dewhitton

They were a big engine!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_60_class_locomotive

Well yes -- but the only surviving Garratts in Britain are these Welsh narrow-gauge things, so I don't tend to associate the name with large locos.

Baby Garratts!

The Garret's were a remarkable machine. Highly efficient on steep grades and sharp curves, and with their weight evenly distributed. This made them popular in both New south Wales and Queensland which both have mountainous lines to deal with.


Sadly I've only ever seen them running in poor quality ameteur film, much of it silent, and a virtual version in Microsoft Train Simulator. A relative of mine works at the RTM and I asked about the possibility of restoring 6040 - zilch. :(

The Welsh Highland Railway has some ex-Tasmanian 0-4-0+0-4-0s in operation. I know virtually nothing about them, though, so can't really give more details.

Thanks Den, I hadn't seen that video before. Probably the best Garratt footage I've ever seen...

...then when I looked it up on YouTube I found an even better video below! :o
http://youtu.be/O22dS7JbAHQ
(The owner has disabled embedding)

I sure would like to see one running again. If Wild, Wild West hadn't been a flop maybe Hollywood could have been persuaded to restore 6040 and feature it in a steampunk film - spruced up 6040 would look fantastic.

Why no 6040 restoration? Lack of parts, or lack of funds?

Well it was just the one person I spoke with (my mother's cousin who is an active volunteer for the RTM). I'll try to remember to ask him for exact details but the expense was the biggest issue (especially in the current economic climate) and also that the top speed of the 60 class when they were working is now below the minimum required for NSW rail regulations.

Ping! http://thefoxaroo.livejournal.com/307818.html

Hi loganberrybunny,

I've received news that a Beyer Garret 60 class is in the process of being restored:
http://thefoxaroo.livejournal.com/307818.html

That's a locked entry, so I can't read it -- but I'll take your word for it!

Fixed!

Thanks! =:)

Excellent!

PS - 4490 looks rather morose. I think the big girl needs another hug.

She is a Good Engine.

Breeding and beauty. She comes from good stock! If I were a multi-millionare I'd buy an Alco FA in North America and do it up in the 44 class colour scheme. Just to confuse the locals. :D

Either that or retrofit 4490 with fur to look like a huge vixen and hold a furry convention on board a train running Brisbane-Newcastle-Sydney-Melbourne-Adelaide-Perth.

'course if I were a billionare I'd just implement a TGV here.