August 9, 2023
The volunteers at the Murgon Men’s Shed are building up a head of steam for what could be one of the biggest projects they’ve tackled … the restoration of a 96-year-old locomotive.
The 37 tonne C17 steam locomotive and 17 tonne tender were transported from an Australian Railway Historical Society storage area at Rosewood on Wednesday by two semi-trailers.
They were craned into position on rails at the Murgon Men’s Shed in Macalister Street on Friday.
The locomotive is believed to be No 763, which was built at Walkers Limited in Maryborough and entered service with Queensland Rail in 1927.
It was written off by QR in 1969 and placed in a Brisbane park where it was repeatedly targeted with graffiti, before being put into storage at the Rosewood Railway Museum.
The Murgon Men’s Shed has been negotiating with the museum for four years to organise a loan – and then eventually the purchase for $5000 – of a steam locomotive to place alongside the wooden 1918 passenger car and steel goods wagon which the group has already restored.
Men’s Shed president Dave Mollenhauer said the negotiations had involved a lot of trips back and forwards from Murgon to Rosewood.
The engine was covered in vines which had to be removed before it could be transported to Murgon.
Another problem was the heavy steel connecting rod between the locomotive and the coal tender which had to be cut through using oxy acetylene.
Dave said a generous donation of $25,000 to the Murgon Men’s Shed by one of its members, Col Pearen, had helped to cover the cost of crane hire at Rosewood ($12,000) and Murgon ($9000) as well as the $5000 for the two semi-trailers.
Men’s Shed vice-president Rudy Broers said the aim was to clean up the locomotive and tender, kill the rust and “make it look nice”.
The locomotive and tender will form a static display under cover near the two restored railway carriages.
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As a bona fide ‘train spotter’, I think this a thrilling addition to Murgon and the South Burnett – well done – and good luck to the restoration crew. Maybe one day it will be restored to a point where it moves under it’s own steam again (sorry about the pun)
Good job. At least the loco will serve some useful purpose even if it cannot be returned to steam. Better than rusting away in “the jungle”.
Big thank you to Col. Hopefully it will be seen from the Rail Trail