PEOPLE PASSING by Lithgow’s Eskbank Station on Tuesday, October 31, had a chance to see a very rare sight: A train being lifted onto the bed of a waiting truck.
The train itself is a world first. It is the very first solar powered commuter train. It is on its way to Byron Bay to serve as a commuter train on a 3km tourist circuit from the bay itself to north Byron.
“There was some concern about running a diesel-powered train around Byron,” Lithgow Railway Workshop managing director Tim Elderton said.
“We were asked if we could modify it for solar, so we did the calculations and yes, it could be done. Byron Bay, it’s all flat running up there.”
The design and installation of the solar system was carried out by the Lithgow team.
“When we did it, we didn’t realise it was a world first – that it was the first solar-powered commuter train – not until we were told by the Australian Solar Council.”
The NSW Railway 660 class train, originally built in 1949, and withdrawn from service in the 1990’s, was restored and reconditioned by volunteers from the Lithgow State Mine Railway, the Lithgow Railway Workshop and members of work for the dole programs.
Its original “whisker” paint job, its 1949-era pattern, was also restored. The process has been completed over two years. The last 12 months has been spent modifying the train’s power source.
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Story from Kirty Horton • The Lithgow Mercury.