MEDIA RELEASE - 24 July 2006 - PDF version

Iconic locomotive 3801 to
steam through NSW in 2007

Historic steam locomotive 3801 will be steaming through NSW in 2007 with Heritage Express - a business unit of the NSW Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM).

Announcing 3801's Heritage Express events for the first half of 2007, NSWRTM President Peter Berriman said, "The people of NSW will be able to ride into the future with 3801. Moreover the NSWRTM will make 3801 more accessible at its Thirlmere home, where it will be on public display between tours, and we will operate it widely and frequently through NSW."

Exciting new opportunities to experience 3801 in 2007 with Heritage Express are outlined at www.nswrtm.org/2007tourprogram.htm and include:

u	Family steam experiences and 'wine and dine' tours from Sydney Central and suburbs - day trips to Newcastle, the central coast and Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands, south coast and Blue Mountains
u	Regular 'Thirlmere Flyer' day excursions steaming from Sydney Central to the Thirlmere Rail Heritage Centre
u	Community rail heritage days and displays in Sydney and NSW regional centres
u	Steam Safaris exploring NSW and developing regional tourism

3801 will join the other operating steam locos at the Thirlmere Rail Heritage Centre in November 2006 - developing rail heritage-based regional tourism and providing a living museum outreach program as part of the NSWRTM's Heritage Express rail tours family.

Mr Berriman said, "The NSWRTM is a community-based volunteer organisation and our 2000 members and volunteers are excited about the return of 3801. We believe there's a great future for the loco and the dedicated people who care for it with the NSWRTM."

The NSWRTM saved 3801 from scrapping in the 1960s and is the locomotive's permanent custodian. The locomotive has been on loan to 3801 Limited under a fixed-term 20 year sub-lease provided by the NSWRTM and State Rail.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Peter Berriman

Heritage Express rail tours: www.heritageexpress.com.au

3801's new future: www.nswrtm.org/3801