Rare loco restored

A RARE steam engine built for the Victorian Railways in 1953 has been purchased by a group of local rail enthusiasts and returned to its former glory.
The transformation took place at Puffing Billy in Menzies Creek where the retired steam engine was completed overhauled.
Spokesperson Andrew Reynolds said it was a tribute to the high expertise of workers at Puffing Billy that they were able to completely restore the steam engine.
“This was not a ‘patch-up’ restoration,” Mr Reynolds said. “This loco is now arguably the best restored loco in Victoria at this point in time.”
It’s taken more than three years for the restorations to be completed and now there are plans to return the steam engine to the railways.
“It’s due to be transported to the Castlemaine and Maldon Railway where it will be leased to the Victorian Goldfields Railway,” Mr Reynolds said.“Here the loco will haul passenger services on this line between Maldon and Castlemaine.”
While the steam engine will be returned to work across Victoria there are already plans to bring it home to Healesville.
“The intention had always been to run it at Healesville,” Mr Reynolds said. “And with the planned railway refurbishing who knows – hopefully we will see it back there soon.”