6029 is owned by the Australian Railway Historical Society, ACT Division and the restoration is proudly supported by their tourist operations and by the generous donations of members and public supporters.
The society operates rail tours out of Canberra with our heritage fleet of steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock every few weeks.
To travel in style on any of our tours, or to learn more about our collection and operations, go to Canberrarailwaymuseum.org

Oct 21, 2009

Sunday 18 October,

The first of the four bogies is now starting to look like it is brand new ex-works. The brake cylinders have been re fitted and the many sub assemblies have had the usual three coats of paint. Some of the bushings and pins will need to be replaced. John continued with the strip down of the second bogie and we are hopeful that we can lift the bogie frame off the wheels on the next workday. The repaired lateral control springs should be back on site in the next few weeks.

Mike continued with the re fitting of the overhauled reverser reach rods that run down the drivers side of the boiler cradle. One of the last jobs for the day was to lift both of the long reach rods into position. Yes that’s correct we are starting to put it back together.

Since starting the project, we have had no workshop facilities on site. Thanks to the continued efforts of Barry, Stuart, Marc and Pat the electrician, we now have a mobile workshop. As a consequence of this we are now looking for a bar fridge(already found), kettle and seats.

Our next workday is Saturday 7th November 2009.

Alan Gardner

Oct 10, 2009

Saturday 3 October 2009

Canberra is presently experiencing significant rain fall and it goes without saying that it's most welcome. However as we have no shed for 6029 the weather can influence our workdays. As a result of the poor wether the fit out of our new workshop (the MHG guards van) progressed significantly. Stuart fitted a new bench in the perishable goods end and he has plans to fit a vice and bench grinder in this area. When completed we will at last have an indoors work area that will be a welcome change to all. Pat, our resident electrician has promised to fit some power points and lights and we may even be able to boil the kettle in the near future. If any one wants to help out with the painting and fit out please come along as this work can happen any time mid week or even weekends.



Between showers, John continued with the stripping down of the second bogie, he also had time in the past week for some work at home by cleaning up some small components for the bogies. We joke that after four bogies, John will be the resident bogie specialist. If the weather holds off on the next workday it is anticipated that the second bogie will be completely stripped down for assessment.

The project manager and our friend from the USA, Jack Corrick spent most of the day studying SKF drawings for the big end bearings. The end result being the partial disassembly of one big end. We now need a special pulling tool to facilitate the removal of the inner bearing assembly. Mike Reynell has offered to make this vital equipment up. Thanks also to Craig Mackey for suppling the NSWGR drawings and bearing manual.

Roger Maynard started cleaning down the four Nathan DV mechanical lubricators however no undercoat could be applied due to the wet weather. The preliminary assessment has shown that they are in good condition.

The last jobs on the boiler cradle are being completed by Howard and he had the unenviable task of removing the last of the sound deadening boards from underneath the cab floor. The attempt by the manufacture with sound deadening was poorly applied, with the use of timber and alternative modern martials will be sourced for this area.

By the days, end we were all wet and tired, however the day’s efforts had at least allowed us to be one step closer to steaming 6029. We now have an indoors workshop and the previosly unknown, black art of the SKF roller big end bearing has revealed it self to the next generation of steam fitters.

Please make the effort to come along to the next workday (Sunday the 18th of October) as we need lots of mussel power and willing hands.

Alan Gardner