The Tasmanian Transport Museum will be saying farewell for the foreseeable future to its iconic C22 locomotive on Sunday 22 June 2025.

C22 was built in 1902 for the Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) by the Beyer, Peacock & Company in England. 27 were purchased between 1885 and 1907, with C22 being purchased from the Public Work’s Department in 1937. In addition to the Tasmanian locomotives, many similar locomotives were built for most other mainland states.

C22 operated throughout Tasmania on a variety of train types and it last ran at Wynyard during October 1960 and ran 882,188 miles until it was withdrawn from service. C22 was purchased by the museum in 1967 and was restored to running order for the opening of the museum in 1983.

The locomotive operated passenger trains on the museum demonstration line up until 1999 when it was withdrawn from service for boiler repairs. Work was finally completed in late 2009 and it re-entered service in mid 2010. C22 has operated on the museum’s demonstration line and on the former Suburban Line for 15 years and is now once again due for overhaul and will be withdrawn from service in June 2025.

“The overhaul will likely take 2 years and cost somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000 so any donations to the cost of the overhaul would be very gratefully received,” said Jeff Bronstein, President of Tasmanian Transport Museum Society.

“The Transport Museum would love to see as many people as possible turn out to celebrate the retirement of our wonderful old locomotive C22 on Sunday 22 June.”

To mark its withdrawal, the Transport Museum will be running C22 on special journeys hauling our collection of vintage railway carriages as well participating in a rate parallel run with steam locomotive M5.

A coffee cart made from a converted WW2 Army Horse float will be serving hot drinks and food all day. Tickets, train ride times and booking details can be found on the Museum’s website.

“C22’s presence at the museum has been more than a steam locomotive — it’s been part of our story, our heritage, and our connection to Tasmania’s rail past.” explained Bronstein.

“There is nothing quite like the sounds and sights of steam locomotives in full flight and a few lucky Tasmanians will get the chance to see not one but two in operation at the Museum for a one-off special occasion”.

“All proceeds from this very special day will help to keep the Museum’s doors open and help us preserve and return to operation even more iconic Tasmanian transport exhibits.”

“Some of the wooden carriages we will be using date from the 1880’s and are rarely open to the public so head out to the Museum to savour some of Tasmania’s long lost railroad history on the 22nd.”

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