Up to 3,000 people will take a ride behind Australia’s most powerful operating steam engine when it returns to Canberra this weekend.
Beyer-Garratt locomotive 6029, originally built in Manchester UK and first operated by the NSW Government Railways in 1954, will operate two-days of shuttle rides between Canberra and Queanbeyan and Bungendore.
Transport Heritage NSW CEO, Andrew Moritz, said the event has received strong support from the local community.
"Only a handful of tickets remain for what is shaping up to be an exciting weekend of steam train rides in the Capital."
"This is a great opportunity for locals to reacquaint themselves with the Garratt, which was restored by the staff and volunteers of the Canberra Railway Museum in 2014."
The Garratt is now owned by a private consortium and is operated by the NSW Rail Museum under a storage and use Agreement.
Capital Region Heritage Rail Ltd has recently been established and will operate the Canberra Railway Museum once the liquidators of the former ARHS ACT complete their work.
"We want to thank Transport Heritage NSW for its support and look forward to having the Garratt back in town for the weekend," said Canberra Railway Museum Chairman, John Cheeseman.
"While the museum is not yet open to the public, we will be at Canberra Station throughout the weekend talking to people about the future of the Canberra Railway Museum and encouraging people to get involved."
