3237

Lachlan Valley Railway

 

My thanks to Scott Mitchell for this view of newly-restored 3237 in steam at Cowra on 3 October 2005.

 

Builder

Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester

 

 

Builder’s Number & Year

3436 of 1892

 

 

Wheel Arrangement

4-6-0

 

 

No. in class

191

 

3237 is an example of the New South Wales Government Railways’ famous P(6) class passenger engines, one of Australia’s most successful locomotive types and the backbone of the NSWGR passenger fleet for many decades.  These fast and versatile engines were designed by Chief Mechanical Engineer William Thow in conjunction with Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester, with an initial order for 50 locomotives.  The type were immediately successful and grew to 191 examples over a period of 19 years, with most lasting in service until replacement by diesel-electric locomotives in the 1960’s.

According to “Steam Locomotive Data” (the official source for NSWGR steam locomotive service records), 3237 entered service as P 508 on 26 February 1893, becoming 3237 of the (C)32 class in the 1924 renumbering scheme.  3237 was superheated and reframed in August 1938.  3237 was one of only a handful of P(6) / (C)32 class engines surviving into the 1970’s, being condemned on 26 May 1972 with 3,581,052km travelled.  Fortunately it was saved for preservation and initially stored at Parkes depot before moving to the Cowra roundhouse base of the Lachlan Valley Railway.  (3237 had been based at Cowra depot in the later stages of its NSWGR service and therefore the Cowra roundhouse is a fitting home for this loco.)

At Cowra, 3237 was the subject of an extensive and protracted overhaul which started in the 1980’s and included the manufacture of a new front tube-plate.  Completion of this overhaul was marked by 3237's return to steam in mid-2005 following which it has found much use on main-line duties.  The loco is neatly turned out in sparkling black livery.

For general information about the P(6) / (C)32 class locomotives, refer to the page for sister 3203.

An earlier view of 3237 under overhaul within the Cowra Roundhouse.

 

References

a

"Locomotives of Australia" by Leon Oberg, published by J. W. Books Pty Ltd, 1982 reprint

b

"A Compendium of New South Wales Steam Locomotives" compiled by Alex Grunbach,

published by the Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division, 1989.

c

‘Steam Locomotive Data’ July 1974 edition, compiled by J. H. Forsyth for the

Public Transport Commission of NSW.

d

"Standards In Steam - The 32 Class" by R. G. Preston,

published in 1987 by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.

e

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Page updated:  28 September 2015

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