Organisers of the annual Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest are relieved, however, there’s at least a public plan to return the 3801 and 3830 to service.

They were taken out of service in 2008 and 2009 respectively and the radio silence on their restoration has frustrated rail buffs. 

“It’s deplorable we’ve been without these engines for so long,” Steamfest committee member and consulting engineer Garry Ballhause said.

Cr Peter Garnham, a man people call ‘Mr Steamfest’, has also welcomed the news.

“It’s better than them sitting around doing nothing,” he said. “It’s only been controversial because no one has known what the plan was for such a long time.”

The state government established Transport Heritage NSW two years ago to oversee  the restoration of important locomotives like the 3801 and 3830 and end the delays.

“As the new project managers, we undertook a thorough assessment of the 3801 overhaul project including both the original boiler and the new German made boiler,” Transport Heritage NSW CEO, Andrew Killingsworth. 

“Now this assessment is complete, we are pleased to announce plans to have locomotive 3801 back on the tracks in the second half of 2017.”

The replacement unit sourced from Germany didn’t meet Australian standards but will be brought up to scratch down the track as a back-up.

Efforts in the meantime will instead focus on repairs to the original boiler.

“We are also delighted to be announcing a new partnership with the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (MAAS) that will see locomotive 3830 returned to heritage service in the second half of next year,” Mr Killingworth said. 

This new partnership between THNSW and MAAS will result in funds to overhaul locomotive 3830 at Thirlmere in southern NSW.

“The Museum looks forward to working with Transport Heritage NSW to balance the ongoing care and preservation of this important locomotive with opportunities for the people of NSW to experience the wonder of steam travel,” MAAS Director Rose Hiscock said.