3820

NSWGR 3820

3820 in its black livery, which was used on these locos as a cost-cutting measure.
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder NSWGR Eveleigh Workshops
Build date 1947
Specifications
Configuration 4-6-2
UIC classification 2′C1′ h2
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter 5 ft 9 in (1,753 mm)
Wheelbase 65 ft 7 18 in (19.99 m)
Locomotive and tender
combined weight
201 tons (204,000 kg) when in steam
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 14 tons (14,224 kg)
Water capacity 8,100 imp gal (37,000 l; 9,700 US gal)
Boiler pressure 245 lbf/in2 (1.69 MPa)
Firegrate area 47 sq ft (4.4 m2)
Heating surface:
– Tubes
142 tubes, 2¼ in (51.7 mm) dia each
– Flues 36 flues, 2¼ in (139 mm) dia each
– Total 3,367.79 sq ft (312.878 m2)
Superheater type 36 element
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 21.5 in × 26 in (546 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort 36,200 lbf (161.03 kN)
Career
Operator(s) NSWGR
Class 38 class
Number in class 20 of 30
Number(s) 3820
Locale New South Wales, Australia
First run 1947
Last run Withdrawn 1970
Disposition Static exhibit
Cab of 3820

3820 (Pronounced thirty-eight twenty) is a two-cylinder simple, non-condensing, superheated, ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 C38 class steam locomotive built in 1947.

Construction

3820 was built in 1947 by the New South Wales Government Railways at the Eveleigh Workshops. It was the 20th of 30 C38 class locomotives built to haul express trains and replace the lower powered C36 class on main line working. The first 5 road numbers 3801–3805 were built at Granville to a streamlined design, whilst the later 25 locos in the class, which included 3820, 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.

Demise and Preservation

3820 had the distinction of many "lasts":[1]

Before 3820's move to the new site at Thirlmere, the loco did some restricted steam excursion for the RTM, including a journey to Melbourne with 3801, and the famous 'Last Run' which it triple headed with 3203 & 3526. 3820 wasn't used for any of the three Enfield Steam Extravaganzas. 3820 was steamed on 1 January 1975, to act as a standby for 3801, which was used to haul fundraising trains for Cyclone Tracey survivors.[1]

3820 is kept as a static exhibit at the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum's locomotive museum at Thirlmere, New South Wales, where it has resided since travelling there from Enfield under its own power from in 1975 for the last time. 3820's livery is black with red lining, whereas restored C38 locomotives 3801 and 3830 wear a green livery. 3820 is considered to be of historic significance as the only remaining C38 locomotive that remains in the same condition it was in at time of withdrawal (3801, 3813 and 3830 each having been stripped down for restoration) and as such retains a significant amount of evidence for research purposes.[1]

See also

References