Re: R711

[David_Arblaster@nospam.dse.vic.gov.au (David A.)]

On Tue, 20 Jan 1998 09:14:23 +1000, sthyer@anatomy.unimelb.edu.au
(Stuart Thyer) wrote:

>In article <69vhmd$4m1$1@gruvel.une.edu.au>, dbromage@metz.une.edu.au
>(David Bromage) wrote:
>
>> Rumours around that R711 was steamed for the first time last week. Craig?
>> 
>Hmmmm, saw the boiler on sunday, it couldn't hold water let alone steam,
>it ain't got tubes, it ain't got its stays finished, it ain't got a grate
>or ashpan and it's sitting on the ground.  I do hear though that the
>driving wheels have been sent back to Skilled engineering due to a
>problem, what I don't know.  Craig??
>

Perhaps the rumours refer to the A2 at Echuca.  There is a photo on
the back cover of the current Rail News Victoria showing the boiler
apparently in steam.  I was there last September and there was some
work being carried out, but only with the aim of "steaming it up and
down a couple of hundred yards of track" in and out of the museum,
this apparently the result of the museums new manager who thought that
every steam exhibit should be a working exhibit.  They do have 4 (I
think) operable paddle steamers there (Adelaide, Etona, Pevensey and
the Alexander Arbuthnot).  I didn't give it much thought, other than
thinking that a steam locomotive was a project of much greater
complexity (at least mechanically speaking) than a paddle steamer,
which are basically a staionary engine or traction engine bits driving
the paddles through a gear chain.

The RNV caption stated that the restoration was being undertaken with
the assistance of the WCR.  One wonders what sort of deal has been
struck with respect to operating the loco.  Are the WCR playing
philanthropist here or will the A2 be restored to main line standard ?
I don't think the museum would let one of their prize exhibits go for
extended periods of time.  Flyers and bill boards for the Port of
Echuca mention the 'A2 locomotive' as a key attraction.  Fitting for a
Riverine trade exhibit as the coming of the railway spelt the end of
the river trade.

David A.




>-- 
>Stuart Thyer  Suzuki Gs1000s
>Photographer  University of Melbourne
>DoD No-1724
>One time winner of the 'imaginary chocolate frog of discretion'
>  _____________
>

David_Arblaster@dse.vic.gov.au  | David Arblaster,
mercury@netspace.net.au         | Melbourne, Australia
"What does it mean when a man unearths an ancient urn but buries
 his thermos flask in the process ?"  Michael Leunig