Number of Images on this Page = 30

D50 Class Steam Loco Index

There were 35 35 Class and 280 of these 2-8-0s!! The T-524 class (in the pre-1924 numbering scheme) were built to replace earlier 2-6-0 designs, and were so successful that they not only became the largest single class of steam locomotives in Australia, but also their design was used as the basis for no less than 4 other classes of locomotive, and they were also used on the Western Front in WWI. THe other classes were the 53 class , 55 class, Commonwealth Railways K class, and SMR 10 class .

Originally designed by Beyer Peacock, the 50 class had Belpaire fireboxes, and inside Allan straight link valve gear. The second and third driving wheels were flangeless. Members of the class were built by various builders, including Beyer Peacock, Dubs, Neilsen Reid, North British and Clyde Engineering (NSW).

Beyer Peacock built 151, the most of any one builder, and North British were in second place with 84 plus the 10 that went to the War Department's Railways Operating Division in France. To commmemorate that effort, a model of the 50 class can be seen in the Glasgow Museum of Transport

They were gradually rebuilt from the original saturated design to a superheated version, but not all were so treated, and the last one in active service was in fact a saturated loco, 5069, seen here in these pages.
  • Image : dir=br/glasgow/ page=index 42306 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 02 May 1980, catalogued 03 Jan 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9058
  • Description : A model of the NSWGR's 50class on display in the Glasgow Museum of Transport.


5069
  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 105589 bytes, 600x600 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 25 Feb 1997
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium :
  • Description : 5069 just south of Helensburgh


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 69538 bytes, 702x500 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 25 Feb 1997
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/063
  • Description : 5069 shunts in the rain at Waterfall


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 162301 bytes, 704x503 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 25 Feb 1997
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/064
  • Description : 5069 running tender first near Helensburgh, on its way to the Helensburgh colliery. Compare this picture to 1709+3526-1 , 5069-1 and 3203-3 , all taken at the same location.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 93228 bytes, 501x720 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 25 Feb 1997
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/065, from Ektachrome
  • Description : 5069 charges out of Helensburgh Colliery with her train, passengers this time, just to make a change from the usual coal wagons.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 122048 bytes, 714x500 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 25 Feb 1997
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/073, from Ektachrome
  • Description : 5069 chuffs past some Sydney suburban "bungalows" on the Illawarra line.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 114407 bytes, 1005x495 pixels
  • Date : early 1970s, catalogued 03 Jun 2001
  • Photographer : David McAlpine
  • Medium : email digital image, image location 5069_Cardiff
  • Description : But for the bogie tender, this shot could almost have been taken in the early half of the 20th century, rather than in the dying days of steam in New South Wales, early 1970s.


  • Image : dir=tourist/dorrigo/ page=index 103301 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Nov 2000, catalogued 26 Nov 2000
  • Photographer : Stewart Hughes
  • Medium : email digital image, image location C-5
  • Description : Stewart writes:
    Still on the potato siding and the mystery loco between the Garratt and the 19xx's is 5069 2-8-0 Beyer Peacock built in 1903 and bought from the PTC of NSW (Public Transport Commission) That's the goods shed on the left.


  • Image : dir=nsw/59class/ page=index 124143 bytes, 745x503 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 17 Jul 1998
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodak Photo CD, slide number 2109
  • Description : 5910 and 5069 bask in the sun during a Sydney suburban steam jaunt.


5112

Ian Larcher <metalastic@ozemail.com.au> writes (on 20 Oct 1999):

G'day John, I've just finished looking through your web site, and in particular at the photos of 5112. Just thought that I'd drop you a note to let you know the current state of play with this Locomotive.

As you would no doubt be aware, 5112's restoration stalled some years ago with the engine approximately 80% finished, and has remained in limbo ever since. Earlier on this year a group of former CWRPS members negotiated with Bathurst City Council to recommence the restoration, which was agreed to, however Bathurst Council has since done a complete back flip and demanded the engine's return.

As well as presenting those members with a claim for costs incurred in removing the engine back to the State Mine Museum at Lithgow for restoration to be supposedly completed by them. (Not bad as those persons never had anything to do with the fiasco, and were trying to keep faith with Bathurst Council.) I don't really want to comment on this as I have links with both groups- suffice to say that in my own personal opinion, based on over twenty years active restoration on several projects including being heavily involved with both 5112, and 5367's successful restoration & operation, it is doomed to further failure.

