3820

Construction

3820 was built in 1947 by the New South Wales Government Railways', Eveleigh Railway Workshops as the 20th 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 the NSWGR's Eveleigh and Cardiff Locomotive Workshops and were unstreamlined.

Construction was delayed mostly due to material shortages during World War II. It was at various times allocated to Eveleigh, Enfield, Lithgow and Broadmeadow locomotive depots.

During the rundown of steam operation in New South Wales, 3820 had the distinction of some lasts:

• 13 December 1968: was the last C38 class to be overhauled whilst in regular service, both being overhauled together at Cardiff Locomotive Workshops
• 29 December 1970: worked the official last steam hauled express passenger train in Australia, the Newcastle Flyer
• 29 December 1970: last 38 class in revenue service when withdrawn

Preservation

Upon withdrawal, 3820 was placed in the custody of the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum and based at Enfield Locomotive Depot operating excursion trains including a journey to Melbourne with 3801, and the Last Run which it triple headed with 3203 and 3526 to Tarana on 21 April 1973 before the Public Transport Commission banned main line steam operation.

3820 was steamed on 1 January 1975, to act as a standby for 3801, which was used to haul fundraising trains for Cyclone Tracy survivors. It was then withdrawn. In 1980 it was hauled to Central station for display at an event commemorating 125 years of rail operations in New South Wales.

3820 is painted black with red lining whereas 3801 and 3830 wear a green livery. 3820 is considered to be of historic significance as the only remaining 38 class locomotive that remains in the same condition it was in at time of withdrawal and as such retains a significant amount of evidence for research purposes.

In May 2025, it was hauled to Chullora to have asbestos removed ahead of a cosmetic restoration.

References

References

1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150224084418/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807231 Locomotive, Steam 3820] [[Office of Environment & Heritage]]
2. New South Wales Rail Transport Museum]]
3. 38 Class Bow Out of Regular Service ''[[Railway Digest]]'' January 1971 page 15
4. In June 1975, it hauled [[New South Wales 40 class locomotive. 4001]] and [[New South Wales Z24 class locomotive. 2419]] to [[Thirlmere railway station. Thirlmere]] when the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum relocated.Museum on the Move ''[[Roundhouse (periodical). Roundhouse]]'' June 1976 page 16
5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250322164053/https://www.thnsw.com.au/post/locomotive-3820-receives-funding-approval Locomotive 3820 receives funding approval] [[Transport Heritage NSW]] 30 August 2024
6. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250529102734/https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/DocManFiles/DocTypes/TAA/Files/0869-2025.PDF?1235575436 Movement of Stowed Loco 3820] [[Australian Rail Track Corporation]] 22 May 2025