NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS
'C38' class 4-6-2

Designed by NSWGR Chief Mechanical Engineer Harold Young
Built at Clyde Engineering Sydney (first five)
The remaining twenty-five at the Eveleigh and Cardiff Railway Workshops 1943-1949


CYLINDERS (2) 21.5ins x 26ins. (546mm x 660.4mm)
COUPLED WHEEL DIAMETER 69ins. (1,752.6mm)
TOTAL HEATING SURFACE 3,370 square feet. (313m2)
(including superheater)
GRATE AREA 47 square feet. (4.4m2)
BOILER PRESSURE 245 PSI (324kpa)
TRACTIVE EFFORT 36,200lbs. (16,420kg)
TOTAL WEIGHT 201.2 tons (204.4 tonnes)
LENGTH OVERALL 76.5 feet (23,317mm)

The 'C38's' were a very successful machine and were probably the closest comparison in Australia after the war to the then current British and American locomotive technology. The first five were semi-streamlined with bullet nose and full-length cowling concealing the boiler top fittings. The remainder retained a more conventional appearance although they did keep the smooth boiler jacket and skirting below the running plates.

The 38's worked most of the State's premier express trains including the famous 'Newcastle Flyer' and 'Central West Express'. They also regularly ran the 402 miles hauling 450-ton interstate expresses unassisted across the one in 75 ruling grade of The Southern Highlands to Albury.

Despite a modest (when compared to overseas passenger locomotives) 69 inch coupled wheel diameter, the 38's were certainly able to run fast being unofficially timed on numerous occasions at speeds in excess of 80 mph when needing to make up time.

After 1955, diesel electrics began to make their presence felt and the opportunities for the 38's to continue to haul frontline expresses quickly diminished. They were mainly relegated to freight workings but on some occasions found themselves on the 'Flyer' as well as the 'Western Mail' between Lithgow and Orange and other passenger services on The Main South Line.

As mechanical problems appeared after 1965 the 38's were gradually withdrawn from service, the last being 3820 retired at Broadmeadow in December 1970. Only three remain intact. 3801 and 3830 both restored and fully operational with the Heritage Train Organization 3801 Ltd., and 3820 on display at the Thirlmere Rail Transport Museum.