Seymour pushing ahead with CL17

The new radio antenna being fitted to CL17, thanks to the splendid folk at RFI Antennas for their generous donation.

Happy National Volunteers Week to the boys and girls who have contributed to CL17’s restoration to date. It's not easy to trawl through the vast collection of photos that we have collected since the beginning of 17’s restoration, it's a slow and laborious process. 

Well done to those boys and girls, we appreciate your efforts and we all look forward to when 17 is back on the rails!

Boys and girls.

Today we brought the big guns in. Welcome Jon Anderson and Harry Ward. Both guys are from Spinifex Welding in Coota. Together they'll be working with us on the welding jobs on 17. Today the boys were concentrating around the front pilot and the observers side. The observers side is looking pretty good now.

Quick update: Chasing up bits and pieces for CL17 and getting a few bits made.

· New rubbers for the marker lights.

· Two new engine bay doors cut, just need to get them skinned.

· Yet more bog.

The first CL17 working bee for the year has come to a close. Firstly, we'd like to thank the guys at Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) Cootamundra for finding time during everything they were doing to do a shunt for us, to move 17 into a position where we could work on it.

List of things done was quite large.

· Welding: Finally, the last of the roof welding has been done, internal support brace and holes in the roof welded up, also finally a spray of undercoat was applied to protect the raw steel from the weather, inside and out.

· Next a start was made on the recessed floor structure, as we are going back to original door height the floor must be lowered to original as well.

· The pink paint is Morris & Knudson mods that will be removed.

· The original floor plates were then located and laid in place.

· Kick panels will be fabricated between the lower and step up areas.

· Batteries: Work continues on disconnecting the batteries located front and rear of the rear bogie, we are putting the batteries in the back of the loco, discussions on where to run cabling and orientation of batteries as well as the type of battery box to construct are well advanced. The construction of the battery box is our next major hurdle as this will enable us to be able to kick 17 in the guts once the turbo is refitted, but, this can't happen until the batteries and box are sorted out.

· Water: As we are slowly working through cleaning inside the loco water and years of accumulated dust, dirt and scale have blocked up many drain points. Locating drain pipes and draining them seems to be never ending. Over the weekend, we were able to completely drain, dry out, scrape up and vacuum out these areas, hopefully now H2O will more easily self-drain. We have three big tarps covering vital points of the loco but rain still gets in.

· Areas cleaned were the radiator and pressure fan housings.

· Internal clean out: The majority of our supplies, panels, tables, ladders, everything, has been getting stored in the back of the loco, a massive cleanout has been done and now it doesn’t look like a tip inside.

· Body prep: Sanding, sanding, sanding, yes more sanding has been undertaken, now that welding has been completed on the roof, our trusty (thinks he knows what he is doing) panel beater, or as they call him, “bog boy”, can get back into working on the nose and cab roof, there is still heaps of work required to do here. Any help from a pro panel beater would be greatly appreciated … anyone, anyone, please help me! But at least with a spray of undercoat the area has some form of uniformity to it.

End of the day CL17 is tarped up again and awaiting the next working be.

Another piece of the CL17 puzzle, making its way back up to Cootamundra. This is the turbo that came out of CL17 and went to Melbourne for assessment. A new turbo is on site and will be fitted in due course. This turbo will be exchanged in the crate with the new one and sent back to the US of A which was part of the new for old purchase deal.

Further to the entries below, work on CL17 continues to progress at a steady pace. 2020 has seen a working bee on average of 2-3 days every six weeks. The side panels of the locomotive now represent a CL as built. Drawings and measurements have been formulated to recreate the grilles in the mansard roof. Due to our generous donor, a turbo charger has been ordered. The deal includes swapping the defective unit for a reconditioned one. The replacement turbo charger is on its way from the United States as a grand moment in the restoration of CL17 is now closer.
A correct set of Leslie horns have been acquired and they have since been meticulously restored by Jimmy Prentice. This was a first and an eye opener for Jim. Once they were dismantled, he had them bead blasted. All 25 bolts were replaced with new as well as new gaskets. They were then painted in the correct colours of silver with red centres. We haven’t put air through them yet, but when we do, the first blast is reserved for the man who did all the work.
The extension of the cab doors to their original height has also begun. The cab doors are simple in construction as they are basically 50mm RHS and 2mm sheet steel. The bottom of the doors were cut off and 295mm added in between. This is the type of work that is being completed by the usual 5-6 attendees.

