Steam: Gone But Not Forgotten is a compilation of the very best from a vast collection of images taken by Graham Palmer during the last years of steam trains.
It is a snap shot of steam between 1964 and 1969 in New South Wales, Australia. It captures not only the magic of steam engines, but the infrastructure, the grime, the beauty, the atmosphere and their connection to community. While many books have chronicled steam’s demise, few have captured its 24-hour operation with the technical and artistic expertise of this presentation.
Printed on 150 gsm silk art paper, each monochrome image has a deep dynamic range which reproduces the detail associated with the subject and the era.
Steam: Gone But Not Forgotten
Book excerpts
The Newcastle Flyer (3801) shows off for photographers at a photo run on Hawkmount, south of Awaba in November 1966. This celebratory trip was organised by the Rail Transport Museum to welcome 3801 back into revenue service after a major overhaul partly paid for by the museum. The overhaul took three months and, on completion, 3801 was ceremoniously returned to Sydney in the company of 3830 and many excited and grateful rail enthusiasts.
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Photo stops were a common feature of rail fan tours, this one on Fassifern Bank on the busy main north line. The purpose of the tour was to collect 3801 after a heavy overhaul at Cardiff. Drivers and firemen have their locomotives, 3529 and 3501 in a synchronised display of smoke and steam as they run past for the photo. November 1966.
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Garratt locomotive 6015 puts on a smoky display as it works hard to lift a load of ballast out of Dubbo. Working up the 1 in 69 grade means the front water tank is several inches higher than the interconnected rear tank, the differential causing water to flow backwards and cascade out at the rear of the locomotive. The last vehicle on the train is a work/brake van fitted with a retractable blade used for spreading the ballast after its discharge from the wagons. January 1967.
Page 44
Fireman Ron Murray prepares to remove the heavy leather hose from the now full tank of 6040 at Store Creek between Stuart Town and Euchareena. The main line stretches away towards Orange in the background. January 1967.
Page 47
West Australian Railways AA Class Diesel locomotive 1519 glistens in the rain as it is delivered from its builder, Clyde Engineering of Sydney. The new locomotive will replace steam in WA. 3830 is assisting by hauling the AA. This was almost certainly 3830’s last trip to the Southern Highlands, being officially withdrawn from service four days after this image was captured. The streaks in the sky are rain drops captured by the flash used to add light to the time exposure. October 1967.
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Summary
A compilation of the very best from a vast collection of the late Graham Palmer during the last years of steam — a vivid snapshot of steam in New South Wales from 1964 to 1969.
These images capture not just the engines, but the infrastructure, the grime, the atmosphere, and the deep connection between steam locomotives and their communities.
A 160-page hardcover (28 × 25 cm) with a superb glossy jacket, printed on 150 gsm silk art paper. Every monochrome image is reproduced with the rich dynamic range associated with the subject and era.
Reviews
“The format, design and print quality is superb… In many of the photographs there is so much detail and things happening, that they need to be revisited several times to absorb all that there is to offer.”
— Shane O'Neil in Australian Railway History, Oct. 2014
“This is not 'just another picture book'. It is a first-class overview of the twilight (and morning, noon and night) of the steam-era NSWGR…”
— Alan Dunn in Australian Model Railway Magazine, Dec. 2014