J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "South Australian Class 520" Signed lower left. Original Oil on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands First Day Cover for the 55c South Australian Railways 4-8-4 stamp issued August 23, 1996.

The Class 520 was built for South Australian Railways (SAR) by Islington Shops. Only 12 were constructed, from 1943 to 1947. The 520s, with their shark-like noses, had an eye-catching appeal. Their styling was patterned after a design by Raymond Loewy the industrial designer who styled the Pennsylvania Railroad T1 steam passenger locomotives of 1942. Class 520s were used on the Adelaide to Port Pirie main line. The first Class 520 was named Sir Malcolm Barclay Harvey in honor of the governor of South Australia. This steam locomotive, painted a breath-taking Hawthorn green with deep cream stripes, was Australia's first streamlined locomotive and is the largest active steam engine in existence today. The Class 520 was exceptionally reliable, smooth-riding and versatile, running on track with rails 5 feet 3 in apart. In 1948, all Class 520s were converted from coal to oil. The 520s were the last SAR heavy power steam locomotives, ending service in October of 1966.

Image Size: 10 x 13.25 in.
Overall Size: 13.5 x 17.75 in.
Unframed.
(B15397)

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