Margate Train

The Margate Train is a tourist attraction and shopping area located adjacent to the Channel Highway in Margate, Tasmania, and includes a number of shops and outlets housed within former Tasmanian Government Railways rolling stock. It is located approximately 18 kilometres from Hobart.

Margate Train
LocationMargate, Tasmania, Australia
Coordinates43.0186718°S 147.2696041°E / -43.0186718; 147.2696041
Address1567 Channel Highway
Opening date1978
No. of stores and services12
Websitewww.facebook.com/margatetrain/

Train

The Margate Train site consists of a plinthed steam locomotive, carriages, and two sheds. The locomotive is MA3, a Tasmanian Government Railways MA Class from 1952.[1] The carriages consist of Articulated Country Saloon (ACS) carriage #1, an SS class suburban carriage, and a TGR DP Class railmotor.[2] Following the cessation of passenger rail transport in Tasmania, the vehicles were sold to private buyers.

The train was originally a roadside park, and was retained in original red livery. Sometime after 1987, the locomotive and carriages were painted black and brown respectively.[3] None of the rolling stock operated in such livery.

Contrary to some tourist information, the steam engine never hauled the Tasman Limited service, but ACS carriage #1 was purpose-built for this task which operated until 1978.[4]

MA3 was one of four M Class locomotives converted for better operation on steeply graded sections by fitting surplus Australian Standard Garratt (ASG) 4'0" driving wheels.

Retail destination

The Margate Train currently houses a variety of retail businesses including arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, a specialist book exchange, and a buffet car specialising in pancakes, hence the Margate Train's local nickname, the Pancake Train. Nearby is a large antiques and second hand warehouse, located in an old Henry Jones IXL apple packing shed.

References
  1. "The Pancake Train". pancaketrain.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  2. "Australian Steam". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. "Australian Steam". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  4. "Australian Steam". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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