Tulloch time

No, not the race horse. But a small collection of air conditioned rail cars (later de-motored carriages) which were a delight to ride in. Introduced in 1971, their first duties were the Riverina Express from 1972.  I am pretty sure this following shot shows this working, which lasted only until mid-1973.  I have an 8 year-old's recollection that I was present for this shot too, but haven't the foggiest where it was taken.  I was probably wondering where my next Icy Pole was coming from.  My priorities haven't changed much since.

Like all duds, the Tullochs made their way to the Illawarra.  Here is a mid-1970s shot of a lone Tulloch being jostled through North Wollongong at the speed of sound.

In January 1982 members of a notorious NSW south coast model railway club attempted a feat so daring it has never been repeated. On this day, the evening up South Coast Daylight departed Bomaderry station with every financial member in the loco cab.  Here is a shot of the train before the front suspension on the loco was severely tested.

The Victorians did a nice V/Line version. Here is one kicking around Spencer Street Station (as it was called then) in 1992.

But it was in the de-motored era from December 1981 that Tulloch sets grew in fame or infamy.  They were rostered for the 4:33pm ex Central to Wollongong on weekdays.  If I got to work early, I could leave in time to get this service.  after half the train emptied at Sutherland, it was a very cruisy experience.

These next shots are of the Sunday service from Mount St Thomas, in days when I was brave enough or foolish enough to pull up on the highway. I liked photographing here, because the power lines ruin the shots. The first is from 1986.

This one from 30 January 1990.

And this is what made them beautiful - faux wood panelling. I am a child of the 1960s. From 19 January 1991.

This last shot was taken while I was in transit to Wollongong on a down service. To demonstrate the worthiness of of calling it an 'express service' I alighted at Wollongong, travelled by car to Bombo, then waited an eternity for this next shot.

We stuck around Kiama for the up service, and were rewarded with another candy 422 hauling a motley collection of passenger carriages.

Wouldn't mind a trip to Kiama on a Tulloch set. Especially with a cab full of enthusiasts up front.  

And that is enough from me this year. Compliments of the season to all readers!

Don

Tin hares, part 9

I have been trying to improve my use of the 'labels' feature of this blog, which makes searching easier for me if not for my readers. I was a bit surprised to find no fewer than 8 posts covering CPHs in whole or part.  I guess it shows just what a versatile piece of rolling-stock they were/are.

This versatility is reflected in the following rather lengthy blog, as I attempt to post a bunch of previously unused shots of varying quality taken over a 45 year period. This period ended a decade ago and there are still a number of units plying their trade honourably around NSW's rail system.

I will start with a photo which I am guessing was a 'point and shoot at that' opportunity.  Not sure who got this one - I was about 1 year old when 3268 and CPH 32 were photographed around  Menangle in 1964.

About a decade later, CPH 34 was picked up arriving at Thirlmere with the shoppers' special in 1975.  We were out there as Dad was helping to establish the RTM's site.  This is one of his shots.  I won't be posting my effort!

The following year Dad took a ride to Hay and return on a CPH.  He still complains about the quality of the ride/seating.

Around 1980 I idly snapped this consist of CPH 22, a CTH and another CPH at Sutherland.  It was idling, waiting for a near-clapped out Budd set to arrive. It was raining, which is also something you don't see much of these days.

This next one is also a point and shoot - from the road at Dunmore.  Perhaps not the greatest composition but I have always liked railmotors being juxtaposed against the landscape.

One of the first CPHs to operate as a heritage item was CPH 6, photographed here in Dubbo on the long weekend in October 1985.

While some were in heritage operations, others were still trundling along in revenue service for the NSW Government. A grotty CPH 33 was providing hair/hare raising rides to Moss Vale at the time this photo was snapped in 1989. 

In Easter 1994 CPH 24 and CPH 16 were to be found at Cowra.

CPH 18 can be found in 2019 trundling the Picton to Mittagong loopline.  Here is, having just been returned to service, at Sydney Terminal at Central Station's 100th birthday celebrations on 5 August 2006. 

Any review of tin hares must acknowledge the great work of the Railmotor Society in maintaining its collection of these beasts.  Here are a couple at Maitland Steamfest in 2009.

Cheers!
Don

Here are a few more from the lens of Phil Clarke's camera, all shot around the Illawarra on two separate days in the early 1980s.

First up, 48132 on the up 3pm passenger through Bellambi on 19 November 1982.

Around the same time a 2 car diesel set strolled through.

4888 on a down passenger at Scarborough in September 1983.

