8649 Transfer from Werris Creek

On the 2nd December 2019 Electric Locomotive 8649 was transferred from Werris Creek to Morandoo Yard (near Broadmeadow) in preparation to be lifted off its bogies at Cardiff workshops, to enable a full examination of the underframe. This was the first time 8649 had left the Werris Creek area in nearly 20 years. Following this inspection the locomotive is expected to be returned to Werris Creek for further recommissioning works.

8649 has reached it's first scheduled stop at Quirindi to allow a check of axle bearing temperatures. Bearings were checked by both feeling each axle box by hand and measuring with an Infrared Thermometer. During the first stage of the trip it was audibly found some wheels had small flat spots, so at this stop the wheels were also inspected to verify the extent of this problem. It is possible this minor damage occured when the loco was shunted around while in storage. Photo by Michael McGinty
[3/12]