Heavy Harry, a Second Look
This Victorian Railways H Class 4-8-4 engine (H220, "Heavy Harry") was the largest steam locomotive ever built in Australia, and the only one of its kind, production being interrupted by WWII. This view gives a better impression of Harry's brute power than my earlier posting did...
It was especially designed to cater for a steep and winding section of the interstate run between Melbourne and Adelaide, both of which used the Irish broad gauge of 5’ 3”. However, it was never used on that run because wartime restrictions prevented necessary strengthening of bridges along the route. Similarly, intended streamlining was never carried out. Its design incorporated then 'state of the art' ideas from Germany and the US. It was the first VR engine to have a mechanical stoker, and the size of the coal tender suggests that might have been essential.
Heavy Harry resides in the Newport Railways Museum in Melbourne, on the site of the original workshops where it was built. The museum is run entirely by volunteers, so it is unfair to complain of the fact that it can be very difficult to get a good vantage point for photography of the exhibits.
Heavy Harry, a Second Look
This Victorian Railways H Class 4-8-4 engine (H220, "Heavy Harry") was the largest steam locomotive ever built in Australia, and the only one of its kind, production being interrupted by WWII. This view gives a better impression of Harry's brute power than my earlier posting did...
It was especially designed to cater for a steep and winding section of the interstate run between Melbourne and Adelaide, both of which used the Irish broad gauge of 5’ 3”. However, it was never used on that run because wartime restrictions prevented necessary strengthening of bridges along the route. Similarly, intended streamlining was never carried out. Its design incorporated then 'state of the art' ideas from Germany and the US. It was the first VR engine to have a mechanical stoker, and the size of the coal tender suggests that might have been essential.
Heavy Harry resides in the Newport Railways Museum in Melbourne, on the site of the original workshops where it was built. The museum is run entirely by volunteers, so it is unfair to complain of the fact that it can be very difficult to get a good vantage point for photography of the exhibits.