On Sunday September 8 2013, the Puffing Billy Railway in Melbourne's Dandenong ranges, celebrated the return to service of Climax geared steam locomotive No 1694. The locomotive last ran in 2001 and since then has been undergoing a major restoration.
1694 was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry, Pennsylvania, USA, for the Forests Commission of Victoria and operated on the Tyers Valley Tramway in Gippsland until 1949. Interestingly it was the last Climax ever built and the only one on 2'6" gauge.
Eventually it was preserved by the Puffing Billy Railway and returned to service in 1989. Unfortunately by 2001, it was in need of major mechanical work and was withdrawn following a farewell trip in April of that year. Following 12 years of restoration work, the Climax is now back in service for special events and charters on the PBR.
1694 is one of only four operational Climax locomotives in the world and the only operational Climax in the southern hemisphere. The other three are in the USA. 1694 is also a unique survivor of the many varied locomotives that used to operate on the lightly laid timber tramways throughout Victoria.
A video of the 2001 farewell trip is also available on my channel:
• Climax Geared Steam Lo...
© 2013 James Brook
Негізгі бет Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары Climax Returns - Geared Steam Engine at Puffing Billy Railway: Australian Trains
Пікірлер: 45