Summary
1243 is a preserved former New South Wales Government Railways Z12 class steam locomotive. Built in 1882 by Atlas Engineering Company, Sydney, it is on static display at the Powerhouse Museum.
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History edit
During the 1870s, the Government of New South Wales came under pressure to provide work for colonial industry and the manufacture of railway locomotives was investigated. The Department of Public Works, Railway Branch awarded a contract for construction of engines based on a pattern engine and design drawings supplied by the Railway Branch.[1] At that time, it was the largest single manufacturing order in Australia.
Trials of the first locomotive produced at Atlas Engineering Company commenced on 11 January 1882.[2] Locomotive 1243 was completed the following week with the only imported components of the engine being the steel axles and wheels.
1243 entered service as an express locomotive working passenger and mail mainline services throughout the state, although it was later relegated to other services towards the end of its service life.
Preservation edit
By 1954, only ten of the original 68 Z12 class engines remained in service.
In 1955, the locomotive was restored to its original livery for the NSW Railways centenary celebrations at Sydney Central station and for special 'Vintage Train’ excursions run by the New South Wales Government Railways throughout the state in company with 1210.[3] In 1958, 1219 was originally set aside for the Powerhouse Museum transport collection, but later replaced with 1243.[4]
In 1969, a repainted 1243 in its green livery was used in making the 1970 film Ned Kelly running on the closed Captains Flat railway line with buildings simulating Glenrowan railway station.[5]
In April 1981 it was displayed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show at the Sydney Showground as part of a State Rail Authority exhibition.[6][7]
Until 1982, 1243 was an operational exhibit for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum when it was restored to original condition with short smokebox and low-side tender.[8] In September 1987, 1243 was placed on permanent display at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, Sydney.[9]
References edit
- ^ Supply of railway Locomotives Sydney Morning Herald 2 August 1879 page 3
- ^ The Atlas Company's First Locomotive Sydney Morning Herald 12 January 1882 page 6
- ^ The Story of the Vintage Train Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 456 October 1975 page 228
- ^ Powerhouse Museum collection – Steam Locomotive No. 1243 Powerhouse Museum
- ^ The Ned Kelly Special Railway Transportation November 1969 page 33
- ^ Sydney's Greatest Rail Exhibition Ever Network May 1981 page 5
- ^ SRA and UTA at the Royal Easter Show Railway Digest June 1981 page 177
- ^ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850's - 1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 33. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
- ^ Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society. p. 45. ISBN 0 909650 27 6.
External links edit
Media related to NSWGR 1243 at Wikimedia Commons