CLIMAX 1694 geared locomotive (Similar to Ferdinand)

[Ucwepn]

Bringing it back to life
CLIMAX 1694

It is hard to believe this derelict and presumably abandoned steam locomotive would one day run under its own steam hauling delighted passengers wishing to experience rail travel of a by-gone era.
The Climax 1694 was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company in Corry, Pennsylvania, USA for the Victorian Forests Commission. It spent 21 years hauling timber and frequently breaking down on the 2ft 6in gauge Tyres Valley Tramway in Gippsland. With its working life over, the locomotive sat behind the Forests Commission's sawmill at Erica, visited occasionally by railway enthusiasts, souvenir hunters and vandals.
With Puffing Billy reopening in 1962 as a tourist railway, interest was sought to obtain the old loco for its newly built museum at Menzies Creek. Cosmetic preservation was carried out and it wasn't until 1981 the idea of restoring the Climax to full operational order was first raised. Ownership was transfered to the Emerald Tourist Railway Board the following year for the pricely sum of $1 and for the next six years a slow and painstaking restoration was undertaken.
After a few trial runs the Climax was returned to traffic on the 12th November 1988
In 2001 the loco was taken off the rails for an extensive overhaul. It would be another 12 years before the loco was back in service.
The Climax 1694 is used mainly for special occasions. Its next outing is on the 4th June hauling the Commissioners' Train from Belgrave to Emerald. More details at the following link:
http://puffingbilly.com.au/…/events-an…/...ers-train/
A recent photo of the Climax in operation is posted in the comments section

Photo: Eric Quinlan (Train Hobby Publications)

   

   

[Super]

Now she is a beauty and a wood burner too. I like how they did the interior of the cab in a cream color to be able to see inside better. Those passenger cars look be converted from some type of mining or timber cars.

Love the olde tyme picture of what looks like a boys school trip from what...the 30's 40's or 50's? You can tell its of an era gone by as I don't think letting children play all over a rusted out train would be sanctioned by a school for fear of one of them cutting themselves and getting Tetanus.

Interesting story of its life and how the rust bucket has been brought back and restored which otherwise would have perished like so many others. Thanks Ucwepn.

Now she is a beauty and a wood burner too. I like how they did the interior of the cab in a cream color to be able to see inside better. Those passenger cars look be converted from some type of mining or timber cars.

Love the olde tyme picture of what looks like a boys school trip from what...the 30's 40's or 50's? You can tell its of an era gone by as I don't think letting children play all over a rusted out train would be sanctioned by a school for fear of one of them cutting themselves and getting Tetanus.

Interesting story of its life and how the rust bucket has been brought back and restored which otherwise would have perished like so many others. Thanks Ucwepn.

Society has gone soft...it was once a national parks program (1960's) to install old engines in all public parks for children to explore and play on...some of my favorite memories as a kid was playing on them at Sequoia Park. Then in 1979 they were yanked out and replaced by sterile "Lincoln log" play structures...life and kids haven't been the same since. :/

Wow! They took scrap and recreated it beautifully!