This exhibition slideshow gives a virtual tour of the exhibition, it highlights the theme, objects, interactives and AVs available in each section. It also features resources and programs. It can be used to prepare students for the visit or to consolidate what students have learned in the exhibition after the visit.

1. Locomotive No. 1
Pre-visit exhibition slideshow

2. Level 3
Exhibition
entrance
Loco No 1
This exhibition slideshow provides an overview of the:
• Physical layout and exhibition sections
• Key objects
• Audiovisuals and interactives
• Relevant online teaching and learning resources

3. Go on a journey to
explore the development
of steam travel in NSW. It
tells the history of Loco
No 1 and recreates a
journey from Sydney to
Parramatta in 1863. It is
very rare for a country to
retain its first locomotive
as most were scrapped.
This makes Loco No 1
one of the most
historically significant
objects in NSW.

4. This lithograph by Walter G Mason is thought to depict a special run carrying
the governor to Parramatta on 23 August 1855, a month before the line
officially opened.

5. Section 1: The story of Locomotive No 1
This section is along the train at floor level, it reveals how Loco No 1 was
built, used and displayed.
Specifications:-
•Date built: 1854
•Engine No: 958
•Wheel arrangement: 0–4–2
•Boiler pressure: 120 psi (827 kPa)
•Cylinders: 2 (inside)
•Bore: 16 inches (406 mm)
•Stroke: 24 inches (609 mm)
•Tractive effort: 8900 lbf (39600 N)
•Valve gear: Stephenson, slide type
•Wheelbase: 32 ft 8 inches (9960 mm)

6. 1854: Built by 1855: No. 1 was 1855: No. 1 1858: Derailed 1868: Head-on 1877: Retired
Robert shipped from pulled the first at Haslam’s collision at and sent to
Stephenson and England aboard train unofficially Creek. Two Newtown. One ‘Rotten Row’
Sons, Newcastle the ‘John Fielding’ in NSW on 24 people died. person died. at Redfern.
upon Tyne, and landed at May.
England. Campbell’s Wharf
Circular
Quay, along with
three other locos
of the same class.

7. 1884: 1893: 1905: Displayed for the 1980: 1981: Moved to 1987: Moved
Acquired by Moved to Jubilee of NSW Railways Dismantled Stage 1 of the to its final
the Museum. the old in the Railway Institute and restored. Powerhouse resting place,
Originally museum, Building at Central Museum. right here.
housed in the Harris Station.
Agricultural Street, Ult
1938: Displayed for the
Hall at the imo.
150th anniversary of
Domain, behin
European settlement in
d Sydney
Australia at Martin Place,
Hospital.
Sydney.
1955: Displayed for the
Centenary of NSW
Railways in front of
Central Station, Sydney.

8. Who’s who
• Here are the engine driver and the fireman. Can you tell who’s who?
• Imagine the conditions under which the driver and the fireman had to work.
• Find out more about the first engine driver and fireman on Loco No 1.
William Sixsmith William
(1815–1893) was Webster, the first
Loco No 1’s first fireman working on
engine driver. Loco No 1.

9. The tender … it carried the fuel and water
Tender capacity:
• Coal 4 tons (4.1 tonnes)
• Water 2000 gallons (9000 litres)
From timber to coal
At first locomotives were fuelled with local timber. From
1861, they were converted to coal burning. Could you
think of any reasons for such a change?

10. Section 2: Railway travel in 1863
Walk along the platform to see what rail travel was like in Sydney after the
railway has been opened for eight years and is now part of everyday colonial
life. Locomotive No 1 has stopped at Ashfield Station on its way to Penrith. If
you listen you may hear some of the passengers talking.

11. The first
railway in
NSW: at a
glance Mammoths
showcase and
miniatures
showcase
Interactive:
Stereoscopic viewers
Turn the knob to see
Loco No 1 and scenes
of Sydney in 3-D

12. First class carriage: travelling in style
Look in the carriage. What sort of objects did gentlemen carry with them in 1863?
The fares from Sydney to Parramatta in 1855:
• First class = 4 shillings
• Second class = 3 shillings
• Third class = 2 shillings
By comparison, a coach fare was six pence to a shilling for the same distance. In
the 1850s, a farm labourer might earn 10 shillings a week; a tradesman, £3 or £4.

13. Travelling in the carriage are
John Whitton and Captain
Saunders.
• Who is John Whitton and
what is the purpose of his trip?
• Can you tell who is who in the
carriage?
• What are they talking about?

14. Second class carriage: middle class comfort
Compare the furnishings of the second class carriage with that of the first
class one. Can you spot the differences?

15. Travelling in the second class carriage is the ‘Bullock family’.
If you listen carefully, you will hear them talking about their
shopping trip to Sydney for Arabella’s wedding. Look into the
compartment.
• What have they bought?
• What do these items tell you about the home of the Bullocks
in 1863 compared to that of a twenty-first century home?

16. Third class carriage: … the most basic
Travelling conditions in the third class were basic. The hard bench seats were backless
and there was no glass in the windows so passengers were exposed to smoke and
soot. Nevertheless it was a big improvement on road coaches.

17. Mrs O’Brien and her two children, Bridget and Liam, are travelling with all their worldly
possessions to start a new life - this is their first train trip.
• What are some of the things that they are carrying?
• Where are they going?
• Compare the third class carriage with the second class.

18. Section 3: The first railway in NSW: at a glance
On display in the showcase of this section are objects and images which help
reveal the stories behind the construction and opening of the railway.
Water Commemorative
flask medals and coins
Barlow rail Candelabrum

19. Locomotive No.1 can be seen in the middle of this photo taken near present-day
Central station.

20. Section 4: Mammoths and miniatures
This section features 32 and 38 class steam locomotives of the NSW Railways. It
reveals the skills, dedication and commitment of museum professionals, volunteers and
hobbyists who combine their talents to preserve these locomotives.
Model of steam locomotive
NSWGR 3812

21. Reproduction
'Hunter' nameplate
Locomotive
locomotive brake shoe brake shoe
Model of steam
locomotive 3265

22. Resources:-
1. Loco No 1 teachers exhibition notes
2. Online Collection Database: Loco No 1
3. Online Collection Database: Steam Loco 3265
4. Museum publication, Loco No 1, Margaret Simpson, Powerhouse Publishing
5. Museum publication, On the move: a history of transport in Australia,
Margaret Simpson, Powerhouse Publishing
Relevant Museum programs:-
1. Boulton and Watt engine exhibition
2. What’s in store? exhibition
3. Transport exhibition
4. What’s in store! Shopping in Australia 1880 – 1930 exhibition
5. Transport gallery tour for yrs 1-6
6. Marvellous Machine Drawing Adventure, a self guided program for yrs 3-5
7. Technology & Innovation: Design & Make workshop for yrs 5 & 6
Image credit: All images used are from the Powerhouse Museum, except the line
drawing of Locomotive No 1 which is © Railscale 1986
-: Powerhouse Museum Learning :-