3801

3801

3801 in October 2005 with Newcastle Flyer headboard

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Clyde Engineering Build date 1943

Specifications Configuration 4-6-2 UIC class 2′C1′ h Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 9 in (1.753 m) Wheelbase 65 ft 7 1⁄8 in (19.99 m) Total weight 201 long tons (204.2 t) when in steam Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 14 long tons (14.2 t) Water cap 8,100 imp gal (36,800 l; 9,730 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 47 sq ft (4.4 m2) Boiler pressure as built: 245 lbf/in2 (1.69 MPa) as restored: 215 lbf/in2 (1.48 MPa) The New Boiler: 245 lbf/in2 (1.69 MPa) Heating surface 3,367.79 sq ft (312.878 m2)  • Tubes 142 tubes, 2.25 in (57 mm) dia each  • Flues 36 flues, 5.5 in (140 mm) dia each Superheater 36 element Cylinders 2 outside Cylinder size 21.5 in × 26 in (546 mm × 660 mm)

Performance figures Tractive effort as built: 36,200 lbf (161.0 kN) as restored: 31,767 lbf (141.3 kN)

Career Operators New South Wales Government Railways Class 38 class Number in class 1st of 30 Numbers 3801 Nicknames The Grey Nurse Locale New South Wales, Australia First run January 1943 Withdrawn December 1976 Disposition Under overhaul

3801 (pronounced Thirty-eight o-one) is a 4-6-2 steam locomotive operated by the New South Wales Government Railways between 1943 and 1976. It is arguably Australia's most famous steam locomotive, being the only one to have visited all main line states and territories.

3801 was built in 1943 by Clyde Engineering as the first of 30 38 class locomotives built to haul express trains. The first five were built by Clyde Engineering to a streamlined design, whilst the later 25 locomotives in the class were built by Eveleigh and Cardiff Locomotive Workshops and were unstreamlined.

The 38 class were first conceived in 1938. They suffered many delays during construction due to material shortages caused by World War II. 3801 was the first engine completed late 1942 and entered service on 22 January 1943 to little fanfare. It became known at the time as the Grey Nurse due to its drab, all grey colour scheme, a wartime economy.

On 25 February 1943, 3801 worked the Newcastle Flyer for the first time. When joined by 3802 in April 1943, these engines were allotted to working the Melbourne Limited expresses between Sydney and Goulburn. In early 1947 3801 was given a heavy overhaul and was painted in its standard colour scheme of green with yellow lining. A Waratah emblem was added to the top of the nose cone in later years. In 1955 3801 was overhauled again, being painted black with red lining as a cost-cutting measure. It was around this time that diesel locomotives started appearing on the rails of NSW. These would take the "glamour workings" away from the 38 class, who would be confined to all-stations passenger and even goods trains. In December 1956 3801 was the first in its class to accrue 1 million miles (1.61 million kilometres).