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Steamrail K183 back on the rails

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      Galron Chief Commissioner

    Location: Werribee, Vic
    Steamrail Victoria has posted some images on their facebook today following some test runs with S313 and Solo, following repairs undertaken over the past year or so.

    https://www.facebook.com/steamrail

    K183 has been out of service since 2002 following a fatal level crossing incident at Benalla. Plenty of discussions elsewhere on these forums about that if you want to look it up. Following a review into the state of the loco, and viability for repair, it was decided to undertake that repair work in mid-late 2020, with today exercise another step in the return of the loco to service.

    Of note in the photos was a (likely) ceremonial headboard, along with some flowers on the boiler, not doubt in memory of those that lost their lives.
    Posted: 07 Oct 2021 20:29

    Last edited by Galron on 07 Oct 2021 20:31; edited 1 time in total

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      Aaron The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: University of Adelaide SA
    Steamrail Victoria has posted some images on their facebook today following some test runs with S313 and Solo, following repairs undertaken over the past year or so.

    https://www.facebook.com/steamrail

    K183 has been out of service since 2002 following a fatal level crossing incident at Benalla. Plenty of discussions elsewhere on these forums about that if you want to look it up. Following a review into the state of the loco, and viability for repair, it was decided to undertake that repair work in mid-late 2020, with today exercise another step in the return of the loco to service.

    Of note in the photos was a (likely) ceremonial headboard, along with some flowers on the boiler, not doubt in memory of those that lost their lives.
    Galron
    Nearly 18 years to decide to do less than 12 months worth of repairs? What a waste of time, it should have been repaired and back to service 15+ years ago.
    Posted: 07 Oct 2021 21:21
      BrentonGolding Chief Commissioner

    Location: Maldon Junction
    Didn't notice you volunteering to help with the repairs. Show some respect.
    Posted: 07 Oct 2021 21:44
      Aaron The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: University of Adelaide SA
    Didn't notice you volunteering to help with the repairs. Show some respect.
    BrentonGolding
    In case you missed it, I live in the wrong state - but I do have money. Hence, I actually went to SteamRail several (probably 6 - 10) times in those years and probably every time offered to donate money towards it, but was usually told something along the lines of it being too bent or too whatever else for repair. So they never did get any money for K183 - which was a shame, because she was a favourite of mine.
    Posted: 07 Oct 2021 22:54
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    My understanding is that there were various (unspecified) reasons why 183 was not rapidly repaired. One, of course, may have been that finishing A2 986 took priority, and one rebuild at a time is plenty.
    Posted: 08 Oct 2021 07:24

    Last edited by Valvegear on 08 Oct 2021 07:24; edited 1 time in total
      Galron Chief Commissioner

    Location: Werribee, Vic
    My understanding is that there were various (unspecified) reasons why 183 was not rapidly repaired. One, of course, may have been that finishing A2 986 took priority, and one rebuild at a time is plenty.
    Valvegear
    It was, and probably still, is considered extremely sensitive anything in relation to K183. I am a steamrail member, and volunteered at various stages, and was told be various people not to talk about it when on site. That was a good while ago now, with the powers that be obviously deciding enough time had past to get it going again.
    Posted: 08 Oct 2021 09:05
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    I am a steamrail member, and volunteered at various stages, and was told be various people not to talk about it when on site.
    "Galron"
    I am also a Steamrail member, but very much a "sleeping" member. In the past, I have made three separate attempts to become an active volunteer, and each time I was, as Billy Connolly said, " . . . made as welcome as a fart in a space suit." . . . a great pity.
    Posted: 08 Oct 2021 09:18
      K160 Minister for Railways

    Location: Bendigo
    The headboard is the same one used when the loco was tested after restoration back in 1992.

    I believe having the loco back in service is a fitting tribute to the 3 volunteers who were tragically killed back in October 2002. Certainly better than having it hidden away from public view gathering dust.
    Posted: 09 Oct 2021 11:39
      K160 Minister for Railways

    Location: Bendigo
    The loco has undertaken  a further 2 days of test runs between Newport and Sunshine. The one yesterday (22nd October) was advertised on Social Media by Steamrail following the relaxing of restrictions in Melbourne so it appears a few railfans got out and captured it.
    Posted: 23 Oct 2021 13:00
      Carnot Minister for Railways

    K183 ran light engine to Gheringhap, South Geelong, and back to Newport today.  Things seem to be progressing well.
    Posted: 06 Nov 2021 18:30
      freightgate Minister for Railways

    Location: Albury, New South Wales
    Link to a photo in the Gheringhap thread.

