Boiler for historic locomotive 3801 overhaul heads to Germany

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A boiler manufactured in Germany for the overhaul of historic NSW steam locomotive 3801 left Australia recently on its way back to Europe for major rectification work.

Office of Rail Heritage Director Marianne Hammerton said German company Dampflokwerk Meiningen, a division of Deutsche Bahn (DB), won a contract from RailCorp in 2009 to build a new welded steel boiler in a competitive tender process.

“The boiler arrived at the overhaul workshop at Chullora in October 2010, and after a series of inspections involving the boiler inspector and an independent boiler expert, it became clear there were significant problems.

“Among the problems we discovered with the boiler was the position of the front tubeplate, localised out-of-roundness and peaking of some of the welded seams in the boiler barrel, as well as issues with the welding and stays in the firebox,” Ms Hammerton said.

“The scope of work to be carried out has been the subject of intensive but cooperative negotiations between RailCorp and DB.

“After a visit by DB representatives, contractual negotiations and a formal letter of non-compliance by RailCorp, DB agreed to undertake the necessary work at no cost to RailCorp.

“This will include complete replacement of the defective boiler barrel, shipping costs and visits by RailCorp’s technical representative at critical stages of the work,” she said.

Ms Hammerton said the boiler is expected to be returned to the Chullora workshop in 2012. The warranty conditions will apply following formal acceptance of the boiler.

Ms Hammerton said RailCorp shares the disappointment of the locomotive’s custodian, the NSW Rail Transport Museum, volunteers and supporters of locomotive 3801 that the boiler built as part of its overhaul was not fit for purpose.

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