Author: Richard Barrack
Publisher: Train Hobby Publications
Publication Year: 2014
Format: Softcover, Landscape
Pages: 56
Photography: All colour
Condition: New

Locomotive Profile: New South Wales Railways D53 Class is a large-format photographic profile dedicated to the D53 class 2-8-0 steam locomotives, a key branch-line and mainline workhorse of the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR). Compiled by Richard Barrack, this volume captures the design, operation, and evolution of one of NSW’s most historically significant steam locomotive classes.

The D53 class was introduced as an improved version of the T class, with all coupled wheels flanged and lateral movement built into the middle pairs via a knuckle joint in the coupling rods. Clyde Engineering delivered the first locomotive in April 1912, with a total of 190 locomotives in service by November 1917. Most were fitted with superheaters, with some later upgraded, and 24 received balanced coupled wheels for higher-speed service on mail and fruit trains.

Originally paired with standard bogie tenders similar to the 50 Class, some D53s were later fitted with large “Wampu” tenders or larger turret-style tenders. In their later years, a number were used as heavy shunting locomotives, with automatic couplers added from 1963. Following modifications such as removal of knuckle joints and standardised boilers, the D53 became highly reliable and versatile across NSW rail operations.

Withdrawals began in the 1930s for non-superheated examples, with the last D53 withdrawn in January 1973. The design also inspired the Commonwealth Railways KA class for the Trans-Australian Railway. Three D53 locomotives have been preserved, making this class particularly significant for Australian railway heritage.

Presented as a 56-page, all-colour, landscape-format big-picture album, this book is a valuable reference for NSW railway historians, steam enthusiasts, modellers, and collectors.