Happy 50th Birthday to the 4 5 0 1.

Like its Goodwin Alco sister unit the 4 8 3 3 the  4 5 0 1  has now reached the milestone of being 50 years old.

Developed for serious haulage duties as the “working mans” version of the pretty boy 44 class, the NSWGR DL541 locos class leader rolled to a stop at Delec in 1962 and soon became a reliable and consistent hauler of tonnage across most of the NSW mainline network.

While mainly employed on freight duties, express passenger train duties were not unknown on their allocated duties and even some branch lines including the tightly curved and steeply graded Oberon line felt the weight of their axles.

Above: The 4501 photographed at Delec by Bob Winch having just been delivered from AE Goodwin in 1962.

Displaced by the modern “Ready power” locos of the early 1990’s most 45 class locos unfortunately succumbed to the scrappers torch with only 2 now serving in heritage service and another 5(and a bit) surviving in various states of condition.

After a  period of storage and changing strategy Goodwin Alco purchased the 4 5 0 1 from CFCLA in 2002 and transferred it to the Eveleigh large erecting shop  (thanks to a man named (young) Goggo) for restoration.

Goodwin Alco’s transformation  of the 4 5 0 1 (the grey one) back to a reliable workhorse was due to the long hours and combined efforts of many oldmates. In 2007 the fruits of their labour were rewarded with the 4 5 0 1‘s successful trial on a Goods road heritage outing followed by a memorable day hauling the “Whoosch to the West – Noodles Express” to Kandos and return.

After a brief period of service the Red 4 5 0 1 then re-entered service and continues to this day to support the NSW rail industry earning its keep as well as providing enjoyment for enginemen and rail fans alike.

Above: May 2012 at Moss Vale saw the triple celebration of significant birthdays with Alan “Ziggy Snr” Smith reaching 60 years, the 4 5 0 1 in its 50th year and the “Boy” of the group ex fitter Jamie McIntyre celebrating 40 years out of the sack.

Happy Birthday, all the very best.

Santa’s on track for a great Christmas….

With 2011 almost over its time to reflect on another year of activities and the results of planning and hard work thanks to the  contributions of many oldmates.

Goodwin Alco wishes all our suppliers, supporters and friends all the very best for a Happy Christmas and thanks you for making 2011 another great year.

We hope the festive season is an enjoyable time and look forward to continuing our activities with you in 2012.

50 not out – Happy Birthday 4833.

Like several other surviving Mark 1 models The 4 8 3 3 has now notched up 50 years since its construction by AE Goodwin Pty Ltd.

Built to replace steam locomotives on all manner of services, 4833 is one of 165 original class members which became the backbone of the NSW government railway loco fleet.

48’s could be once found on any type of service, on any line in the state and to this day they are still popular with crews and maintainers due to their performance and dependability.

Based on a universal design developed for wordwide operations, the DL531 was embraced by many railways and whilst there are many variations NSW 48’s have undergone few significant modifications from the original configuration.

With changing regimes comes varied image and NSW 48’s have appeared in many different colour schemes. 4833 being an early recipient of the “Candy” colours was one of 2 units painted with the originally proposed “Belbin” white roof prior to the more serviceable red roof colour being adopted as standard.

Following its sale at the Cardiff auction, 4833 was returned to service and original livery by Goodwin Alco and has since operated with 3801 Limited hauling services including the Cockatoo Run, performing shunting duties as well as some “deep sea” operations.

4833 can today can be seen regularly hauling new built OSCAR suburban sets to Broadmeadow yard for testing, a task which it is ideally suited for.

Recent engine overhaul and body repair works should ensure that 4833 continues to operate for many years to come.

Happy birthday old girl.

Thanks to The 4 8 3 3’s oldmates JC Scrapmonger and Jamie McIntyre for artistic contributions to this news post.

Garratt works deliver results.

Following  months of rust cutting, fabrication, rebuilding and riveting,  6029’s cab has now left Eveleigh and has been reunited in Canberra with the rest of the locomotive.

With the loco undergoing a comprehensive restoration by the Canberra ARHS ACT division, 6029’s cab was brought to the Eveleigh LES for overhaul in 2010, its repairs being sponsored by Goodwin Alco. 

The choice of the  Eveleigh worksite was particularly significant given that the new 60 class locomotives were assembled there after arriving by ship from their English manufacturer Beyer Peacock. Some service life overhauls and repairs were also performed at Eveleigh.

With new steel work supplied by R&L Wall a mixture of volunteers from ARHS, Goodwin Alco, Blueridge and Maywald Engineering (international) completed the final assembly and riveting works in August & September.

Finally back together in one piece the cab was lifted out into the sunshine by franner and transferred south by road on September 15.

With the cab refitted, the final placement of cab floor, backhead fittings, gauges and pipework is now underway and the locos return to steam is getting tantalisingly close.

