Major exhibits.

Crane 1072

Crane 1072 from DELEC Enfield.  Could lift up to 70 tons. 2 such cranes were needed to lift heavier locomotives. Note the ‘whistle’ instruction on the side of the operating platform, and the lifting capacity subject to the radius of the jib.

ALCO 4821.

4821 GLRPS loco. One of original 10 based in Goulburn and used on the Crookwell and Cooma/Bombala passenger and goods services.

Vulcan 1076.

1076 - A Potted History                                                              

1076 was one of a group of 6 steam locomotives purchased for the NSW Government Railways.  These were built to a design prepared by Thomas Middleton with the contract being awarded to Vulcan Foundry Ltd at Newton le Willows, Lancashire in Great Britain. 1076 was allocated Builders Number 995.  The engines were constructed in 1883 and shipped to Australia entering service in April 1884.  In NSW the 6 engines were grouped as the 285 Class, with 1076 being allocated the running number 288. The engines were originally used to haul suburban trains on the then city and suburbs network.  In 1989 these engines were reclassified as the R285 Class with 1076 retaining the running number 288 at this time. 

By 1900 the six engines had become unsuitable for suburban working as they were found to be too slow and not powerful enough to haul the increasing length and weight of the trains now required to service the expanding traffic and network.  A new task was found for these six engines.  They were allotted to shunting duties in Sydney yard fussing around moving carriages to and from the carriage sheds to make up trains for the newer, bigger and faster engines to haul to country destinations.

In 1924 along with the complete renumbering of the NSWGR steam fleet the R285 class was reclassified as the Z18 Class with 1076 receiving the new running number 1804.

By 1930 the class of six engines was again found wanting as due to the electrification of the Sydney suburban network and the introduction of new steel-bodied carriages the shunting task now became beyond their capacity and newer more powerful engines replaced them.  The six engines were again relocated to new tasks including work at loco depots and workshops.  1076 was one of three fitted with a coal grab at this time to assist in coaling other steam engines.  At this time 1076 was allocated its new and final running number as one of the X10 Class, losing its previous number 1804.  When these cranes were removed two were reconverted to the standard design.  However, 1076 remained as an orphan distinctly different to the other 5 members of the then 18 Class.

In 1953 1076 was allocated to Goulburn Loco Depot at South Goulburn, near Braidwood Road.  The engine was very useful in moving and positioning other steam locomotives for mechanical, cleaning and workshop attention.  It was maintained in this role up until 1963 when the majority of the steam fleet at Goulburn was replaced by the ubiquitous 48 Class diesel Electric, including our very own 4821.  With the removal of the steam fleet from Goulburn the need for 1076 also disappeared.  !076 was reallocated to Reids Hill Depot at Port Kembla.  This reallocation was short-lived as this depot was closed with the introduction of the 70 class industrial shunting locos.  1076 was then sent to Sydney eking out its working life at Enfield Loco Depot and Eveleigh Workshops until final retirement in 1970.

However, this was not the end of the line for 1076 as it was then allocated to the NSW Rail Transport Museum, being saved from the scrapper’s torch.  With the movement of the RTM fleet from Enfield to Thirlmere in 1975 1076 was moved to the sidings at Thirlmere remaining in the open storage area for a number of years,

In 2005 the NSW Government reviewed their collection of moveable rail assets and decided that 1076, amongst others, was deemed to be a surplus to requirements.  The GLRPS was successful in making an EOI submission and 1076 was deeded outright to the GLRPS.  In 2008 1076 was lifted by crane and transported by road the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre making a triumphant entry along Auburn Street on its way to the Roundhouse.

Upon arrival at the Roundhouse, an enthusiastic group of volunteers set about the task of assessing the suitability of 1076’s return to service.  Work proceeded on Saturday afternoons and after 10 years of perseverance, sweat and toil 1076 received a new boiler certificate in 2018.  Since then 1076 has been steamed on a number of occasions with its last steaming event on 7th March 2020.  Due to the Covid Pandemic and the associated loss of public visitors and exclusion of volunteer labour the reluctant decision was made to let 1076’s boiler certificate expire and await better times.

Now is the time and a group of dedicated enthusiasts has reformed with the intention of bringing 1076 back to life.

John Proctor
Project Manager

Tank Loco 1076 was originally built as an 0-6-0T suburban passenger side tank locomotive by Vulcan Foundry in Lancashire England, The class of 6 locomotives was built 1076 being allocated Builders Number 985 of 1884.  When the class was put into service with the NSWGR it was part of the ’285’ class, running number 288.  This class was later identified as the ‘R’ class and in 1924 as the ‘18’ class with 1076 being given running number 1804. It has been restored at the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre and awaiting accreditation.

Major exhibits.

Locomotives 5908 & 5916.

Twenty American built Baldwin/Lima/Hamilton (Mikado) oil burning locomotives were imported in 1951/52. The tenders of these locos were shortened from the original design to allow turning on short turntables in NSW. From 1962 17 locos were converted to coal firing. These 2 oil-burning locos are all that remain of the original class, being located here by the Office of Rail Heritage in 2010, being in poor condition having been stripped for maintenance of the locos of the class.

Tank Loco 3085.

Built at Cardiff 1912 and used primarily for the Sydney suburban services prior to electrification of the network. They were also used for the Newcastle suburban and Illawarra passenger and industrial services

Quarry Shunter 2419.

Locomotive B390 (2419) Manufactured in Scotland by Dubs and Coy and placed in service in NSW in 1891. Medway quarry Shunter D1. Originally owned by Sothern Portland Cement.