[6] The three-cylinder design fitted to the class gave it a distinctive off-beat exhaust sound when climbing upgrade.

However, a couple of features, such as the Gresley conjugating valve gear fitted to these locomotives have been the source of debate as to its efficiency.

[8] Although primarily a freight locomotive, 5719 was trialled on the Melbourne Limited passenger train between Sydney and Cootamundra in 1942.

The last example in traffic was saved for preservation by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.

][citation needed] Media related to New South Wales D57 class locomotives at Wikimedia Commons