Steam: Gone But Not Forgotten

A compilation of the very best from a vast collection of images taken by Graham Palmer during the last years of steam trains.

Cover of the book Steam: Gone But Not Forgotten by Graham Palmer, showing a steam locomotive at night beneath signal gantries.

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.

  • 160-page hardcover, 28 × 25 cm, with a glossy jacket
  • Printed on 150 gsm silk art paper
  • 153 black & white photographs, many bled across double pages
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From the book

A few photographs from the book, with captions.

Steam locomotive 3801, the Newcastle Flyer, throws a plume of smoke on a photo run at Hawkmount, 1966.
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. Page 11
Locomotives 3529 and 3501 in a synchronised display of smoke and steam on Fassifern Bank, 1966.
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. Page 21
Garratt locomotive 6015 works hard to lift a ballast train out of Dubbo, 1967.
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 tends the water hose atop locomotive 6040 at Store Creek, 1967.
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
The Sydney-bound Central West Express climbs Raglan Bank near Bathurst under a tower of smoke, 1966.
The Sydney-bound Central West Express climbs Raglan Bank, near Bathurst. 17 December 1966. Page 82
A night photograph of West Australian AA class diesel 1519 being hauled past Bargo by steam locomotive 3830 in the rain, 1967.
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. Page 102

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