5917

Locomotive 5917 is a two-cylinder, simple, non-condensing, superheated, coal-fired, 2-8-2 ‘Mikado' steam locomotive and one of five D59 class locomotives that were preserved.

In service

Locomotive 5917 was built in the United States by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) entering service on 12 March 1953. It was originally built as an oil-burning locomotive which was the NSWGR's original plan when it was submitted to the builders during a coal shortage in New South Wales. It was later converted to a Coal burner. 5917 was used for freight haulage during its NSWGR service right up to its withdrawal.

Demise and preservation

On 16 August 1972 the locomotive was withdrawn from service.^[1] and stored at Enfield Locomotive Depot. 5917 was stored in the open on the east side of Enfield No 3 turntable, until mid-1974, when it was moved into Enfield No 1 Shed for preliminary work following purchase by a syndicate of enthusiasts.

Ownership passed to the '5917 Society' being operated and maintained by the Lachlan Valley Railway. It was moved out of storage at Enfield on 22 October 1974, when it hauled 3046 and 3090T to the Rhonda Colliery site of the Hunter Valley Steam Railway & Museum. During 1976, 5917 steamed to Peterborough, South Australia, for an important anniversary there.

In January 1978, 5917 was used on Festival of Sydney trains to Kiama. It was withdrawn in the late 1980s and restored at Cowra returning to service in September 2007. It was leased to 3801 Limited for some steam tours during 2008/09. 5917 was taken out of service during April 2009 where major boiler work and running repairs commenced on the locomotive at Eveleigh Railway Workshops. A boiler inspection and steam test was held at Eveleigh in November 2013. 5917 passed the test, had a successful trial in the early hours of 4 April 2014, and returned to service on 5 April 2014 for a private charter.

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