To keep up to date with the 6 0 2 9 restoration works go to:

http://project6029.blogspot.com/

The last Sputnik leaves the depot.

Nearly 4 years after the last regular Newcastle suburban service was operated by a 620/720 set lifelong “Newcastle” pair 626/726 has finally left its Broadmeadow home and commenced its final journey to preservation.

Suffering from various problems, 626/726 was the first of the refurbished “Cityrail” sets to be withdrawn from regular operations as the era of the “Hunter” railcars dawned. During recent years 626/726 has sat neglected on the wheel lathe spur road, surrendering some components to keep in service sister units running.

For reasons known only to the RailCorp heritage managers, 626/726’s internal ownership allocation and value changed several times after withdrawal and the unit was offered and withdrawn from multiple sale processes until finally being awarded for purchase by Goodwin Alco .

Although 626/726 will never run on NSW metals again its acquisition will provide continued support to keep its sister heritage  units running and the car bodies will ultimately be preserved in a static private railmotor display.

Due to time, accreditation and logistical restrictions 626 & 726 were removed by Australian Train Movers from Broadmeadow by road on the 4th & 5th of April being craned off their bogies and then hauled out along the “Fitton Highway” before a final high speed fling down the F3 for storage and stripping.

Already 626 & 726’s sacrifice has yielded many valuable spares including engines, transmissions, bogies and air system equipment as well as multiple body and internal fittings.

Its always sad to see a unit condemned to a static existence but in this case the benefits will be long term, far reaching and 626 & 726 will enjoy a long rest with care after so many years of service.

4464 back on track at Kandos.

After an extensive overhaul and recommissioning project the third Lachlan Alco 44 class –4464 has re entered service under the operations of 3801 Limited.

Purchased in 1994 at the infamous “Cardiff” auction 4464’s restoration was the subject of several stages of efforts by various project teams using both volunteer and paid labour.

Although considered to be the “best” of the 3 LA locos purchased 4464’s works included extensive body repairs as well as works on engine, traction motor and electrical control systems.

4464’s relaunch was facilitated by the operation of a special passenger train to Kandos on February 19 with a stop at Brogans creek during which the project workers, Alco fans and general passengers were able to witness the Alco operation first hand. On this day 4464 and sister units 4473 & 4486 operated “holding hands” for the first time in preservation.

Thanks to the project teams efforts 4464 will enjoy many successful years of Heritage operation during its second service career.

Bells are ringing and Santa is on his way…..

Well another successful year of operation, restoration, sponsorships, projects, road trips and good times has rushed past and again we find ourselves running through the last section to Christmas.

Goodwin Alco wishes all our suppliers, supporters, and friends all the very best for a Happy Christmas and thanks you for making 2010 another great year.

2011 is already shaping up to be a busy year and we again look forward to sharing the rewards of our Heritage activities with our oldmates.

Christmas comes early for The 4 8 3 3

Veteran Goodwin Alco loco 4833 has received an early christmas present this year thanks to the professional efforts of the oldmates from Drivetrain, Maywald Engineering International, Col Parry and the Lithgow Suit club.

Having worked tirelessly for many years, 4833 has been the subject of extensive repair and overhaul works in recent weeks which should prepare it for many more years of reliable service.

With engine works including new pistons,

liners, gudgeons, rings, bearings,

heads and injector pumps, a turbo overhaul, engine timing and a filter change,

body works including body repairs,

panel replacement,

various mounting repairs as well as air brake component change outs and pipe work repairs it should be no surprise that the receipts now total in the vicinity of $90,000.00.

Add to this the Compressor overhaul, traction motor blower refurbishment and electrical inspections completed in previous months and theres not much left on the list of planned works to tick off.

Commitments like this are a necessary part of essential maintenance programs and thanks to the efforts of our willing workers our 48 should continue to be the “backbone” of the fleet.

Thanks guys, we hope you enjoy your christmas break.

RTM returns 4001 to service.

After a marathon restoration historic NSWGR Alco locomotive 4001 has returned to active duty 37 years after it was withdrawn from regular service.

The 40 class were the NSWGR’s first mainline diesel locomotives and survived until the ordering of 442 class locos in the early 1970’s, when they were destined to become donors of parts and scrapped.

4001 was saved for preservation and its restoration is due to the combined efforts of numerous RTM staff, volunteers and supporters over various eras with many missing components required to rebuild the loco being donated.

Goodwin Alco was pleased to be able to assist the restoration progress firstly with the supply of fan and oil filter components to former Maintenance Manager Jim Martin and more recently via the commissioning and donation of reproduction MLW builder and Alco design plates.

Sporting a shiny coat of fresh Blue paint, 4001 was recommissioned on November 20th and has subsequently hauled 2 tour trains for fans celebrating its restoration. Unfortunately 4001 suffered a fan drive failure during its 2nd outing to Bathurst but is hoped to again be returned to heritage service in the near future.

