2255) "SA Railways No. 504 'Tom Barr Smith' ", Australia: "STEAM POWER - Australian Rail Heritage" - Steam Engines Coin Series": Sixth Coin in the 50 Cents Coin Series features the iconic Steam Engine introduced into operation on 18.10.1926: Year of Coin issue: 2022:
"Australian Rail Heritage Coin Series" brings together seven iconic locomotives to celebrate the golden age of Australian Steam Engines.
Covering more than a century of steam travel, the story of the railways opening up the country and putting Australia on a path to federation and a modern nation is presented on this Coin Series.
The Sixth Coin features the "No. 504, Steam Locomotive/Engine - called "Tom Barr Smith":
This was a South Australian Railways (SAR) Steam Locomotive built by Builders W.G. Armstrong-Whitworth & Co., Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. Its designer was F.J. Shea.
No.504 was commissioned on 18.10.1926 as part of an ambitious plan to upgrade the South Australian Railways (SAR).
Its Class of locomotives had ten units in all numbered 500 to 509. The locomotive could attain a maximum speed of 50 mph (or 80 kmph).
Designed to tackle steep climbs with ease, it went on to haul the famous Overland train for decades.
A historical Brief:
From the mid-1880s, when the South Australian Railways Nairne Railway (later to become the first section of the Main South Line) began its push Southward from Adelaide, the Mt. Lofty Ranges posed immediate problems for the construction and mechanical engineers of the day.
The rails had to climb 1534 feet (468 metres) in 19.4 miles (31.2 kilometres) and pass through eight tunnels to reach the summit at Mt. Lofty. Therefore, locomotives of sufficient power to conquer the 1 in 45 grades had to be designed and built.
The four Baldwin-built locomotives ordered for this purpose were soon found to be unsuited, and the small K-class 0-6-4Ts, usually working in pairs, were forced to handle the traffic for a while.
The first of the R-class arrived in 1886 and, later re-built to become the more powerful Rx-class, they worked all major south line trains until the 1920s.
As traffic increased these engines had also to be worked in pairs with, sometimes, a third pushing in the rear.
Around 1920, a half-hearted attempt was made at designing a more powerful locomotive.
W. A. (Bill) Webb had come from the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad to rehabilitate an ailing SAR, and one of his first tasks was to upgrade its motive power. This job was given to his Chief Mechanical Engineer, Fred Shea, who set about designing three classes of very powerful locomotives, the likes of which had not before been seen in South Australia. They were the 500, 600 and 700 classes.
The 500-class 4-8-2 was a machine of magnificent size and power and was to immediately capture the imaginations of South Australians.
At 225,304 kg and exerting a tractive effort of 51,000 lbs, it was almost two-and-a-half times more powerful than the Rx-class. Whereas an Rx unaided could haul 190,000 kg over Mt. Lofty, the 500s could lift 400,000 kg - later increased to 450,000 kg.
In a constant quest for more power it was decided to equip the 500s with boosters (small auxiliary steam engines). This necessitated the replacement of the two-wheel trailing truck with one of four wheels. The booster contributed an extra 8,000 lbs to the tractive effort and permitted an increase in the engine load over Mt. Lofty to 540,000kg. The 500s were now 4-8-4s and were reclassified 500B.
No.504 was modified and reissued to traffic on 23.08.1929.
During the 1930s the 500s underwent yet another change in appearance when they were semi-streamlined after the style of the Southern Pacific’s (USA) GS-2 class "Daylights", and with their silvered smokebox doors they soon became known as "Palefaces".
They provided the head-end power for The Overland between Adelaide and Tailem Bend for 30 years.
They were permitted a maximum load of 11 E-class Joint Stock cars, and the sight and sound of them blasting upgrade presented a truly magnificent spectacle. In addition, together with the 720B-class 2-8-4s, they hauled most south line freight trains with occasional turns on the Terowie and Port Pirie lines.
With the introduction of the 900-class diesel electrics in the early 1950s, the 500Bs began to relinquish their exalted status and by the early 1960s only Nos.500 and 504 remained available for traffic.
Condemned and placed in a Museum:
Both No. 500 and 504 were used for a time on ARHS excursions, but 504 was earmarked for preservation. It was written off on 09.07.1962 and placed in the Douglas Colquhoun Collection, National Railway Museum (Mile End Railway Museum) on 23.07.1965. It is presently owned by the History Trust of South Australia.
The Coin featuring - the iconic "SA - SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS 500 CLASS No. 504 TOM BARR SMITH Steam Locomotive/Engine:
The Folder containing the Coin and a description of its history and how it helped shape modern day Australia
The Obverse of the 50 Cents Uncirculated Coin depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The peripheral inscription reads -"ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 50 CENTS".
The specifications of this Coin are:
Country of issue: Australia; Year: 2022; Coin Series Theme: "Steam Power - Australia's Railway Heritage"; Coin Theme: "SA No. 504 TOM BARR SMITH - Steam Engine"; Denomination/Face Value: 50 Cents; Weight: 15.55 grams; Diameter/Size: 31.51 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated; Coin Folder: Coloured Uncirculated Coin and Folder, Coin Card; Minted By: Royal Australian Mint: Mintage: 20,000 pieces.
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Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Nice theme👍"
Thank you Trikha sahab.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Informative post, thanks for sharing."
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
DeleteVinod Khurana has commented:
ReplyDelete"Informative post."
Thank you, Vinodji.
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