SHANE Rattenbury has launched the ‘City of Canberra’, a historic 6029 Beyer-Garratt steam locomotive, the largest and most powerful of its class in Australia.

(It should be noted this naming was news on December 15 last year.)

“The locomotive has been lovingly restored over the past seven years by the Australian Railway Historical Society – ACT Division,” Shane said.

“The restoration to full working order has been undertaken by volunteers and supported by the tourist operations out of the Historic Railway Museum and generous donations from members and the general public.

“The ACT Government was also proud to support the restoration through partly-funding a major communications safety upgrade to the locomotive.”

In 2014, the ACT Government provided $50,000 for the purchase of an In-Cab Communications Equipment system, which provides geo-positioning data to rail network operators and other important data for the national regulator in the event of an incident.

To thank the Canberra community and the ACT Government for its support, the Society proposed the locomotive be named the ‘City of Canberra’.

“I am very pleased to accept the Society’s offer and am honoured to officially name the ‘City of Canberra’ locomotive today,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“It is fitting that the support of the Canberra community has been recognised through naming the 6029 locomotive after our wonderful city.”

Mr Rattenbury said he was also was proud to be a passenger on the maiden voyage.

“Steam trains are an impressive man-made marvel, and create a level of excitement, no matter what your age,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“I’m sure that the ‘City of Canberra’ will attract many visitors in the coming months and proudly promote Canberra to the rest of Australia.