3801 Limited Newsletter Number 14 – Published Winter 2015
Welcome to the Winter 2015 edition of the 3801 Limited Newsletter. Our Newsletter is issued quarterly approximately in October, January, April and July to inform our friends and passengers, both past and future, of news and events relating to 3801 Limited.
The
Cockatoo Run Experience
Scenic Heritage Railway
STEAM TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS SUNDAY 19 JULY 2015 Join us for a wonderful winter day of nostalgia and indulgence on our special steam hauled heritage train* to the beautiful Blue Mountains, with a choice of historic grand hotels for lunch - the Carrington Hotel at Katoomba or the newly refurbished Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath. Our steam train departs Sydney Central at 8.30am* and heads west up the Great Dividing Range with magnificent views of the Mountains, valleys, escarpments and bushland. Alight at Katoomba or Medlow Bath for lunch, before returning to Sydney as the sun sets over the Mountains.
First Class Ticket: $180.00 per person - includes first class heritage carriage train ticket, complimentary sparkling wine on boarding, morning tea on board, and two course lunch at the magnificently refurbished iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel, perched on top of the Medlow Bath escarpment. Standard Ticket: $155.00 per person - includes standard class heritage carriage train ticket, and three course lunch at the historic Carrington Hotel at Katoomba. Train Fare Only: $95.00 per person - Sydney to Katoomba or Medlow Bath return The train will depart Sydney Central Station 08:30am, picking up at Strathfield, Parramatta and Penrith, and arrives at Katoomba at 11:05 and Medlow Bath at 11:18. For the return journey, the train departs Medlow Bath at 14:37 and Katoomba at 14:48, and arrives back at Central Station at 17:21. *Please note: all times are approximate and will be confirmed with your ticket; the train will be steam hauled and diesel assisted; in the event of extreme fire danger on the day it may not be possible to run steam. Light refreshments, snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks are available from the Buffet Car on the train throughout the journey, and a range of beer and wines are available from the Bar after 10am.
Bookings and Information Telephone: 1300 65 3801 Online: www.3801limited.com.au Return fare only
Bookings and Information: 1300 65 3801 www.CockatooRun.com.au
Tour operated by 3801 Limited in collaboration with Lachlan Valley Railway
Photo Credits for this Issue
In This Issue
Tribute to Volunteers 1 A Message from the General Manager 2 A Message from 3801 Limited Chairman 3 Recent Tours and Events Special Children’s Christmas Party 4 Something for everyone! 6 South Australian Insights Tour 7 Beyer-Garratt 6029 and Clyde/GM 42101 Sydney-Moss Vale-Goulburn 8 42101 - A Restoration Sensation 10 Tours and Contact Information 12
Chris Andronicus John Clifton James Gray Ian Mitchell Brian Pendlebury Fred Sawyer
Restoration Special The update on 3801 Limited restoration projects will now appear progressively in our Newsletters.
Information and Reservations Phone: 1300 65 3801 www.3801limited.com.au 3801 Limited Newsletter Number 14 – Winter 2015
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A Message from the General Manager:
It is now just over nine months since I began as GM of 3801 Limited and boy, what a learning curve that has been for me. As you know, I took over the position of GM from Dr John Glastonbury who after over 25 years as Chairman and 8 years as General Manager, retired from the board and 3801 Limited to a more peaceful life in lovely Orange, Central West NSW. John had spent almost 30 years building and managing 3801 Limited and we cannot thank him enough for his amazing contribution to 3801 Limited and the rail heritage sector. Throughout those nine months our incredible staff and volunteers have helped me through the maze of running a real live railway and dealing with the multitude of details that entails I want also to thank my board of directors who have been there to support and guide me during that time and who continue to be a tower of strength as we work our way through the changing face of heritage rail under the new Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW) management structure. 3801 Limited, Chair Sharyn Gregory left and General Manager Rhea One really shining aspect has been the dedication and Liebmann at the Lookout at Summit Tank on the day of the Volunteers commitment of our volunteers in all areas of our business and Christmas Party Cockatoo Run in December 2014. who are ever willing to go that extra mile to ensure that we operate to the highest standards and that our trips are a memorable experience for our passengers. Having spoken with many of our passengers, I am delighted to report that our customers are full of praise about our tours, and the way in which they are treated and the experience they are afforded. Likewise one of our directors, Gordon Tindall, travelled on the Newcastle wine and harbour trip just before Christmas. He too spent time talking with passengers and volunteers and also reported a very high level of satisfaction within our travellers. It is important that our directors have positive direct contact with our volunteers and customers