6029

6029 is a four-cylinder, simple, non-condensing, superheated, articulated 4-8-4+4-8-4 Garratt steam locomotive, of the AD60 class, built by Beyer, Peacock and Company, Manchester, England, for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR). It was restored to operational condition in 2014, and was named City of Canberra between 2014 and late 2017.

6029
6029 crossing the Murrumbidgee River Railway Bridge, Wagga Wagga in June 2015
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Beyer, Peacock and Company, Manchester Serial number 7531 Build date 1954
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-4+4-8-4 Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm) Adhesive weight 282,000 lb (128 t) or 317,000 lb (144 t) Loco weight 562,000 lb (255 t) or 582,000 lb (264 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 14 long tons (14 t), later 18 long tons (18 t) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 65 sq ft (6.0 m^2) Boiler pressure 200 psi (1.38 MPa) Heating surface 3,030 sq ft (281 m^2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 750 sq ft (70 m^2) Cylinders Four Cylinder size 19 ^1⁄4 in × 26 in (489 mm × 660 mm) or 19 ^7⁄8 in × 26 in (505 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Tractive effort 59,560 lbf (264.9 kN) Factor of adh. 4.73 or 4.99
Career Operators New South Wales Government Railways Class AD60 Numbers 6029 First run 24 April 1954 Withdrawn September 1972 Current owner Phil Davis, David Sommerville, Daniel Griffiths and two other Gentlemen Disposition operational
Distance travelled 996,827 km

Service

6029 entered service in 1954 on the Main North line also working one the Main South and later Main Western line. On 17 February 1959 the locomotive was converted to dual control and had an extension to the coal bunker, increasing its coal capacity.[1]

It was withdrawn in September 1972 and condemned on 4 January 1973. In 1974, the National Museum of Australia acquired the locomotive and placed it in the custody of the Australian Railway Historical Society's Canberra Railway Museum. It worked from Sydney to Goulburn in December 1974 before hauling a special charter to Canberra on 5 January 1975.[2]

It was restored to operational condition and operated heritage trains for the Canberra Railway Museum. 6029 became the only locomotive of its class to operate interstate when it visited Victoria in 1980, participating in a parallel run to Wangaratta with Victorian Railways locomotive K153. Heritage tours continued over several years until boiler problems caused the locomotive to be withdrawn from service in 1981.[1]

In 1994, a feasibility study determined what was needed to get 6029 back in steam. A replacement ex-NSWGR boiler was obtained from a Victorian sawmill. Restoration commenced in 2007, being completed in July 2014. After mainline trials, 6029 received official mainline accreditation in December 2014, with the first public trips taking place on 28 February 2015.[1][3][4][5]

On 23 February 2015, the locomotive was named City of Canberra by Shane Rattenbury, the Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly.[1][6] In 2017, it was put up for sale by the liquidator of the Canberra Railway Museum when the museum went into liquidation and was purchased by Phillip Davis and David Sommerville.[7][8] Due to the locomotive no longer being based in Canberra, its City of Canberra nameplates were unofficially removed in late 2017, and given to two unnamed people. This was due to the locomotive not being based in Canberra and for historic reasons, AD60s were not allowed to travel though single line tunnels during their service, of which three exist between Bungendore and Queanbeyan on the Bombala railway line, the locomotive's nameplates (City of Canberra) were unofficially taken off in late 2017.

Importance

6029 is the only preserved AD60 in operating condition. It is also the only "Super-Garratt" in preservation, thanks to modifications made during the locomotive's service life. However, the second throttle handle has not been connected to the main throttle since its restoration, so the unnecessary second brake stand has been removed, which also increases space in the cab of the loco.

Gallery

• 
  Front view
• 
  Rear view
• 
  Driving wheel
• 
  Lubricator
• 
  Connecting rod
• 
  Cab view

References

1. "Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 6029". www.australiansteam.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
2. "Garratt's Last Fling" The Railway Magazine, Issue 894, October 1975, Page 493
3. Gul, Jonathon; Nairn, Jessica (25 July 2014). "Massive restored steam train completes first test run". www.abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
4. Project 6029 Project 6029 blog
5. Beyer-Garratt 6029 Inaugural Trip Canberra Railway Museum
6. Whitford, Richard, ed. (2015), Federal City Express, Canberra: ARHS(ACT div), p. 1
7. Walmsley, Hannah (13 July 2017). "Canberra Railway Museum forced to sell off historic train carriages". www.abc.net.au. Australin Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
8. 1953 Beyer Garrett AD60 Class 4-8-4 + 4-8-4 Articulated Steam Locomotive Slattery Auctions

External links

Media related to AD6029 at Wikimedia Commons