events
- First streamlined locomotive in NSW
- First 4-6-2 locomotive in NSW
- Fastest journey by rail from Sydney to Newcastle (2:01:51) (28/06/1964)
- Operated train celebrating 25th anniversary of Newcastle Flyer (31/5/1969)
- First steam locomotive to cross the Australian continent - "Western Endeavour" (22/08/1970 - 12/09/1970)
- Stared in film A Steam Train Passes (1974)
- Two songs were written about 3801, Jolly Green Giant by Johnny Ashcroft (1976) and 3801 by Ray King and Ron Russell (1987).
- Main locomotive of the "Bicentennial Train" (1988)
- Visited Perth, Western Australia again (April / May)
- First standard gauge steam train to visit Adelaide, South Australia (20/05/1988)
- First standard gauge steam train to use Roma St station, Brisbane
- Paralleled by 2 Victorian steam trains towards Albury (22/10/1988)
- Involved in many trips with LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman - the world's best known steam locomotive (1988 -1989)
- Involved in Cowan rail crash claiming 6 lives (6/5/1990)
- Visited Alice Springs, Northern Territory (1992)
- Annual race against a Tiger Moth aircraft at Maitland Steamfest
- 3801 is recognised by the Heritage Council and Institution of Engineering as a heritage icon
- 3801 has carried over 500,000 passengers since restoration
[edit] References
- Preston, R.G. (1992). 3801 A Legend in Steam. 3801 Limited. ISBN 0-646-11931-1.
- 3801 Limited news page accessed 26th July 2006.
- NSWRTM About us page accessed 27th November 2006.
- ABC online story about the ownership dispute accessed 28th November 2006.
- NSWRTM 3801 page accessed 28th November 2006.
