Locomotive 859 - "City of Port Lincoln"

859 after being named at Port Lincoln, 3 September 2003.
Photo: Mark Carter, GRMS Media

859 was officially named the City of Port Lincoln by the Mayor, Peter Davis, at a ceremony at Port Lincoln railway station on 3 September 2003. Speaking at the ceremony, ARG’s Business Manager, Eyre Peninsula, Rob Gregor said, "The transfer of 859 to Port Lincoln is part of an ongoing programme to upgrade the performance and capacity of the Eyre Peninsula locomotive fleet. Today’s ceremony is a small way for us to acknowledge the partnership we have with the local communities in providing transport solutions for their economic growth".

Above right: Port Lincoln Mayor Peter Davis, and 859.
Right: Mayor Peter Davis and ARG's Rob Gregor at the naming ceremony.
Photos: Mark Carter, GRMS Media

859, DA7 and another 830 loading grain at Cummins Bunker, September 2003.
Photo: Mark Carter, GRMS Media

A Varied Career

Since its delivery to the SAR in 1963, 859 has worked on two gauges, migrated to Tasmania and back, and carried five colour schemes. Highlights of its career are:

25 May 1963 Entered service on the narrow gauge Peterborough Division, in the SAR 'mustard pot' colour scheme.
12 Jan 1970 Converted to standard gauge for the new Port Pirie - Broken Hill line.
1979 Repainted in the ex-Commonwealth Railways red and silver colours, one of only three 830s so treated.
Jul 1980 Repainted again, this time to the 'ANR yellow' scheme (a modified version of the 'mustard pot' colours).
30 Jul 1980 Transferred to Tasmania (back to narrow gauge).
1 Dec 1987 Transferred to Gladstone for Wilmington line working. By now repainted into the AN green and yellow scheme.
14 Mar 1988 Relocated to Peterborough for Orroroo working. Returned to Gladstone by July 1988.
8 Dec 1989 Converted to standard gauge again.
24 Jul 2003 Outshopped from Port Augusta workshops after a major rebuild, repainted in ARG's orange and black colour scheme.
27 Aug 2003 Converted to narrow gauge and transferred to Port Lincoln.
3 Sep 2003 Named City of Port Lincoln.

859 shares Port Augusta workshops with an eclectic collection of motive power including GM29, GM16, 860, DE90, 532 and NSU51, 19 August 1978. 859 was still in its original colour scheme.
Photo: Peter Knife