Ex-State Rivers and Water Supply Commission Rail Tractor
JANUARY 2025 – TBC
The Malcolm Moore Model L47 locomotive was purchased by the Geelong Steam Preservation Society in 1978, restored to working order and used to reopen the Bellarine Railway track between Queenscliff and Drysdale. It was also used to shunt carriages, locomotives and wagons on the railway until replaced by a larger diesel powered locomotive from Tasmania, VA1.
The Malcolm Moore locomotive then saw less use and was eventually placed on loan in 2003 to the Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum. That loan expired in mid 2023 and the locomotive was collected from Alexandra on Saturday 4 January 2025.
It was unloaded at Queenscliff the next morning and work has now commenced to repair damage incurred whilst it sat in the open for 20 years and replace engine parts removed during that period.
February 2025
Restoration Commences – 21/2/2025
Malcolm arrived home at Queenscliff on Sunday 5th Janaury. By the following Tuesday, work had commenced to remove damaged components and commence a shopping list for the damaged and missing parts.
Good news head has been removed and appears to be no moisture damage to any of the bores.
We were fortunate to source a supply of E27N parts from a collector and obtained this lot for a very good price. With parts already obtained in recent years in anticipation of restoring the loco, we now have most of the parts required to replace the damaged and missing parts. We still need a few items such as Dip Sticks for the engine and transmission oil, plus the pipe from the air cleaner to the carbie, but well on the way to restoration.
January 2025
Returning the Malcolm Moore – 5/1/2025
A working party of four members travelled to Alexandra on Friday 3 January to move rail wheels, rails and other items blocking crane truck access, freed up the loco wheels and removed the canopy roof for ease of loading and safe transit.
Craig Elstones’ crane truck arrived at about 1015 and the locomotive was loaded and departed at 1130. It was unloaded at Queenscliff early on the Sunday morning.
With the Malcolm Moore now home at The Bellarine Railways Queenscliff depot, work can now commence on its restoration.
Loading up the Malcolm Moore at Alexandra on Saturday 4 January 2025. Thanks to Craig Elstone for supplying the crane truck at concessional rates