A link to the past
On 22 November, Steamrail Victoria ran an interesting suburban rambler tour, visiting Williamstown, Werribee (both via Altona, and back up the straight), Sunshine, then via the goods lines under Footscray to Flinders St.
A break for lunch for those travelling, and servicing for the train, before heading out through South Yarra to Caulfield, and Cheltenham.
A short pause there, before heading back to Sunshine, and home to Newport via Brooklyn.
It was a very well patronised train, and had hordes of people line side for it, both enthusiasts and curious locals.
Some of these lines hadn’t seen steam for over a decade, and the Sunshine to Footscray section will be undergoing massive changes in the near future.
The train was operated in push - pull fashion, with 1940s built K 153 on one end, and star of the show, Y 112 at the other.
The Y was built in Ballarat by the Phoenix Foundry, entering service in 1889, making it the oldest operating mainline locomotive in Australia. Victoria’s first railway opened in 1854, so to have something from that early in the evolution of steam locomotive design still operating is remarkable. You can read more about this interesting loco here.
It’s actually one of few preserved locos that at present has spent more time in regular service than preservation, something that will eventually change, but not for a few decades!
The loco was for a time plinthed outside the Ballarat Civic Centre, before being restored by West Coast Rail on behalf of the Sovereign Hill museum, with Steamrail leasing the loco when West Coast ceased to exist.
This was the Y’s first tour after three years out of service, an extensive overhaul with new wheels and tyres being fitted should see the nuggety little loco around for a long time.
A massive shoutout to the team at Steamrail for preserving so much of our rail history, and having so many different locomotives available on a long term basis, the organisation leads the way for rail preservation in Australia.
Here’s a few photos I took, I hope you enjoy them.
Thanks,
Scott
On its first trip out of Newport Workshops since its overhaul was completed, Y112 spent October 11 running to Laverton and back on some bedding in trips.
Warren and Tim from Steamrail’s mechanical branch discussing next moves before the train headed back to North Melbourne for servicing.
The brick and bluestone of one of Flinders Street station’s little nooks frames the front end of Y 112 as the train heads back to North Melbourne for servicing.
Finishing with my favourite shot of the day, smoke and steam hang around the loco, while the light catches the rails heading out under Federation Square.