Then 4445 on an up passenger passing Scarborough box

Until next time!
Don

Afternoon viewing

Only time today for a few random photos from the Mighty Phil Clarke Collection. And they are random!

First up, a four car DEB set with a 620 set trailing behind. In dry country on the way to or from Canberra on 11 August 1979.

Just over a month earlier, someone had parked box number 8007 in front of a lovely view of a building in Orange (30 June 1979).

At the end of its run on a hot January day, the 15th of the year of 1980, the Comet rests in Parkes station. Something fiddly is happening to its bum - I suspect a 73 class is removing its van for transfer to the overnight Forbes Mail to Sydney.

Up north now - the crew is getting or giving orders from the cab of 4507 which, with a sister Alco, sits in front of a empty coal at Murrurundi on 16 November 1982.

Back to Picton in September 1983. 42205 pilots an up container train.

And last for now - 42104 heads a 422 on a down passenger at a rather dreary Sutherland in February 1980.

Plenty more to come from Phil's collection so stay tuned!

Don

3203 on the Coast

Just a quick one tonight to dust the blogging cobwebs off me.

3203 came through Wollongong in January 1972 on its way to points south (presumably Kiama).  Phil Clarke was there to capture the event.

Here's a few shots of the P getting out of Wollongong, fast, it would seem.

Cheers,
Don

1709

I only ever saw one 17 in action. Thanks to the efforts of many we got to see it working well into the 21st century, and we might get to see it once more.  Since preservation it has led a colourful life.

It was a tasteful green when captured by my elders with 2605 on a tour to Tarana and Oberon on 9 March 1963.

By the 1970s it had gained the hue all Australia was wearing - purple. Well, maroon actually. Here are a few shots of it taking water in Wollongong.  Incidentally, the little bloke leaning against the pole with the Hitler haircut is me - thanks Mum.

 In fact, its 1970s appearance was so startling we only photographed it in black and white.

Things became more subdued after that... here's probably the last time I saw it in action in 2005 at the 150th celebrations of NSW railways.

Until next time.
Don

Grafton, Spring 1976

Earlier this year I acknowledged Phil Clarke's passing. Since then I have been fortunate in receiving some of Phil's photographs, including this neat little set of South Grafton in September 1976. True to the times, he shot in black and white using a trusty instamatic so please do not adjust your screens. Here is a nice location shot of the depot.

Phil then managed these three shots of 4303 being prepared for a working southwards, almost certainly to Broadmeadow.

And he wasn't averse to snapping the newer locos - like the yard shunter, 7318.  44204 is the mainliner in the background.

More from me, and Phil, over the coming months.

Cheers,
Don

Port Kembla's railway crematorium

Its been a while.  Reasons for the quiet include blowing up this computer, but normal service is resuming.  I figured I would mark the return of the computer to life with a collection of photos of carriages and wagons about to make their final trip.

Out the back of Port Kembla loco there was (and probably still is) an area which could only be described as the railway equivalent of purgatory. Its where you got shunted until someone decided whether you had further revenue service in you, or a trip to the scrapper's torch.  Quiet a few locos ended up in this area too, but most managed to survive.

In the mid-1980s all sorts of stuff arrived, sat around, got stripped of useful parts and then usually burned. They were simpler times.  The metal went off to the local furnaces. And life carried on, albeit under a cloud of air pollution.  

And so it was for all sorts of rolling stock, much having little or no connection with the Illawarra. Like this little lonely 4 wheel hopper. It got to spend a fair period literally at the end of the line.

I am unsure whether unit stock trains ever ran on the South Coast - certainly the odd BCW was shunted at the stock races at Unanderra and points south of there.  I am almost certain that the next rake of BCW and BSVs did not bring a trainload of happy sheep and cattle down to the Port Kembla seaside for the day. 

BSV 30216 may have been part of this consist. Like how I lined it up, not on the level?

In the 1980s, modest 4 wheel vans were routinely hunted down and sent to Port Kembla to be vanquished from the network. Didn't catch the numbers for these two beasties.

Even vans made it to the killing grounds. NGVA 30950 was caught obstructing a good view of the now-lost stack.

S wagons were regularly in attendance. Less common were KKG horse floats. Someone else will remember the details - this one may have escaped the carnage after this photo was taken. 

As mentioned earlier, carriages made the odd appearance.  I have this next one marked as CR 1373. 

And to finish off I am going to wind forward a decade or so to 1994.  I am not sure what happened to NHRH 50166 after its bingle with 8122 in March 1994, but it made it past the overbridge and into the scrapper's arena for a while.

Back with more happy stuff soon!

Don