Thread: Big Beyer Garratt 6029 restored at last

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Here is 6029 on it’s trial run from Goulburn to Canberra on 14/08/14

Check the cattle in the paddock to the right of the line. They have probably seen plenty of trains, but what the hell is this!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NImB...ature=youtu.be

Hey Drivesafe, what are you drinking!!!!! They look like sheep to me

I can remember seeing these Locomotives coming through Maitland station when I was going to high school, they made the ground shake as they passed through the station, usually hauling grain from up in the states Nth west, in later years I nursed a chap (R.I.P) who drove Garrat's for more than 20 years, he was interesting to listen too, thanks for posting/sharing, I can't wait to go chasing it somewhere, cheers Dennis

As I have posted elsewhere in this section, I hated firing steam locos, but there was one single day I still regret not being able to fire a steam engine.

My regular drive and I were rostered to work a goods train from Enfield yard to Broadmeadows.

We had a loco inspector working with us as I was to work my first Garratt and the inspector was there to qualify me for 60 class working when I finished the run.

We work a set of 46 class electrics to Gosford, where the electrics were supposed to be replaced with a 60 class.

We pulled into the yard at Gosford but sitting in the Loco siding were two 43 class units ( back to back, unusual and against operating regs for these and 42 class locos ).

Apparently the 60 class failed in Broadmeadows yard and the 43 class were a rush replacement.

This was late 1971 and there were very few firemen passed for the 60 class after this time, so I never got to work one.

Here is a link to some more pictures of 6029.

https://plus.google.com/photos/102519107727013001716/albums/6044039132115593537/6044039149969989618?banner=pwa&pid=604403914996998 9618&oid=102519107727013001716>

Listen to the big girl sing..
[ame=http://youtu.be/KZBLWTX4xb4]6029 load trial - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://youtu.be/DlC3z8xLk_c]6029 - load trial - September 2014 - YouTube[/ame]

That's about 550 tonnes on the drawbar apparently. The diesels are there as load and in case something goes wrong. Passengers are only museum members.
Rumour has it there won't be any paying passenger trips this year. Before mainline acceptance, they have to trial the engine to determine working load capacity on a variety of grades, just as if it was a brand new class of locomotive.

Good stuff!!! The 60 class has always been my favourite class of steam loco's. Can hardly wait to see it in the Newcastle area after it's accreditation.

What a majestic sight and the sound is incredible WOW!!! she looks alive a living breathing wonderful engine,those diesel locos just look plain ugly and soulless behind that lovely lady.

I am so jealous of you blokes that got to see or work with this amazing loco,god i wish i was born earlier dam it!!!!!

Originally Posted by disco man

What a majestic sight and the sound is incredible WOW!!! she looks alive a living breathing wonderful engine,those diesel locos just look plain ugly and soulless behind that lovely lady.

I am so jealous of you blokes that got to see or work with this amazing loco,god i wish i was born earlier dam it!!!!!

I've mentioned it before, but one of my favourite memories is the Garretts double heading, climbing the Fassifern Bank up through Teralba and Cardiff. This was the late 1960's.There is a U-Tube clip of them that has been shown on here before.