| New South Wales Z12 class | |
|---|---|
| Locomotive 1210 in early 2006 | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Beyer, Peacock & Co. (34), Dübs & Co. (26), Atlas Engineering Works (8) |
| Serial number | BP 1620–1637, 1675–1676, 2060–2063 |
| Build date | 1877–1882 |
| Total produced | 68 |
| Configuration | 4-4-0 |
| UIC classification | 2'Bn |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 5 ft 6 in (1.676 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 57,000–62,000 lb (26–28 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 84,000–95,000 lb (38–43 t) |
| Boiler pressure | 130 psi (0.9 MPa) as built; 140 psi (1.0 MPa) later |
| Firegrate area | 15 sq ft (1.4 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total |
1,070–1,120 sq ft (99–104 m2) |
| Superheater type | None |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 18 × 24 in (460 × 610 mm) |
| Tractive effort | 13,019–14,020 lbf (57.9–62.4 kN) |
| Train brakes | Air |
| Career | New South Wales Government Railways |
| Class | C79 and C80 (Z12 from 1924) |
| Disposition | 20 rebuilt to Z13 class, 45 scrapped, 3 preserved |
The Z12 class was a class of 4-4-0 steam locomotives built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.
The Z12 Class (formerly the C79 and C80 class) was the first class of locomotive on the New South Wales Government Railways to be built in relatively large numbers. They took over the working of all through passenger and mail trains for some 20 years after introduction.
A total of 68 were built. The first batch of 30 were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company and placed in service as the 79-class between 1877 and 1879. They were the first locomotives to be imported with Westinghouse continuous air-brakes already fitted. The second batch of 26 came from Dübs and Company. These arrived between 1880 and 1881. A further four followed from Beyer, Peacock in 1881. To assist local industry, a contract for 8 was given to the Atlas Engineering Works situated in Sydney's Haymarket and these were delivered in 1881–1882.
Reclassified C79 in 1889, their numbers were thinned from 1895 when no. 88 was converted to a 4-4-2t tank engine for Sydney suburban service. Reclassified as the CC79 class, it was followed by another 19 by 1902. The class was also affected by the arrival of newer locos such as the D255 and 261 (later Z15 and Z16 classes), the P6 (later C30) and O446 (later Z23) classes. This saw them relegated to secondary and later even branchline services, such as Narrabri West, where some were even equipped with cowcatchers for operation on unfenced lines. At least one (1219), also was fitted with an extended smokebox, to prevent cinders blocking the lower boiler tubes between cleanings. In 1924 the class was renumbered along with all other NSWGR locos, becoming the Z12 class, 1201-1248. The "Z" was an ominous sign, however, denoting that the class was regarded as obsolete, and the conversion of 77 C30 class suburban tank engines (made redundant by electrification) into 4-6-0 branchline engines saw withdrawals begin with 1224 in 1928. The Great Depression saw further withdrawals, and 18 were scrapped in 1937. However, the remainder served until after World War 2, but then scrappings resumed and by 1963 only 1243 was left in service. This engine, restored to its original number 176, and often in the company of 1709 (also restored to its original number 381), travelled throughout NSW with the Vintage Train in the 1960s, showcasing the rail heritage which was then passing as the fleet of steam engines rapidly shrank.
Three representatives remain to this day.
1210 is preserved by Australian Railway Historical Society ACT Division (Working)
1219 is preserved by New South Wales Rail Transport Museum but in Storage at Broadmeadow Roundhouse
1243 is preserved by Powerhouse Museum (Static). It was originally used as a tour engine along with 1210.
Twenty of the class were converted to Z13 class tank locomotives from 1896.
New South Wales Steam Locomotive Data, Sydney,: NSWGR, 1966
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