3801 Ltd Update on Tours and the Large Erecting Shop.

WE ARE BACK – 3801 Ltd Plans for 2007 Trips.

After a period of uncertainty, and despite the loss of steam locomotive 3801, the Board resolved that 3801 Limited would continue in operation. The Company is pleased to announce that tours will re-commence on Sunday 21st January. We aim to provide a varied and interesting range of tours throughout 2007. Final details on a number of these tours are dependent on approval of timetables submitted and the disposal of rolling stock proposed by State Rail.

Bookings are open for the Suburban Goods Line tour on Sunday 21st January and the tour to Kandos on Sunday 4th February.

Details for tours to Shoal Bay for a Seafood Extravaganza on 4^th March and to Historic Joadja Village will be announced shortly.

Other tours planned for the first half of 2007 include trips to the South Coast visiting Kiama and Berry Market Days, Bankstown shuttles using 3112, visits to the Hunter Wineries in conjunction with music festivals, Rail and Sail to Gosford and Wollongong, Whale and Dolphin Watch excursions in conjunction with Moonshadow Cruises at Port Stephens.

In addition we will be offering weekend tours to regions we could not access with 3801 but are accessible using branch line heritage diesel locomotives.

Planning is also underway for several “’01 RailCruises" similar in concept to those previously operated by Bill Peach Tours. These will he of 6 or 7 days duration and will feature time off the

train exploring interesting country towns and regions.

There are also plans to rejuvenate the Cockatoo Run.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT EVELEIGH LARGE ERECTING SHOP?

3801 Limited has been given an extension of the current lease to occupy the Large Erecting Shop until at least 2008. The fate of much of the current carriage fleet is in doubt awaiting an announcement by Stage Rail on possible disposals. The company is, however, confident of retaining many of these vehicles although not all.

Current projects and happenings in the Large Erecting Shop include:

4501 - now in grey undercoat and will be ready to run trials in January. Its first tour working will be on 4"' February to Kandos.

SMR18 - now operational and expected to operate to Maitland for the Maitland Steam felt.

4401 is on restricted workings due to low wheels. 4473 and 4486 continue on ballast and passenger workings.

The 86 class have been sold - 8609 to Merv Gaut and 8644 to SETS.

4908 and 4918 are both fully operational. 4908 ran a wedding charter to Bribaree recently with LVR carriages and a great night was had by all!

3112 is fully operational.

Extracts from 3801 Ltd’s ’01 News Number 1 January 2007.