A grant from the Fires to Flourish program means Tallowood Ventures can fund the necessary repairs to this famous 146-year-old steam engine and carriage.

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Both the engine and the carriage are kept undercover in Tallowood’s Glenreagh Shed.

Repairs will be undertaken by Tim Elderton of Elderton Engineering Services and certified for the Rail Regulator once complete.

“This will mean that the majestic old girl will once again be able to grace the rail lines at Glenreagh, open to the public,” Tallowood Ventures Chairman Wal Muir told News Of The Area.

Tallowood Ventures is now calling for volunteers to help with cleaning, painting and other work on both the engine and carriage.

The work will be undertaken in August/September this year.

Steam locomotive ‘1919’ was built in Manchester, England, then shipped to Sydney and commenced service in December 1878.

After 92 years of faithful service on country branch lines, including the Glenreagh to Dorrigo line, and in major shunting yards, she was withdrawn from service in January 1971, having steamed 2,313,345 kilometres in NSW Government railways service.

“It is a testament to the English designers and builders, and the Australian tradesmen who maintained her, that she had such a long and active career well into the age of diesel and electric locomotives,” Tim told NOTA.

“Fast forward to today, we feel absolutely privileged to restore this historic locomotive back to life and recreate the atmosphere of what it was like when she rode the rails from Glenreagh to Dorrigo last century.”

Initial inspections conducted by Tim revealed that 1919 is in reasonably good condition.

There are some boiler repairs such as leaking rivets to fix, the steam cover and regulator valve needs to be removed for the boiler inspector’s internal inspection, and all boiler fittings need to be serviced.

The timber end platform carriage requires a major inspection.

The carriage will also require some carpentry repairs, painting, and interior detailing.

“It is such a rewarding experience to bring back to life an antique steam locomotive and the atmosphere of yesteryear, especially if you’re a history buff, or like tinkering with big toys,” Tim said.

“It takes around eight hours to gently raise steam from cold to full pressure, and bringing a steam behemoth back to life with your own hands is a very rewarding experience.

“Well, at least it is for an engineer like me.”

Volunteers can assist with tasks from cleaning, sanding and painting, to more technical work such as carpentry repairs and assisting fitters carrying out boiler repairs.

“We’re happy to train volunteers not only how to restore and maintain the steam train, but also how to light up and prepare the steam engine and the skill of being the fireman… the coal shoveller,” said Tim.

If you are interested in helping with this exciting project, please contact Tim at info@tallowoodventures.com with your skills, when you might be available and your contact details.

By Andrea FERRARI