13/08/2026
STEAM TRAINS - Where next?
Everyone seems to ask where the steam program is at, now that Pozieres has returned to service - so heres a bit of a report.
Pozieres, Klondyke, and 3620 are currently in service, with T251 having a well deserved stay in the workshop.
Work on reactivating G33 is also progressing well - the front engine unit has been turned ready for connecting back up to the rest of the loco.
Here’s the exciting stuff 👇
Boiler work is now well advanced on No4, an 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive which has not operated since 2009. The boiler has been rolled over with the smokebox removed, and condemned barrel sections have been cut out ready for replacement.
Our pressure vessel welder continues to work on this boiler when he attends, and is making very quick progress. Boiler tubes for this boiler are inbound from New South Wales at the moment.
Additionally, locomotive M6 has been relocated to the workshop, to be worked on if No4 works are held up awaiting materials. This makes the most of the paid contractors time on-site, as the repairs to M6 boiler are well within the scope of their abilities.
Additionally, a significant investment has been made into ex-Fyansford Cement Works locomotive No2 (a Beyer-Garratt).
As the railway looks to the future, it is important to understand the condition of every locomotive available, and make the correct call on which ones to prioritise.
This is where No2 fits in - the asbestos insulation has been removed from the boiler to assess its condition, and we were pleased to discover that it’s very good! As such, No2 takes its place in the restoration queue at some stage in the future.
If you’d like to help us cover the costs of some of these huge milestones, please consider donating:
www.bellarinerailway.com.au/donate
