It’s been a long time coming, but after months of negotiations and planning, loco 844 left Dry Creek South yard, and started it’s journey to Mt Barker for restoration this afternoon.
830 class loco 844 was built by AE Goodwin and Co in Granville NSW, and entered service with the South Australian Railways on the 25th October 1962. The loco worked over the states broad gauge network, with a brief sojourn to standard gauge in the early 00’s.
844 returned to broad gauge, and saw out its operational career working the Penrice stone train.
The loco was placed into long term storage at GWA (now One Rail Australia’s) Dry Creek South yard, before being donated to SteamRanger by One Rail Australia. ORA has also kindly provided wheel turning services at the One Spot facility at Dry Creek, with 844’s bogies to follow the loco to Mt Barker in the coming weeks.
SteamRanger thanks One Rail Australia for their continued support.