Congratulations to all involved in the restoration of this historically significant old Alco.

Up Up and away.

Goodwin Alco’s support of Alco restoration moved “interstate” briefly in September to help our oldmates at ARHS ACT progress works on their World model DL500 Alco 4468.

With body restoration works well underway by the dedicated Canberra locals a work team comprising of Canberra fitter Gav, and representatives from Far North Rail Consultants, Goodwin Alco and the Lithgow Suit club gathered in the national capital to remove and strip the locos bogies in preparation for rewheeling.

With the services of a very impressive crane, light work was made of the lifting and with 4468 positioned on temporary bogies, stripping of the 6 wheelset/traction motor combinations from the frames was completed ready for shipping.

3 days of team work saw the job finished with time to spare  and another great example of inter group working completed.

Time was also taken to inspect and document the condition of Canberras other DL500 the recently arrived RailCorp Core Heritage unit 4403. With a condition report prepared and submitted, corrective works are scheduled to commence soon and 4403 returned to mainline service.

OTHR 73 class head West for new “home”.

After a 7 week “sleepover” at the Eveleigh Large Erecting shop OTHR’s first locomotives 7307 & 7321 have moved west and have now reached their new home of Oberon .

Thanks to a great combined effort by OTHR, LVR, 3801 Ltd and Goodwin Alco the locos headed west to Tarana on Saturday 24/07/10 hauled by Goodwin Alco’s locomotive The 4 5 0 1 and the following day were lifted off the rails and transferred to Oberon by road.

Whilst at Eveleigh the locomotives received considerable attention from OTHR members, Goodwin Alco and other supporters to improve their condition prior to their journey over the Blue Mountains and beginning the next chapter of service in their railway career. Eveleigh was the overhaul location for 73 class locos for many years so it was fitting that the locos returned there for attention.

In addition to coordinating the relocation of the locos Goodwin Alco donated the operation of The 4 5 0 1 for this movement and replacement equipment including air brake components, windows, number boards and specially produced “Oberon” depot plates.

Goodwin Alco is pleased to be associated with OTHR’s efforts to reopen the Oberon branch line for heritage operations and congratulates them on their remarkable progress to date.

To keep up to date with progress at Oberon go to:

http://othr.com.au/ or become a member and get directly involved in the activities of this exciting project.

Goodwin Alco units haul 73 class for OTHR

On Saturday May 29 former Patricks locos 7307 and 7321 commenced the first leg of their final journey to preservation being moved from Botany to Eveleigh by Goodwin Alco locos 4501 & 4833.

Despite the gloom of a wet Sydney day spirits were high amongst the faithful volunteers who had gathered and volunteered their time to ensure that the units recently purchased by the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway were safely transferred and secured.

Having been the subject of some theft and vandalism at Botany and purchased “as is, where is” the combined efforts of the Lachlan Valley Railway, 3801 Ltd and Goodwin Alco joined forces to prepare, transport and secure the engines ready for their journey West to their final home.

Thanks to the generosity of Lachlan Valley Railway who moved the locos at cost, 3801 Ltd who provided temporary shelter and workshop facilities at Eveleigh and Goodwin Alco who donated the use of locos 4501, 4833 and the fuel used for the transfer, the Walkers built locos are now undergoing repair and recommissioning works. Soon the move west to Tarana will be possible and the OTHR locos will commence the next stage of their service career and enter their second period as preserved units.

Goodwin Alco wishes OTHR well in their endeavours and encourages anyone interested to support their activities via physical and financial support to preserve and reopen the unique “pioneer” line from Oberon to Tarana.

For more information on OTHR’s activities visit their website at:

http://www.ozsite.com.au/oberonrailway/

CPH 13 bound for Oberon

Goodwin Alco is pleased to announce that it has secured vintage NSWGR railmotor CPH 13 for operation on the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway. The rebuilding of the first section of line to Hazelgrove on the former Oberon branch line is nearing completion by OTHR and the provision of “Tin Hare” CPH 13 for tourist service will be part of Goodwin Alco’s contribution to this worthy and exciting heritage project.

Currently located out of use in Canberra, CPH 13’s service career commenced in 1925 and after serving on NSW suburban and country lines for nearly 60 years it entered preservation with the ARHS ACT division in 1984.

Following several years of tour service out of Canberra, CPH 13 was placed on loan to the “Line of Lode” group in Broken Hill and after the unfortunate abandonment of that project was returned to Canberra in 2005.

While currently in a partially dismantled state, restoration plans to rebuild and reactivate CPH 13 will soon have it ready for the next stage of its operating career at Oberon.

To learn more about OTHR’s activities reactivating rail operations at Oberon visit their website at:

http://www.ozsite.com.au/oberonrailway/