NSWGR steam locomotive classification

In the first 36 years of its existence, the NSW Railways introduced 42 separate classes of locomotives.

The appointment by the Premier of New South Wales, Henry Parkes of Mr E.M.G Eddy as Chief Commissioner in 1888 created an independent railway department and saw the following 36 years with only sixteen new classes produced.

The engines attached to the then isolated Northern section had the terminal letter "N" added to the road number.

With the opening of the Hawkesbury Bridge in May 1889, the Northern section engines were renumbered and grouped with the others of the Sydney system, using the numbers 388–435.

In general practice, the class letter only was quoted, without the number, except when there were one or two variants using a common class-letter.