‘Well worth the wait’ as Pacific returns to main line after 12-year restoration
AUSTRALIAN flagship preserved locomotive No. 3801 has reached the finishing straight of its controversial and protracted overhaul with a 45-mile run on the main line under its own power, that one linesider described as“well worth the wait as it wasn’t hanging about.”
The streamlined Class C38 Pacific, which entered service in January 1943. However, that accolade has been under severe strain since it was taken off railtour duty at the end of 2007 for an overhaul that was expected to be completed in 2011, but has been beset by problems, controversy and delays.