2021 is shaping up to be a good year for CL17 as its already been requested to haul
numerous passenger trains. It will be right at home hauling polished stainless steel carriages in its maroon and silver paint.
While working, we manage to have fantastic BBQs and a ton of laughs. This makes it all
worthwhile has we sit back with a snag on bread and admire the handy-work. The gang earn the right as they’re hard workers. This comes with a big thank you to all those who have taken skin off their knuckles and finish the weekend in clothes that are beyond washing.
Also, a thank you to all who are donating their hard earned cash to the cause. It’s amazing how the cost of purchasing the little things add up and without the generous ones out there, we would be struggling. When you see the result and as you smile, you’ll mutter
something like “I’m so glad I did".
Donations can be made via our project's GoGetFunding site.

Another CL17 working bee done and dusted. Started with a broom/brush off of dust, then with a marker pen circling areas that still need a touch up – there are a few. Next the Fireman’s side cab roof to mansard roof got a bit of a sand, this area had a lot of the bog cracked and already broken out, so a lot of work required to get back to good metal. A couple of months back we were able to get the new roof section welded in so it was time to grind down the welds, ready for the next working bee and bog blending. Areas circled were then attended to, sanded back, bog fill applied, wait for it to dry then sand smooth, repeat as required.

Meanwhile the Driver’s door was attended to as these need to be extended back to original height the bottom was cut off ready for new material to be added. Finally, for the first time since Streamliners Australia has owned the locomotive, the 'CL17' road number has been applied, albeit temporarily with a little bit of electrical tape sign writing on the nose door.

Forgot to mention a big thank you to not only the Southern Shorthaul Railroad crew at Cootamundra for doing the movement/shunt for us, but also to the guys who can't make it because of COVID-19 but instead donate what it would cost them to come across/down/up to the GoGetFunding page. These funds help us to purchase the essentials of doing a job like this, namely sanding discs and orbital sanders, of which another one died over the weekend, that makes seven of them so far.

We have our next working bee coming up on 22 and 23 August 2020!


We're hoping to have the brand new cow catcher fitted, as well as doing the last parts of the main body work. We'd love to see some new faces and welcome anyone who's willing to help to get CL17 across the finish line. Get in touch if you're keen and ready to help.


In big news, we've had an anonymous and very generous donor step forward to provide the funds for a reconditioned turbo. However, we still need to fund the ICE radio and a number of other aspects of the restoration. As you can see the team are doing a brilliant job turning CLP10 back into CL17 in its near-original condition. We understand that times are tough at the moment, however if you can spare some money, our GoGetFunding page is still running, which will assist us in funding the turbo-charger, ICE radio, and the many other little jobs we still have to on the locomotive.

Another working bee has drawn to a close, foggy cold morning that turned into a beautiful day. Today’s efforts concentrated on making a start on sanding of the mansard roof profile and also finishing off the fireman’s side of the body in a base undercoat. We also took the opportunity to make a list of jobs still to do, which is not the complete list.

After a little while of not much happening, our team are right back into it getting CL17 finished.  The hump in the roof is now replaced with a flat panel welded in place, which was one of the key steps to transforming the locomotive back to its original look. Lots of other body work is taking place this weekend, including fitting more refurbished side panels and working on the iconic streamlined nose. Special mention has to go to Ian Wilson, who has spent countless hours working on the nose, body panels, and pretty well everything in between. Without the massive commitment he has been putting into this project, we’d be no where near the stage we’re at now.

We also have our newest item of merchandise available for you to buy, bumper stickers! These are the first in a series of items that will be coming over the next little while, so jump over to our Shop and order yours now (free shipping to Australian customers). 

