Returning 6029 to steam service
Click here for the project information pack.
The ARHS (ACT) is restoring to running order the massive Beyer Garratt articulated steam locomotive 6029.
When in NSWGR service, this 4-8-4 + 4-8-4 giant weighed 265 tonnes (including 18 tonnes of coal and 40 tonnes of water) and had a tractive effort of 63,000 lbs (280kN) - equivalent to about 3,000 horsepower.
6029 last ran, in ARHS (ACT) service, in 1981 but was then 'retired' to await major repairs (the John Hurst picture on the right shows 6029 near Goulburn in that year).
In October 2007, the 6029 Project was launched to restore the loco.
A project management committee is overseeing the restoration project, and it will fund-raise and deal with any issues that may arise.
The success of the project will lay in developing and maintaining a work team and obtaining the necessary funding, to allow the project to move forward in a methodical and planned way.
The project has pushed ahead since the first work day.
Project 6029 update September 2009
Work continues, sometimes we think that we have a long way to go, most times we find that steady progress is being made.A steady team of volunteers has formed, but new hands are always welcome. Work days in Canberra are
First Saturday
Third Sunday
Hours approx 10-1600, but flexible.
Firstly, the replacement boiler is close to being ready for what is called the “Accumulation test”. This is when full pressure is raised, safety valves set and final inspection takes place. Every boiler fitting and appliance is tested and inspected for proper operation. Work to be undertaken for this includes reassembly of the throttle, fitting of the safety valves, and crucially, manufacture and installation of the remaining 20 superheater elements. Off site the set of clothes for the firebox end has been completed in anticipation of the test.
We have an attractive quote [cost only, that is how much this project has attracted attention] but we need to raise the money. Please help. ..there is a donations form here in the webpage. Mark any donation “for Project 6029”.
Secondly, the precautions that we are taking are paying off. When the previous boiler was removed, we towed the then partially complete locomotive to the lift site and it actually derailed itself. Reason? All the sitting around and going nowhere in the past 25 years had allowed the main pivot for the inside pony truck on one engine unit to seize up, so there was no lateral movement. Solution? Remove pony truck and disassemble it to check for other problems. Answer? Slide surfaces for axleboxes also damaged by cracking.Fix now and then reassemble. The first removed pony truck is now being reassembled. And the other inner pony truck is now removed and being disassembled for examination.
Thirdly, the boiler cradle is now completely repainted, so when the replacement boiler is ready and the necessary repairs are done to the ash pan those parts can be reunited. Beyond the superheater element replacement this will be the next ‘big” expenditure as crane hire will be involved.
Fourth, the Cab is completely dismantled and being subjected to rust repairs prior to reassembly. This task is being undertaken at the historic large erecting shop at Eveleigh, almost at the spot where the newly imported locomotive was assembled in the early 1950’s.
We are often asked “when”, The answer depends on the money raising as this project is self funding. At the presently established rate of funding, we have four years to go.We are one third of the way into the job, and that has taken two years. If the donation income and other money raising were to double the so too would the pace of work.
Peter Reynell
Project Secretary
September 2009