and from time to time you will see them on trips and working their way through the carriages. As you would be aware, heritage rail is undergoing major changes with the old RTM and Trainworks being absorbed into Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW),This is not a take-over by THNSW, but rather they will act as a peak body (replacing some aspects of the old Office of Rail Heritage – ORH) with the purpose of better managing and supporting the State’s rail heritage assets. They will continue also to operate the former RTM heritage fleet. In this respect we applaud the work of THNSW and Transport for NSW in taking affirmative action on the 3801 boiler, and we look forward to having locomotive 3801 back on the rails again hopefully sometime next year. Over the past nine months 3801 Limited has been in constant consultation with THNSW to ensure that our long standing enterprise not only continues to function but that it is afforded every opportunity to grow within this new environment. 3801 Limited Chairman Sharyn Gregory and I have been meeting regularly with the Executive of THNSW (Chairman Peter Lowry and CEO Andrew Killingsworth) to ensure that 3801 Limited is appropriately positioned in the new rail heritage structure. In the last 9 months we have focussed on increasing the numbers and types of tours we run to bring heritage rail and 3801 Limited to a new and wider audience, such as the Sydney Steam shuttles for younger kids last October (with over 660 passengers), steam to Newcastle and the tour to Kandos in November, and a joint tour with ARHS(ACT) to Goulburn with newly restored diesel loco 42101 and the giant Beyer-Garratt 6029 on 3rd May, with over 300 passengers. Over the next few months we will also be operating more mainline tours, such as 3237 steam to Lavender Bay/Hawkesbury, steam to the Blue Mountains (Hydro Majestic), and steam for Cockatoo Runs, as well as the regular Cockatoo runs, and a number of charters, including a 10 day tour to Adelaide, and a special wedding train. These efforts have been very successful, and we have seen more and more passengers on our tours. These extra tours – and we would like to do even more – put extra pressure on all our staff and volunteers, and we desperately need more volunteers to join our happy “train family”, both as on-train passenger attendants and in the office. If you have these skills and would like to join us in the office or you know somebody who does, then please let us know. We continue to make representations to THNSW and Transport for NSW for a steam locomotive, as despite the increase in numbers and types of tours, we still need – and are hoping for – a large mainline steam loco of our own. There is no doubt that a steam hauled trip to just about anywhere, creates a high level of interest and brings in customers. In the meantime, we have been very fortunate to have use of Lachlan Valley Railway’s steam engine 3237 and to add another vintage diesel to our fleet with the completion of the restoration of James Gray’s fine 42101 loco. A magnificent looking loco James and a great job done by the 42101 team. Work is also progressing extremely well on the restoration of carriage L516 (now known as CAM 502 – Ken Butt Lounge Car), and we hope to have it on its inaugural outing in the next few months. Huge thanks to Todd Rowling and his team for the amzing effort they have put into restoring this beautiful early 20th Century sleeper. We are in the process of reviewing and updating all our marketing material to ensure that it is relevant to new and different types of customers and the changing heritage travel scene. New material will be available soon for Passenger Attendants to hand out on our trips. 3801 Limited Newsletter Number 14 – Winter 2015
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As I mentioned earlier, I have been amazed at the effort given by our volunteers many of whom have been with us for many years. We could never do enough to thank them for their efforts but we are in the process of introducing a Volunteers rewards program – a little something that says “thank you” for your efforts. Many of you not only like working with our passengers but also enjoy travelling on our trains. The scheme will offer tickets on a day trip of their choice, at half travel cost for the volunteer and his/her partner once two (2) rostered trips have been completed as a volunteer in a given 12 month period. The offer extends only to the 3801 Limited travel cost component of the trip and in other words if the trip ticket price includes a meal or admission charges or the like, that component of the fare will not be discounted, only the 3801 Limited component. Full details will be issued to Volunteers in the near future. The months ahead will hold some challenges for us as we battle controlling operating costs and issues around our continued long term occupation of the Large Erecting Shed (Large Erecting Shop) which as some of you would know, is to be managed as a multi user heritage operations base for all NSW heritage operators, including THNSW, from December 2015. However, there are genuine discussions taking place with THNSW on the matter, and we are hopeful of satisfactory resolution of these issues soon. That aside, we do a have full program of winter trips and many more planned for the spring and summer, and we need more volunteers to help run these trips. With more volunteers to call upon, we can run many more trips. Rhea Liebmann – General Manager
