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Historic 'Locomotive 3801' makes comeback in Sydney

Started by Sorontar, March 13, 2021, 06:15:08 AM

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Sorontar

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-13/nsw-iconic-steam-locomotive-returns-to-delight-rail-lovers/13245248

"An iconic and widely adored steam locomotive from the 1940s has returned to the tracks today to the delight of rail lovers across NSW.
For the first time in almost 14 years Locomotive 3801 will run again, offering passengers a chance to return to a bygone era of rail travel.
The train is the last streamlined steam locomotive in the state and arguably the country's most famous as it's the only engine to have visited all mainland states and territories. ...
By 2007 the 3801 was withdrawn from heritage service due to major damage to its boiler.
A new boiler was ordered in 2010 from Germany but it had technical issues and eventually it was decided to repair the original boiler using the old-fashioned riveting technique....
The restoration was carried out at the Chullora workshop in Sydney and has seen a new generation of steam specialists become qualified."

It may not be from the Victorian-era but it is interesting that in the end, the only way to repair it was to go back to the old methods, and that has needed the current engineers to learn new skills from the volunteers and ex-staff who used to work on the engine.

Sorontar
Sorontar, Captain of 'The Aethereal Dancer'
Advisor to HM Engineers on matters aethereal, aeronautic and cosmographic
http://eyrie.sorontar.com

Banfili

What an absolutely gorgeous engine - haven't seen it since it ran through Wagga, many years ago!  Looking good, and long may she run!

James Harrison

Fantastic piece of engineering.  I've got rather a soft spot for 3801 as somebody (I think it might have been an Australian great aunt) bought me 'A Steam Train Passes' on VHS many, many years ago. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uFJs-xoTMM
Persons intending to travel by open carriage should select a seat with their backs to the engine, by which means they will avoid the ashes emitted therefrom, that in travelling generally, but particularly through the tunnels, prove a great annoyance; the carriage farthest from the engine will in consequence be found the most desirable.

Synistor 303

We actually got to ride on a train pulled by 3801 way back in the 1980s. The mining company we worked for took the locomotive and some carriages up to the Pilbara (in WA) and put it on the rail system up there! It was great! Have photos somewhere...

Deimos

Quote from: James Harrison on March 14, 2021, 05:37:11 PM
Fantastic piece of engineering.  I've got rather a soft spot for 3801 as somebody (I think it might have been an Australian great aunt) bought me 'A Steam Train Passes' on VHS many, many years ago.  


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uFJs-xoTMM

Kind of gives you and idea of what it will be like for the [new] maiden run of the  GCR No.567 :D
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