Victorian Railways 0-6-0T No. Z 526
Spotswood, Victoria, Australia 		Location: Scienceworks Museum
Status: Display
Related Notes
Photo Copyright © Robin R Beck
Here are the notes for Victorian Railways No. Z 526, a 0-6-0T located in Spotswood, Victoria. If you have additional information about this locomotive, and would like to share it, click the Add Note button.
Posted: Jan 7, 2019 @ 13:01:56 by Robin R Beck
An archive photo in the album section shows this loco, when in use as a breakdown crane. It had a six wheel tender so it could attend accident sites under its own power. The tender meant it could stay on site until the job was finished without having to return to refuel.

When first preserved this loco was exhibited with a 4 wheel tender. When POLLY was converted to its original tank engine design this 1878 built tender was not needed. It is now part of the North Williamstown museum collection where it is on display attached to VR number 2 crane tank loco

Posted: Aug 7, 2017 @ 14:08:44 by Robin R Beck
VR Z526 was originally used on local trains. In 1904 it was converted to 0-6-0CT and used at North Melbourne locomotive shed, becoming No 3 crane tank but also called Polly while working there. 5 years after withdrawal it was converted back to 0-6-0T.

As said in previous notes, Polly lives in a garage at the Scienceworks museum. Doors only open one Sunday a month, if the weather fine. Recently was allowed out for an event at Steamrail Newport workshops. It was taken there and displayed with 2 vintage coaches between 12th to 14th March 2016 over 120 years after she was built there.

The Scienceworks museum at Spotswood is short walk from the railway station. Part of the museum is the old sewage pumping station with some impressive triple expansion steam pumps. At least one is operated daily with compressed air. Also, part of the Gerald & Lorna Dee collection of locomotive plates is displayed at the museum. Over 100 locomotive builders plates are mounted on some walls. If you like to see the collection and cannot visit either Google the collection, or check out Melbourne museum collections website where photos of each plate and notes are included.

Posted: Jun 29, 2015 @ 13:06:17 by Robin R Beck
First locomotive built at Newport Workshops near Melbourne. Built as 0-6-0T later converted to 0-6-0CT. Withdrawn 1978 and rebuilt back to 0-6-0T for display. At museum kept in a secure building where it is almost impossible to view. Building only opened once a month when various road steam engine taken out to display. If you ask pleasantly and staff with keys on site. They will open for a quick view.