As most will be aware 3801 has been withdrawn from service due to worn tyres. The wheels are in the process of being removed from the locomotive and forwarded to Ipswich Workshops in QLD for the new tyres (obtained earlier from South Africa) to be fitted.

3801 was scheduled to operate a number of trips from now until


December. Most of these trips will now be operated by 3112 with diesel assistance, however we did approach the RTM about 3526 (out of service with a bearing problem) and the LVR about 3237 (still a number of small teething problems and will be unavailable for longer trips until next year). The owner of 3112, Barry Tulloch has been fantastic in his approach to helping out and the little tank will have a large workload


over the next few weeks.



One trip cannot be operated without a 38 class and that is the Werris Creek tour on 11-13/11/05. We approached the Powerhouse Museum about using 3830 on this and the Robertson Round Trip on 27/11. Late this afternoon we received a reply to the effect that as one of the two Powerhouse maintenance employees had a long standing family commitment


on that weekend the workload on the other person would be too great to make the locomotive available. The Powerhouse will not allow anyone other than their own employees or volunteers to work with 3830.



Regarding the use of 3830 on the Robertson Round Trip the Powerhouse decided that it was too much work to get the locomotive ready for one trip and then drain it again for the summer period. 3112 with diesel assistance will do the Robertson trip.



Therefore 3801 regret to advise that the Werris Creek trip will now be postponed until March 2006. At this stage 10-12/3/06 seems the most likely date but this will be confirmed on our website tomorrow. All passengers who have booked on the trip will be sent letters tomorrow.



We sincerely apologise that this has occurred and hope that those booked are able to travel in March. A full refund will of course be made for those who are unable to transfer.



Roy Marshall


Office Manager


3801 Limited