3801 Overhaul

I don't think there is now any connection between this company and the loco is there? Having been the custodians, I seem to recall that they had their noses put out of joint some years ago when the loco was put (back?) into the custody of Thirlmere.

 

As you say, there's no connection now. 3801 Limited had a 20 year lease on 3801 but the lease was not renewed.
Haven't a clue as to the reasons - and will stay out of discussions as I suspect matters must have got somewhat 'messy'!

 

Steam Locomotive 3801 is safe and its (somewhat protracted) overhaul to full registered traffic condition continues.

The company have no connection except for the name. At the risk of dredging up old and settled matter, for the custody, cast your minds back to FSS attempts to regain operational control of Doncaster 1564 of 1923. Similar desire, similar result.

 

Is there anything positive to come out of Australian railway preservation?

All we ever hear is disagreements, evictions and mismanaged overhauls! Have we (Britain) exported our expertise in such matters?!

Can anyone tell me what plans there are for 3830? Trying to decide whether ill be long in a grave before I get to tick either C38 off my bucket list

 

I'm sure there are lots of facets of Australian railway preservation that are quietly getting on positively with very little drama, just as there are in the UK.
As with everything in life it seems, bad news and arguments tend to come to the fore in preference to good news, so that's what you tend to end up reading about.

If you want a positive slant from Oz, try looking at the steady progress the Yarra Glen railway are making towards reconstructing their line or some of the locos that are making good progress in respect of their restoration. It's not all doom and gloom.....!

 

https://www.facebook.com/nswgrc38class/
Missed posting pictures from 4th April entry:
..... castings for the flanging dies to repair 3801's boiler were inspected at McKechnie Iron Foundry in South Australia today. ( Foundry is located in Gepps Cross suburb of Adelaide)
The images show the Female Die (painted with red primer) and the Male Die (upside-down) in the after-cast area of the foundry.
Both castings have been inspected and approved. The next step involves machining the undersides of the base flat. When this is complete, the dies will be transported to a contract flanging shop in Victoria.
Good to see continued progress on 3801.
Presumably a similarly dimensioned pressing would suit 3830's (75 year old) boiler - if it needs it of course - but shame that there doesn't seem to be progress reports on it's overhaul.

 

3801's frames being re-wheeled recently:

 

After a break of some months - a video has been uploaded showing the pressing of a replacement boiler throat plate: https://www.facebook.com/nswgrc38class/

 

December's The Railway magazine appears to have a hopeful article: https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/early-2018-return-assured-for-australias-iconic-no-3801/

 

That is good news! After all the trials and tribulations it's nice to hear positive news from the Australian railway scene!

 

Well, the somewhat lesser known 3526 has had its first trial runs on 22 December 2017. The Buxton picture was its last day in traffic prior to commencing its heavy overhaul.

http://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/news

 

http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/367ea5_67595b9cd6f344e484623903ea761b0d.pdf

http://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/single-post/2018/03/07/Member-eNews-February-2018 [5th item]

 

Looks like 3801's re-steaming has been delayed again.
http://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/single-post/2018/04/12/3801-Update---April-2018

http://www.transportheritagensw.com.../02/The-Mint-releases-commemorative-3801-coin
After this weekend's Transport Heritage Expo at Sydney Central Station there will be a special Q&A session on Monday 11 June. This is for people interested in hearing more about the 3801 Project. Q&A details: https://www.transportheritageexpo.com/activities
General Expo details at: https://www.transportheritageexpo.com/

 

Latest Update: http://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/single-post/2018/08/09/3801-Update---August-2018

 

Another update for those interested in this project: https://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/single-post/2018/10/18/Milestones-Reached-for-3801-Project

 

Latest update: https://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/single-post/2018/11/16/3801-Update-November-2018
Does the increased update frequency of late imply that things are starting to get nearer re-assembly/testing in (early-) 2019?

 

January 2019's update: https://www.transportheritagensw.com.au/single-post/2019/01/14/3801-Update---January-2019
Much work being done on the boiler it seems. Wonder how the mechanical restoration work is getting on?

 

Thanks. I wonder if it is normal to paint the inside of a boiler barrel? There does not seem much chance of the paint staying in place in service.

 

Apexior 1.

 

Voila: http://www.dampney.com/Product-Line/AT/View/PID/8/Apexior-1