Long time between drinks...

Since joining the RVRM it has become a major part of my time, taking up the time I would set aside to gunzel, but instead to work on the real deal. Recently, we took delivery of 1 of 2 X200 Rail Tractors, currently we are working on X217, which was previously used at RRR (or Hunter Valley Railway Workshops/Trust) as a yard shunter along side 7350, 4472 and anything else onsite.

X217 is a Mark II X200. They were built on the outer bogies of the AD60 Beyer-Garratt class locomotives. Their engines were more powerful rated at 290 hp (220 kW) at 2,100 rpm and they had a higher top speed of 32 mph. This made them more practical for light line use.

Since it's arrival it has been subject to an awfully large amount of body work. This has been taken up by Team Static, consisting of mainly teenagers and a few older volunteers. It is a real credit to have transformed the locomotive from it's arrival state to the point now that it is looking brand new.

We recently had trialed the locomotive on the RVRM line to Pelaw Main, a trip of 4.5km with the steepest section of standard gauge track in the nation.

Here are a few photos of the event, enjoy guys!

X217 is seen here hauling it's 120t load up Pelaw Main's 1 in 19 grade.

X217 sits at the top of the hill at the station showing us how powerful a 30t 7.6m loco is!