Conservation skills
3801 locomotive overhaul
The Project: Historic steam locomotive 3801 is undergoing a major overhaul so that the locomotive can continue to operate. The overhaul is being managed by 3801's custodian and operator, the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM).
- The tender frame is being overhauled by a team of volunteers at Chullora.
- Contact the project team: if anyone is interested in volunteering for the project, please contact Craig Mackey, 3801 Overhaul Project Manager, craig.mackey@nswrtm.com.au
- The tender tank is being overhauled by apprentices at the Hunter Valley Training Company's V-Tec site at Maitland.
- Overhauled of the bogies, valve and cylinder liners in the main cylinders is being undertaken by a Ainsworth Engineering Group [link - www.ainsworthgroup.com.au] at Goulburn.
- Dampflokwerk Meiningen, part of Deutsche Bahn AG, won the contract with RailCorp to design and manufacture the replacement boiler for 3801 www.dampflokwerk.de/english/index.htm
Current status: For more information on this project see the NSWRTM's site www.3801.com.au
Background: Locomotive 3801, introduced to service in 1943, is the sole surviving example of the five streamlined Class 38 'Pacifics' that were followed by 25 'non-streamlined' examples, of which 3820, also in RTM's custody, and the Powerhouse Museum's 3830 are the only other remaining intact examples.
The C38s were the ultimate development of express steam locomotion on the NSWGR and became the principal motive power for most major express passenger trains across the State. They worked under the highest operating pressure of any steam locomotive in the country and allowed for the introduction of heavy air-conditioned expresses, leading to new levels of service and comfort after World War II. 3801 itself travelled over 2,090,000 km until it was withdrawn from service in 1962.
updated 28 May 2010
