page_title: 3801
section_title: Preservation
hierarchical_section_title: 3801 / Preservation
caption_attribution_description: Image created by Gareth Edwards on Jan 20th, 2006. Scanned from a photograph taken by him.
context_page_description: 3801 is a 4-6-2 steam locomotive operated by the New South Wales Government Railways between 1943 and 1974. It is arguably Australia's most famous steam locomotive, being the only one to have visited all mainland states and territories.
context_section_description: 3801 returned to service on 6 January 1975, operating services on the Bankstown line to help raise money for survivors of Cyclone Tracy. After this 3801 was deeded to the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. In June 1975, it hauled 5711 and 1905 from Enfield Locomotive Depot to Thirlmere when the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum relocated. The engine was then used on tours until December 1976, when boiler problems led to its withdrawal.
  In November 1982 chief executive of the State Rail Authority, David Hill, enquired about the suitability of restoring 3801. Hill had the 1988 Bicentenary of British settlement in Australia in mind, and saw a restored 3801 as a representative of Australia's railways. The boiler was the major item needing repair and an investigation needed to be carried out to ascertain if restoration was viable. A visit was made to the South Maitland Railways (who at the time still used steam engines) to learn about modern boiler techniques. It was discovered that many advances had been made and it was possible to return boilers to service which previously would have been scrapped. The next step was to examine the boilers of the other preserved 38 class members – 3820 and 3830 (though 3813 had survived, it was completely stripped and in two different locations) – and compare them with 3801's boiler. It was decided to use the boiler already in 3801, however, the inner firebox had suffered thermal fractures and would need extensive repairs. Restoration was deemed possible and a fund-raising appeal began.
  With some finance raised, 3801 was taken to the State Dockyard in Newcastle on 20 November 1983 for restoration by the Hunter Valley Training Company – an apprenticeship scheme later involved in the restoration of 3830. This was due to the railway's workshops being stretched by regular work. It was marshalled behind 8111 on an excursion train from Sydney.
  The firebox was to be completely replaced, however, the dies and jigs used to press the boiler metal had been scrapped, so the old firebox was used as a template. The new firebox had a different shape and this reduced the boiler pressure from 245 psi to 215 psi. It was decided to weld the new firebox and some conservative engineers were sceptical as to whether this would work. Repairs and reconditioning of many other components were also carried out. The tender tank was so rusted, it needed to be replaced. The new tank was welded rather than riveted and this resulted in a sleek, plain tender. On 8 November 1986, a fire was lit for the first time. By 10 November 3801 was running around nearby sidings. More short trials followed and on 15 November 3801 was handed over and hauled a train to Maitland. More trial runs followed and on 29 November 1986, 3801 headed from Newcastle to a grand ball on the concourse of Sydney Central station.
  After restoration 3801 operated heritage trains throughout New South Wales. It was operated by 3801 Limited under a 20-year lease. During the Australian Bicentenary celebrations in 1988, it operated an extensive program across Australia visiting every mainland capital accessible by rail including another trip to Perth in April/May 1988. In October 1988, Flying Scotsman arrived from England and for much of its year-long tour across Australia was accompanied by 3801.
  On 6 May 1990, 3801 was involved in the Cowan rail disaster. 3801 was struggling to climb the Cowan Bank (on the Sydney side of the Hawkesbury River) when returning from the Morpeth Jazz Festival when a CityRail Interurban passenger service crashed into the back of 3801's train. Six people lost their lives, including the driver of the intercity electric, and a passenger in the V set's cab. 3801 applied sand to the track to assist grip and an investigation into the crash suggested this may have caused the signals to malfunction. The signals changed from red to green several times. After the signals were green for a few moments, the interurban driver then entered the tunnel behind 3801 where the accident occurred. The handbrake in one of the carriages may also hav
caption: 3801 at Lithgow station in January 2006
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