Locos used on the Abt Railway 37 years ago at 3 pm on 15th June 1963 the last train steamed out of Queenstown rail station. Fittingly at 3 pm on June 15th 2000 the "Klondike" steam loco was backed out of the workshop at Carswell Park. With whistle blowing it steamed South some 100 metres stopping for a short while then steaming back to the workshop. This heralded a new era for the Abt Railway
as a great tourist attraction for the West Coast.The steam locomotives will travel over the ridge between the Queen and King rivers to Rinadeena, on to Dubbil Barril, down past the King river gorge between Mount Huxley and Mount Jukes toTeepookana and through rain forest past Lowana and on to the sea at Regatta point Strahan. The trip will be really memorable because of the beauty of the area and especially so to those people who love travelling by steam train.
Note the "Klondike" was on loan from Geelong in Victoria and has now been returned.
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At 3 pm the "Klondike" backs out of the workshop with whistle blowing.
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"Klondike" under a full head of steam.
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A side view of "Klondike" under steam.
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The Drewry V Class Diesel locomotive an original of The Mount Lyell Company which was previously used for Abt track work.
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Abt No:3 Returned to Queenstown today.
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Abt No:3 Showing the Pinion Wheel which engages the Rack in the centre of the tracks.