We are back into working on CL17! Two new guys to the crew today, welcome to the madness Andrew Hurst and Martyn Salmon. Jobs undertaken included putting some panels back on the fireman’s side, some more to go on tomorrow. We also continued cleaning inside the locomotive – degreaser and rags to wipe away years of engine grim, some welding, covering over a rust spot where the flange lubrication point was, some filling of some holes on the back and filling of the four bolt holes on the nose where the grab handrails were and finally a start was made sanding the mansard roof profile.

Streamliners Australia update. Where are we at with the turbo charger? Rain has entered the turbo charger via the exhaust and with a blocked drain while CLP10/CL17 was stored at Goulburn, the water didn't dissipate which resulted in corrosion in the red and blue shaded area's (refer to the image above). The green area (the drive train) that bolts to the engine is in good condition. Our experts (Paul and Ian Kemp) have it in pieces and while it can be cleaned up, it will never run right and it will fly to bits in a short time frame. Replacement or reconditioning has been priced anywhere between $60k and $120K. However we will know more in the next couple of weeks. 

Streamliners 2021 - planning for the 2021 event will begin this October. 

CLP10/CL17's resto. Five blokes showed up last weekend (March 21-22) and put in a grand effort and they managed to accomplish quite a bit at 1.5 meters apart. The headlight assembly has been restored and refitted by Ian Wilson while Scott Sanders manufactured new multi unit socket lids. The removal of one of the windscreens was completed in readiness for new ones that will be fitted at the correct depth. More sanding also took place so thanks to those that showed up. Jack and Aiden Bell as well as Jim Houghton and Matt Johns were in attendance as well. 

We will be starting a membership drive in the not to distant future. While there are benefits in being a member, it is certainly a financial bonus to the groups on going work. For railfans, it means you get to enjoy where your money goes, just like those who donated towards the cause to acquire the loco in the first place.

Our merchandise guru is working on a couple of projects at the moment so stand by for those. Thanks Jimmy for taking care of that.

That's about it for March 2020.

Another working bee is done and dusted. Now due to the constantly changing 'world's going to end crisis' there won't be a working bee for a few months, but stay tuned, when the world goes back to normal, we'll be back into it. Anyway, with that being said a number of small items were crossed of the list. All fireman's side panels have now been sanded back in prep for re-applying and stacked accordingly. Three panels require a bit of extra attention and have relocated for this to happen. All retaining strips have also been sanded back, with all the outer strips loosely bolted into their correct positions on the loco. The difficult work of sanding back around where the cab doors sit has started, with handrails in the way it takes more time and the areas where the original doors once sat is being cleaned up as well. We will be re-instating the look of the original long doors. When a change of job is required, cleaning the inside of the loco body continues with a bit of degreaser, rags and elbow grease. Where the twin windscreen wiper mounts were, has been removed in prep for going back to single wipers, luckily the original hole still exists, just weld filled. Also, just one of those detail jobs is the plan to go back to proper fitting windscreens with actual windscreen rubbers.  Today the fun task of removing a windscreen was undertaken, marked where on the inside the correct size it should be, hopefully over the next few months correct size windscreens and rubbers will be obtained. Yes we cracked it but we got it out finally. Not to forget end of weekend group, 1.5mt distance pic. Which bring me to the last point, on behalf of the crew working on CL17s resto we would like to personally thank Jim Houghton for his donation of electrical tools, tool boxes and other essential tools all of which is being heavily used already. Also a thank you to Leo Junger from New Zealand who due to current world event was not able to cross the ditch, but made a financial donation towards us being able to have a few bbq lunches for a while to come, or to supplies. Remember if you'd like to help get CL17 back on track, please donate to the Gogetfunding page.

Today was all about preparation for the working bee over this coming weekend, sorting panels into their group/section lots, then the retaining strips as well, and no two strips are the same!
With assistance from the local Southern Shorthaul Railroad boys (very much appreciated) a shunt was also done to move CL17 into a more friendly work position.
Then a bit of panel and strip sanding was started as well as sanding bog on the nose from last evenings application.
A few of the outer strips were put in place ready for panel re-attachment over the weekend.

