The NSW Rail Museum, a museum based in New South Wales, Australia, has announced that their engine, New South Wales C35 Class No.3526, has been out on mainline trials.

3526 has recently seen a number of repairs and modifications performed, the main one being the lubrication system for the locomotive being overhauled.

To ensure all work has been successful, a mainline test was organised and run.

The route saw 3526 run from the NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere to Chullora, returning back to the museum later on the same day.

About 3526

Entering service in 1917, 3526 belonged to a class of 35 two-cylindered 4-6-0s known as C35 Class, built at Eveleigh Railway Workshops for the New South Wales Government Railways. One of the biggest highlights in the engine’s career was being repainted Caledonian Blue to haul the “Caves Express” in the 1930s. Heavy repairs were carried out in 1940 to replace a worn-out frame along with adding a new boiler and rebalancing the coupled wheels. The 36 Class replaced the C35 Class, with the 35 engines being transferred to other lines. Introduction of diesels saw the end of the class, with the last class member being withdrawn in 1968.

3526 shortly after withdrawal was preserved, with the NSW Rail Museum looking after the locomotive, which is now the only class member left. The engine ran until 1975 when it was taken out of traffic. Restoration took place in the 1990s, with 3526 returning to service during 2004. When removed from traffic for tender repairs in 2014, an examination of the engine found a full overhaul of both locomotive and tender would be needed, which lasted for four years, with 3526 back in steam for 2018’s Thirlmere Festival of Steam.

For more information or to support the NSW Rail Museum, please visit their website here.

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