The 3801

A few weeks ago we went for a shot trip on the 3801, a vintage steam train that was visiting Canberra. I had not heard of the 3801, but apparently it is quite famous. Transport Heritage NSW has a bit of a writeup: 3801’s status as leader of the class was first recognised in 1962 when it made the last run of steam on the Melbourne Limited Express from Junee to Albury. Returned to green livery in 1963, it set a new speed record from Sydney to Newcastle in the following year, covering the 167 kilometres in 2 hours, 1 minute and 51 seconds. Assisted by 3813 it hauled the first steam train from Sydney to Perth in 1970. Withdrawn from regular service later that year, 3801 continued to run in preservation across a range of landmark services. It has made many more interstate journeys, becoming the only Australian locomotive to visit every mainland state and territory. … Today, locomotive 3801 is the flagship in the State Operational Heritage Fleet. It continues to lead services across the NSW…