The day was spent tinkering on what will be a thing of beaut - CL17.

First, the headlight assemble was re-fitted, after being stripped back and repainted into silver, as original.
Then a bit of nose bog sanding, then the removal of the twin wiper arm fitting brackets, then a brainwave idea of lets remove a windscreen. To finish the day another layer of bog was applied ready to be sanded back next time. Given current world events it feels so good to switch off from the BS and tinker away.

The next working bee will fall on March 21 - 22. Included will be pilot fitting and battery box construction plus the usual sanding and we may even be bolting on panels. Pictured is John Douglas who is handy with the welder. We all have different skill sets as there are labour intensive jobs and some that are easy. if you can’t weld, it doesn’t matter, you can help by assisting with bolting on the side panels. We have a bloody great time as we are there for the common cause and there is no shortage of laughs. But, we need to get this big bastard finished.

  Another little piece of CL17 completed.

Last weekend saw another working bee take place at Cootamundra on CL17. Lots of little jobs were completed, including test fitting new MU socket covers as seen in the photos by Scott, and installing a new DC converter panel by Paul Proctor. 

The work that everyone has put in to date is astounding, with everyone bringing individual sets of skills that have been vital to getting the loco to this stage. We will update everyone of the next working bee dates once they are decided, and would love to get as many hands as we can to get the loco finished by the middle of this year. 

If you can’t make the working bees, perhaps you could consider making a donation to our Go Get Funding page, to assist us getting CL17 back out on the rails as soon as possible. 

Gun electrician Paul Proctor has just fitted a new DC converter panel under the fireman's side dash. Bloody awesome as it’s tested and charging phones plus other things. designed Streamliner built in the world. Keep an eye for dates.

 This image shows the fireman's side of CL17 and it needs to be finished. Keep your eyes on dates for working bees. Because we are working on it under Lachlan Valley Railway accreditation you need to be a member. It’s about 40 bucks. If money is tight, You don’t have to join Streamliners Australia even though your contribution would help. All tools are provided and we provide a bbq each day. Ideally we want it finished in its magnificent maroon and silver in July and we will struggle with the same half dozen blokes doing the work. Wanna be apart of Aussie preservation history? Now is your chance to brag about your part in preserving the last EMD designed Streamliner built in the world.. Keep an eye for dates.

  The headlight assembly has been stripped down and cleaned, lights tested. Just need to work out what colour the backing plate should be now.

White or silver?

 Putting the gang's hard work into perspective – this is how the driver’s side of CL17 is looking these days. We can see and taste the end result and it’s bloody exciting. There’s still a ton of work to go so if you can help out let us know. The next working bee in Cootamundra is the weekend of January 25 and 26. Let’s get this Aussie icon finished for all to enjoy the glossy maroon and silver finish!

If you'd like to help, you'll need to be a financial member of Streamliners and the Lachlan Valley Railway (caretakers of the site CL17 currently resides at). This will satisfy the insurance requirements all volunteers on site need to adhere to.

Contact us if you'd like to know more.

  So we are closing in on the end of 2019, so much has been done - The to-do list is getting smaller! This year was huge, and with a bit of luck next year will seal the deal and see CL17 in operation. 

We would like to single out Ian Wilson as "man of the match" for 2019, he has organised, done, bogged, sanded, dismantled, assembled and traveled all for our project. 

Massive thank you to all of our supporters, $83,857 has been raised and we charge on to $100,000!

The restoration of CL17 has 3 major hurdles, body modifications, the turbo charger, and an ICE radio, which is an essential item to allow the locomotive out on the main line. While the turbo charger is in the final stages of being stripped and assessed, we have been able to find an ICE radio for CL17! We have made a deposit to secure the radio, however need your help to cover the full cost of the radio. Our GoGetFunding page has over $83,000 of donations thus far, with the current target of $100,000.
We'd love to reach this target by the end of January to ensure we are in a position to purchase the ICE radio, but cannot do it without your help and support. Every little bit helps, so anything you can put in is truly appreciated. 

