New South Wales Z17 class locomotive

Class of Australian 4-4-0 locomotives

New South Wales Z17 class

Class Z17 Locomotive in service

Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Vulcan Foundry
Serial number	1164–1175
Build date	1886
Total produced	12

Specifications
Configuration:
• Whyte	4-4-0
• UIC	2'Bn
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Adhesive weight	64,000 lb (29,030 kg)
Loco weight	95,000 lb (43,091 kg)
Water cap.	2,500 imp gal (11,365 L; 3,002 US gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	20 sq ft (1.9 m)
Boiler pressure	140 psi (970 kPa)
Heating surface	1,285 sq ft (119.4 m)
Superheater	None
Cylinders	Two
Cylinder size	19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm)
Train brakes	air

Performance figures
Tractive effort	16,920 lbf (75.3 kN)

Career
Operators	New South Wales Government Railways
Class	H373 (Z17 from 1924)
Numbers	H373-H384 (1701-1712 from 1924)
Retired	1934–1974
Disposition	1 preserved, 11 scrapped

The 17 class (formally H.373 class) was a class of steam locomotive built by the Vulcan Foundry for the New South Wales Government Railways of Australia.

History

Ordered from the Vulcan Foundry, 12 were placed in service in 1887. They had the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement that most locomotives had at the time. Shortly after delivery, the class leader was tested against the Baldwin Locomotive Works built L304 class to see which one could make a faster and better run across the Blue Mountains to Eskbank, with the Baldwin locomotive judged superior. They were also intended to haul passenger service on the steeply graded Sydney to Newcastle and Kiama lines.

They proved unpopular with both locomotive crews because of rough riding and track maintenance staff because of their high axle load and were displaced from mainline working and relegated to branch line work following the arrival of the P6 class (C32 class). In 1905/06, new boilers with Belpaire fireboxes were fitted, the smokeboxes shortened and the cylinder diameter reduced. In 1924, the class was renumbered becoming the Z17 class.

Demise and Preservation

As they became due for reboilering, they began to be withdrawn from January 1934 with only four in service by 1948.

Preserved Z17 class locomotives
No.	Description	Manufacturer	Year	Current organisation	Location	Status	Ref
1709	4-4-0 Passenger	Vulcan Foundry	1887	Transport Heritage NSW	Thirlmere	Static

References

Preston, Ron G (1984). Tender into Tank. Sydney: New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. pp. 11–57. ISBN 0-909862-18-4.
^ 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.
New South Wales Railways 1855-1955. Published by Department of Railways
Grunbach, Alex (1989). A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives. Sydney: Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division. p. 87. ISBN 0-909650-27-6.
Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850's - 1980's. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 56. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
Locomotive, steam 1709 Department of Heritage & Environment
"140th Celebrations Ready to Roll" Railway Digest October 1995 page 8

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