AC16 221A - The ILL Fated Tour to Clifton - 18/03/2023

On the afternoon of Saturday 18th March 2023, the Southern Downs Steam Railway were to operate a St Patrick's Day themed train out to the small Darling Downs township of Clifton, where passengers would dine and be entertained at the "O'Shanley's Irish Hotel and Restaurant" before returning to Warwick behind the AC16 steam locomotive.
Unfortunately for all involved, the tour didn't quite go according to plan. During a routine turning procedure at Hendon, the locomotive derailed over a kangaroo point. Busses were quickly organized to transfer the passengers to Clifton for dinner when it became clear that the train would not be travelling any further.
Several days later, and with the aid of two large cranes, the locomotive was re-railed and towed back to Warwick for a damage assessment. It's since been reported that QR are to take back possession of the locomotive for transportation back to the Ipswich Railway Workshops for further inspection and repairs. All SDSR tours will be hauled by the DH45, until the heavy works on C17 971 are completed.