R 707 New Superheater Element Tubes

In July 1985, steam locomotive R 707 (now named the City of Melbourne) was fully restored and since that day, the locomotive has captivated the people of Victoria on it's many displays and main-line excursions. Currently R 707 is in need of a new set of superheater element tubes. Superheater element tubes are long pipes which are placed inside large diameter fire tubes, called flues. Steam passes through these superheater elements. The main advantages of using a superheater are reduced fuel and water consumption but there is a price to pay with increased maintenance costs.

R 707 is known as, and named the City of Melbourne. People from not only Melbourne, but all of Victoria have had the opportunity to see the locomotive both on static display and in full steam, running on the Victorian Railways broad gauge network hauling heritage passenger trains. One of the aims of 707 Operations is to support, and to be part of, the tourist industry by providing comfortable family friendly and affordable Vintage Rail Travel day train trips to regional centres in in Victoria. R 707 is a valuable piece of Victorian history that needs urgent upkeep.