Service type Special service Last service 12 September 1970 | First service 22 August 1970 | |
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Former operator(s) New South Wales Rail Transport Museum | ||
The Western Endeavour was the first steam locomotive hauled train to operate across from Sydney on Australia's east coast to Perth on the west coast in 1970.
History
Following the completion of a project to convert the Sydney to Perth railway line to standard gauge in February 1970, the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum operated a steam locomotive hauled special across Australia in August and September 1970.
The special was the first steam locomotive hauled service to operate from the East to West coasts of Australia. At this time steam locomotives were being phased out of service, and had already ceased operating on some parts of the journey traversed. The train was hauled by 3801, with 3813 assisting as far as Port Pirie.
The train consisted of 5 sleeping carriages (3x TAM, 2x MAL), 2 FS cars (for Day Trippers that journeyed to Bathurst only), a dining car (AB90), a first class carriage (BV931) and a crew/storage car (VHO1816). All carriages and both locomotives were overhauled and repainted at the Eveleigh Railway Workshops. Several trial runs were made with the full train as far as Goulburn. Both locomotives had their buffers removed as they would operate on railway systems were rolling stock did not have buffers.
The Western Endeavour departed Sydney Central on the 22 August 1970, arriving at East Perth on 28 August. The return journey departed on 6 September, arriving on 12 September.
In April/May 1988, 3801 repeated the journey during the Australian Bicentenary, while LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman made the journey in September/October 1989.