Our next fundraising day trip will be announced in the next week or two, along with one of the two classic streamliners that will be hauling the train. Stay tuned!

As the late John Clark famously said, "The front fell off!". 6kg of bog has so far been applied to the nose alone, in order to give the iconic nose a smooth curved surface. While the turbo charger is being repaired, the majority of work is focused on the nose, cab and roof. New single marker lights have been made, and will be installed over the coming months.

The next and final working bee for 2019 is planned for the 14th and 15th of December, and is going to be a fun weekend, with a big bbq planned for all those who attend. If you're available, we'd love to see you there to help get CL17 back out by the middle of next year.

Planning is also well underway for our next Streamliners day trip. Who can guess where we might be going, and what locos we'll be using? All will be revealed soon.

24 October

Tuesday was a big milestone, as we were able to turn CL17 in order to get cracking on the fireman's side body panels. A big team effort to get it to this stage, and we aren't done yet! Another working bee is taking place this weekend, get in touch if you're able to help out.
The turbo charger is still being taken apart, so no new news on that front. More info should be available in the next few weeks.
B61 also joined CL17 for the turning movement, and to stop any rumours flying around, yes B61's engine is broken currently, so it cannot run under it's own power, but fear not, it is not at risk of being cut up! It will return, eventually.

Tuesday was a big milestone, as we were able to turn CL17 in order to  get cracking on the fireman's side body panels. A big team effort to get  it to this stage, and we aren't done yet!
Another working bee is taking place this weekend, get in touch if you're able to help out.
The turbo charger is still being taken apart, so no new news on that  front. More info should be available in the next few weeks.
B61 also  joined CL17 for the turning movement, and to stop any rumours flying  around, yes B61's engine is broken currently, so it cannot run under  it's own power, but fear not, it is not at risk of being cut up! It will  return, eventually

Next  weekend (26-27th October) we are having another working bee in  Cootamundra on CL17, and need your help, specifically someone with panel  beating and welding experience. Anyone and everyone is welcome,  provided you're a member of the Lachlan Valley Railway and Streamliners  Australia. If you'd like to help out but aren't a member, get in contact  with us, and we'll help you get it sorted. Let us know if you're  interested in coming along.

Hi everyone, apologies for the delay in giving an update on the turbo charger. Below is a report from one of our maintenance officers, Paul Kemp.  

"Some good & bad news. We managed to get the gear side apart today. The Good news is the planetary gears are in good shape with no rust in them. The Bad news, upon closer inspection we have spotted some rust right  down inside the exhaust on the turbine blades. Look like there rusted to  the housing.With the intake impeller already removed we will  remove the snail and Lower part of the exhaust. This will enable us to  get into the turbine and clutch pack.
We hope at this stage that if  the clutch pack is ok, that our worst case may only be that we need to  get a new/second hand turbine. Best case, if there is no rust pitting. We can clean up the turbine, get it re balanced and the re assemble."

A massive thanks needs to go to the team at Gemco for the effort they  are putting in. We should know what we're dealing with within the next  week or two, then we can plan what needs to be done to fix the turbo  charger, and get CL17 out and running as soon as possible.
If you'd like to make a donation towards CL17, follow the link here.

"Team CL17" grew to 11.5 members on Saturday August 17, 2019. Six members from the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre came to Cootamundra and handled the removal
of the damaged pilot. By no means an easy task but these guys aren't new to
rail preservation and their experience was most welcomed. Also working hard
was special guest Leo from New Zealand. Paul Proctor was busy removing old wiring as the rest of the regulars kept sanding and removing exterior equipment that doesn't belong. It was a big weekend with a huge thank you to all of you.

A key component to the appearance of a CL is the horns on the nose. We
recently purchased a set of Leslie S5T horns similar to those originally fitted to the class. There were changes to Leslie horns over the years which included the
backs. The rivet counters will be pleased to know these are the correct
'round back' version. Following a trial fit to CLP10/CL17 they are now in the hands of Jimmy for a full restoration.

Looking a little naked without its pilot this scene shows CLP10/CL17 during a shunt to move it out of the shed briefly.