Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society (PRRPS) is delighted to advise that it has acquired former South Australian Railways (SAR) 830 class locomotives 843 (excluding broad gauge bogies) and 846 from One Rail Australia. These two locomotives will be used by PRRPS to make one operational unit, the body of 843 onto narrow-gauge traction bogies. 846 and its narrow-gauge bogies will provide a source of spares (including traction motors interchangeable with NT76’s).
The original target of this appeal was reached allowing the locomotives to be moved and batteries purchased, and work was undertaken at Dry Creek and Port Lincoln to disconnect 843 and 846 from their bogies. Locomotive 846 arrived in Quorn on Saturday 2 October 2021, transported on a low-loader by Max Cranes of Port Augusta. Locomotive 843 was transported from Dry Creek by Max Cranes arriving in Quorn on 21 December 2021 and narrow-gauge power bogies have been transported from Thevenard to Quorn. The body and (new) bogies of 843 have been sandblasted and primed ready for body repairs to commence. Further donations will allow body repairs and painting of 843 to progress after re-assembly on narrow gauge. PRRPS greatly appreciates the support of our donors and sponsors in this important historic acquisition.
