Anyway Heritage Victoria state "HEAVY HARRY LOCOMOTIVE" is as yet not listed under the heritage act but is on Victoria's state heritage list which gives it certain statutory protections
The file number for it is H2163, this states.....
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What is significant?
The H Class Locomotive H220 also known as Heavy Harry, was built in 1941 and was the only one built of three H class locomotives originally planned. It was the largest and heaviest steam locomotive in the Victorian Railways fleet, the largest steam locomotive built in Australia and the heaviest non-articulated steam locomotive in the southern hemisphere.
Heavy Harry incorporated a number of innovations including conjugated lever gearing; three cylinders; distinctive twin chimneys; an all steel boiler, operating at 220psi which was the highest pressure of any locomotive operating in Australia at the time and a mechanical screw conveyor stoker with fuel distribution controlled by set of steam valves operated by the fireman in the cab. The mechanical stoker was the first to be used in Victoria. Heavy Harry's tender was designed with sufficient capacity to avoid the need for refuelling over long routes, such as Melbourne to Ararat.
Heavy Harry was withdrawn from service in 1958 as steam power was replaced by diesel electric motive power in the Victorian rail system.
How is it significant?
Heavy Harry is of historic and technical (scientific) significance to the State of Victoria.
Why is it significant?
Heavy Harry is of technical significance (scientific) for representing the peak of steam motive power technology in Victoria.
Heavy Harry is of technical significance (scientific) as the only example of its class built.
Heavy Harry is of historical significance in the history of rail transport in Victoria as the most powerful steam locomotive in the Victorian rail network.
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Now this does not specificly mention broad gauge,but it does mention its high power and technical acheivement. It COULD be argued then the best way to preserve this technology is by restoration to a working concern. Due to the increasing lack of BG lines the best method of preservation COULD be gauge conversion. I believe In the end for a steam loco, the hardware itself cannot really be given heritage status as all steam machinery was designed to be easy to rebuild. The reason for bringing up G42, it was in operation for twice as long as H220 and if it was to be heritage listed it could only be for the design and perfromance as almost all of the machine has been replaced, VERY little of the machine that came out from england is left. This does not mean its of any less value in most railway peoples eyes.
I am not arguing for the restoration and gauge conversion of H220 (although it WOULD be great to see it) but for my liking the disucussion has been way to blinkered with to many assuming to many points.
In the end the BEST way to garruntee preservation of a machine is to make it operational and earning its keep. Look at Puffing Billy
a fine example on the BEST possible way of preseving machinery. If it takes gauge conversion to acheive this with H220 so be it.
woodford