A Message from 3801 Limited Chairman: As a preliminary to John Glastonbury’s retirement (as chair of 3801 Limited) I was delighted to have been offered the position of chairman and like our GM, I too can say how amazing is the heritage environment we are working in, not only is it challenging but also rewarding as I see results for our efforts. Part of my background has been in the railway system so I have come with some understanding of the railways and the management issues involved. I have come into the scene at a very exciting time as we have seen the transformation of the old Office of Rail Heritage (ORH) and RTM/Trainworks merge into the new Transport Heritage NSW (THNSW). Like our GM Rhea Liebmann, I too have spent many hours in discussion with the executive of THNSW, Peter Lowry (Chairman) and Andrew Killingsworth (GM) and both have shown considerable understanding of our issues and needs as we work through the new agenda set for the rail heritage sector and our part in that new scene. As in any new environment, you can dig in your toes and want nothing to change – in which case you are bound to be left behind – or you can embrace the change and look for ways that you might benefit from it and even progress your position. The current board of directors of 3801 Limited have adopted the latter approach and are keen to work with THNSW to not only ensure the continued existence and growth of 3801 Limited but also to support the development of the entire NSW rail heritage transport sector. I believe that the frank but friendly discussions with THNSW over the past nine months have led to a better understanding by both parties and a far better relationship between 3801 Limited and THNSW. We continue to work with them on a range of issues including just how many roads we will retain in the Large Erecting Shed (Large Erecting Shop) which has been our home for nearly 30 years and how we can make any new arrangement work effectively. But the discussions go well past this issue and include such matters as working together on rail safety issues, co-operation on joint ventures, staff training and sharing of resources. As well we are hopeful of achieving a new office for 3801 Limited to replace the well-worn and well rusted “red rattler” that has been our office at the Australian Technology Park for many years. So in summary, your current board of directors is generally supportive of THNSW in the directions it has created in its Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and we continue to work with them in a positive manner to ensure that 3801 Limited can retain a significant role as the second largest of the three mainline heritage train operators in NSW. In recent times we have run some very successful tours including last December to Newcastle, Kandos in November and of course our now regular Special Children’s’ Christmas Train to Rosehill (last December), Sydney Steam day (660 travelled with us) as well as our regular Cockatoo Runs while advance bookings for several upcoming trips are very solid. One special event was the Beyer-Garratt/42101 trip to Goulburn on 3 May which attracted considerable interest. However, in order to remain viable we need to increase the number of trips we undertake, especially short day trips around the near Sydney area. In this regard we are looking at new destinations that will not only provide our customers with some interesting travelling but will also provide a fresh destination with an event at the destination. These short trips are profitable for us, put the least amount of strain on the time of our volunteers and are relatively easy to conduct and manage. They are also very desirable from a customer point of view as they can be easily completed with a day. I acknowledge the co-operation we have received from the LVR in the use of their steam locomotives for several trips over the past year and that of ARHS (ACT Division) for their use of the Beyer-Garratt 6029. I again thank our hard working staff and volunteers for the effort they are making in keeping 3801 Limited on the tracks – your work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. And talking of volunteers, we do need more if we are to increase the number of trips we offer each month. There are many great new trip opportunities out there but to access them we need more volunteers. Please talk with your friends and relatives and suggest they might like to consider joining the happy band of 3801 volunteers. I look forward to meeting more of you on some future trips or at the next BBQ day at the Large Erecting Shop. Sharyn Gregory – Chair 3801 Limited
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Recent Tours and Events
Special Children’s Christmas Party – Wednesday 3 December 2014
