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/

Goodwin Alco awarded 6029 project “Silver” sponsor status.

 

Since the inception of the 6029 restoration project Goodwin Alco has supported the efforts of the Canberra based Garratt restoration team via monetary and other donations, archival research, the restoration of components and the Eveleigh workdays program.

The 6029 project has made incredible progress in a relatively short period of time and is a credit to the dedication of its hard working volunteers, management team and many supporters. The value of Goodwin Alco's sponsorship was recently recognised by the 6029 project team via the awarding of "Silver" sponsor status, the first such award made by the 6029 project.

One of the main Goodwin Alco activities has been the sponsorship of 6029’s cab restoration. The cab was transported to Sydney by truck in mid 2008 and its restoration is being conducted at the historic Eveleigh Large erecting shed inconjunction with 3801 Ltd.

The cab has now been completely dismantled, the deteriorated components repaired or replaced and is being prepared for reassembly. The 6029 project is a great example of oldmates from many different organisations and interests working together and will ensure that an example of the largest locomotive type to run in the southern hemisphere will again steam for the first time in 30 years.

The completion of 6029's restoration will mark the success of one of the biggest volunteer steam loco restorations in preservation history and support the education and enjoyment of todays and future generations that have never seen such a locomotive operate.
While much good work and progress has already been achieved, the 6029 team still need support to complete their project which is bigger than the locomotive itself!

There are many ways that you can assist the project team get 6029 steaming again in 2011 and to identify the role you can play go to the 6029 project blog at:
http://project6029.blogspot.com/

Goodwin Alco unit moves Krupp crane to preservation

Unique 120ton capacity breakdown crane LC1060 has made its last mainline journey and entered preservation thanks to the Lachlan Valley Railway Co op and haulage by Goodwin Alco loco 4501.
Once an essential part of loco depot inventory, the era of rail breakdown cranes has sadly past with modern day preference being to use mobile road cranes to clear mishaps.
1060 also known as "The Krupp" spent recent years languishing at the former Lithgow Depot and has been purchased by the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum group who had long considered it to be an essential addition to their collection.

















Efforts by LVR oldmates saw the crane serviced and certified for travel and with ARTC & RailCorp approval, the Krupp was hauled to West Tamworth over 2 days by Goodwin Alco loco 4501. Due to the cranes enormous 22.3ton axle load its maximum permitted speed was 50kph from Lithgow to Werris Creek (via Sydney) and then finally 30kph from Werris Creek to West Tamworth.
Thanks to good planning and the Krupps reliable german engineering the haulage task went off without a hitch and was delivered to its new owners after a 17 hour journey.

Goodwin unit celebration at Kandos

4833 & 4501 stand at Kandos station having arrived from Sydney. Photo Jamie McIntyre.

To celebrate 50 years of service of the trusty Goodwin Alco DL531 48 class locomotives, 3801 Limited operated a tour from Sydney to Kandos and return on Saturday February 2o headed by Goodwin Alco heritage locomotives 4833 & 4501.

The occasion was a double celebration as 2010 marks 15 years of heritage activities by the Goodwin Alco Pty ltd team, and what better way to celebrate than to have both locomotives head the train west over the Blue mountains and through the Capertee Valley with a train full of passengers.

To ensure everyone had the opportunity to record the occasion a line side photo stop was held under the towering bluffs at remote Brogans Creek before the passengers were treated to a magnificent lunch either on board or at the Kandos Hotel.















Miles from civilisation the Goodwin Alco units run past for the photographers. Photo Leon Rudd.

With the train remarshalled and the passengers back on board a glorious western afternoon ensured the scenery was seen at its best as the train retraced its path back to Sydney.

Powering through Wallerawang 4501 leads 4833 and a train full of happy passengers on their way home. Photo Geoff Taylor.

For information about future tours contact 3801 Ltd on 1300 65 3801 or visit http://www.3801limited.com.au/.

621/721 re-enters service in original livery

After several months effort, hundreds of hours of voluntary labour and numerous litres of paint RailCorp Heritage Railmotor set 621/721 was returned to service by custodians The Rail Motor Society on Sunday 17th January 2010 again wearing its original livery. Whilst largely completed by Goodwin Alco the sets transformation is also due to the combined efforts of The Rail Motor Society and Maitland Rotary volunteers who worked with the project team resulting in a great example of inter group support and co-operation. The Rail Motor Society's team also carried out body repairs, a mechanical service and car cleaning and fit out to ensure all was ready for the inaugural trip to Nowra. Goodwin Alco took time off from restoring their own set 629/729 and both managed and sponsored the project by contributing paint, preparation materials, voluntary labour, project management, reproduction shaded lettering, and also reinstated original toilet mirrors and replica builders plates.

To read more about the project works and the history of set 621/721 go to: http://621721.blogspot.com/

To view set 621/721 returning from its inaugural trip to Nowra view the video clip below:

4833 visits the National capital!

December is a busy time in many areas due to pre Christmas celebrations and Canberra is no exception. Every year the ARHS ACT division run an extensive program of pre christmas special trains to cater for end of year office party and group celebrations.
The end of 2009 was no exception and to cater for the capacity crowds that booked on the dinner & dance special trains Goodwin Alco's 4833 was requested to head south to help shift the loads. Holding hands with ARHS's 50 year old Alco 4807 and Steam stalwart 3016, 4833 operated to destinations including Bungendore and Tarago with record crowds tugging behind on the drawbar.
During its time in Canberra 4833 also got to rub couplers in loco with oldmates including ARHS's tuscan & russet painted 7315 and newly acquired mainliner 4468.
Following the success of this initial visit future trips are being discussed and further examples of interworking and cooperation between the like minded oldmate groups is in the pipeline.

Thanks to Canberraite Paul Quinn for providing the "on shed"pics during 4833's ACT visit.

Ho Ho Ho

With another year past Goodwin Alco would like to thank all our supporters, suppliers and friends for their support and wishes them the very best compliments of the season for a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
2009 has been another successful year full of heritage restorations, operations, sponsorships and projects with both new and oldmates and we look forward to working again with you all in 2010.