WE ARE BACK – 3801 Ltd Plans for
2007 Trips.
After
a period of uncertainty, and despite the loss of steam locomotive 3801, the
Board resolved that 3801 Limited would continue in operation. The Company is
pleased to announce that tours will re-commence on Sunday 21st January. We aim
to provide a varied and interesting range of tours throughout 2007. Final
details on a number of these tours are dependent on approval of timetables
submitted and the disposal of rolling stock proposed by State Rail.
Bookings
are open for the Suburban Goods Line tour on Sunday 21st January and the tour
to Kandos on Sunday 4th February.
Details
for tours to Shoal Bay for a Seafood Extravaganza on 4th March
and to Historic Joadja Village
will be announced shortly.
Other
tours planned for the first half of 2007 include trips to the South Coast
visiting Kiama and Berry Market Days, Bankstown
shuttles using 3112, visits to the Hunter Wineries in conjunction with music
festivals, Rail and Sail to Gosford and Wollongong,
Whale and Dolphin Watch excursions in conjunction with Moonshadow Cruises at
Port Stephens.
In
addition we will be offering weekend tours to regions we could not access with
3801 but are accessible using branch line heritage diesel locomotives.
Planning
is also underway for several “’01 RailCruises” similar in concept to those
previously operated by Bill Peach Tours. These will he of 6 or 7 days duration
and will feature time off the
train
exploring interesting country towns and regions.
There
are also plans to rejuvenate the Cockatoo Run.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT EVELEIGH LARGE
ERECTING SHOP?
3801
Limited has been given an extension of the current lease to occupy the Large
Erecting Shop until at least 2008. The fate of much of the current carriage
fleet is in doubt awaiting an announcement by Stage Rail on possible disposals.
The company is, however, confident of retaining many of these vehicles although
not all.
Current
projects and happenings in the Large Erecting Shop include:
4501 – now in grey undercoat and will be
ready to run trials in January. Its first tour working will be on 4″‘
February to Kandos.
SMR18 – now operational and expected to
operate to Maitland for the Maitland Steam felt.
4401 is on restricted workings due to
low wheels. 4473 and 4486 continue on ballast and passenger
workings.
The
86 class have been sold – 8609 to
Merv Gaut and 8644 to SETS.
4908 and 4918 are both fully operational. 4908 ran a wedding charter to
Bribaree recently with LVR carriages and a great night was had by all!
3112 is fully operational.
Extracts
from 3801 Ltd’s ’01 News Number 1 January 2007.