The NSW Railways set locomotive 3265 aside for the Powerhouse Museum when it was withdrawn from service in 1968. As the proud bearer of the Hunter nameplates when it hauled the Newcastle Express services in the 1930s and the only surviving 32 class still with its original, low frame, this locomotive is an iconic member of a very popular and ubiquitous class.
Upon its removal from traffic, it was stored out in the open at Enfield-along with 3830 and the NSW Rail Transport Museum's (RTM) vehicles-before being moved to the RTM's new site at Thirlmere in the 1970s.
In 1988 it was transferred to the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh along with 3830, and the pair had the asbestos removed at the asbestos removal facility at Carriage Works .
Now undercover, it waited for attention while 3830 was reconstructed and returned to service.
Having been stored out in the open for many years with the asbestos lagging still in place, the outside surfaces of the boiler were badly pitted and needed replacement. The rods had been removed and laid in the tender when the locomotive was moved to Thirlmere, and these were also affected by pitting, while the tender tank itself, already patched by the railways many times, was now beyond repair.
Having successfully returned 3380 to service in 1997, the Powerhouse Museum's team of conservators and volunteers, led by project manager Ross Goodman, began the long haul to reconstruct this iconic locomotive so it could also be returned to traffic.

+ Rail transport
+ Locomotives
+ Steam power

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