A regular item in the 3801 Limited calendar, in conjunction with Lachlan Valley Railway, is to provide a steam train to transport children and carers to the annual Special Children’s Christmas Party held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. The event is a project organised by MakeA-Wish® Australia supported by a growing number of companies to provide a Christmas Party for children with a variety of special needs – those challenged by a physical or intellectual disability, a serious illness or an extreme circumstance. Since commencing in 1996 over 50,000 special needs children have had the opportunity to experience this wonderful event. 3801 Limited is a major sponsor of this annual event and has in past years been a participant in this special event. Once again in 2014 Lachlan Valley Railway’s steam locomotive 3237 was the star motive power sharing traction duties with one of our own diesel electric locomotives. The special train departed Central Station around 9am and travelled via the Bankstown Line and the Goods Lines to arrive at Rosehill at about 9.45am. At Rosehill a huge number of amusements awaited the special guests including rides and jumping castles, hands-on displays by Police, Fire and Ambulance services, concerts, face painting and farm animals to touch. The children together with their carers and 200 volunteers and some of the sponsors had a wonderful day. Each child left the venue with three or four beautiful gifts all provided by the sponsors. Special guests on board the train this time were the wife of the Prime Minister, Margy Abbott, and CEO Sydney Trains, Howard Collins, who travelled on the train and during the journey moved through all of the carriages meeting and talking with the children and their families and carers. Our Photo Feature tells the story of the day.--;
ABOVE LEFT: The Railway Band were on hand once again to provide music prior to the train’s departure.
ABOVE: Howard Collins and Margy Abbott pause to talk to Volunteer Tony Baker
LEFT: Margy Abbott and Howard Collins chat to Passenger Services Attendant Pam Wilsmore at Central Station prior to departure.
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1. The Balloon Lady is always popular with the children displaying her art making amazing objects from simple balloons.
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2. The event embraces many sections of the community assiting with operations and logistics on the day. On arrival at Rosehill Gardens the children and their carers were greeted by members of the defence services.
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3 and 4. Margy Abbott and Howard Collins moved through the train and chatted with our passengers. 5. Margy Abbott poses for a photo with a family of our special passengers. 6. Part of the concert performance with a christmas theme that was a major part of the event. 7. Every child attending the Special Children’s Christmas Party passed through this series of stations where they received generous gifts provided by the sponsors.
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Recent Tours – Something for everyone!
As well as the regular Cockatoo Run and Illawarra Tree Top Flyer 3801 Limited operates mainline tours to places and events of interest throughout the year. The best way to hear about these is to subscribe on our website to receive advance notice of special tours and our periodic Newsletter. Here are some of the tours from recent times.
Mount Pleasant Winery – Sunday 8 March 2015
Visits to wineries are always popular with our passengers and our tour to wine country in the Hunter Valley earlier this year was no exception. Our special diesel hauled heritage train departed Sydney bound for Maitland where passengers had a choice of visiting the the famous Mount Pleasant Winery or remaining in Maitland for the Food, Wine and Music Festival. On board the train, passengers were able to meet family winemakers and taste and compare world class wines from two famous Australian wine families McWilliam’s and Tyrrell’s. Those who visited the winery were entertained with special wine tastings, wine games, lunch, food and wine matching, and the chance to taste and purchase a number of hand selected wines at special event prices.
First Official Run of 42101 on Cockatoo Run – Sunday 22 February 2015 After much anticipation the announcement that 42101 would operate its inaugural tour after restoration on the Cockatoo Run on Sunday 22 February caused considerable excitement and a flood of bookings quickly filled the train. 42101 proudly took its position at the head of the train on the day and of course was the centre of attention from rail entusiasts and photographers. Owner, 3801 Limted volunteer James Gray proudly posed for photographs and rightfully savoured the moment he had aimed for over 24 years. The engine crew for the day were Malcolm Daly and Kim Andronicus, two highly experienced enginemen with long careers on the railways. 42101 performed admirably during the day, a credit to the quality of the restoration project and those involved with it. 42101 has been used on two tours since and certainly will be the star attraction on 3801 Limited tours in the future.
42101 about to depart Sydney Terminal Platform 1 on its inaugural tour following restoration on the Cockatoo Run.
Kandos Explorer – Sunday 30 November 2014
Kandos in the scenic Central West of New South Wales is another day tour destination highly popular with our passengers. Our most recent tour there took place late last year. Once again a fully booked train carried passengers across the spectacular Blue Mountains joining the old Mudgee line though the stunning Capertee Valley to Kandos. Passengers were able to explore the historic town and local markets.
