Lithgow Railway Workshop

09/06/2023

3526 and 3642 (with 4201 trailing) seen from the nose of LVR's 4906 arriving at Lithgow yesterday afternoon on the first leg of the Bathurst steam long weekend.

09/06/2023

It's goodbye to 3526 and 3642 (with 4201 tagging along) as they set off on the next leg of their long weekend tour to Bathurst, making quite the scene on departure from Eskbank.

Thanks for stopping by Transport Heritage NSW, make sure to visit again some time!

08/06/2023

We're very excited about some very special guests tonight...

As part of their Bathurst long weekend tour, our good friends Transport Heritage NSW have stopped by for the night with their gorgeous steam locomotives 3526 and 3642.

After a successful run over the Blue Mountains from their home base at Thirlmere, the train shunted into our yard at Eskbank where the locos were serviced by their dedicated crews. Joining them were diesel locos 4201 (assisting the steamers) and 4490 and 4501 on the volunteer accommodation train.

To make our guests feel welcome, we moved several locos and some heritage carriages elsewhere in the yard to let the steam engines have the goods shed area to themselves.

Tomorrow morning the convoy sets off for Bathurst for a few days of trips in and around the Bathurst region. Check out the trips at www.thnsw.com.au/bathurst

13/05/2023

If 3237 needed a test the Blue Mountains certainly put it through its paces! By all reports the running today was exemplary.

So, tomorrow we make smoke for the final destination of Orange. The newest member of our Orange East Fork Depot.

Lithgow Depart 1030hrs
Bathurst 1214hrs to 1244hrs
Orange 1440hrs.

We look forward to seeing you lineside!

Remember do not enter the rail corridor.

13/05/2023

We have a very special visitor for a sleepover tonight...

Our good friends at Lachlan Valley Railway have completed a long overhaul on their beloved steam locomotive 3237. Following a successful main line trial on Friday, she was transferred under her own steam with a small selection of wagons and diesel locomotives to our yard at Eskbank, where she'll spend the night before making her way to her new home at LVR's Orange East Fork Depot, where she'll be a regular fixture on heritage trains in the Central West.

This is just another small way of continuing our proud support of the heritage rail sector, and we wish LVR and 3237 all the very best in her future life out west.

Pictures by Chris Lithgow and our very own apprentice fitter Ryan.

13/05/2023

Further to our previous post, here's a close up view of machining the left wheel on the electric drive axle. Our thanks again to our friends at Martinus Rail, who have the only portable railway wheel lathe on the east coast, and thankfully, based just up the road in Brisbane.

11/05/2023

20/03/2023

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TRAINEE

Lithgow Railway Workshop is a local privately-owned business that services and maintains diesel locomotives and wagons. Employing 45 staff, we currently have an exciting new position for a Trainee Business Administration Officer to join our team on a part time basis.

This position will report directly to the Administration Manager and will assist in all areas of the Administration Team. It is an opportunity to gain on the job experience whilst undertaking a qualification in Business Administration.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, team orientated person who is keen to undertake a variety of administrative tasks. This is a great opportunity to obtain a qualification (Certificate III in Business Administration) whilst also gaining on the job experience.

It is currently a part time role 24 hours per week with the possibility of becoming full time.

If this sounds like a position for you please contact Katie Turner, HR Manager on 0467 452 446 or [email protected]

06/03/2023

S311 Major Overhaul - Part 2: Testing and First Revenue Train

Following it's extensive overhaul, S311 was started up for the first time on the 15th February, with short shunting runs in Eskbank Yard to confirm engine and braking operation, as well as to move other locos around for servicing.

On the 27th February, the loco was rostered on its first revenue train, doubling as a full-on trial run. The loco was marshalled on the daily Keslo Flyer between Grainforce Kelso and Port Botany, with the train hauled by C507 (offline as far as Lithgow), CLF3, S311 and C510. A fitter and his apprentice travelled aboard S311 between Bathurst and Lithgow to monitor the locos performance and check for any faults, none of which eventuated.

The trial was a complete success with S311 performing faultlessly. It is now part of the SSR loco pool again, and can be seen running around the countryside as a trailing unit. It can't lead a train unfortunately as it is not fitted with an ICE radio, horns or vigilance system.

A great job by our team at LRW in returning this loco to active service with many more years ahead of it.

06/03/2023

S311 Major Overhaul - Part 1: The Project

Over the last few months we have been steadily performing a major engine rebuild on SSR locomotive S311. This loco entered service with the Victorian Railways on the 6th December 1960, and has worked hard all its life to the point where its engine was tired and in need of major works.

Since arriving in late September last year for two power assembly changes, the loco has had a substantial engine rebuild. This involved changing all 16 power assemblies, overhauling the radiators, replacing the rootes blower superchargers, new top deck seals, fuel system repairs, water pipework upgrades, a complete compressor overhaul, body repairs to the roofline, a replacement spring pack for the No. 2 end coupler, many electrical repairs and a very thorough interior clean.

This project involved many of our staff, including our fitting and electrical tradesmen, with a big role played by our mechanical apprentices learning the ins and outs of engine overhauls.

The loco was successfully started on the 15th February, after which a 30 day service was performed to get the loco ready to re-enter service. On the 27th February, the loco was rostered on it's first trial revenue train post overhaul, which is covered in Part 2 of our S311 Overhaul series.