Sydney Ferries 0-4-0ST No. 103A
Valley Heights, New South Wales, Australia
Location: Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum
Status: Operational
Related Notes
Photo Copyright © Robin R Beck
Here are the notes for Sydney Ferries No. 103A, a 0-4-0ST located in Valley Heights, New South Wales. If you have additional information about this locomotive, and would like to share it, click the Add Note button.

Posted: Jul 12, 2018 @ 13:07:59 by Robin R Beck
Number 103A originally ran on the NSWGT system, one of 90 Baldwin steam trams operating in Sydney. With the closure of the last Sydney government steam tramway in 1937 it was sold along with two other locos to Sydney Ferries to run on there Parramatta Tramway. It operated on this line until line closure on 31st March 1943 then moved to Waddingtons at Granville. Waddingtons was company making bus bodies & railcars. There it was used as a yard shunter. In 1954 it was sold to the tramway preservation group at Parramatta Park where it ran passenger trains on there park tramway.

An arson attack at the park loco shed in 1993 destroyed nearly all their collection. 103A lost all its woodwork, but no major structural damage. The group moved their locos to Valley Heights Roundhouse Museum. 103A now hauls a passenger carriage at least 2 Sundays a month, at first on an internal short track but now on a track which runs alongside the mainline travelling from the museum to just past Valley Heights railway station. The story of Parramatta Tramway. In 1883 a private company opened a 3 mile steam tramway from George Street, Parramatta to a ferry landing at Redbank wharfe on Duck River offering a quicker journey to Sydney. The steam trams used coke, to prevent pollution. The line not only carried passengers and parcels but served various industrial sidings. In 1900 the line was bought by Sydney ferries. Only nine locos worked the line, mostly second hand.

For various reasons the line finally closed in 1943. The three remaining steam locos, which included 103A were put up for sale.