NSWGR locomotives

During episodes that take place in New South Wales, Australia, **locomotives of New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR)** appear as they had worked with Clyde.

## Amaranth

### Designer

Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton

**Amaranth**, formerly know by her number **5909**, is a large American-built heavy goods locomotive that operated out of Newcastle for NSWGR. She was one of Clyde's closest friends during the 1950s and 1960s.

### Bio

No. 5909 was built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton (formerly known as the Baldwin Locomotive Company) in 1952 as an oil burner to relieve the motive power shortage of NSWGR following WWII. Her design was based on a USATC design but with some modifications for the NSW loading gauge and she was the ninth member of the class built. She was allocated to Broadmeadow where she handled coal trains of the Hunter Valley via the mainline connections of the South Maitland (SMR Ply Ltd) at South Greta and the Richmond Vale Railway (RVR) at Hexham. After she was converted to a coal burner in the early 1960s, No. 5909 was egged on by 30T 4-6-0 No. 3010 (Clyde) to get a name to suit this change.

Sometime in 1963, No. 5909 finally chose her name which was 'Amaranth', a name which refers a flower than never fades. A year later, she and Clyde saved a passenger train headed by NSWGR 44 class diesel-electric No. 4490 when his brakes (both dynamic and independent) failed and the two had to prevent disaster, despite the same diesel insulting them minutes earlier. In 1966, during the near final years of NSWGR steam, heritage locomotives George (No. 1243) and Victoria (No. 1709) decided to play a trick on her and Clyde for not believing their story of the ghost N class 0-6-0T, which they referred to as the "ghost Aussie Terrier". Amaranth encountered the real ghost at Fassifern and began to respect the older locomotives.

Amaranth was withdrawn in 1970 and was scrapped.

### Personality

Amaranth has what is known as an "unfading" personality.

### Livery

Amaranth is painted in NSWGR unlined black with brass numbers on her cab.

### Basis or real locomotive

Amaranth is based on the real locomotive. It was one of 20 NSWGR 59 class 2-8-2s, based on the United States Army Transportation Corps (USATC) S200 2-8-2s of 1942, and were introduced as oil burners. They were built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton from August 1952 to March 1953 and were numbered 5901-5920. They mostly worked around the Main North and North Coast lines of the NSWGR system but occationally when into the Sydney metropolitan system when oil-fired. From 1961, a few were converted to coal-firing based on the ashpan of the 38 class 4-6-2s while three remained as oil burners. They mostly worked on the out areas of NSW while mostly based at Enfield and Broadmeadow MPDs. Withdrawals began in 1969 and the last one was withdrawn in 1972 with five preserved.

No. 5909 was built as an oil burner in 1952 and converted to a coal burner in the early 1960s. It was withdrawn in the 1970s and was scrapped.

### Trivia

Amaranth's name means 'unfading' in Greek. This reflects her "unfading" personality.

* Amaranth is actually named after a song by Nightwish of the same name.

Amaranth is the first character introduced into the series to be a 2-8-2 tender locomotive outside of the USA.

Amaranth features an American accent, which is a reference to her American origins.

Amaranth was going to have cab shots in Trainz: A New Era but was scrapped because of lag problems.

## George

### Designer

Beyer, Peacock & Company

**George** is an old tender locomotive that once handled passenger trains on NSWGR. He now hauls 'Vintage Train' excursions for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM) and NSWGR with Victoria.

### Bio

George was built locally at Pyrmont, Sydney, by Atlas Engineering Company for NSWGR in 1882 as the company's second ever locomotive. He entered service as **No. 176** that year and saw heavy express work in his early years. Following the coronation of King George V in 1911, No. 176 decided to name himself after the new monarch of the British Empire to make him more of an express locomotive, and to try and win favour with the locals. George was mostly worked on branchline duties after the introduction of the more powerful 35 class of 1917 and became a celebrity for being painted into one of his old liveries.

In the 1960s, George (then numbered '1243') was hauling his usual NSWGR 'Vintage Train' excursions with 17 class 4-4-0 Victoria while visiting the Newcastle area. He and Victoria decided to tell the local Broadmeadow depot locomotives a ghost story around one of the old NSWGR N class tank engines, which they nicknamed "Aussie Terriers", that was once based at Broadmeadow. George and Victoria decided to get Clyde and Amaranth back for not believing their story so created a plan to scare them. George's part of the plan worked by scaring Clyde while he was pulling a small commuter train out of Newcastle, which he was pushing a line of wagons.

