"The Desert Train - Proud BIG LIZZIE"

...."BIG LIZZIE - the 'Desert Train' - was built in 1915.
The machine with 2 Wagons - each 30feet in length, was originally built in Melbourne,and intended for carting wool from the outback Station properties in New South Wales, Broken Hill area, about 2-3hours north of us.

But she was used for carting wheat in a town nearby instead - one such load was 899 bags..
In 1920, Big Lizzie the train - also built to replace the camel teams - was commissioned by the Victorian Govt. to clear trees and scrub in what was supposed to be the largest Soldier Settlement in Australia - Red Cliffs - 700 blocks for veteran Soldiers after WWl.

In 1925, Big Lizzie moved away, and this journey was it's last great trek. She lay on a station property for some 40 years, - rusted, worn, but proud..

She was moved again to her last resting place, in Red Cliffs, using a low loader in 1971 where she has been lovingly restored..

So much more history goes with Big Lizzie, so many stories of her creation by a brilliant man, her travels, and the survival of her workers, who camped along the way in tents on the back of her great trailers, disappointments, and accidents...
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BIG LIZZIE'S SPECIFICATIONS:
34 Feet Length, 11 Ft. Wide, 18 Ft. High
60 H.P. Single Cylinder, hot bulb ignition, air start, crude oil Engine,
9" Bore, 18"Stroke, 215 r.p.m., 2 Forward Clutches, l Reverse, Water Cooled,
Total weight, 45 tons, Total Load Capacity with it's 2 wagons - 30Ft, 10Ft, and 7ft high, combined 80 tons.
Normal travelling speed l m.p.h.

TRACTOR DETAILS: "DREADNOUGHT" Style traction..
2 speed gearbox - forward, 1/2 - 1 - 1+1/2 - 2 m.p.h.
Drive Wheels: 6ft in x 4ft wide
Front Wheels: 4ft in diam. x 2ft.6".
TURNING RADIUS 200 FEET.
Total Load Capacity 80 tons....PROUD LIZZIE INDEED....

P.S. Can you see the little man at the front - this gives you an idea just how big she is with the size of the Dreadnought wheels...