Steam Locomotive

Our D3 640 steam locomotive has a fascinating history. Originally built by Thompson’s Foundry in Castlemaine in 1913 for Victorian Railways, it first entered service as DD 633. In 1930, it was upgraded with a superheated D3 boiler and became D3 688, before finally being renumbered to D3 640 in 1963.

Over the years, it has even worn a striking Canadian Red livery. Today, it continues to capture the imagination of steam enthusiasts and visitors alike at the Pioneer Settlement.

About the D3 Class

The D3 locomotives were highly regarded by their crews for being reliable, efficient, and economical. Despite their light weight, they could still reach speeds of up to 120 km/h . Although on many country lines speed was restricted by the lighter track.

This unique combination of speed and versatility made the D3 class especially well-suited to regional services. Our very own D3 640 proudly hauled the passenger train from Melbourne to Swan Hill for many years, connecting communities across Victoria.