Locomotive 3265 is a classic example of an "English express" locomotive that belonged to one of the most successful and enduring classes of steam locomotive in Australia. The 32 class had a reputation for being versatile and reliable where they ran the New South Wales Railways for over 60 years (1892-mid 1950s), hauling passenger, mail and goods trains. Throughout its years in production, 191 32 class locomotives were built. Of these, Locomotive 3265 is the only surviving member of the class with its original low frame.

This model therefore provides an excellent small-scale representation of the technical detail and proportions that otherwise are not so easily observed in the full-size version of Locomotive 3265. It is a fine example of the meticulous and highly skilled work required of a model maker, especially when working in the unusual and unforgiving medium of paper. The model is also a representative example for the popularity of model-making as a recreational pastime amongst hobbyists and enthusiasts. In recent decades, model making has emerged as a booming business, as evidenced by the presence of numerous hobby shops throughout the country.

The 32 class locomotives were the first to have engines on the New South Wales system built new with Belpaire fireboxes and Allan straight-link motion instead o the almost universal Stephenson valve gear. Both of these characteristics are evident in the Locomotive 3265. Disc wheels on the front bogie were also a new idea.

Locomotive 3265 was withdrawn from service in January 1968 after travelling 2,965,840km. In that same year, she was one of three steam locomotives set aside for preservation by the New South Wales Government Railways, in which work still continues at the Eveleigh Workshops today.

This model is also an important example of the work of the Museum's model maker, Iain Scott-Stevenson who has been creating models for the Museum for over 25 years.

This locomotive model was made by the Powerhouse Museum's model-maker Iain Scott-Stevenson at the Museum's workshops in 2003. The design was conceived in approximately two weeks, while the model was assembled in less than two days. This process involved preparing a scale drawing then photocopying this onto an A3 sheet of paper, which was glued to another A3 sheet to achieve the required stiffness for shaping the various components. These were made separately before being folded and glued to the form of the desired model.

Iain Scott-Stevenson, the Museum's foremost model maker, undertook his training at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Shortly after completing his studies he worked as a draughtsman for various architects before moving to the United Kingdom. Here, he worked for a model making firm and was responsible for constructing models related to town planning, Saudi Arabian oil refineries, military sites and buildings. After returning to Australia from the UK, Iain joined the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences where he has been working as a model maker in the workshop for more than 25 years.

This model also represents a period commencing in about 1992 when the Museum was considering the development of paper fold-up models of locomotives 3830 and 3265 to sell in the MuseumÂ?s shop and in other retail outlets specialising in railway heritage. At the time of writing, the development of this product only reached the prototyping stage, of which this model of 3265 is an example. However, during 2005, the Museum worked in collaboration with architect and model maker Simon Rainsford to complete a light cardboard model of Locomotive No 1 and a First class carriage which was promoted and sold in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of Railway in New South Wales in September 2005.

The full-scale version of the Locomotive 3265 was built in 1901 by Beyer, Peacock & Co of Manchester, England to the modified design of the Locomotive Superintendent of the New South Wales Government Railways, William Thow. Thow was sent to England and once Beyer, Peacock & Co had won the tender he teamed with J. Scouler, an ex-chief draughtsman from the South Australian Railways and later employee of Beyer, Peacock & Co to finalise the design. The Locomotive 3265 is said to have derived from Thow's South Australian K-class, the first six-coupled locomotive to be designed by him.

This model was made specifically for the Powerhouse Museum's collection.

Steam locomotive 3265 model, approximately 1:38 scale, paper / wood / acrylic, made by Iain Scott-Stevenson for the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2003

Small-scale model of Locomotive 3265 made of paper comprising an engine, driver's cab and tender. The model features a red and black exterior with green internal cab. The mechanical details of the wheels and motion are black and white. The model is currently mounted on a wooden base and enclosed inside a rectangular, acrylic case.

Made: Scott-Stevenson, Iain; Sydney, New South Wales; 2003


Used: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences; Sydney; 2003

'3265' appears on either side of the cab and on the back of the tender. The New South Wales Government Railways emblem is also detailed on both sides of the engine.

2007/80/1

2003

130 mm

110 mm