Almost ready

4464 was put onto the load box this week to do the final tuning and rack settings on the engine.

Our friends from Drivetrain were present to perform the testing along with our old mate Col Parry.

4464 was hooked up to a portable load bank and when run at full power was making 1800 horsepower.

4464 will soon be performing mainline trials. We expect to announce the first tour soon.

Adding the numbers

4464 is almost ready to return to service. During the past few months the final detail parts have been added to the locomotive and the trial run is now very close. During the past week the interior cab numbers were hand painted by Roy Howarth.

These photos show Roys handy work in both driving cabs.

We expect 4464 to be performing trials in the next month.

2010 and a new start for 4464

After a short break during the festive season the reactivation of 4464 has recommenced. Some rewiring has been performed and the locomotive has been started for the first time in 15 years.




We expect to be doing mainline trials with 4464 around April.





More updates soon.

Getting close

Progress on the painting of 4464 continues with the body colour application and detail components now completed.
Once the protective clear coats are applied the loco will return for final mechanical works and recommissioning.

Add some colour

Red paint has now been applied in the areas that will be the red lining. This will be masked prior to the Indian Red body colour being applied. The bogies and pilots have been painted black.

Primer and paint

A quick update to show the primer has now been applied and the first coat of yellow has been applied to both ends.

Rubbed and ready to paint

4464 has been moved into the painters spray booth at Bradken.



The loco has been rubbed back and the surface prepared for primer.


We expect the painting to commence in the next few days.


All photos by Matt Lee

Ready for paint

Bradken have now completed the replacement of all body panels and additional body repairs on 4464.


The loco was moved to the spray booth this week to be rubbed down and primed ready for painting. More updates in the coming weeks.

The panels go on

In recent weeks the body side panels have been returned to the sides of 4464.


A combination of new and reconditioned panels has been used.

At this stage we believe the loco should be ready late in October.

Progress at Braemar

Work on re-paneling 4464 is progressing at Bradken Braemar.

All body side panels have been laid out ready to be applied to the sides of the locomotive.

More updates in the coming weeks.

On the move

4464 has been moved to the Bradken workshop at Braemar in the NSW Southern Highlands where the restoration will be completed. In recent weeks mechanical work was completed at Eveleigh and the locomotive is now at a stage where it is ready for the body side panels to be applied. Once this milestone is achieved the loco will be painted in 2 pack paint in the spray booth at Bradken. 4464 is expected back at Eveleigh in October. Stay tuned for more news about the return to service of 4464.

A long time between drinks.

While work has continued behind the scenes its been a while since the 4 4 6 4 has been the subject of visual production.
Still keeping company with family members both her junior and senior, the day that they can run together again is getting close.

Col the master eleco is making short work of the spagetti bowl No2 control stand wiring and other tasks.



The fitters especially imported all the way from Lithgow have completed their inspections



and are now reinstalling the missing components.
The overhauled Traction Motor blower is back in place



as is the overhauled turbo.

In the nose the air system is being tidied up

with some expensive and delicate fittings being required.

With the compressor cooler back it is next to be installed.

Watch this space as the progress continues.......

Out and about.

After many months 4464 has seen the light of day again.

With the side panelling still to be bolted up the opportunity to conduct the necessary engine timing and inspection works in unusual daylight conditions was too tempting to resist so the old girl was dragged out for a day in the sunshine(?)

In the last week our friends at GTSA have got the turbo back in place, bolted up and the exhaust bellows connected - thanks guys, thanks Murray.


The boys have also been busy with the compressor aligned, shimmed and doweled...

...and only the fast coupling to connect.

In prpearation for the turning of the first "puff" new batteries have been ordered. At $1050.00 each (x8) its not a cheap but smart exercise.

Putting them in isnt that easy either but with experieced hands involved and some friendly oldmate assistance the job becomes much easier.

The batteries are in, time to get them connected and topped up.

A final top up and the batts are good to go!

An obviously important part of the loco restoration is the engine works. Ensuring everything is in order means that everything has to be inspected.

While you can see some things from the outside there is only one proper way to make ensure everything is in order.

External visual inspections and mirrors to view up inside are good...

...but to be thorough you have to get amongst the "gear"

How do the fitters keep their hair so shiney and black??

With all confirmed Ok the real fitter goes about "boxing" up the bottom end.

A twist...

...and a tap, job done.

Meanwhile at the top end the timing of the engine commences with much barring, cursing and satisfaction ensuing.


The apprentice and master?