R707 is GOING TO GEELONG

Steamrail Victoria have chartered R707 for a return trip to Geelong on Sunday, 24 June 2007 in conjunction with the Geelong Rail 150 celebrations.

For details and booking information visit:

http://steamrail.com.au/acrobat/GeelongtoMelb150th.pdf

COMING SOON

The 707 Operations website is being updated. Watch out for our new and expanded site - coming soon!

10 April 2007

How we got started.

The story of 707 Operations goes back to 1980 when a committee of 6 people formed themselves into a group under the name of Plan R. Inspections of steam locomotive R 707 were made at Newport where it had laid in storage for the 6 years since its removal from service. Although it looked to be in a very dilapidated condition on the exterior, closer examination revealed thst it was largely superficial and was mechanically in fair condition. Proposals were then forwarded to the general Manager of VicRail regarding its restoration. Agreements were then put into place and R 707 was placed in the old tarpaulin shop, and it was here in february 1981 that the all volunteer workforce began work on the actual restoration.

The locomotive was dismantled and the complete overhaul began on the boiler, the frame wheels and axles, the cab fittings, smokebox, cylinders, motion gear and the tender. Late in 1984, R 707 was steam tested in the presence of the DLI Inspector. Having passed all these tests R 707 was almost complete. Final adjustments were made, and then began the task of painting the locomotive and tender in its original livery as delivered.

And so, on the 20th July 1985, R 707 was returned to service when she ran a trip to Bacchus Marsh and return. 

In order to cater for 707's future service the name Plan R was changed to 707 Operations. In 1992 the home of 707 Operations was relocated and today we are situated in the old West block of the Newport workshops.

Since those early days 707 Operations has expanded somewhat and today in addition to R 707 we also have custody of R753 which is unrestored at this point in time.In addition to these two magnificient locomotives we have Y127 and F208. Locomotive F204 is also at our headquarters as a source of spare parts along with Y109.

 The above is merely a pocket history of 707 operations. To find out more about the group and its activities please explore our website and do not hesitate to contact us if we have kindled your interest in Victoria's railway heritage and you would like to be a part of its future.