On December 8 the boiler was lifted back in to place along with the top section of the cab.
This will now allow for the smoke box to be fitted and the front end being manufactured.
Construction is now well advanced of the new tender tank for locomotive T251, as well as boiler 
and engine unit works. Materials for the tender were purchased thanks to a donation from
Peter Gwosdezki and family, and were secured just at the time when steel prices began to rise rapidly several months ago.
Tender construction began with the floor then proceeding to the frame. Construction is now almost completed.
The boiler has now passed its Hydrostatic tests and has been reinstalled in the frame.Engine unit work is also nearing completion, following which, construction of the smoke box, funnel and associated bits and pieces will commence. Photos of the work being under taken can be found here.
June 2008 - New tubeplate for T251.
A new tube plate has been fabricated and riveted to the boiler shell of T251. This involved heating to white hot specially 
manufactured rivets and then expanding them in the traditional manner into the holes in the tube plate and ring.
Special thanks to Mark Leahy, Wayne Pickett, Ben Elliot, Dale Tribe, Doug Lee, Joe Atkinson, and Chris Schultz.
May 2008
T251 has a new home in the Workshop Siding. Work can now proceed with the tender tank construction, and fit-out of the engine unit. T251 Photos May 2007
Work has continued on the restoration of T251. Work that has been done includes stripping and cleaning of the mechanical lubricator, drivers side valve has been put in, tender frame has been lifted off its wheels and cleaning and painting has begun. Work on the cab roof has begun with the old roof being removed so that repairs can be undertaken. March 2007
Whilst not much work was done on the locomotive over the Christmas period, our mid week crew have completed much on the locomotive in recent weeks. The cab sides have both been put back on to the frame and the hand brake reinstalled on to the engine unit.
The driver’s side has had all of the brake piping put back on and the train pipe has been completed and the brakes tested to find all the leaks.
The 2 sand boxes have been bolted down to the frame and connected together with the rod from the cab. The lubricator has been overhauled and the air compressor will be completed next. The reverser has been re fitted and has been reconnected to the way shaft.
Work continues on rebuilding the top half of the cab, and the cladding for the cylinders. Work on the valves has also so continued and more parts have been cleaned and painted in readiness for being put back onto the locomotive. Work is commencing on the tube plate and the tender frame will be overhauled during April /M
October 2006
The in-house manufacture of the new front tube plate took one step further recently with the delivery of the steel plate required. Due to the special price obtained from the Geelong supplier, a larger slab of steel was purchased than was required for the T class, which will also produce a front tube plate for TGR locomotive M6 which will be the next locomotive restored during 2008. The careful work of marking the tube plate for T251 has now commenced using the original plate as a former. Once marked out, and then drilling of the rivet and tube holes will commence. Each step will be monitored by our Boiler Inspector. It is hoped to have the tube plate on the boiler shell during January 2007 ready for tubing and a steam test by Easter.
Sept 16, 2006 T Class Tender Re-Build Donation
Board member Peter Gosdweski and his family have generously donated $6500 towards the rebuilding of the tender for T251. This money will purchase materials allowing the in-house manufacture of a new tank to be placed upon the original frame which is being restored. We thank Peter and his family for their generosity which provides the T class restoration project with a financial boost which will expedite immensely the return to service of this historic locomotive.
15/09/2006 The running gear continues to be refitted to the locomotive and the eccentrics and valve spindles are currently being machined in the workshop. The pistons are having new rings fitted currently and it is anticipate that the motion will be completed during October. BR President Andrew Bridger, during a recent business trip to South Australia, took the opportunity to visit Steam town Peterborough where he was able to photograph much of the 'mystery' air brake plumbing on T199 which is a static exhibit there. These photos will be of great assistance in the current re-assembly of the airbrake equipment on T251 for which no drawings exist. Thanks to Darryl at Steam town for his assistance.
02/09/2006 Much of the running gear has been fitted to the frame including brake rigging, spring and compensating gear, side rods, main reservoir, and valve gear. Next task will be remetaling of the crossheads and manufacture of new valve rings. New valve spindles have been manufactured in house by Roy Cook.
28/8/06 Tube plate removed
The front boiler tube plate was removed from T251 today as preparations for the fitting of a new tube plate gather momentum. The new tube plate is to be manufactured in-house saving the project an estimated $25000. Steam Locomotive Maintenance Manager Wayne Pickett inspects the old tube plate.
21/8/06 Re-Wheeled The restoration of former South Australian Railways T class 4-8-0 T251 took a positive turn on 21 August 2006 when its frame was reunited with its wheels and pony truck at the Queenscliff workshops. This was the culmination of many months of work overhauling the bearings, axle boxes, liners and pony truck.
The next major task is the fitting of the motion and then the manufacture of a new front tube plate and smoke box. It is anticipated that work on re-assembly of the locomotive will proceed at a rapid pace now.
April 2009
