BB18 ¼ 1037 - Mainline Commissioning to Wyreema - 14th & 15th May 2024

On Tuesday 14th May 2024, DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum commenced the mainline testing of steam locomotive BB18 ¼ 1037, performing 2 short light engine runs to Wyreema.
The following day on Wednesday 15th May, the locomotive again steamed out to Wyreema hauling 4 stainless steel "SX" carriages on its first basic load test.
Further testing will take place in the following weeks, with an anticipated entry into passenger service slated for July 2024.

[@darcypetersen1]

You can see the water trying to get out of the closed drain cocks. That's a sick engine priming like that.

[@adriannettlefold9084]

I'm sorry I can't help myself ... Priming like that is asking for trouble.. the driver didn't open the cylinder cocks and kept her flat out up the hill, not good. And having the blowdown open going over a road crossing is a big no no as well. I hope that whoever is teaching these guys, helps them to understand what it is that they're meant to be doing and more importantly.. Why they should do it. Anyone can pull and push levers, but not too many know how to do it for the smooth, safe and efficient running of the machine. I suggest all people working on boilers, read what happened to the crew on Blue Peter in England and the STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FIREBOX EXPLOSION ON THE GETTYSBURG RAILROAD NEAR GARDNERS, PENNSYLVANIA JUNE 16, 1995. Not trying to be a know it all, just trying to educate.

[@Felipe-yd5si]

Great video Paul!

[@DylanBondarenko-ri6bj]

That locomotives priming badly! They don’t want to do that too often!

[@FranciscoAntonio-rd1eu]

Hola, muchas gracias , una serie muy linda de Vídeos .

[@detecting_Nathanael]

I love these videos, Paul. The steam locos bring back so many memories of my childhood. In my teen years I travelled to and from High School by train, most often steam and these locos may well have been some of the ones used back in the early 1960’s here in Qld.

[@paul1089]

1037 was used for Brisbane Suburban workings in the mid 60's.

[@detecting_Nathanael]

1079 & 1089 also brought back great memories!

[@thomasdever]

Amazing Paul love it well done

[@detecting_Nathanael]

I used to travel on the suburban network by train from time to time too, even though I lived on the sunny coast.

[@katrinalaw1479]

I love to see bb18 1037 doing run between Drayton to wyreema

[@rodreed5147]

Why is this loco priming so often? Is feed water treatment being used?

[@katrinalaw1479]

Hey paul is Queensland going to used this loco with the other bb18 in the 160th birthday celebration in 2025?

[@paul1089]

I don't know what the plans are for the 160th.