New South Wales D57 class locomotive

New South Wales D57 class

Class D57 Locomotive
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder Clyde Engineering, Granville
Build date 1929/30
Total produced 25
Specifications
Configuration 4-8-2
UIC class 2'D1'h3
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver diameter 5 ft 0 in (1.524 m)
Axle load 23 ton
Adhesive weight 201,600 lb (91,400 kg)
Loco weight 310,710.4 lb (140,935.9 kg)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 14 tons
Water cap 9000 gallons
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		 65 sq ft (6.0 m2)
Boiler pressure 200 psi (1,379 kPa)
Heating surface 3,390 sq ft (315 m2)
Superheater:
 • Heating area		 775 sq ft (72.0 m2)
Cylinders Three
Cylinder size 23.25 in × 28 in (591 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gear Gresley conjugated
Performance figures
Maximum speed 50 mph (80 km/h)
Tractive effort 64,327 lbf (286.1 kN)
Factor of adh 3.82
Career
Operators New South Wales Government Railways
Class D57
Numbers 5701–5725
Nicknames Lazy Lizzies
Withdrawn 1957–1961
Disposition 1 preserved, 24 scrapped

The D57 class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives built by Clyde Engineering for the New South Wales Government Railways in Australia. The tenders were built by Mort's Dock.

Introduction

The locomotives were among the heaviest of locomotives in Australia with a 23-long-ton (23.4 t; 25.8-short-ton) axle load and this along with their width restricted their sphere of operation to Thirroul on the Illawarra line, Wallerawang on the Main Western line and Junee on the Main South line.[1][2][3]

They were not permitted to operate on the Main Northern line due to load limitations on some bridges and a tighter loading gauge. They had the highest tractive effort of any conventional engines used in Australia and were of approximately equal capability to the 60 class Garratt locomotives. They were very reliable and had the nickname Lazy Lizzies because they made heavy workings seem effortless.[4] Another nickname was bestowed on the class, Chuckling Charlies due to their syncopated exhaust beat.[5]

The three cylinder design fitted to the class gave it a distinctive off-beat exhaust sound when climbing upgrade. This design was also fitted to the 58 class. However, a couple of features, such as the Gresley conjugating valve gear fitted to these locomotives has been the source of debate as to its efficiency.[6]

Demise and Preservation

The first was withdrawn in October 1957, the last in October 1961.

The last example in traffic was saved for preservation:

Preserved D57 Class Locomotives
No.DescriptionManufacturerYearCurrent OrganisationLocationStatusRef
5711 4-8-2 goodsClyde Engineering1929 NSW Rail Transport Museum Valley Heights static exhibit NSW Locomotive, Steam 5711

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "King's of the Road" Roundhouse October 1979 page 23
  2. ↑ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850's - 1980's. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 157. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
  3. ↑ Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division. pp. 201–209. ISBN 0 909650 27 6.
  4. ↑ Oberg, Leon (February 1974). "The End of the 57-Class Locomotives". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 29–30.
  5. ↑ ±Locomotives, A Guide, written by Gifford Eardley
  6. ↑ Slee, David E (January 2000). "D57 and D58 Classes—Design Differences and Power Comparisons". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 3–19.

Further reading

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