### Personality

George is a wise engine but can be pretty cleaver at planning and playing pranks or jokes on others.

### Livery

George is painted in NSWGR Lined Green with white numbers painted on his tender and cab.

### Basis or real locomotive

George is based on the real locomotive. It was one of 68 members of the NSWGR 79 class 4-4-0s, based on the Metropolitan Railway A class 4-4-0T, built between 1877 to 1882 by Beyer, Peacock & Company (34) and Dubs & Company (26) of the UK and Atlas Engineering Company (8) of Pyrmont in Sydney, Australia, for express duties. They were reclassified as the C class in 1890 and replaced on their primary duties by the new P class 4-6-0s of 1892 and placed on secondary and branchline duties while 20 were rebuilt to CC claass 4-4-2Ts between 1896 and 1902. They were reclassified again as the 12 class in 1924 with the tank engine rebuilds as the 13 class. Withdrawals began in the 1930s but two were kept with a few other vintage locomotives and used on the 'Vintage Train' excursions run by NSWGR. Three have been preserved.

No. 1243 was built by Atlas Engineering Company in 1882 to support local industry and was one of the locomotives used on the 'Vintage Train' railtours. It is now on static display at the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo.

### Trivia

George is named after King George V, who was the monarch of the British Empire from 1911 to 1936.

George is the 2nd locomotive ever built by Atlas Engineering Company of Pyrmont, Sydney and one of eight 12 class 4-4-0s built by the company. This lead to him having the nickname "Australian Eight Wheeler".

George has an Australian accent, which is a reference to him being built in Australia instead being assembled in Australia from the UK.

George is seen as the "mastermind of extreme pranks and jokes" due to his "childish" side and to get a good laugh out of frightening or humiliating younger locomotives.

George is the only character created by Shane Sowter to feature a monobrow and is the only known locomotive with this feature.

George's face is inspired by the "elderly face" mask created for Thomas as a joke during production of 'Thomas & The Magic Railroad' in 2000 but with most of the wrinkles removed and lightened.

* This face mask later lead to the creepypasta story known as "Timothy the Ghost Engine".
* His face's basis could be the inspiration for him being a jokester and a prankster.

George is paired with an ex-P/36 class 4-6-0 tender instead of his original tender.

## Victoria

### Designer

Vulcan Foundry

**Victoria** is an old tender locomotive that once handled passenger trains on NSWGR. She now hauls 'Vintage Train' excursions for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM) and NSWGR with George.

### Bio

Victoria was built by the Vulcan Foundry of Newton-le-Williows, Lancashire in 1887 as **No. 381** for New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) on passenger duties. In her early years, she became a target by Australian built 4-4-0 No. 176 and his endless pranks on younger locomotives or new arrivals. No. 381 was renumbered as **No. 1709** in 1924 and named herself after the former queen she was built under and worked on branchliness for most of her late service life.

Victoria was retained for usage on the 'Vintage Train' specials with other elderly tender engines of NSWGR's fleet, which one of them was the engine that played pranks on her in her youth, none other than No. 1243, formerly known as No. 176 and now named George. The two began trusting each other even played along Victoria soon played along with George's infamous pranks and jokes, which always ended in the way they wanted it to go.

### Personality

Victoria is a posh engine but has a youthful personality.

### Livery

Victoria is painted in NSWGR Lined Maroon with brass numbers on her cab.

### Basis or real locomotive

Victoria is based on the real locomotive. It was one of 12 members of the NSWGR 373 class built by Vulcan Foundry from 1886 to 1887 for express passenger work. They were reclassified as the H class in 1890 and replaced on express trains by the P class 4-6-0s of 1892. The class was still in service by 1924 where they were reclassified again by NSWGR as the 17 class. Withdrawals of the class began in 1934 but the last wasn't withdrawn until 40 years later in 1974. One has been preserved.

No. 1709 was built in 1887 and was one of the locomotives used on the 'Vintage Train' railtours. It is currently on static display at the NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere.

### Trivia

Victoria is named after Queen Victoria, who ruled the British empire from 1837 to her death in January 1901.

