Description

The Big Engines NSWGR locomotives by Ian Black is the ultimate guide for railway historians, modelers, and enthusiasts interested in Australia’s most powerful steam goods locomotives. This detailed book focuses on the D57, D58, D59, and AD60 locomotives of the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR), commonly referred to as the “Big Engines,” and explores their history, technical specifications, and modelling possibilities.

Following on from his previous book, The Standard Goods, Black highlights how these Big Engines NSWGR locomotives revolutionized goods transport in New South Wales, reducing the need for double heading on steep gradients and handling increasingly heavy freight during the mid-20th century. Featuring reference photographs, tractive effort charts, and scale modelling details, this book provides everything a modeller or historian needs to understand these iconic machines.

In addition to the NSWGR locomotives, the book examines the response of other Australian railway systems to the demand for larger, more powerful engines. Readers will find detailed coverage of Victoria’s C, N, X, and H classes, South Australia’s 500–750 classes, Western Australia’s S and V classes, Queensland’s Beyer Garratts, and Tasmania’s L, Q, and H classes. Non-government railways such as the Emu Bay Railway, Broken Hill Proprietary, and South Maitland Railway are also included.

For modelers, Ian Black provides insight into the availability of HO scale and other models for each Big Engines NSWGR locomotive, making it easier than ever to recreate Australia’s historic goods trains. The book also contains internal reference tables, photo sources, and a discussion of the Australian Standard Garratt for enthusiasts looking to expand their collections.

Whether you’re exploring railway history, collecting models, or studying engineering achievements, The Big Engines NSWGR locomotives is an indispensable resource for understanding and appreciating Australia’s largest steam locomotives.