Monarch of the Mountains
New South Wales Government Railways 'D57' class 4-8-2

Designed by Chief Mechanical Engineer E.E. Lucy
Built at Clyde Engineering Sydney 1929-1930

CYLINDERS (3) 21.5ins x 28ins. (546mm x 711mm)
COUPLED WHEEL DIAMETER 60ins. (1,524mm)
TOTAL HEATING SURFACE
(including superheater) 4,163 square feet. (386.7m²)
GRATE AREA 65 square feet. (6m²)
BOILER PRESSURE 200 PSI (1,379kpa)
TRACTIVE EFFORT 64,327lbs. (29,178kg)
TOTAL WEIGHT 227.75 tons (231.4 tonnes)
LENGTH OVERALL 87 feet 7 ins (26,695mm)

In the mid 1920's it became evident big power was needed to shift the ever increasing freight loads. The NSWGR decided to adopt American practice and in 1929 introduced 25 large 4-8-2 'mountain type' locomotives. Having a 67 percent increase in tractive effort over the existing standard goods classes, the D57's revolutionized heavy haulage through the Blue Mountains to Lithgow and the Southern Highlands as far as Junee.

A significant feature of these giants was the incorporation of 3 cylinders. Two sets of Walschaerts gear driving the outside pair whilst the inside cylinder was actuated by Gresley rocking levers. Restricted in their route availability due to heavy axle loadings the D57's were Australia's most powerful non-articulated steam locomotives. They made quite a spectacle as they shifted heavy coal trains over the mountains, sometimes teamed up with as many as three standard goods types.

In 1957 the Lithgow line was electrified eliminating the D57's from their major task, this combined with progressive dieselisation saw them gradually withdrawn from service.

The last one to go was 5711 in 1962. Fortunately this loco was retained and is now a static exhibit at the Thirlmere Rail Transport Museum.