Anyway the state of play is this Bathurst Council is planing to (somehow) remove the engine by rail on Tuesday 26 October. Apparently Silverton will be hauling the engine from Orange East Fork down to Orange Station for craning onto a low Loader for transport to Lithgow. The carriages at this stage will not be going to Valley Heights as stated on your web site, but in the interim will stay at Orange (even if the engine goes) and continue to be restored for joint use between the Central West Railway & the Lachlan Valley Railway, both groups are working closely together & will be running some joint trips in the future.

Hope you may find this of interest

Best Wishes

Ian Larcher

Thanks for the update, Ian. We await with interest further developments.

Greg Standen writes (6 Sep 2010):

Hi from Bathurst! I am a former employee of NSWGR, I had 18 years on the job. I was made redundant. I spent a few years as secretary of the local members' Transport Committee. I am also a member of the Lachlan Regional Transport Committee which is made up of local government, progress association, nsw farmers, as well as those interested in rail [and] RTBU members. Just an update please: log in to the Western Advocate (today's edition) which will give you an update on the Chifley engine. The Chifley loco currently is located away from the station in a restored condition.

Here is the Western Advocate article

PLANS to return the Chifley Engine to its spiritual home at the Bathurst Railway Station are picking up steam. Bathurst Regional Council has awarded the tender for the construction of the shed that will house the historic locomotive. Local company Webber Concrete Construction will build the display shed on land adjacent to the Railway Station.

Deputy mayor Ian North says he is very happy the engine will very soon be back where it belonged. "I'm rapped it is coming back, without a doubt," Cr North said. "It has taken a long time but thankfully the last council decided enough is enough. We finally got an agreement to get it [the engine] fixed and get it done. It will cost a few more dollars to put it in the heritage precinct. Chifley was a unique gentleman to the Bathurst community. It has come out a bit dearer than we would have liked but I am pleased with the result and happy we are carrying it to fruition." Cr North said he had initially hoped the engine would be on display in the shed by Christmas but realistically, it looks more like early next year. "We have to build a nice heritage structure and a lot of infrastructure work is involved," he said.

Bathurst Regional Council general manager David Sherley said the construction of the Chifley Engine Shed would cost $186,445, including GST.

Thanks for that heads-up, Greg!
  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 104275 bytes, 736x501 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1972, catalogued 25 Feb 1997
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/047
  • Description : It seems that 5112 has suffered a little incontinence in her old age! This was the locomotive that Ben Chifley (war time Prime Minister of Australia) drove, and was preserved at Bathurst. It is now undergoing restoration. The locomotive's overhaul has not yet been completed, but the boiler is back in the frames, the tender has been re-assembled. It may be going to Valley Heights with about 6 FS carriages for their overhauls to be completed. (Thanks to Brett Fitzpatrick for the restoration update.)


