5917

NSWGR D5917

5917 arrives at the former South Maitland Railway Yards April 2014
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation
Specifications
Configuration 2-8-2
UIC class 2′C
Gauge Standard
Length 18.4 metres
Fuel type Coal and water
Cylinders Two
Career
Operators NSWGR
Class D,
D59
Numbers 5917
Locale Australia
First run 12 March 1953
Last run August 1972
Disposition Preserved by Lachlan Valley Railway

Locomotive 5917 is a two-cylinder, simple, non-condensing, superheated, coal-fired, 2-8-2 ‘Mikado' steam locomotive and one of five D59 class locomotives that were preserved.

In Service

Locomotive 5917 was built in the USA by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation in 1953 and came into service in Australia on 12 March 1953. The Loco was originally built as an oil-burning locomotive which was the NSWGRs original plan when it was submitted to the builders during the Coal shortage in New South Wales. It was later converted to a Coal burner. 5917 was used for freight haulage during its NSWGR service right up to its withdrawal.

Demise and Preservation

On 16 August 1972 the locomotive was withdrawn from service.[1] and stored at Enfield for storage. 5917 was stored in the open on the east side of Enfield No 3 turntable, until mid 1974, when it was moved into Enfield No 1 Shed for preliminary work following purchase by a syndicate of enthusiasts.

Ownership passed to the '5917 Society' being operated and maintain by the Lachlan Valley Railway. It was moved out of storage at Enfield on 22 October 1974, when it hauled 3046 and 3090T to the Rhonda Colliery site of the (then) Hunter Valley Steam Railway and Museum. During 1976, 5917 steamed to Peterborough SA, for an important anniversary there. In January 1978, 5917 was used on Festival Of Sydney trains to Kiama. The loco was leased to 3801 Limited for some steam tours during 2008-2009. 5917 was taken out of service during April 2009 where major boiler work and running repairs commenced on the locomotive at Eveleigh workshops. A boiler inspection and steam test was held at Eveleigh in November 2013. 5917 passed the test, had a successful trial in the early hours of 4 April 2014, and returned to service on 5 April 2014 for a private charter.

See also

References

  1. ↑ °ARHS Digest September 1972
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