Sydney Steam – Sunday 5 October 2014
In collaboration with Lachlan Valley Railway 3801 Limited operated four steam shuttles from Sydney Central to Sydney’s Inner West and return. Steam locomotive 3237 provdided an exciting day out aimed at families giving young ones a real steam train experience at a reasonable price and duration. The day was an oustanding success with some 660 paassengers, an event sure to be repeated!
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South Australian Insights Tour – Friday 8 to Friday 16 May 2015
3801 Limited recently operated the longest and most unique charter in its history. Insights Tours, a South Coast based touring company, organised an eight day tour to Adelaide and asked 3801 Limited to provide the train. As most passengers originated from the South Coast region the tour commenced from Thirroul. This required a very early start out of the shed at Eveleigh in order to position the train prior to the morning peak. There followed by a two hour wait in Thirroul Yard before collecting guests at the nearby station. Recently restored diesel locomotive 42101 hauled the train as far as Goulburn. The train travelled up the Illawarra escarpment along the route of the Cockatoo Run to Moss Vale and then south to Goulburn where 42101 was exchanged for S300 and S311 from the Canberra Railway Museum for the rest of the journey to Adelaide and return. Overnight stops were made in off-train accommodation at Parkes, Broken Hill and Peterborough. The train journey concluded in Adelaide where guests spent a 1 further four nights with Insights Tours. The charter train then operated the same trip in reverse returning to Sydney with a tour group from Queensland which had independently made its way to Adelaide. Thus the charter was economically viable with no empty running involved. Seven of 3801 Limited’s volunteers accompanied the train to Adelaide and back and in conjunction with the tour organisers provided refreshment and buffet services and attended to the needs of the guests. The train consisted of 3801 Limited’s First Class Lounge and Sitting cars CPJ 924 and SBN 2195 and Buffet/Sitting car FRN 2 2186 for the 46 guests. Crew accomodation cars were also attached for the volunteers and locomotive crews. 1. 42101 draws 3801 Limited’s charter train into Thirroul platform to pick up the 46 guests for the South Australian Insights tour. 2. Seven of 3801 Limited’s wonderful volunteers travelled with the train to attend to the needs of guests. Seen here during a stop on the return journey at Ivanhoe are from left back row; Alex Crass, Carol Leggett, Chris Rayfield, Pam Wilsmore, Mark Kenny, front row Daniel McQueeney and Brian Pendlebury. 3. Robyn Phillpot was one of the guests on the tour and for the first time saw the display case of railway mementos collected by her late husband Alan mounted in Buffet Car FRN 2186. The case was presented to Robyn at the Staff and Volunteer Christmas Party in 2012. 4 and 5. The train spent some time at a crossing loop at Matakana waiting for an eastbound double stack container train. Passengers were able to disembark and stretch their legs.
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Recent Tours Beyer-Garratt 6029 and Clyde/GM 42101 42101 Sydney-Moss Vale- Goulburn
A very special tour took place on Sunday 3 May 2015 to celebrate the return to active service of Clyde/GM 42101 and Beyer-Beyer-Garratt 6029, the largest operating steam engine in the Southern Hemisphere. 42101 and 4501 hauled the heritage train out of Central at 7.45am for a morning run down the scenic Illawarra Line passing Warerfall, Stanwell Park, Thirroul and Wollomngong to Unanderra. Then came the sound of the GM hard at work on the steep climb of the escarpment through Dombarton, Summit Tank, Mt Murray, Robertson and then on to Moss Vale. Here the mighty 6029 took over the train for the unsurpassed steam run to Goulburn. After lunch 6029 returned the train to Moss Vale where 42101 took over
42101 on the head of the rain leading 4501 on the ascent of the escarpment. The train had been placed in a loop to cross a grain train. In the same location a view of the flat fronted cab at the No. 2 end of 42101 with 4501 behind.
again for a brisk run back to Sydney via the Main South Line. Both locomotives have been restored independently over a long period, 6029 by the ARHS ACT Division’s Canberra Railway Museum and 42101 by James Gray (see story this Newsletter). The images tell the story of the unique day.
