Restoring E371
The Victorian Goldfields Railway has launched the E371 Restoration Project - an exciting project to bring back to life E371 as an operational locomotive. Your help is needed to restore steam locomotive E 371. Only with your help can we restore to operation this unique locomotive for use on the Victorian Goldfields Railway.Â
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When restored E 371 will become Victoria’s only broad gauge and oldest operational steam tank locomotive.Â
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E 371 was built for the Victorian Railways in 1892 by David Munro and Co in Melbourne to haul suburban passenger trains in Melbourne prior to electrification, before being converted to a shunting engine and surviving in that role until 1969.
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We're excited to launch the restoration project of this unique locomotive and to have her hauling trains between Maldon and Castlemaine
Why E371?
The Victorian Goldfields Railway owns four steam locomotives that have been stored since removal from regular Victorian Railways service in the 1960s. We need to restore one of them to provide support to our hard-working J and K class locomotives, to enhance our appeal to our passengers, to haul a variety of special trains requiring a special locomotive and to enable our valuable members and volunteers a new and exciting project to work on. Â
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Veteran tank locomotive E 371 has been chosen from these locos as the best restoration option because:Â
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It is the lowest cost restoration option.Â
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It will have the lowest ongoing operating costs as it is a smaller, simpler locomotive with less of everything that needs ongoing maintenance.Â
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It is in the best condition for restoration.Â
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It is eminently suitable for the services we have planned.Â
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It has unique appeal due to its antiquity, and relationship with the development of Melbourne’s suburban rail system.Â
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Restoration Progress
We've undertaken a detailed study of the condition of the locomotive, including a full boiler inspection and will update this website of details of the project once physical work commences.
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We'll commence moving some of the components not currently attached to the locomotive, to Castlemaine where the majority of the restoration work will be undertaken.