One of the best tourist attractions of this state was the " Cockatoo Run " - a journey from Central in Sydney through the scenic south coast to Robertson in the southern highlands.
The centre piece of this return to the steam age was the magnificent 3801 steam engine pulling antique coaches. There was a waiting list to book a ticket - until a disinterested state government pulled the plug.
The restored 3801 was housed at Everleigh rail yards - and the government had plans to develop this for high rise living. Steam engines need coal and water, facilities of the past in an electric age and something the government couldn't be bothered providing. They simply refused to renew the lease on 3801 - and that great old engine was returned to the train graveyard at Thirlmere - and left to rot !
The Cockatoo Run lives on - this time pulled by engine 5917. This American built black monster was restored at Cowra by the Lachlan Valley railway and once again full loads of tourists will experience the age of steam as they journey through magnificent rain forests on a memorable days outing.
There remains one thing yet to be restored. In the 3801 days the coming of this train was heralded by it sounding it's steam whistle. This unique sound on a Sunday morning brought children running to the rail line to see the train - but the mean spirited complained and termed this " noise pollution " - and the whistle was silenced.
Lets hope the driver of 5917 once again pulls the lanyard - and that nostalgic sound of a by-gone age again delights enthusiasts as it steams on it's south coast journey.
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