The train has arrived at Moss Vale and passengers took the opportunity to watch 42101 and 4501 being cut off the train to allow 6029 to couple up for the run to Goulburn.
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6029 at the head of the train having just arrived in Goulburn.
6029 has coupled to the train in the platform at Goulburn for the return trip to Moss Vale running tender first.
Running tender first 6029 arrives back in Moss Vale from Goulburn. 42101 and 4501 wait in the Up Relief to take over the train once again for the brisk run back to Sydney via the Main South Line. EL53 also waits alongside to return 6029 to the Canberra Railway Museum.
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42101 - A Restoration Sensation
Most young men satisfy their railway leanings with a model railway. But not James Gray! He settled for nothing less than the real thing. At age 16 James saw the opportunity to aquire his very own diesel-electric locomotive and that is exactly what he did! Back aound 1985 while on a steam tour down at Kiama helping shovel coal James saw a 421 class locomotive as it throttled up out of the Platform heading to Sydney. The thought struck James right then that he just had to have to get one of those. He had always been interested in these units for the look and sound and knew of the easier availability of parts being a EMD/GM product. Four years later the railways were selling these locomotives and James was a first year Fitting and Machining Apprentice. James’ mind was made up and so he set about inspecting each the 10 of the 421 Class at Chullora, DELEC, Cardiff and Junee. After being given the runaround by the disposals branch of the railways it became apparent that the class had been sold to a private operator and a scrap metal dealer. Not taking no for an answer (he was 16 remember) James made many more phone calls and found out that Simsmetal had acquired five of the class. James and long time friend David Kirkland caught SL65 down to Junee (circa Oct 1990) to again inspect the remaining three units there (which were deemed to be the best without traction motors). After their late Saturday afternoon inspection it was decided that, while missing more parts then 02 or 10, 42101 had the best set of wheels under her and this made it the best choice. After getting the run around from Simsmetal Australia and countless phone calls contact was finally made with the correct person! After much discussion and negotiation agreement was reached and all James had to do was find the money and submit a bank cheque to them and 42101 was his. Round two of negotiations started with James’ Grandmother (Kathleen Neary) to convince her that lending him the money to buy this locomotive was a good idea and that getting a pay rise the next year as a second year apprentice he would be able to pay her back. In the end she agreed and without her and her financial assistance this story would have ended here. James is forever grateful for this. Coupled to this a place had to find to put the locomotive and James admits to having been a naive 16 year old and not worried too much about this (he should have!). Long story short, Goulburn Roundhouse, a new group that saved the roundhouse from being demolished, welcomed them to their fold. After installation of traction motors and completion of other major work 42101 prepares to depart Chullora and return to Eveleigh On 26 March 2012 between 4464 and 4473.
On its inaugural tour on the Cockatoo Run on Sunday 22 February 2015 42101 poses while ascending the escarpment.
The driver’s view from the cab of 42101 at Central prior to departure on the same day.
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42101 arrived in Goulburn (from the computer paper James found in the cab) on train No. 3228 dead attached behind 8168, 8144 and 8167 on 29 November 1990. It was put into the old dock/fuel platform where it resided for many months before being moved up to the roundhouse where it has been painstakingly restored over 19 years. All rust was cut out and welded, new panels fitted, engine stripped and put back together and components sourced (some from Simsmetal off 42104, 08 and 10 being donors). The next major obstacle to overcome was the sourcing of six traction motors. Although these are common motors worldwide (unlike the MkII 44 class or British Diesels) as everyone uses them getting a The first light mainline engine trial took place on the evening of Saturday 25 October 2014. railway to sell them was almost impossible. 42101 with 4501 attached ran from Eveleigh to Hawkesbury River and return and is seen here at The motors removed from the stored 421s Hawkesbury River descending Cowan Bank. were intact, rebuilt and used in the 8181 to James Gray and 42101 on 15 January 2015 in the Large Erecting Shop, Eveleigh just after the locomotive had returned from repainting at Auburn. 