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 94385 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [Apr 1974], catalogued [01 Nov 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 4337
  • Description : 5112 hauls sightseers from Bathurst on some local trips before retiring for good.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 40647 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [Apr 1974], catalogued [01 Nov 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 4339
  • Description : 5112 hauls sightseers from Bathurst on some local trips before retiring for good.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 127058 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jan 1985, catalogued 30 Sep 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 13166
  • Description : 5112 during her days at Bathurst. A cover has been erected over her, and she has been painted since I last saw her, but that's about all that has happened on the restoration front. Ian Larcher has since sent me this update (it was so up-to-date, it was dated in the future: 21 Jul 2007! Ian, you must have a "Back To The Future" type steam locomotive :-):
    Just a bit more news on the final fate of 5112. As you may know it has been moved, and now resides in the carpark of the works depot of Bathurst City Council - unprotected and unloved. Ironic really, when you consider that Council's main beef with the group at Orange was that they were not progressing with its restoration. More than 12mths on nothing has been done with it, and I wonder how long before anything is? Apparently BCC does not want it to leave the area again.
    It never was sent to the State Mine Museum at Lithgow, as aparently Council had second thoughts. On a brighter note 3237 at Cowra has had its boiler reunited with the frames and its tender is now the subject of a major rebuild from the ground up - this is now drawing to a close and we are very close to steam testing the boiler. It should be out and about next year.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 124787 bytes, 715x498 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued 30 Sep 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/049
  • Description : 5112 and 3820 leave the Awaba down refuge, after refuging for the down Newcastle Flyer. An EH Holden completes the Australian scene.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 90223 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [1974], catalogued [31 Oct 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 4322
  • Description : 5112 is making her final run, being delivered to Bathurst and preservation as Ben Chifley's locomotive. Here we see her in company with 5910 on the Main West.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 74401 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [1974], catalogued [31 Oct 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 4324
  • Description : 5112 is making her final run, being delivered to Bathurst and preservation as Ben Chifley's locomotive. Here we see her in company with 5910 on the Main West near Tarana.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 91406 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 1974, catalogued 31 Oct 1998
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Ektachrome, slide number 4329
  • Description : A most bucholic scene. The cows probably don't care much that they won't see 5112 pass this way again.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 60862 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [1974], catalogued [31 Oct 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 4333
  • Description : Also a bucholic portrait. Trains on the skyline.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 93757 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [1974], catalogued [31 Oct 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 4333
  • Description : Also a bucholic landscape. Trains on the skyline.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 74502 bytes, 667x500 pixels
  • Date : 1973, catalogued [31 Oct 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/001 (from slide 1243)
  • Description : 5112+6039 climb the 1 in 80 up to the Adamstown tunnel, south of Newcastle.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/../53class/ page=index 112382 bytes, 736x504 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1972, catalogued 18 Jul 1998
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/046
  • Description : This picture shows the difference between the superheated versions and saturated versions, as exemplified by the extended smokebox on all locos bar the second from the right, 5112 (number obscured). The locos in the picture are 5407 (far left), 5365, 5273, 5112, and 5482 (far right).


5133
  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 95388 bytes, 721x502 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1972, catalogued [31 Oct 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/045
  • Description : 5133 awaits her next turn of duty with her sisters amid the palms at the Port Waratah Roundhouse, Newcastle. Time was running out, though: within 6 months no steam hauled trains remained on the NSWGR


5241
  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 53298 bytes, pixels
  • Date : [16 Sep 1973], catalogued [21 Jul 1998]
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : [Ektachrome], slide number 3362
  • Description : I think this is 5241 at Enfield. Well, it certainly is Enfield. In the background is 6002. 5241 was finally cut up for scrap on 12 Aug 1974.


5273
  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/../53class/ page=index 112382 bytes, 736x504 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1972, catalogued 18 Jul 1998
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : PCD-01/046
  • Description : This picture shows the difference between the superheated versions and saturated versions, as exemplified by the extended smokebox on all locos bar the second from the right, 5112 (number obscured). The locos in the picture are 5407 (far left), 5365, 5273, 5112, and 5482 (far right).


5274
  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 85712 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 1972, catalogued 14 May 1998
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Agfachrome, slide number 3742
  • Description : 5274 simmers under the very blue light of a mercury vapour lamp at Port Waratah.


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 98860 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : 08 Apr 2007, catalogued 16 Apr 2007
  • Photographer : Selby Markham
  • Medium : email, image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Trains/nsw/waratah/port waratah 1969 7.JPG
  • Description : A view of the Port Waratah roundhouse, towards the end of steam on the NSW coalfields, 1969


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 39499 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : 1969, catalogued 16 Apr 2007
  • Photographer : Selby Markham
  • Medium : email, image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Trains/nsw/waratah/port waratah morning 1969 2.jpg
  • Description : A view of the Port Waratah area, towards the end of steam on the NSW coalfields, 1969


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 24730 bytes, 600x800 pixels
  • Date : 1969, catalogued 16 Apr 2007
  • Photographer : Selby Markham
  • Medium : email, image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Trains/nsw/waratah/port waratah morning 1969 4.jpg
  • Description : A view of the Port Waratah roundhouse, towards the end of steam, 1969


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 24409 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : 1969, catalogued 16 Apr 2007
  • Photographer : Selby Markham
  • Medium : email, image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Trains/nsw/waratah/port waratah morning 1969 31.jpg
  • Description : A view of the Port Waratah roundhouse, towards the end of steam, 1969


  • Image : dir=nsw/50class/ page=index 23859 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : 1969, catalogued 16 Apr 2007
  • Photographer : Selby Markham
  • Medium : email, image location /home/ajh/Pictures/Trains/nsw/waratah/port waratah morning 1969.jpg
  • Description : A view of the Port Waratah roundhouse, towards the end of steam, 1969


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