Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum
Exhibits
Locomotive 5711
CLASS D57 (1924 classification)
TYPE - 4-8-2 HEAVY GOODS -- 25 IN CLASS
Photo of 5711 at Valley Heights.
Note the two level signal box in the middle background
These large "Mountain" type locomotives, the first in the service, were built by Clyde Engineering Company to Departmental design but their tenders came from Mort's Dock & Engineering Company. No 5701 commenced to run in September 1929, and the contract was completed by the end of 1930. The arrangement if three simple cylinders was the first in the system and their tractive effort was 67% greater than that of a D50 class goods engine. The outside cylinders were controlled by Walschaert's valve gear and the inside cylinder by Gresley conjugating gear.
A new departure was the use of a single piece cast steel frame for the trailing truck. For the first time a power reverse gear was fitted. As a concession to their large fireboxes, they were fitted with mechanical stokers, the first on the system. The large turret tender had an axle load of no less than 22 tons. Owing to their weight and cylinder dimensions, they were strictly confined to working between Sydney and Thirroul, Junee and Wallerawang and were not permitted to run on any part of the Northern Line.
| Superheated | |||||
| Cylinders (3) | 23.25 in. x 28 in. | 591 mm x 711 mm | |||
| Driving wheels | 5 ft. | 1524 mm | |||
| Boiler pressure | 200 lb/in2 | 1379 kPa | |||
| Tractive effort | 56,000 lbs. (at 70% max limited cutoff) | 249100 N | |||
| Total weight | 227 tons 17 cwt. | 231.51 t |
5711 was built by Clyde Engineering in 1916.
Text and photo from Century Plus of Locomotives, © Australian Railway Historical Society, 1965. Used by permission.
The 57 class locomotives were withdrawn relatively early during the elimination of steam but fortunately 5711 was retained for preservation and stored at Enfield pending the formation of a railway museum - which became the NSWRTM. 5711 became somewhat derelict during its years of storage and in 1985 a restoration attempt was begun by members of the NSWRTM at Thirlmere, with the intention of returning the locomotive to steam. 5711 and tender are now dismantled, but technical and operational issues have precluded restoration to steam and although many components have been restored there has been little visible progress since the mid-1990's.
5711 (RHS) partly assembled at Thirlmere on 16 July 2005
In late 2006 the restoration project of 5711 was transferred to Valley Heights:
5711 - RETURNS TO THE MOUNTAINS
5711's partly restored cab soon after arrival
at Valley Heights. Photo: Col Burne.
DECEMBER 2006: Before all you steam enthusiasts get too excited by this headline, we should point out that it is not to the unique beat of its 3 cylinders.
During the 1980's a strong group of RTM members dedicated one day a month to travel to Thirlmere and carry out restoration work to this locomotive. Unfortunately, due to a culmination of reasons, work stopped part way through the restoration program and for many years the 5711 project has been stalled. We and the RTM are pleased to announce that a large proportion of the group that started the restoration of this locomotive back in the 1980's have reformed and work on the locomotive is to recommence.
Some time ago the RTM's Exhibit Management Group were presented with a proposal to transfer this locomotive to Valley Heights so that work on the restoration and reassembly of the locomotive could recommence. This proposal was subsequently submitted to the RTM's Board and the proposal was approved. Subsequently, a Conservation Management Plan and a Restoration Project Plan were drafted to guide the restoration team through the work.
Funding to support this project will primarily be supported by the RTM, from funds already held within the 5711 Fund, however an extensive ongoing budget has been planned to maintain work on this locomotive into the future.
The primary aim of the team is to restore the locomotive to static condition however all work that is carried out is not to prevent the possibility of the locomotive's potential return to service.
Initial work will start on the tender with the engine to be transferred at a later date once the tender restoration program in nearing completion and there is more storage space available.
The tender bogies and frame together with the locomotive's cab, main air reservoir, running board components, main steam pipe and many other essential parts have arrived at Valley Heights and that the group has already commenced work.
FEBRUARY 2007: Work has commenced on the first bogie where the bogie frame has been lifted so that both wheel sets and axle boxes can be removed. All axle sets have been cleaned, painted and axle journals greased. Cleaning and Painting of the bogie frame has also commenced. All work on this bogie has been undertaken in Bay 7 of the Roundhouse so that work can continue during all weather conditions. The photos below show some of the work in progress to date.
 The bogie frame lifted and wheel sets free to allow work to commence. Photo: Andrew Tester. |
 Tender bogies and Tender frame (sitting on temporary bogies) just after arrival at Valley Heights . Photo: Col Burne. |
APRIL 2007: Work continues on the restoration of the first tender bogie. After lifting the bogie frame to remove both wheel sets, the axle boxes were removed and disassembled for cleaning, greasing and painting. Work has now commenced on the reassembly of the axle boxes to the first wheel set with the same treatment about to be applied to the second wheel set.
JUNE 2007: Work on this exhibit is progressing at a slow but steady pace. Work on the restoration of the first Tender bogie is now complete. Some needle gunning work has commenced on the Tender Frame to remove blistering paint and rust. Work on the restoration on the second tender bogie has commenced.
CURRENTLY AT THIRLMERE:
partly assembled locomotive with boiler, firebox and driving wheels (awaiting transfer to Valley Heights).
CURRENTLY AT VALLEY HEIGHTS: tender bogies and frame together with the locomotive's cab, main air reservoir, running board components, main steam pipe and many other essential parts.
More information and photos
NSW Rail Transport Museum exhibit notes
Australian Steam - Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under — New South Wales Government Railways
How can you help restore 5711?
$$$ 5711 RESTORATION FUND $$$
You can contribute to the restoration of 5711 by making a Donation to the 5711 Restoration Fund.
Donations of $2.00 or more are Tax Deductible.
NSW RTM — 5711 Restoration Fund
and can be sent to the
PO Box 484,
Springwood NSW 2777.
Stay tuned and thank you for your support.
NEW SOUTH WALES RAIL TRANSPORT MUSEUM
