Written By: Thomas McIntosh
Photos By: Ian Green, Henry O'Leary

Page Last Updated: 14/6/20

The 43 class was a manufactured by Goninan between 1956 and 1957, a total of 6 were produced. The locomotives weighed 108 tonnes and had a top speed of 125km/h. In their short lifespan, the 43s were used on the Main Western line between Orange and Sydney in the late 1950s on freight and passenger trains. A few years down the line they were used state-wide to carry freight and passengers. The 43s were not popular with train crews, which was probably a factor for their early demise. In August 1974 the first 43 was taken out of service, when 4301 went into Chullora for maintenance. The decision was made to use the locomotive for spare parts for the other 43s. The last 43 was taken out of service in October 1979 when 4306 was placed in the custody of the NSWRM. The locomotive was overhauled and ran many charter trains across eastern Australia to places like Brisbane and Melbourne.

4306 in road 2a at Southern Cross. (26/5/12)
Photo By: Ian Green

4306-3016-4490 at Exeter. (2/3/20)
Photo By: Henry O'Leary

Locomotive Status 

Road No.

​4301
4302
4303
4304
4305
​4306

Livery

Indian Red
Indian Red
Indian Red
Indian Red
Indian Red
​Indian Red

Owner

NSWGR
NSWGR
NSWGR
NSWGR
NSWGR
RTM, Thirlmere

Begun Service

Aug 1956
Jan 1957
March 1957
April 1957
May 1957
​June 1957

Current State

Scrapped
Scrapped
Scrapped
Scrapped
Scrapped
​Persevered 

All information sourced from Wikipedia, Railpage and Vicsig