Climax Geared Steam Locomotive - Last run before overhaul: Australian Trains

On 7 April 2001, Climax geared steam locomotive 1694 operated its last train on the Puffing Billy Railway in the Dandenong ranges east of Melbourne prior to undergoing a major overhaul/restoration. This video features footage of 1694 from the train as well as photo stops. Other regular services operating on the day hauled by the railway's famous 2-6-2 tank locomotives also feature in the video. 1694 was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry, Pennsylvania, USA, for the Forests Commission of Victoria and operated on the Tyers Valley Tramway in Gippsland until 1949. Interestingly it was the last Climax ever built and the only one on 2'6" gauge. Eventually it was preserved by the Puffing Billy Railway and returned to service in 1989. Unfortunately by 2001, it was in need of major mechanical work and was withdrawn following this trip. Overhaul/restoration work is still continuing, and more information is on the Puffing Billy website http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/puffing-billy-preservation-society/climax-locomotive-1694-restoration/ Update: Climax 1694 returned to service on 8 September 2013. For a video of it back in action, click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd190KdeCXw © 2001 James Brook