The last post on this loco was in April of last year inquiring as to the status of the conversion of the loco to standard gauge, I have not been able to locate any response and the original thread has been locked.
The question remains what is the status of this loco and is work continuing to get it operational on SG.
With the pending standard gauging of some of the Victorian network there would be more interest in this project as there would be in the re gauging of any other VR locos.

The last post on this loco was in April of last year inquiring as to the status of the conversion of the loco to standard gauge, I have not been able to locate any response and the original thread has been locked.
The question remains what is the status of this loco and is work continuing to get it operational on SG.
With the pending standard gauging of some of the Victorian network there would be more interest in this project as there would be in the re gauging of any other VR locos.

Information will be released when the time comes. At the moment its going on at a steady pace.

The last post on this loco was in April of last year inquiring as to the status of the conversion of the loco to standard gauge, I have not been able to locate any response and the original thread has been locked.
The question remains what is the status of this loco and is work continuing to get it operational on SG.
With the pending standard gauging of some of the Victorian network there would be more interest in this project as there would be in the re gauging of any other VR locos.

Information will be released when the time comes. At the moment its going on at a steady pace.

A bit of current news might gain a bit more support

At the moment its going on at a steady pace.

So was the snail outside my door yesterday.

Why does anyone bother with this mob?

They are probably not obliged to provide any information on the lack of progress on R 766 but courtesy costs nothing and some brief details on progress (or lack thereof) would not cost them anything. At the moment everything smacks of a cover up of some sort.

It seems to me that one day (if any of us ever live that long) that this mob will expect public support in buying tickets when (if) the bloody thing ever runs again.

One of these days, in the fullness of time, at the end of the day, when the time is ripe, after the necessary procedures have been completed...................

Between the secrecy/conspiracy (whatever) between 766 and the 38 class boilers one has to wonder what all these people have to hide ?

Consider it non existant.

The people involved with R766 have made it clear they are not interested in providing any details of the locomotives progress to the public, whatever their reasons, it seems highly probable it will not see the mainline again in the foreseeable future.

A real shame, it wasn't that long ago R766 was running on the BG in Vic. At least us Victorians still have 3 fully functioning R class regularly running tours around our beautiful state.

I have many fond memories of R766 in S.A Gman.
Was only young but remember it well. Dad took my brother and I out and about to see it and photograph it. Was a great sight and sound when she double headed with 520.

I'm always surprised how these organisations (if there is such a body behind this group) engage in this sort of "secrecy" stuff as if what they are doing is the most secretive undertaking known to mankind like building the A Bomb.   Yes they have the right as a private entity to decide to go down whatever path they choose but why not just say that.  Make a statement that the organisation has chosen to adopt a policy of not informing anybody and we'll leave it alone and focus on something else.

Or you could go the other way.  Garner support possibly even financial support around what they're doing regardless of how many years it might take.   Look at the enormous interest and admiration for the efforts of the Canberra team getting 6029 into service and the huge following and support for the tours that they are now operating with fans travelling from across the country to see it.   It took decades to get it together and people have celebrated that in the same way that the Steamrail people in Victoria have and are doing in bringing the A2 back into service.   These are wonderful achievements and there's nothing wrong at all that its taken decades to happen.  In fact we can only admire there dedication at what they do.

The British and the Americans this year have returned famous locos back to service with enormous fanfare and recognition.  My view is that I think its better for your project in the long run to get the support happening on the way through but its there choice so  please just tell us to all fluff off and that you want to play secrets and we'll celebrate other things instead.

Well said Trainplanner They must not be subject to public grant and donations over wise they would not have to be so secretive! I am also heartened to see the this so call group of experts have not produced in 13 years an operational standard R class that can run on the mainline well  This group run down most  the work myself and my colleagues at West Coast Railway did on it Well done!

I would imagine that the completion of the regauging & the return of the loco to a nominally operational state is going to be the smaller of the jobs facing those in charge of this rather lengthy task. The accreditation paperwork for this loco will be several times more onerous than a normal NSW mainline steam restoration due to the loco:-

a) Never having run in NSW before due to infrastructure gauging & other items that will need verifying.
b) Having being substantially altered from its original in service condition (yes it was built to be gauge convertible but never ran in this state in VR service)

Neither of these can be eased by the "grandfather" system than can be used to ease NSWGR locos due to their having run on the system back in their operational days.

Since it is a private company, they have no requirements to tell the public of anything. As with others info would help people stay interested.

However you could think they are being practical. Until it is ready, it isn't (logically) - thus no need to tell everyone that is it ready to go, until it actually is. Especially if  money is tight, time passes, other things get in the way etc. I am sure the people working on it have a story to tell, and do watch  us all, but cannot comment.

So they'll tell the world when it's ready. if there was a organisation willing to invest they would contact the  company to get in and to speed things up, but that's no happening in reality. We all want it done and operational.



It's one viewpoint, Not so sure of it though.

