Transport for NSW update on steam train locomotive 3801

Transport for NSW today announced the boiler for the 3801 steam locomotive would be brought to Australia so that local experts can get the locomotive back on the tracks.

“I’m pleased to announce that we’re one step closer to getting this famous Australian locomotive back on the tracks by bringing the boiler home,” the spokesman said.

The boiler is planned to be shipped from Germany before the end of the year and it is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2015.

A new not-for-profit organisation called Transport Heritage NSW was set up by the NSW Government in 2013 to get the most out of rail heritage in this state, the spokesman said.

“Transport for NSW and the new organisation Transport Heritage NSW are now working together to get the boiler completed.

“Our priority has been making sure the boiler can be fitted to locomotive 3801, and that it is safe to operate and reliable. The boiler is currently in Germany, and a number of defects have been found.

“With the new organisations overseeing the project now in place, we have decided to bring the boiler to Australia where it can be completed and put into service.”

Transport for NSW and Transport Heritage NSW will progress the overhaul of the 3801 locomotive here in Australia, to ensure the locomotive returns to service.

“We will now have more direct control of the project and can get on with job of making the boiler safe, reliable and ready to be fitted,” said the spokesman.

“Transport for NSW will ensure that as soon as more information is known about the timing of the arrival in Australia, and the likely date the steam locomotive 3801 will return to the tracks, that information will be made available.”
21 November 2014

Thats good news for 3801, good news for the Aussies and good news for Meiningen.

Mike

Maybe not the best news for Meiningen, Mate.....but a step in the right direction after years of dither. No worries, she'll be right soon enough after she gets home again.

dave

Funny how they now have experts in their own country......

Mike

They have always had them....any doubters have only to consider the Na boilers on the Puffing Billy, which have long outlasted the originals they were built to replace.

The decision to go to Meiningen was as I understand it based on political and short term economic considerations more than concerns about local competence and qualifications. I don't know if the whole story will ever be made pubic - which is too bad, as there are probably useful lessons in it that could benefit many of us.

dave

One wonders who is paying the freight for this round the world tour......

So, I guess they'll lift off the dome cover and slide a new boiler underneath it? :-)

We're supposed to be discussing an Australian steam locomotive. How did we switch to PRR 1361?

[runs from the spikes and ballast thrown]

Unless the "A" in ASME as Matt uses it stands for Australia, it doesn't matter. Much as I'd love to see 3801 running in the US, it is highly unlikely........I have a copy of the Australian boiler code somewhere, but don't use it so can't lay hands on it right now.

dave

Hello

While this does not directly answer Dave's or Mr. Boschan's question. I think it tells us a lot about the scope of ASME.


Stolen from http://www.asme.org who we are

"Quick Facts
[*]Founded in 1880
[*]Over 140,000 members in over 150 countries
[*]Over 200 Sections and 32 Technical divisions
[*]Headquartered in New York, NY
[*]600 technical standards improving the safety and efficiency of boilers
elevators, cranes, nuclear energy, pipelines, and many other areas
[*]ASME Standards used in over 100 countries
[*]ASME members provide engineering and technical expertise to policy
makers in Congress, the White House Office of Science and Technology
policy, and key federal agencies
[*]Holds more than 30 technical conferences annually
[*]Offers over 200 professional development courses in multiple formats
ASME's online Digital Collection features over 30,000 journal articles and
more than 30,000 conference proceedings papers as well as eBooks.
[*]Nearly 250 mechanical engineering landmarks and collections of historical
importance designated since 1971

Robby Peartree

Be careful comparing boiler codes. I have worked on four different continents and all recon their code is best and right. All have good points and bad. It is not the first nor will it be the last time that this sort of issue will occur unless the lesson is learnt of doing it your self or under direct control locally of the operating inspectors and user.

What is critical is the standard of the workmanship and confirming what the codes say being implemented. In that respect the boiler being done in the place where it is to be used has everything to recommend it.

https://www.facebook.com/TransportHeritageNSW/photos/pcb.324282344442200/324281771108924/?type=1&relevant_count=2

It's home.

P. Hosford