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City of Canberra” finds a home - but not in Canberra

 

 

While I am pleased that the Beyer-Garrat 6029 locomotive has found a new home, it is disappointing that that home was not in Canberra, Shadow Heritage Minister Nicole Lawder said.

The new owners of the locomotive, formerly known as the
City of Canberra, have struck a one year storage and use agreement with Transport Heritage NSW and the NSW Rail Museum.  

“While it is good news that the 6029 Locomotive has found a home in Thirlmere near Sydney, it is unfortunate that it has been lost from Canberra,” Ms Lawder said.

“Important parts of Canberra rail history were lost when the Australian Railway Historical Society ACT Division went into liquidation.”

The famous engine 6029 once operated in Canberra and was on display in Canberra but was acquired by private owners in November last year. The locomotive was sold as part of the ARHS liquidation.

The 6029 entered service in NSW and the ACT in 1954 and retired in 1972. In the 1980’s it was restored to operational condition and operated as a heritage train for the Canberra Railway Museum. It received renewed mainline accreditation in December 2014, named City of Canberra with the first public trips taking place on 28 February 2015. It is the largest operational steam locomotive in the Southern hemisphere.

“The new owners were keen for anyone who had worked with the locomotive to maintain their involvement.

“Fortunately, Thirlmere is not that far away from Canberra.

“I hope there will be opportunities for the locomotive to visit Canberra in the future.

“It is important that we do not lose active connections with these important parts of our transport heritage,” Ms Lawder concluded.

Media contact Deborah Seccombe:

 

P (02) 6205 1580           M 0451 255 891 E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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