Regards,
David Head

Since it is a private company, they have no requirements to tell the public of anything. As with others info would help people stay interested.

However you could think they are being practical. Until it is ready, it isn't (logically) - thus no need to tell everyone that is it ready to go, until it actually is. Especially if  money is tight, time passes, other things get in the way etc. I am sure the people working on it have a story to tell, and do watch  us all, but cannot comment.

So they'll tell the world when it's ready. if there was a organisation willing to invest they would contact the  company to get in and to speed things up, but that's no happening in reality. We all want it done and operational.



It's one viewpoint, Not so sure of it though.

Regards,
David Head

All the above comments are, relevant. It's my money, my loco, etc. A lost opportunity, that void could have been filled in NSW, due to lack of c38s, A significant revenue opportunity. Easy to sit on the sideline,not my cash, but I would love to see an R on standard gauge.

As I've said time and time again, if money is the issue then bloody ask for it. Nobody will think any less of you, and I'm sure that people will be willing to donate a few thousand dollars towards getting it going.

As I've said time and time again, if money is the issue then bloody ask for it. Nobody will think any less of you, and I'm sure that people will be willing to donate a few thousand dollars towards getting it going.

Can't imagine anyone donating to this mob given their attitude to the world at large.

Found this on a facebook page so it might shed a little light on something about this loco.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/preservedsteamdieselrailcarsvictoria/

Found this on a facebook page so it might shed a little light on something about this loco.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/preservedsteamdieselrailcarsvictoria/

For those who do not suffer the site of Satan, "R 766 won't steam till it gains accreditation and that has been going on for quite some time. Try again in 2018."
Also: "R766 is owned by the Stapleton brothers and won't be returning to Victoria when it's completed as it will be running under LVR,s accreditation"

Found this on a facebook page so it might shed a little light on something about this loco.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/preservedsteamdieselrailcarsvictoria/

For those who do not suffer the site of Satan, "R 766 won't steam till it gains accreditation and that has been going on for quite some time. Try again in 2018."
Also: "R766 is owned by the Stapleton brothers and won't be returning to Victoria when it's completed as it will be running under LVR,s accreditation"

Uhhh...isn't 766 still owned by the syndicate? I.e. Steamrail and a couple of private individuals?
Don't believe everything you read on the internet!

For those who do not suffer the site of Satan, "R 766 won't steam till it gains accreditation and that has been going on for quite some time. Try again in 2018."
Also: "R766 is owned by the Stapleton brothers and won't be returning to Victoria when it's completed as it will be running under LVR,s accreditation"
Uhhh...isn't 766 still owned by the syndicate? I.e. Steamrail and a couple of private individuals?
Don't believe everything you read on the internet!

I never said I believed it, I'm just reposting it here for those without access.

Found this on a facebook page so it might shed a little light on something about this loco.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/preservedsteamdieselrailcarsvictoria/

For those who do not suffer the site of Satan, "R 766 won't steam till it gains accreditation and that has been going on for quite some time. Try again in 2018."
Also: "R766 is owned by the Stapleton brothers and won't be returning to Victoria when it's completed as it will be running under LVR,s accreditation"

Uhhh...isn't 766 still owned by the syndicate? I.e. Steamrail and a couple of private individuals?
Don't believe everything you read on the internet!

Nyet.  AFAIK, after speaking to the individuals involved, Facebook is correct.

BTW, think of them in the same manner as the Breakaway isles think of West Coast Railways and David Smith.  You'll hear nothing until you find it coupling up t your train.

BTW, think of them in the same manner as the Breakaway isles think of West Coast Railways and David Smith.  You'll hear nothing until you find it coupling up t your train.

I think you'll find it's coupling up to the empty train. If that's the first we're going to hear of it I wish you lots of luck in trying to get any passengers on it without prior warning. They do help to pay the bills, you know.

If it's the David Smith and West Coast Railway in the UK that had their accreditation withdrawn (later reinstated) for safety breaches last year they won't be coupling up to 'my train'.

A video on ABC Newcastle's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/1233newcastle/) from September 6th suggests R766 and everything else at Rothbury is now owned by a property developer.  I didn't know rolling stock would transfer to a new landowner when the land changed hands, and it must be why no progress has been made.  A very concerning situation indeed as we could loose 766 and everything else that's there, I wouldn't trust the developer one bit.

As I've said time and time again, if money is the issue then bloody ask for it. Nobody will think any less of you, and I'm sure that people will be willing to donate a few thousand dollars towards getting it going.

It's beginning to look as though that was a very accurate perception. It would nice to think that someone could mount a "Flying Scotsman-style" rescue mission. I wonder if Boyd Munro would like his own engine.

Seems like the site, which perhaps had an "Undocumented Tenant", was sold to a Developer, who now wants Vacant Possession.

How much would R766 be worth?  At rough scrap values, Id say a minimum could be $10k.