The
little engine that could, did!
(added 20/03/07)
March 18th, 2007 was certainly a day to be remembered in history. Newly restored C17 Class Steam Locomotive No. 971, filled the air with steam at it’s official open day.
Proof the SDSR is in steam, with a blast of steam from 971.
Recommended for Condemnation in January 1969, and written off the books in Feb 1969, 971 was then donated to the Chinchilla Historical Society, where it sat resting until 2000, when SDSR acquired 971 for restoration back to working Order.
From May 2000, 971 has under gone almost 7 years of restoration, stripped to the frame, wheels sent away, and a brand new boiler built by Ipswich Workhops. The painstaking work by “Dad’s Army” has been a magnificent team effort to towards such a monumental project.
With help from many people and business the day finally arrived where 971, newly named “The Downs Dasher”, was finally back in steam after 38 years.
Main Line operations are expected to start shortly, with the final commissioning and registration processes currently taking place.
The Day as it happened.
Work started at 05:30 hours with the crew signing on to light the locomotive. SDSR members continued to arrive to ensure the success for the day. Last minute cleaning to the locomotive and general preparations were the order of the day as the sun began to shine on 971.
A view in the firebox of C17 971.
Members work hard to make sure 971 is cleaned and ready to go.
08:10 saw the boiler blow down of the locomotive, and shortly after at 08:30, SDSR held it’s safety briefing. Duties were assigned, and members had a short time to settle in before people started to arrive.
Junior members Joel Briggs and Shereze Young man the front gate
to welcome people to the SDSR's Open Day.
By 10:00, the crowds were starting to arrive, and people flooded into the Warwick Railway Precinct to view the Locomotive and other rollingstock.
11:00 came and the crowds were moved into the safety area, one to hear the official ceremony, and two, to allow preparations for 971’s appearance for the public.
The Official Party addressed the crowd with Robert Keogh (President), John Brady (Chief fitter), Doug Cutmore (Dep. Mayor, Warwick Shire Council) and Lawerance Springborg, MP and SDSR Patron, all speaking.
Lawerence Springborg, MP addresses the crowd while members
of "Dad's Army" look on.
Lawerence Springborg, MP, christens C17 971 with champaign.
11:30 saw Mr Springborg, and Mr Cutmore christen the locomotive with
champaign.
Finally at 11:43, as the crowd began to cheer, Operations Manager Adam
Cole signaled for Driver Ken McAndrew and Fireman Alwyn Clark to proceed
with C17 971 to break the ribbon, and bring C17 971 out of the Loco Shed.
Operationa Manager Adam Cole waves C17 971 out of the loco shed,
with her about to break the ribbon.
"I'm free!", to the cheers of the crowd, ribbon broken,
C17 971 enters the Yard.
After a short exhibition run to SDSR’s Cottonvale Station, the locomotive was set back to infront of the Locomotive shed, where once secured was open for inspection.
It is estimated that 400 people visited the locomotive on the open day.
971 open to inspection, everyone crowds to get a close look.
At 14:20, the second part of the days shunt occurred, with cleaning of the smoke box (14:25) and boiler (14:30) and the stabling of the locomotive(14:40). It is interesting to note, that as 971 proceeded onto the turntable, a QR Light Engine Movement came into the Warwick Yard (QR) and tooted it’s diesel horn in greeting, with C17 971 responding in kind.
The driver blows the boiler down on the other side of the turntable.
After this, the locomotive dropped the fire, and SDSR’s members guided the last of the public throughout the grounds.
C17 971 is stabled, and the fire is dropped into the locomotive shed
pits.
The open day finished at 16:00, and after sercuring the grounds, SDSR Members enjoyed a BBQ dinner next to the locomotive, to finish off a highly successful day.
SDSR members sit next to the loco at the end of a long hard day.
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