Locomotive 1709 was constructed in 1897 by Vulcan Foundry Ltd at their Newton Le Willows workshops in Merseyside, England as works number 1172. The locomotive was renumbered to 1709 in 1924.
Locomotive 1709 was retained and along with a small number of obsolete engines of a similar age, launched the very successful ‘Vintage Train’. It remained in this role until the program was suspended in March 1974 with the creation of the Public Transport Commission. During its service with the ‘Vintage Train’ 1709 was renumbered to 381 in February 1970, when it was regularly paired with 176 (1243).
The locomotive was transferred to the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, finally arriving at Thirlmere in 1975. Locomotive 1709 was restored to operation in 1994 for use in celebrations for the 140 years of NSW railways in 1995. It was later displayed at the NSWRTM, stored in operational condition. It was reactivated for the 150 years celebrations in 2005.
