New South Wales Z26 class locomotive

The 26 class (formerly I.17 class) was a class of steam locomotives built by Dübs and Company for the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.[1][2][3]

New South Wales Z26 class
Class Z26 Locomotive
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderDübs and Company
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-2T
 • UIC1'C1'nt
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.4 ft 0 in (1.219 m)
Adhesive weight88,000 lb (39,916 kg; 40 t)
Loco weight146,000 lb (66,224 kg; 66 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		21 sq ft (2.0 m2)
Boiler pressure150 psi (1.03 MPa)
Heating surface1,345 sq ft (125.0 m2)
SuperheaterNone
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort22,380 lbf (99.6 kN)
Factor of adh.3.49
Career
OperatorsNew South Wales Government Railways
ClassI17, Z26 from 1924
Numbers17-22, 103, 127-129, 292, 293, 391, 394, 397-402
(2601–2620 from 1924)
Disposition2 preserved, 18 scrapped

History

Dübs and Company were contracted to supply 20 large mineral tank locomotives, the design of which included the fitting of a Webb radial axle[4] at the bunker end. The locomotives were delivered in the early months of 1892.

Originally intended for assisting freight trains over the Blue Mountains line, they were found unsatisfactory due to insufficient water capacity and inflexibility around tight curves. Several were sent to Waterfall for working coal and blue metal trains. Shunting at Darling Harbour and Alexandria goods yards was the duty of the remainder of those based in Sydney. Others were stationed at the old Hamilton locomotive depot for working trains from the interchange with the South Maitland Railway at East Greta to Newcastle.[5]

Although replaced in 1905 by larger locomotives between Waterfall and Sydney, they continued to haul coal hopper wagons to Waterfall and, additionally were used to assist northbound trains through Otford Tunnel. At holiday times, some of these locomotives were transferred to working picnic trains to The National Park.[2]

During the 1920s most of the class was withdrawn. After several years out of use, were returned to traffic as shunters, particularly at western centres such as Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange. Several were sent to Albury to assist at this busy break-of-gauge station and others to Port Kembla.[2]

From 1942 until 1956 two of the class were engaged in shunting carriages at Sydney Central Station. They were removed when overhead wiring was installed as using the water columns was a hazard owing to the location of the inlet.[2]

The first was withdrawn in September 1956 with only nine remaining by 1961.[6] The final two representatives of the class in service were 2604 and 2606, which were to be found at Bathurst until 1970.[2]

Preservation
Preserved Z26 Class Locomotives
No.DescriptionManufacturerYearCurrent OrganisationLocationStatusRef
26052-6-2ST mixed trafficDübs and Company1891Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & RailwayLithgowUndergoing Working Restoration
26062-6-2ST mixed trafficDübs and Company1891Transport Heritage NSWBroadmeadow Locomotive Depotstored NSW Locomotive, Steam 2606

See also

References
  1. Preston, Ron G (1984). Tender into Tank. Sydney: New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. pp. 11–57. ISBN 0 909862 18 4.
  2. Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division. pp. 41–45. ISBN 0 909650 27 6.
  3. New South Wales Railways 1855-1955. Published by Department of Railways
  4. See Glossary of Terms
  5. Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division. pp. 108–111. ISBN 0 909650 27 6.
  6. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850's - 1980's. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 71. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
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