{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox shopping mall | name = Margate Train | image = Margate Train.jpg | caption = The Margate Train in 2024 | location = Margate, Tasmania, Australia | coordinates = {{coord|-43.0186718|147.2696041|display=inline,title}} | address = 1567 Channel Highway | opening_date = 1978 | number_of_stores = 12 | website = {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/margatetrain/}} }} 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.
==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.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Pancake Train|url=http://www.pancaketrain.com/margatetrain/|website=pancaketrain.com|access-date=December 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152307/http://www.pancaketrain.com/margatetrain/|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The carriages consist of Articulated Country Saloon (ACS) carriage #1, an SS class suburban carriage, and a DP Class railmotor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Steam|url=http://www.australiansteam.com/MA3.htm|access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Steam|url=http://www.australiansteam.com/MA3.htm|access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Steam|url=http://www.australiansteam.com/MA3.htm|access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>
MA3 was one of four M Class locomotives converted for better operation on steeply graded sections by fitting surplus Australian Standard Garratt 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, a collectible toys carriage 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== {{reflist}}
Category:Rail transport in Tasmania