Where are they now?

If there's one thing that never fails to amaze me, it's the NSWGR, throughout it's history, sticking it out with obsolete or barely sufficient technology. Sort of fulfills the great railway equation:


Good for gunzels = Bad for government!


However, if you look at this fact in another light, it's truly a testament to some of the great locomotive designs in the world - a loco like 5069, built in the 1890s, still doing what it was built to do, in original condition in 1972! In this light, one must look over the class as a whole, and one type rings out - why, the S (30/30T) class of course!


It would be silly of me to elaborate on their early history on this blog, so let's have a look at what's left of this once 145-strong class:


30:


3046 - Stored, DSRM
3085 - Static (to be cosmetically restored), NSWRTM
3112 - Stored, Brambles Siding Canberra (Next door to ARHS-ACT)
3137 - Stored, NSWRTM


30T:


3001 - Static, NSWRTM
3016 - Operational, ARHS-ACT
3026 - Under overhaul, LVR
3028 - Stored, DSRM
3075 - Static, Parkes
3090 - Stored, DSRM
3102 - Stored pending overhaul, ARHS-ACT

So, in, light of this, what are the prospects for the remaining locos in this class? Aside from 46, 75, 85 and 90, the others have all operated in preservation, and on the mainline (bar 3028), but at this present time only 3016 remains accredited for RC/ARTC metals. More seasoned readers of this blog will remember the days when it wasn't uncommon for 3137 and 3112 to run trips together? Or that fateful last trip of 3026 with 3001 when she dropped a plug? While many of us take great enjoyment in the 38s and 36s, it's rather refreshing to see one of these little battlers roaring away on a rake of cars once in a while. Sadly, the prospects of that happening in the near future are rather slim. Let's look at each one:

3001: Those readers I referred to earlier would remember this fine little loco's exploits on the mainline in the early 90's, she gave stalwart service to the RTM. Based on reports from the RTM some pretty extensive work was carried out on her during her last boiler certificate, so would there be much work required to get her going again? Seems to be in reasonable external condition, last I saw her (Feb 07). To me, she's the logical choice to steam when 2705 is retired.

3016: As was made very public last year, this loco was overhauled by the NSWRTM for the ARHS-ACT in 2006-07, and returned to active service in March 2007. Unfortunately, however, it has steamed only a few times since then, for reasons uncertain. It was very pleasing to see it repainted in black and red though, the 'Circus Tent' nickname was certainly starting to become engrained in the gunzel vernacular...

3026: Ahhhh, this poor little loco dropped a boiler plug in 1994, and hasn't turned a wheel in anger since. However, a recent conversation with some LVR heavies revealed a desire to return her to steam very soon, following 5367. Good luck to them.

3028: Member of the famous Dorrigo collection, her chances of steaming any time soon are fairly slim, but ran for a brief time in the mid-1980s with 5069 on the Dorrigo branch. Granted, I've been told the boiler is still in excellent condition, and while externally she's fairly average, mechanically there's little to do. Still sad to see though.

3046: In a similar situation to 28, but in as-withdrawn (ie mechanically shot) condition.

3075: She's in a park. In Parkes. (How droll, Humphrey...). Most of the fittings removed and not likely to be going anywhere in a hurry. Nice bit of relief if you're ever near there, though.

3085: Currently tucked away on a back road at the RTM, she is in need of a good paint and polish. Still got that weird Arabic inscription from a filming venture.

3090: Similar again to 28 and 46, in reasonably good condition however. Unique among preserved 30Ts as it is the only superheated version without a drumhead smokebox (ie a full-length saddle).

3102: Was a runner in the 80's but lies stored in the ARHS-ACT yard sans it's tender. There were talks in recent years of steaming her again but I would that their resources would be consumed entirely by the restoration of 6029.

3112: Very sad case this one. Maintained beautifully by Barry Tulloch and 3801 Limited until 2007 when it was sold to a private buyer. Said private buyer threw a hissy fit when told he couldn't run it anywhere he wanted at any time, and had it removed to the Brambles Siding in the ACT. Has run once since then but is now languishing outdoors with the coupling rods starting to rust up, and in need of a boiler inspection. Still maintained by previous owners, but with the current owner having taken off to Scotland they can't get to it. So this once well-loved mainline performer is a static loco guarded by German Shepherds. Go figure.

3137: Was a strong mainline performer in the 80's, but pulled up with a knackered boiler. Chances of steaming soon a very slim, but where is it? Last time I visited the RTM she was nowhere to be seen - any of you RTMers can shed any light on this one?

So there you have it. Hopefully in the next year or two the prospects for these fine locos can improve, as it would be only fitting for a class which gave such sterling service.

Hank.