Parramatta steam train rides

Locomotive 3265 entered service as a 4-6-0 express passenger engine, P 584, in 1902. It was renumbered 3265 in 1924 and was equipped with superheating in 1933. The 32 class became known as the "English express locomotives” due to their origin, although some were built in the USA by Baldwin and others in Australia. 3265 was among those built by Beyer, Peacock and Co. in Manchester, UK.

The 32 class hauled a range of passenger services on almost every line in NSW. With 191 members, the class was among the NSW Railways’ most successful steam locomotive designs.  

3265’s original livery was black, but in 1933 it was painted maroon and received the nameplate "Hunter", to haul the Northern Commercial Limited express to Newcastle. The 32 class were soon replaced by larger locomotives on this run.   

From around 1960 they were gradually replaced by diesel locomotives, mostly 48 class, but the class proved so dependable that a 32 class engine hauled NSW’s last regular steam passenger train, from Newcastle to Singleton, in 1971. These locomotives thus outlived their successors – the 35, 36 and 38 classes.   

3265 ran for 66 years across NSW and was retired in 1968 after clocking 2,965,840 km of service. It still has its original frame, and the cab is stamped with its builder's number.