Blog Ethos

A blog to provide up to date information on the restoration of Dubs and Co. steam locomotive, builders no. 1415. An initiative to pass on the skills and knowledge necessary to restore a steam locomotive.

Builders Photo

Builders Photo
Builders photo depicting sister engine #1414

History

HISTORY

Steam locomotive carrying Dubs and Company's serial no. 1415, was one of two purchased new by the Queensland Government Railways for use on the Bundaberg - Mt. Perry railway. They were shipped from the United Kingdom in the ship "Scottish Admiral" and were first used in February 1881. They carried Dubs and Company's nos. 1414 and 1415 and were given running numbers on the Bundaberg Railway of 1 and 2 respectively.

In the 1889-90 renumbering of Queensland Railways rolling stock, both locomotives received the classification of 4D9 and No. 2 was renumbered 131. In August 1894, it was sold to the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. for use at their Childers Sugar Mill. The Childers Sugar Mill closed down about 1915, and the locomotive was sold in 1917 to the Macquarie Harbour Board for use in the construction of the Macquarie Harbour breakwater Strahan Tasmania.

The latter sold it to Mr. R.J. Howard a saw miller of Zeehan on the 23rd May, 1941 and he, in 1942, sold it to a Mr. J. Hood. It was to have gone to the Butler Gorge hydro-electric station construction, but this did not take place. It was later sent to Hobart, where it lay idle, in the Railway Yard, for many years.

Project Overview

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The key aim of this project is to restore Dubs No.1415 back to its as built condition, so that it sits proudly in the Don River Railway collection. It will help future proof steam operations at the Don River Railway, by providing a more cost effective locomotive to run, maintain and keep in regular service.

By having this project at the Launceston workshop it is hoped that new and existing members, young and old will get involved in this exciting restoration project. The project is a tool to educate members on what it takes to inspect and restore a steam locomotive. Of particular importance is the passing on of knowledge and skills before they are lost to time.

Help

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RESTORE DUBS NO. 1415 BACK TO AS BUILT CONDITION.

The restoration of a vintage steam locomotive is no easy task and can cost considerable money, we need to raise money to pay for materials and services to get this loco back in pristine condition. If you can afford to donate some money towards the project we will be very grateful and for all donations over $2, we can provide you with an official receipt to claim the donation on your Australian tax return where applicable.

If you can donate time to the project, why not become a member. no skills required!

If you feel that you or your company can contribute to this project in anyway, please feel free to contact the project coordinator by the contact details on the right side of this blog.

Monday, 29 July 2019

28/5/16 The Left and Right springs had the pins through "T" links removed. Left and right axle box keep pins knocked out, the keeps removed, amazingly the wool packing in the keeps is still pliable. Both axle box's removed from the leading driving wheel journals. The journals were cleaned, greased with Denso grease primer and wrapped in Denso Tape as were the eccentrics. The leading driving wheel horn stays were cleaned, painted and refitted. The left driving wheel spring hangers are in the molasses rust removal bath with the hope that it may help loosen the seized pins. One of the pony truck spring hangers was found to have a crack. This crack was checked with flaw penetrant. The crack has been grooved out, welded up slowly cooled in lime.All other pony truck spring hangers have been in the molasses bath, cleaned, given a zinc phosphate treatment then painted. Only about four of the sixteen pony truck spring hanger pins are reusable so new ones will have to be turned up. At $205.00 a length for material they will be manufactured when the material can be afforded. The left and right horn wedge guides are being surface ground to remove the slight pitting at the lower ends of guides. 25/06/16 The cold weather and illness has hit us at Inveresk making the removal of the remaining seized components on the frame arduous. Since the last post.
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