Now 6029 Project has been launched to restore the loco, with work to begin in earnest in October.

A project management committee has been established to oversee the restoration project, fund-raise and deal with any issues that may arise.

The success of the project will lay in developing a work team and obtaining the necessary funding, to allow the project to move forward in a methodical and planned way.

Work starts in October

The first work day will be on Saturday, 6 October, starting with a clean-up of the site (near the Canberra Museum Railway site gantry crane) and preparatory work.

The project will need to tool up and we ask all to consider donating any items they can spare from the following list. We desperately need:

• hand tools, that is spanners, sockets, hammers, screwdrivers and pliers etc.
• work benches, vices and cupboards for storage.
• power tools, that is angle grinders, drills and even drill bits.
• oxy cutting equipment.
• power leads, power boards and work lights

Regular work days are planned for the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month. Other work days will be by prior arrangement with Project Manager Alan Gardner.

If you would like to participate, you must contact the Project Manager no later than the Wednesday prior to a workday. This will enable work to be planned and coordinated.

Alan Gardner, the project manager, can be contacted by phone on 0417 426 934 or by email at .

If you cannot make it to Canberra Railway Museum, you might also be able to work on small projects at home. There are many items that can fit into the boot of your car. If you would like to help out in this way, please make contact.

Overnight accommodation

As there has been interest in this project from people outside Canberra, ARHS will be offering free overnight accommodation in one of the Society's sleeping cars for anyone who is working on 6029.

If you would like to stay overnight you need to call Alan Gardner so arrangements can be made at the Museum. A condition of staying will be to provide your own blankets and bed linen. Naturally you will be asked to clean up your room so the next persons can enjoy the same comfort as you experienced.

6029 Project Fund: We need your help

Preliminary estimates for the complete rebuild of the locomotive are suggesting that it will be in the order of $500,000, An accurate estimate will not be finalised until the strip-down phase is completed.

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However the change-over boiler has already been inspected and with only minor work we should be able to steam test it on the ground. However we do need funds before work can start on sandblasting, replacement of damaged tubes, repairs to the smokebox and the use of heavy mobile cranes.

To get things going on the locomotive proper, we will also need to remove the contained asbestos. This is a task that will have to be undertaken by specialist contractors, with an estimated cost of $12,000.

How can you help?

ARHS has opened a specific appeal through the Canberra Railway Museum Trust for those wishing to give to this major project.

All donations of $2 or more to the Canberra Railway Museum Trust are tax-deductible. Please remember to include your return address if you wish us to issue a receipt. For donations, our online form makes it easy to record your information

Alternatively, ARHS is offering private sponsorship packages as follows:

• join the 6029 Club - a monthly pledge at whatever you can afford, perhaps one less glass of beer can be good for your health and get 6029 going sooner? Long-term supporters will be recognised as main project contributors and be entitled to a free 6029 membership package. The highest donor will be given the privilege of riding in the cab on its first official run.
   
• contributions of $500 and above will secure a free ride on the first official train and membership to the 6029 Club and a membership package.
   
• contributions of $3,000 and above will secure a day out in the cab of 6029 and membership of the 6029 Club.

Corporate sponsorship

We would welcome all inquiries and would be happy to consider any special requests associated with our sponsorship packages.

There are four levels of sponsorship. Our Diamond Package will be tailored to your individual needs.

• 9 Garratt sponsorship, $5,000+
• 18 Garratt sponsorship, $10,000+
• 24 Garratt sponsorship, $25,000+
• Diamond Package, $50,000+

Sponsorship cheques should be made payable to the Canberra Railway Museum Trust, noting separately that the contribution is for the 6029 Restoration Project.