News
February 6 2012
WORKSHOP NEWS
DON
Loco U6.
Has had some service work done on it, New brake
blocks have been fitted and a couple of wheels have had to be ground on the
sides to clear the motion gear. The left
side wheels are still to be completed.
Loco V2.
Going
OK!
Loco M4.
Broke the
spring hanger and has had a problem with the main draw bar between the
loco and the tender.
The train vacuum brake control fell to pieces and
has had to be dismantled and rebuilt. There are still some problems with the
mud plug seals.
A new complete set of brake
blocks has arrived, and have been fitted. In the fire box a couple of fire
bricks were replaced. Over the Christmas and New Year the locomotive performed
well, and the new coal is good.
Ruston No2 . The “Tardis”.
After a few problems it is now going well (sweet
as) and when the paper work is completed it will be back in service. Not bad for only a small radiator leak!!
Fowler.
Work is continuing on the locomotive trying to
get it to steam better. The boiler has been inspected and is soon to go on
trial.
D.P.22/PT3.
There are still ongoing problems with fuel supply
system to the engine. A crushed fuel pipe was found between the power bogie and
the body frame, however the fuel still needs to be manually pumped. A problem with the Alternator failing and then a serious
gearbox failure resulted in the power car unit being placed in the workshop for
repairs. There still appears to be a problem with the springs on one side as
the car is still listing. A new hand
brake cable is to be fitted as the old one is badly frayed. Latest on the brake cable is that one has
been assembled and will be refitted within the next couple of days.
Workshop
The machine shop at the Don has just had a “new”
piece of equipment donated by the Australian Weaving Mills, Tasman Street,
Devonport. This is an “Invicta” Shaper manufactured by B Elliott &Co.
Ltd. London N.W. 10. The Shaper is currently being
cleaned and checked over ready for use. Due thanks will be passed on to the
donor company.
INVERESK
AAL+1
Most of the construction work on this vehicle has
been completed. The interior has been made ready for fitting out. A parquet
floor has been laid in the toilet area to delineate the pathway between the two
doors. Our painters are very busy sanding down, applying coats of paint etc to
obtain the standard of finish they are renowned for. The iron railings and
handrails are being manufactured at this time.
AB4
Some new wall panels have been made for this
vehicle to replace the ones that were split. The underframe has been cleaned
and painted. New louvre windows have been made and fitted. Our resident
upholsterer has started work on recovering the seats in first class which will
be nearly to the standard of the first class seats in AB2
FF8
Our mechanical boys have thoroughly overhauled
and repainted the bogies on this vehicle. One has been placed under the wagon
and the other is ready to be fitted. It is interesting to note that the bogies
are passenger bogies on a goods wagon. On Saturday the 28th January the second bogie
was re-installed under the wagon.
July 28 2011
Workshop News
PT3 is still waiting for new springs.
1002 is being repainted.
LP2 has had some external paneling fitted.
CZ9 has had one bogie removed for cleaning and painting.
Carriage AB4 has been taken to Inveresk for refurbishment.
July 21 2011
Carriage AB2 has returned to Don and is now on display
in the workshop viewing area. (See links in next news item)
The Riley railcar is presently on display with a group of Riley cars at the National Automobile Museum (Tasmania) at 86 Cimitiere St, Launceston.
May 25 2011
Carriage AB2's restoration has been completed and it was shown to the media for the first time on May 24 at Inveresk. An open day will be held at the Inveresk workshop this Saturday May 28. Also see ABC news 24-5-2011
May 9 2011
Railcar DP22 is back in operation after its annual overhaul and is again running trains Monday to Saturday. Trailer car PT3 is still in the workshop, awaiting bogie springs.
March 7 2011
Weekday trains continue to be hauled by diesel loco V2, with carriages AAL11, SS7 & SSD2. M4 is running on Sundays and is also operating some extra services, especially when cruise ships call in to Burnie or Devonport. Ring the station for details.
February 4 2011:
M4 is now running Sunday trains only, and V2 is in charge of Monday to Saturday trains.
January 4 2011:
M4 is now running trains almost every day, as railcar DP22 has been taken out of service for its annual overhaul. On days when M4 is not available, trains will be hauled by diesel V2.
December 26 2010:
M4 has been taken out of service a couple of times while running Sunday trains, however the expected minor teething problems have now been overcome, and the engine will be used on some Saturday and weekday services over the holiday period, subject to crew availability.
November 15 2010: M4
M4 has been certified as ready to operate and will commence hauling Sunday trains as from November 21 2010. This return to steam on the Don River Railway comes almost exactly 3 years since the last scheduled services!
October 1 2010: M4
M4's boiler has passed an hydraulic test and should have a fire lit in it this coming week.
August 112010: Snippets from the Don River July Newsletter
VOLUNTEERS WANTED URGENTLY
Drivers, Firemen, Guards and Shop Personnel as well as qualified trades people at Don who can do many other tasks to keep our trains running. If you don't know 'what' or 'how' to do a task then we can teach you. If you can help, contact Warren at Don using the information on the contacts page.
Fowler: The Fowler still has a few problems that need be to be overcome to make it a reliable and useful engine. It is not steaming very well and there are some issues with the valve gear and motion. Work continues.