    https://www.railpage.com.au/f-p2233048.htm#2233048
    Posted: 06 Nov 2021 18:37
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    This is pure speculation but, having a suspicious mind, I wonder whether Steamrail is hoping to run 183 on the Ringwood-Camberwell shuttles in two weeks time. Steamrail's e mail to members says " locomotives K153 and K190 (TBC)"
    Posted: 07 Nov 2021 12:34

    Last edited by Valvegear on 07 Nov 2021 12:36; edited 1 time in total
      K160 Minister for Railways

    Location: Bendigo
    Another test run today running to Gheringhap and Geelong. This time the K is hauling the water gin and 3 E-type cars.
    Posted: 13 Nov 2021 11:10
      hbedriver Deputy Commissioner

    Spoke to the crew this evening. Driver really pleased with it, as good as any other loco around, rode well, no troubles. Fireman said it steamed well, easy to work. Both guys a bit emotional, they knew and had worked with the chaps lost back in 2002, but full of praise for Steamrail’s work to repair the loco to such high standard.

    Train ran up to two hours late due to a point failure at Moorabool, then lost path at Geelong, no fault of loco
    Posted: 13 Nov 2021 21:59
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    This is pure speculation but, having a suspicious mind, I wonder whether Steamrail is hoping to run 183 on the Ringwood-Camberwell shuttles in two weeks time. Steamrail's e mail to members says " locomotives K153 and K190 (TBC)"
    "Valvegear"
    And that will teach old Valvegear not to speculate. The train just went through Richmond with 153 leading and 190 trailing.
    Posted: 20 Nov 2021 09:43
      bevans Site Admin

    Location: Melbourne, Australia
    Spoke to the crew this evening. Driver really pleased with it, as good as any other loco around, rode well, no troubles. Fireman said it steamed well, easy to work. Both guys a bit emotional, they knew and had worked with the chaps lost back in 2002, but full of praise for Steamrail’s work to repair the loco to such high standard.

    Train ran up to two hours late due to a point failure at Moorabool, then lost path at Geelong, no fault of loco
    hbedriver

    What points are there at Moorabool?
    Posted: 20 Nov 2021 10:25
      K160 Minister for Railways

    Location: Bendigo
    Spoke to the crew this evening. Driver really pleased with it, as good as any other loco around, rode well, no troubles. Fireman said it steamed well, easy to work. Both guys a bit emotional, they knew and had worked with the chaps lost back in 2002, but full of praise for Steamrail’s work to repair the loco to such high standard.

    Train ran up to two hours late due to a point failure at Moorabool, then lost path at Geelong, no fault of loco

    What points are there at Moorabool?
    bevans

    The end of the double-track from North Geelong.
    Posted: 20 Nov 2021 11:17
      K160 Minister for Railways

    Location: Bendigo
    This is pure speculation but, having a suspicious mind, I wonder whether Steamrail is hoping to run 183 on the Ringwood-Camberwell shuttles in two weeks time. Steamrail's e mail to members says " locomotives K153 and K190 (TBC)"
    And that will teach old Valvegear not to speculate. The train just went through Richmond with 153 leading and 190 trailing.
    Valvegear

    Given it has only had one loaded test run a week ago it might have been cutting it a bit fine IMO.

    Reading the latest edition of Newsrail magazine it contains a bit of information on the re-activation of 183 with input from Warren Hall (Steamrail's mechanical manager for some years now). Worth a read if you want details on what was required to get the loco back into traffic.
    Posted: 20 Nov 2021 11:21
      hbedriver Deputy Commissioner

    Heading to Sandringham today
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 07:07
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    K183 is indeed on the Up end of the train today (replacing 190 which was there yesterday). An excellent job of restoration is obvious; 183 looks superb, and is running without smoke deflectors.
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 12:02
      freightgate Minister for Railways

    Location: Albury, New South Wales
    Any photos to share ?
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 13:29
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    Unfortunately not.Crying or Very sad
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 15:06
      Galron Chief Commissioner

    Location: Werribee, Vic
    Any photos to share ?
    freightgate
    https://www.facebook.com/steamrail has a number for those on that platform.
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 20:33
      Gman_86 Chief Commissioner

    Location: Melton, where the sparks dare not roam!
    K183 does indeed look fantastic.

    I love the look of the K without the smoke deflectors. Do we know whether or not this is how Steamrail intend to leave it?
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 22:21
      Graham4405 The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: In exile
    I love the look of the Ks. When we did a trip on the VGR a few years ago, I was mildly disappointed that we had a J rather than a K up front.
    Posted: 28 Nov 2021 22:55

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