Obtaining a coal supply Until now, the Hunslet “Torpedo” had been steamed using cut firewood obtained locally, split as required to be more manageable for the firebox. A very small amount of coal had been obtained last year from the Illawarra Light Railway at Albion Park on the South Coast, followed subsequently by a slight …

While the primary plan for the week following the return of my Hunslet steam locomotive from Ainsworth Engineering at Goulburn on Friday 7th July was the track extension works, there was obviously a strong desire to steam the locomotive for further trials. Tuesday 11th July was set down for the initial steaming. Meanwhile, as detailed …

Heavy and physical construction work on Pete’s Hobby Railway is limited to brief and intervals when Mario (with his heavy machinery – bulldozer, crane, road roller and truck) is available to assist. When this does happen, it is a case of calling in all volunteers available to help out. With Mario available for a week …

Following advice from Ainsworth Engineering that the caulking of the firebox weep had finally been successfully completed together with other adjustments and modifications, followed by a static steaming test, arrangements were put in hand for “Torpedo” (Hunslet 0-4-2T, B/n 1187 of 1915) to be collected from Goulburn and returned to Pete’s Hobby Railway at Junee. …