Locomotive 1243 is the oldest surviving locally built locomotive being one of the "Australian eight wheeler" locomotives built at the Atlas Engineering Company Works, Sydney for the expanding New South Wales Government Railways express passenger services.
History
During the 1870s the Government came under pressure to provide work for colonial industry and the manufacture of railway locomotives was investigated. The Department of Public Works, Railway Branch awarded a contract for construction of engines based on a pattern engine and design drawings supplied by the Railway Branch. At that time it was the largest single manufacturing order in Australia. Trials of the first locomotive produced at Atlas Engineering Co commenced on 11 January 1882. Locomotive 1243 was completed the following week with the only imported components of the engine being the steel axles and wheels. 1243 entered service as an express locomotive working passenger and mail mainline services throughout the state although it was later relegated to other services towards the end of its service life.
Preservation
By 1954 only ten of the original 68 Z12 class engines remained in service. In 1955 the locomotive was restored to its original livery for the NSW Railways centenary celebrations at Sydney Central Station and for special 'Vintage Train’ excursions run by NSWGR. In 1958 1219 was originally set aside for the Powerhouse Museum transport collection. but later replaced with 1243. In 1969 a repainted 1243 in its green livery was used in making the 1970 filmNed Kelly running on the closed Captains Flat railway line with buildings simulating Glenrowan railway station. Until 1982 1243 was used as an operational exhibit for the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum when it was restored to original condition with short smokebox and low-side tender. In 1988 1243 was placed on permanent display at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, New South Wales
Gallery
Photographs courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
