'Farewell 3642' Tour - 1st July 2018

To mark the retirement of locomotive 3642 from regular main line operations the NSW Rail Museum ran a day trip to the Southern Highlands on 1 July 2018. The train was diesel hauled from Central to Picton by 4403 and 4490 where they were swapped for steam locos 3526 and 3642 (which are seen at Thirlmere at the beginning of the video before they proceeded to Picton). Following the loco change at the Picton up refuge, the 35 led the tour to Moss Vale where passengers disembarked for a few hours. The carriages were shunted into the up refuge and the locos turned on the triangle before being taken into one of the storage sidings to replenish their water. 3642 was swapped into the lead and had some artwork applied to its smokebox. The locos were then coupled back onto their train which they shunted into the platform. With darkness fast approaching the 36 led the train back to Picton where the diesels were swapped back on for the final leg back to Central. The steam locos then returned along the loop line back to Thirlmere. A statement by the NSW Rail Museum regarding the future of locomotive 3642: "Following the recent return to heritage service of locomotive 3526, locomotive 3642 is now being retired from regular main line operations. It is currently being considered for major overhaul, subject to funding and future fleet requirements. In the meantime, 3642 will be maintained in a serviceable condition so the engine can be utilised for occasional events."