Originally, Victoria was on the other end of George's usual jokes and pranks but since hauling the 'Vintage Train', she has helped him on occasion.

Victoria is paired with an ex-P/32 class 4-6-0 six-wheel tender instead of her original tender.

Victoria's face was inspired by Rosie from Thomas & Friends.

## No. 5027

### Designer

William Thow

**No. 5027** is an old heavy goods engine that is based at Broadmeadow depot, Newcastle. He normally handles coal trains in the Hunter Valley.

### Bio

No. 5027 was built by Beyer Peacock sometime between 1896 and 1900 for heavy goods work for New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) and worked mostly from Broadmeadow depot, near Newcastle, NSW. In the 1960s, he handled with Amaranth the coal trains of the Hunter Valley via the mainline connections of the South Maitland (SMR Ply Ltd) at South Greta and the Richmond Vale Railway (RVR) at Hexham. In 1966, No. 5027 was double-heading a goods train to Enfield with Amaranth when they saw a figure of a tank engine in the Toronto platform of Fassifern station and was nearly derailed when she freaked out over the tank engine which according to him, "which didn't look solid".

Nothing has been heard from No. 5027 since and brings the conclusion that he was scrapped in the late 1960s.

### Personality

It appears No. 5027 was a wise engine due to his age.

### Livery

No. 5027 is painted in NSWGR Unlined Black with brass numbers on his cab.

### Basis or real locomotive

No. 5027 is based on the real locomotive. It was one of 280 T class 2-8-0s designed by William Thow for NSWGR and were built by Beyer, Peacock & Company (151), Neilson Reid & Company (10), Dubs & Company (5), the North British Locomotive Company (84) in the UK and Clyde Engineering (30) of NSW, Australia between 1896 and 1916, with only 270 being delivered to NSWGR before the final ten by the NBL, were taken into ROD stock. They were reclassified as the '50 class in 1924 and withdrawals began as early as 1932 with 72 being used to load test the newly-built Sydney Harbour Bridge with 14 later getting superheating. Further withdrawals occurred in the 1960s and four have been preserved. The 50 class were the basis design of the TF (53) and K (55) class 2-8-0s of 1912 and 1918 respectively.

No. 5027 was one of the 151 engines built by Beyer, Peacock & Co. of Gorton, Manchester.

### Trivia

No. 5027 has never been named in production.

No. 5027 is the first character introduced into the series to feature four flangeless driving wheels.

No. 5027's model is a renumbered and weathered Eureka Models superheated NSWGR 50 class with a kit-built tender.

No. 5027 is paired with what is known as a NSWGR "Wampu" bogie tender instead of his original tender. This is accurate since some 50 class 2-8-0s were paired with Wampu tenders in their later service years.

* It's unknown if the real No. 5027 was paired with this type of tender.

## N class

### Designer

William Stroudley

The **N class** is a tank engine that once worked for NSWGR until withdrawn in the 1920s. He or she appeared to once worked on the Fassifern-Toronto branchline before his/her scrapping.

### Bio

The bio behind this engine is known since he or she has long since been deceased. What can be said is that the N class was built in 1875 and based on the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) infamous A, later A1, class "Terrier" 0-6-0T but wasn't successful along with the seven other members of the class unlike their English basis, which lead to him or her being withdrawn and scrapped in the 1920s.

His or her ghost appeared at Fassifern station when Aramanth and No. 5029 were passing through the station on a heavy goods train for Enfield yards, Western Sydney. Aramanth got frightened and nearly derailed hers and No. 5027's goods train. The Standard Goods later said to George and Victoria the next day that the figure at Fassifern "didn't look solid".

### Livery

The N class appears to be painted in NSWGR Lined Black with a copper-capped chimney.

### Basis or real locomotive

The N class is on a real NSWGR N class 0-6-0T. Eight were built in 1875 locally for NSWGR based on drawings of the LBSCR's world famous A1 class "Terriers" from 1872 but they did not meet requirements or expectations due to the different conditions of Australia to the United Kingdom. They were made redundant for NSWGR service in the 1890s (much like the Terriers) but they were kept around until the 1930s, when the last one was withdrawn as a "coal grap" and scrapped. None have been preserved but the LBSCR A1 "Terrier" still exists and is the closest thing to a N class.

