Hi, I am wondering when and if locomotive 8606 will be used as a heritage locomotive and if there are any upcoming trips.

Thanks

Hi, I am wondering when and if locomotive 8606 will be used as a heritage locomotive and if there are any upcoming trips.

Thanks

After its finished its contracted work maybe.

That would be something different.  I recall 4 86 class "idling" next to the shops in Sydney at the entrance to the loco dive (just trying to recall the location as could have been redfern), I will have to dig the photos out.  Southern Side maybe 15 years ago.

How exciting.

According to the SETS website and facebook page it's in the pipeline although work contracts are the priority. On the work front, the fact that they are the only group/owners that have operational electric locos works out well for them as they can be used with the specific advantages that they have for Sydney underground works or any other work where there are long/many tunnels.

It will be interesting to see how a tour will be done though, if it will be done in connection/through Transport Heritage NSW/Sydney Trains and perhaps make appearances at the annual Transport Heritage Expo or something independent through/with Pacific National crews.

According to the SETS website and facebook page it's in the pipeline although work contracts are the priority.

Would such a trip be even remotely viable financially ?.

The sort of demographic who wants a tour train headed by an 86 would rather chase it around the suburbs getting photos of it, than riding it, where you CANT take photos of it.

And the current safety regime won't allow the old style 'photo stop run by' of old. The railway legal department would have a fit if you suggested detraining passenger at somewhere other than a station, setting the train back, charging past for the photos and then setting back again to get the passengers.

If SETS thinks they can make money out of it (or make enough out of the hook and pull hires, they can afford a loss-making fan tour!), good on em.

Matthew, as you say an old style photo run by is impossible now, but would one by nescessary? Whether charging by at speed or stationary, that 86 looks and sounds like a big blue and yellow microwave.
8606 is in limbo, not really new or old enough to be a big draw card. Back when, four 86's on a coalie for me, didn't rate a second glance. Perhaps younger people who've never one or the die electric enthusiast may buy tickets. Or rather take pics as you say.
The fact it's been reactivated after so long and the intended useage is the interesting story in my view. Would have liked to have been a fly on the wall, when the idea was originally floated, to witness reactions.

I could see one of the electric locos, particularly a 46 given the strong historical significance in connection with the Blue Mountains, hauling the "Hydro Majestic Express" that Transport Heritage NSW runs from Sydney to Medlow Bath for people to have High Tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. These trips seem to sell out well. There are day and evening trips planned for late February and both already sold out. I've noticed the last few trips they've used the CFCLA GL class loco for these trips, not sure why one of the vintage diesel locos aren't used - the GL class is rated at 3300HP as opposed to something around the range of 2000HP of the vintage diesels, which may have something to do with it. Similarly they've used the GL at the other end of the Garratt 6029, possibly for the same reasons. The electric locos would probably be comparable to a GL. Not sure cost wise how it would compare to run one of the electrics vs a diesel for tours.

I could see one of the electric locos, particularly a 46 given the strong historical significance in connection with the Blue Mountains, hauling the "Hydro Majestic Express" that Transport Heritage NSW runs from Sydney to Medlow Bath for people to have High Tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. These trips seem to sell out well. There are day and evening trips planned for late February and both already sold out. I've noticed the last few trips they've used the CFCLA GL class loco for these trips, not sure why one of the vintage diesel locos aren't used - the GL class is rated at 3300HP as opposed to something around the range of 2000HP of the vintage diesels, which may have something to do with it. Similarly they've used the GL at the other end of the Garratt 6029, possibly for the same reasons. The electric locos would probably be comparable to a GL. Not sure cost wise how it would compare to run one of the electrics vs a diesel for tours.

I went on tour hauled by the last 86 in service from Sydney to Kiama thence Newcastle and then return to Sydney and the trip was very well patronised.

I could see one of the electric locos, particularly a 46 given the strong historical significance in connection with the Blue Mountains, hauling the "Hydro Majestic Express" that Transport Heritage NSW runs from Sydney to Medlow Bath for people to have High Tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. These trips seem to sell out well. There are day and evening trips planned for late February and both already sold out. I've noticed the last few trips they've used the CFCLA GL class loco for these trips, not sure why one of the vintage diesel locos aren't used - the GL class is rated at 3300HP as opposed to something around the range of 2000HP of the vintage diesels, which may have something to do with it. Similarly they've used the GL at the other end of the Garratt 6029, possibly for the same reasons. The electric locos would probably be comparable to a GL. Not sure cost wise how it would compare to run one of the electrics vs a diesel for tours.

I cant comment on behalf of the NSW Rail Museum but at the ARHS Canberra, it was actually cheaper to use the CF Diesel's compared to the 48 and 44 at the Museum. Just incorporated the cost of the diesel into the tickets. Didn't have to worry about Maintenance, it was all done through CF.

I always wondered why ARHS Canberra trains used CFCLA locos - I figured they were donated or something. Never occured to me they could be cheaper!