C 3653 - Walsh Island, Suburban Parcels Van

Item details


Name of item:	C 3653 - Walsh Island, Suburban Parcels Van
Other name/s:	C3903, C3553, C3773
Type of item:	Movable / Collection
Group/Collection:	Transport - Rail
Category:	Railway Locomotives & Rolling Stock
Primary address:	North Eveleigh Heritage Store, Eveleigh, NSW 2015
Local govt. area:	Sydney

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
North Eveleigh Heritage Store	Eveleigh	Sydney			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
RailCorp	State Government
RailCorp	State Government

Statement of significance:


	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 has heritage significance, as one of three parcel vans constructed to transport parcels and other small items of freight in the metropolitan electrified area during the early 20th century. Previously these items had been carried in the guard's compartment of steam hauled suburban trains. The single deck parcels van revolutionised the movement of small items of goods when motorised road transport was still in its infancy. The other two parcel vans built at the same time have been scrapped, and thus C 3653 is a rare example of this type of rolling stock. It is also rare as an early example of a carriage constructed entirely of steel, with all previous carriage rolling stock being either timber or a combination of timber and steel.
	Date significance updated: 13 Nov 09
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the OEH copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	NSW Railways, (E.E. Lucy Chief Mechanical Engineer)
Builder/Maker:	Walsh Island Dockyard, Newcastle
Construction years:	1928-1928
Physical description:	EXTERNAL C 3653 is an unusual variation to the more typical suburban motor cars of the period. The car is of steel construction and features a wide body. There are large sliding doors installed at each end of the car (two on each side) in order to allow good ingress and egress into the car for the transport of parcels. The sides of the car are of sheet steel and feature only two small, rubber-set windows, one of which has been infilled. INTERNAL The doorways divided the car into three distinct sections, with two short compartments at each end and a longer saloon in the middle. Each of the short saloons is equipped with a driver’s cabin. The motor bogie is fitted with two 360hp motors manufactured by the Metropolitan Vickers Co. of England. This bogie is situated at the pantograph end of the car. The other bogie is not fitted with motors. The interior is completely open to allow for the stowage of parcels etc.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Operational Status: Non-Operational General Condition: Good Condition External Condition: Good Condition Internal Condition: Good Condition EXTERNAL CONDITION Body appears sound. Good wheels at power end only. Wheels at non driven end in poor condition. Minor accident damage. INTERNAL CONDITION Section of flooring removed in one cab, otherwise complete and operational. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Lead paint and possible minor asbestos in electrical controls.
	Date condition updated:11 Nov 09
Modifications and dates:	November 1928 - Entered service, numbered C 3903 Subsequently renumbered C 3553, then C 3773, and finally C 3653 Late 1960s/early 1970s - windows were modified, with the original mountings replaced by rubber seal mountings. At least one window was blocked in at this time.


Current use:	NSW Government Railways Collection
Former use:	Suburban Parcels Van

History

Historical notes:

Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 is the first of three purpose built Parcels Vans that were constructed by Clyde Engineering and entered service in November 1928*. Originally numbered C 3903, the car was subsequently renumbered C 3553, then C 3773, and finally C 3653. The three parcels vans were constructed to transport parcels and other small items of freight in the metropolitan electrified area. Previously these items had been carried in the guard's compartment of steam hauled suburban trains. The single deck parcels van revolutionised the movement of small items of goods when motorised road transport was still in its infancy. After the cessation of that service it was set aside until handed over to the brake test engineer for use as a test car. Window modifications probably took place in the late 1960s or early 1970s, with the original mountings replaced by rubber seal mountings. At least one window was blocked in at this time. This is the only car of its type remaining (the two others of the same type have been scrapped).

*NOTE: Other sources claim that this car was built at Walsh Island Dockyard in 1928 as Suburban Motor Car C3903, being converted to a Parcels Van at a later date, and that this vehicle is a later conversion of one of the cars in the group C 3251- C 3300.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	Impacts of railways on urban form-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Railway operations workers-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	Transporting troops and equipment-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 has historical significance. This car is historically significant as it is one of three parcel vans constructed to transport parcels and other small items of freight in the metropolitan electrified area. Previously these items had been carried in the guard's compartment of steam hauled suburban trains. The single deck parcels van revolutionised the movement of small items of goods when motorised road transport was still in its infancy. This is the only original parcel van still in existence. The other two built at the same time have been scrapped. This car is historically significant as an early carriage constructed entirely of steel, with all previous carriage rolling stock being either timber or a combination of timber and steel.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	Based on current knowledge, Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 is not known to have any special associations with people or events of significance in a local or state context. It does not have significance under this criterion.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 has a high level of aesthetic significance. This car has a pleasing and symmetrical appearance, and derives its outline from the 72’6 locomotive hauled passenger cars first built by E.E. Lucy in 1913. Rubber set windows give the car a distinctive appearance. Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 has a high level of technical significance. Being one of the earliest all-steel cars used on the NSW Railways, this car represents a great advance in terms of design of passenger rolling stock. This car shows the use of rivets to join the steel sections together. At the time of the car being designed, welding was still in its infancy and not used extensively. The car is also technically significant as one of the earliest parcel vans constructed to transport parcels and other small items of freight in the metropolitan electrified area, a form of transport that revolutionised the movement of small items of goods when motorised road transport was still in its infancy
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 is likely to have a degree of social value for the community-based associations who have demonstrated an ongoing interest in its conservation and management. This item may also have a degree of social significance to a broader section of the community linked to its historic, aesthetic and associative values.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 has a high level of research significance. The car has the potential to reveal information regarding the development of both the use of all-steel construction cars on the NSW Railways, and the introduction of electrification to the Sydney suburban network. This car is an example of steel car construction that contrasts with the timber body and steel underframe used on country passenger rolling stock. The car also has the potential to reveal information regarding the introduction of electrified rail for the transport of small goods.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 has rarity significance. This carriage is one of three constructed, and is the only Suburban Parcel Van to survive.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 is a good representative example of a Sydney Suburban Electric Parcel Van.
Integrity/Intactness:	Suburban Parcels Van C 3653 retains a high level of integrity and intactness. This car retains all the features that make it a significant suburban electric parcels van.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
SRA Heritage Rolling Stock Stage 2b Heritage Assessments	2000		David Sheedy Pty Ltd Architects and Heritage Consultants		Yes
S170 Rolling Stock Review	2009		NSW Department of Commerce		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written	David Cooke et al	1999	Coaching Stock of the NSW Railways
Written	Green Air Services Pty Ltd	2007	SRA Rolling Stock Condition and Maintenance Assessment , Part 2
Written	Magazine	1966	Trolley Wire
Written	NSW Railways Mechanical Branch		Monthly Reports
Graphic	State Rail Authority		Wooden Motor Car

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	4807169

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