3801 Limited is a not for profit company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 5 June 1985; A.C.N. 002 951 671. The registered office of the company is at Australian Technology Park.[1]
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The setting up of an organisation to manage and operate locomotive 3801 was first formalised in March, 1984, when John Glastonbury, representing the interested enthusiast societies, and the State Rail Authority of New South Wales exchanged correspondence.
At first, four parties were involved. The State Rail Authority had two roles, the first as donor of the locomotive and other equipment and the second as a trustee. In effect, 3801 would continue to be the property of the State Rail Authority and it would be leased to the trust. Three other organisations were nominated as trustees - The Powerhouse Museum; the Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division; and the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.
At that time, the restoration of locomotive 3801 was nearing completion at the former State Dockyard site in Newcastle. Out of trade apprentices worked on this restoration for over a three year period under the direction of the Hunter Valley Training Company. One of the first assignments undertaken by the company was to raise funds to pay for the restoration and other expenses. Its stated aim was "to exhibit with pride and enthusiasm to the people of NSW the masterful preservation of a piece of their Locomotive History ... as a living, mobile, historical work".
During the restoration, the company organised regular tours of inspection at the State Dockyard.[2]
In November 1986, 3801 entered service and operated as the flagship of the company for the next 20 years. In 1988, 3801 and its train became the Bicentennial Train[3] for Railways of Australia, a former consortium of the government railway systems, and operated tours to all the mainland capitals as part of the celebrations. In the latter part of 1988 and much of 1989, Flying Scotsman joined 3801 Limited and ran many very successful tours around New South Wales and beyond.[4] In excess of 500,000 passengers were carried by the company during this 20 year period.[1]
At the conclusion of initial 20 year agreement with State Rail covering the operation of locomotive 3801, the Government relocated it, and eight carriages that had been in 3801 Limited's care, to the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.[1] Since December 2006, 3801 Limited has operated its tour trains with heritage diesel locomotives.
At the same time as the above agreement was drawn up, State Rail granted 3801 Limited a licence to occupy the Large Erecting Shop, at Eveleigh, New South Wales, as a base for the company’s operations.
The Large Erecting Shop remains the company’s operating base.
As a result of the NSW Department of Transport seeking expressions of interest to take over the weekend’s only passenger service on the Unanderra - Moss Vale line as a tourist operation, 3801 Limited commenced the Cockatoo Run heritage tourist train on 19 August 1995.[5] Initially, this train operated from a base established in the Port Kembla Locomotive Depot Complex. Steam locomotive South Maitland Railways Number 18 (SMR18) was made available to 3801 Limited by the Hunter Valley Training Company for this service. To enable the locomotive to haul a train from Port Kembla to Moss Vale, and return, with one load of coal, the coal bunker was modified.
Financial difficulties led to the suspension of the Cockatoo Run from November 1998 until March 1999, after which date the train ran between Port Kembla and Robertson only. Furthermore, it was diesel hauled and ran for nine months of the year.[6]
3801 Limited vacated the Port Kembla Depot on 30 March 2001 and all rollingstock and equipment was relocated to Eveleigh. The Cockatoo Run was merged with another of the company's operations, the Long Lunch Train, from 4 March 2001[7] and this service currently operates from Sydney via Wollongong, Robertson, and Moss Vale on selected Thursdays and Sundays with heritage diesel locomotives.
In March 2008, a new major tourist attraction, the Illawarra Tree Top Fly opened at Knight’s Hill near Robertson. Since that date, 3801 Limited has marketed a Tree Top Flyer ticket that includes train trip to Robertson, coach transfer to the Fly and entry.
In the early 2000s, 3801 Limited entered into an association with Bill Peach Tours, under the name Railcruising Australia, operating 8-day train trips to western New South Wales. These tours are no longer promoted.[8]
As well as the regular operation of the Cockatoo Run, 3801 Limited remains an operator of chartered passenger trains and 'hook & pull' work for RailCorp and others, using the diesel locomotives comprising its fleet. Occasional promotions of themed trains are initiated, including the Parkes Elvis Festival train which will be running again in January 2009.
The locomotive was restored to its original condition during 2004-2006. It was returned to the Hunter Valley Training Company which had intentions to operate it on heritage train trips in the Hunter Valley.[9]
Built between 1957 & 1968 by A.E. Goodwin Ltd for express passenger and freight train haulage these are the most regularly used locomotives in the 3801 Limited fleet being capable of hauling large trains at mainline speeds. 4401 is a member of the State Rail heritage collection whilst 4473 and 4486 are hired to 3801 Limited by owners the Lachlan Alco Locomotive Group. 4464, also owned by LAG, has been restored to working order in the Eveleigh LES.
Built in 1961 by A.E. Goodwin Ltd for branch line passenger and freight train haulage this class of locomotive is capable of running on all NSW rail lines. 4833 has previously been a regular performer on the Cockatoo Run but has been more recently hired out for shunting duties with other groups. 4833 is hired to 3801 Limited by owners Goodwin Alco Pty Ltd.
Built in 1962 by A.E. Goodwin Ltd main line passenger and freight train haulage this class of locomotive is renowned for its heavy haulage ability. An extensive restoration of 4501 has been recently completed and the locomotive is now being employed on heritage and commercial duties. 4501 is hired to 3801 Limited by owners Goodwin Alco Pty Ltd.
Built between 1962 & 1964 by Clyde Engineering for branch line passenger and freight train haulage this class of locomotive is capable of running on all NSW rail lines. 4918 is a regular performer on the Cockatoo Run but is also used for mainline tours. 4918 is owned by 3801 Limited.