### Trivia

The N class is simply made from Hornby A1 Terrier that has been repainted with its cab and bunker out of shot.

According to George, Victoria was going to propel a wagon dressed up to resemble a N class, but that wagon was at Maitland with Victoria that night.

The N class' condition is based upon a photograph of No. 69 while working at Burrinjuck Dam in the 1920s.

It appears No. 5027 and the N class knew each other since he knew who it was when he saw the ghostly tank engine.

Shane Sowter refers to this class as "Aussie Terriers" due to their connection and resemblance to the LBSCR Terriers.

It appears this N class once worked on the Fassifern-Toronto branchline west of Newcastle.

## No. 3806

### Designer

Harold Young

**No. 3806** is a large express locomotive that works for NSWGR. He is known for hauling the Newcastle Flyer between Sydney and Newcastle and is one of the flagships of NSWGR's fleet.

### Bio

No. 3806 was built at Eveleigh Works of Sydney, New South Wales, in 1947 as one of 25 non-streamlined 38 class Pacifics following five streamliners from Clyde Engineering. He originally had a green smokebox opposed to a black one from 1948 to 1955. He mostly handled express trains over long distances after replacing most of the "outdated and obsolete" 35 and 36 class 4-6-0s which were based on Great Western Railway (GWR, UK) practice.

By the 1960s, diesels such as the new 44 class had taken over most of No. 3806's express trains and he had begun heading goods trains despite hating them being an express locomotive.

### Personality

No. 3806 is normally a stubborn due to him being an express locomotive.

### Livery

No. 3806 is painted in NSWGR Lined Green with brass numbers on his cab and a grey cab roof.

### Trivia

No. 3806's model is a Australian Railway Models (ARM) 38 class, first released in 2020.

## No. 1901

**No. 1901** is an old goods engine who worked as a shunter at Broadmeadow depot in Newcastle, Australia. He is the shed's oldest resident and was nearly 100 years old.

### Bio

No. 1901 was built in the UK in the 1870s for goods traffic but was placed on shunting duties following the introduction of larger and more powerful locomotives. By the 1960s, No. 1901 was working at Broadmeadow as a shunter as that is what his class is now good for but occasionally works on the Dorrigo branchline. He (unknowingly) assisted George with his prank on Clyde by organising the wagons George later bumped.

### Persona

No. 1901 is a wise engine but can make the odd mistake due to his age.

### Livery

No. 1901 is painted in NSWGR unlined black.

## Set U2

Set U2, commonly nicknamed "U-boat 2", as an interurban electric multiple unit seen at Central station on January 18th, 1977. He was seen lashing out at Clyde for arriving Tulloch trailers.

### Bio

Little is known about Set U2's history as he was built by Commonwealth Engineering (Comeng) between 1957 and 1960 for interurban services on the recently electrified route to the Blue Mountains. On the morning of January 18th, 1977, Set U2 spotted Clyde reversing in with eight Tulloch double-decker trailer cars and lashed out at the steam locomotive for think he "stole" them from the Red Rattlers. This was followed by calling out that Clyde was meant to be scrapped but was cut off mid-sentence by Clyde, resulting him being "roasted" by the older locomotive. He was last seen yelling at Clyde to get out of his sights.

Little is known of fate afterwards but there is a chance that he and his trailer cars were scrapped following the withdrawal of the U Set in November 1996.

### Personality

Set U2 appears to be rather rude to steam locomotives, possibly due to him being more modern.

### Livery

Set U2 is unpainted with yellow lettering on his sides.

### Basis or real locomotive

Set U2 is based of a NSWGR U Set EMU. 40 motor/power car, 20 trailer and 12 non-smoking trailer cars were built by Commonwealth Engineering (Comeng) of Granville, NSW, to form four-car trains for interurban work between Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

### Trivia

Set U2's nickname "U-boat 2" is a reference to the U Set's nickname as their designation is shared with the German military submarines of World Wars One and Two.

Set U2's designation is play on words of the phrase "You too."

Set U2's model is an unmodified Minimodels/ Berg's Hobbies model featuring Beclawat windows .

## 4402 and 4403

**No. 4402 and 4403** are a pair of NSWGR 44 class diesel locomotives seen at Central station on January 18th, 1977.