8184 contract. In around 1995 agreement was finally obtained from Australian National (AN) to remove and sell six motors from one of their stored GM class. GM25 was the donor and had its motors removed at Islington SA and packaged up for transport to Goulburn. Needless to say moving six traction motors and parts ex GM25 from Adelaide to Goulburn wasn’t cheap at three tons per traction motor! By 2009 work had progressed on 42101 to a stage that not really much more could be done to her at Goulburn and a location closer to Sydney and Chullora was sought to have the traction motors fitted. James met with John Glastonbury and Keith Audet for dinner and after discussions it was agreed to move 42101 to Sydney and under the wing of 3801 Limited to have the traction motors fitted, testing/road trials to take place and eventual use on Heritage Trains operated by 3801 Limited. James is forever grateful for both John and Keith’s help with this. 42101 was moved to Chullora on 14 October 2011 to have the motors fitted. Part of this work involved jet blasting the bogie frames clean, recertifying the axle box bearings, purchasing new EMD suspension bearings and seals, fitting new gear cases with the upgraded/modern seals to prevent leaks, stripping the traction motors in TGE (the old electrical division) and re-profiling the commutators, new brushes, regreasing the bearings and electrically testing and performing repairs to the traction motors to increase reliability which included replacing a broken inter-pole bolt and a damaged armature shaft! The ICE radio was fitted by Stephen Preston in August 2014. While off its bogies 3801 Limited Maintenance Manager Bob Morris and James performed a thorough underframe and bogie centre inspection with 42101 passing. All of this costing a tidy six figure sum! After successfully road trials (light and heavy) in October and November 2014 where virtually no problems were encountered the next move was to arrange painting back into the original NSWGR colours as worn when delivered new on 22 December 1965. The locomotive was moved to UGL Unipart at Auburn for the repaint job over the Christmas break. 42101 was repainted to the same specifications as in the origlnal build contract but with a different and newer type of paint. The painting technique was the same as currently used by the automotive repair industry. 42101 is finished in Dulux Luxathane polyurethane 2 pack covered by two coats of quantum clear coat which provides additional protection and definition. Anyone who has seen the locomotive will agree it is the best paint job in town! The restoration of 42101 has been thorough and to a very high standard. An incredible 24 year long journey with many risks and unknowns has set a new benchmark in heritage restoration, a result of which James can be rightly proud. 42101 will operate under the accreditation of 3801 Limited and will be used on the Cockatoo Run and mainline tours. A detailed article on the restoration of 42101 appeared in the May issue of Motive Power magazine. 3801 Limited Newsletter Number 14 – Winter 2015
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For more information and reservations please contact our office at
1300 65 3801
or visit our website at
www.3801limited.com.au
for tour dates and online bookings
Our Regular Tours
On selected Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays travel in comfort aboard a restored heritage train from Sydney through to Robertson and Moss Vale via Wollongong. Enjoy spectacular coastal scenery and the 600 metres ascent of the Illawarra Escarpment through rainforests and past waterfalls. At our Summit Tank stop admire the view over Lake Illawarra out to the Tasman Sea. Visit the historic Southern Highland township of Robertson with its old town atmosphere and rustic appeal or travel on to Moss Vale. For full details and fares and timetable visit our website at www.cockatoorun.com.au
Our Mainline Tours
The Illawarra Tree Top Flyer combines The Cockatoo Run with The Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk. At Robertson our specially reserved coach will transfer you the short distance to the Illawarra Fly – a tree top walk approximately 25 metres above the rainforest and enjoy spectacular views from this high vantage point. After your visit the coach will return you to Robertson in time for a short stroll past the shops and back to the train for the return journey. Full details at www.3801limited.com.au/illawarrafly.htm
From time to time 3801 Limited operates mainline tours to special events and places of interest. Some of these have included the annual Elvis Festival at Parkes, Steamfest at Maitland and the very popular Lovedale Long Lunch in the Upper Hunter Valley. Details of our mainline tours are displayed on our website at www.3801limited.com.au
3801 Limited Calendar Mainline Tour Dates
Viewing This Newsletter
To best view this Newsletter in Acrobat Reader select View>Page Display>Two Up and Show Cover During Two Up See image below
Steam to the Blue Mountains Sunday 19 July
Cockatoo Run Tour Dates Wednesday Sunday Sunday Wednesday
24 12 2 26
June July August August
Illawarra Fly Tour Dates Sunday Sunday Sunday
14 June 12 July 2 August
Information and Reservations Phone: 1300 65 3801 www.3801limited.com.au 3801 Limited Newsletter Number 14 – Winter 2015
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