THNSW joins The Royal Australian Mint to launch new “Steam Giants” coin series
- THNSW
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Transport Heritage NSW led a special “Mint Express” steam train into Sydney’s Central Station today to mark the launch of the Royal Australian Mint’s latest coin collection, Steam Giants – Australian Rail Heritage.
The “Mint Express”, hauled by heritage locomotive 3526, arrived at Central Station this morning, where the collection was officially launched by acting Mint CEO Emily Martin, series curator David Hampton and THNSW CEO Andrew Moritz. Media from SBS and Channel 7 attended the launch.
The seven-coin series commemorates some of the largest steam locomotives to have operated across the country, telling the dramatic story of progress that led to railways across the country racing to build bigger and more powerful machines. The seven locomotives each feature on a 50-cent coloured uncirculated coin in intricate shallow relief, highlighting the engineering detail of each steam giant.
The collection includes a representative locomotive from each state in addition to the Commonwealth Railways. Among those featured are THNSW’s own Beyer-Garratt 6029 – the largest steam locomotive still operating in the Southern Hemisphere - representing New South Wales, Victorian Railways’ H Class H220 Heavy Harry, South Australian Railways 520 Class No. 520 Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey and Queensland Railways Beyer-Garratt No. 1009.
The full collection is now available with a commemorative cover via EQL ballot. Individual coins are also on sale from 7 August through the Mint’s retail shop in Deakin, ACT.
Transport Heritage NSW congratulates the Royal Australian Mint on the release celebrating an iconic part of our rich Australian rail history.