September 28 update
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The long awaited arrival of the biggest steam locomotive in the Southern Hemisphere to the Illawarra has been postponed to address rail network access issues.
Canberra Railway Museum Heritage Operations Manager Les Coulton apologised to the intending passengers of the Beyer-Garratt 6029.
“I’m sorry for all those families, especially the children who were so excited,” Mr Coulter said.
“I know my own kids who were coming with us are just as disappointed. I’ve explained to them that in the end with such a big locomotive everything has to be 100 per cent right.”
Passengers who had already bought tickets will be refunded.
Mr Coulter said the government’s Asset Standards Authority were not able to action the request for network access approval for the steam locomotive in time for the organisation to mobilise from Canberra to Wollongong.
“We are looking to the future and will be doing everything in our power to get over a few last minute hurdles that have stymied us this time,” he said.
Visit canberrarailwaymuseum.org for details.