On Friday 18th August 2023, 22 years of hard work finally paid off for the team at the DownsSteam Tourist Railway and Museum. The day had finally arrived where the 109 year old steam locomotive C16 106 had been given approval from Queensland Rail and the National Rail Safety Regulator to be allowed out onto the mainline and commence the operational testing phase.
2 return light engine runs were performed between Drayton and Wyreema, a distance of 40km's for the day with the locomotive seemingly running flawlessly.
The following day, on Saturday 19th August 2023, locomotive 106 was coupled up to the OCEMT water wagon and ran out to Brookstead, the current terminus of the Millmerran line.
Further testing and crew training will continue in the weeks and months to follow, before DownsSteam's ultimate goal of running passenger trains is achieved.