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Queensland C17 class locomotive

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Queensland Railways C17 class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderNorth Ipswich Railway Workshops (16)
Armstrong Whitworth (25)
Clyde Engineering (20)
Walkers Limited (138)
Evans, Anderson, Phelan & Co (28)
Serial numberAW 850–874,
Clyde 494–497, 499–513, 558,
EAP 158–185,
North Ipswich 83–92, 158–163,
Walkers 319–358, 399–438, 474–485, 492–537
Build date1920–1953
Total produced227
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-8-0
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Driver dia.45 in (1,143 mm)
Length53 ft 5+12 in (16.29 m)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Grate area18.5 sq ft (1.72 m2)
Boiler pressure175 lbf/in2 (1,207 kPa)
Cylinders2 outside
Cylinder size17 in × 22 in (432 mm × 559 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort21,016 lbf (93.5 kN)
Career
OperatorsQueensland Railways
Numbers2, 15, 17, 24, 25, 29, 32, 33, 45, 46, 55, 57, 62, 68, 121, 138, 145-147, 165, 166, 179, 182, 187, 188, 226, 245-259, 261, 263, 264, 308, 705-730, 752-767, 772-791, 802-826, 831-840, 858-863, 917-948, 955-1000
Disposition25 preserved, 202 scrapped

The Queensland Railways C17 class locomotive are a class of 4-8-0 steam locomotives operated by the Queensland Railways.

History

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The C17 class was introduced as an improved version of the C16 class. Per Queensland Railway's classification system they were designated the C17 class, C representing they had four driving axles, and 17 representing the cylinder diameter in inches.

The design was so successful that 227 locomotives were built from 1920 when the first engine Nº 15 entering service through until 1953 when Nº 1000 was delivered. The Commonwealth Railways NM class were of the same design.[1][2][3][4]

They were used to haul Mail trains on lines could not accommodate heavier B18¼ class, also suburban passenger, mixed, goods and branch line trains. Until 1948 they were the heaviest engines that could work north of Mackay. Prior to the introduction of 60 long tons (67 short tons; 61 t) diesel electric locomotives, they were responsible for hauling the air-conditioned Inlander, Midlander and Westlander trains for parts of their respective journeys.

First engines had large steam domes, open cabs and C16 style tenders. Those built from 1938 onwards, commencing with N°858, had small steam domes, sedan cabs with welded tenders and also larger diameter (9+12 in or 241 mm) piston valves. The two types of boilers were occasionally interchanged at overhauls and by later years most of the old style ones had been replaced. The last 40 engines, Nº961 to Nº1000, were fitted with Timken roller bearings and painted brown. They acquired the nickname of Brown Bombers after American boxer Joe Louis. Those overhauled in the last years of steam operations were repainted black. A number of modifications were carried out over their life including the fitting of large mushroom air snifting valves. Several had additional sandboxes and/or rear headlights fitted at various times for working lines where no turning facilities were available.[1][3]

On 5 May 1947, C17 class locomotive 824 left the rails near Camp Mountain on the Dayboro line claiming the lives of 16 people and 38 injured. The Commonwealth Department of Trade & Customs Recreation and Social Club had chartered the train for a picnic at Closeburn. Negotiating a sharp curve at excessive speed caused the tragedy. The locomotive was repaired and continued in service until May 1967 when it was transferred to Injune along the recently closed line.

Preservation

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Twenty-five have been preserved:

References

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  1. ^ a b Armstrong, John (1994). Locomotives in the Tropics Volume 2. Brisbane: Australian Railway Historical Society. pp. 57–63. ISBN 9780909937263.
  2. ^ Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. pp. 77, 146. ISBN 086417778X.
  3. ^ a b Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 172–174. ISBN 9781921719011.
  4. ^ Clark, Peter (2012). An Australian Locomotive Guide. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 9781921719554.
  5. ^ C17 No 2 Australian Steam
  6. ^ C17 No 45 Australian Steam
  7. ^ C17 No 251 Australian Steam
  8. ^ No 253 Australian Steam
  9. ^ No 705 Australian Steam
  10. ^ No 720 Australian Steam
  11. ^ Restoration of C17 720 Australian Railway Historical Society
  12. ^ "Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - C17 No.719". www.australiansteam.com. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  13. ^ No 761 Australian Steam
  14. ^ No 763 Australian Steam
  15. ^ No 802 Australian Steam
  16. ^ No 809 Australian Steam
  17. ^ No 812 Australian Steam
  18. ^ No 819 Australian Steam
  19. ^ "Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - C17 No. 809". www.australiansteam.com. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  20. ^ No 934 Australian Steam
  21. ^ "Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - C17 No. 935". www.australiansteam.com. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  22. ^ No 944 Australian Steam
  23. ^ No 965 Australian Steam
  24. ^ No 966 Australian Steam
  25. ^ No 967 Australian Steam
  26. ^ No 971 Australian Steam
  27. ^ C17 Steam Locomotive No 971 South Downs Steam Railway
  28. ^ Brown Bomber: C17 974 Workshops Rail Museum
  29. ^ No 980 Australian Steam
  30. ^ No 988 Australian Steam
  31. ^ No 996 Australian Steam
  32. ^ No 1000 Australian Steam
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Media related to Queensland C17 class locomotives at Wikimedia Commons