2 car diseasals

IOk, back to a selection of shots from everywhere over the State.  The photograph of a 2 car diesel in Gosford station in my last post on that location sent me scurrying off for more.  And so I reappear, armed with a collection of marginally composed and decomposing compositions of 600, 620 and 660 class diesel rail cars from around NSW, and a memory that we called them dis-easels... Which is a rather sad reflection on the level of wit I endured as a child.

Starting off, its out to Eumungerie on the Coonamble branch, with a service from Dubbo heading north in 1968. The EHO guardsvan on the rear is a notable addition to the service.

Then to Griffith in the mid 1970s to find a squirt in the dock during a January family holiday.

Moving into the 80s, several sets scored yellow noses, such as this one found in Mudgee in December 1980.

Yellow noses were also in vogue in the Illawarra later in the decade, as shown in this photograph at North Wollongong with electrification approaching.

While electrification arrived in Wollongong, services south of there were generally the domain of diesel sets. Here two sets in candy livery ready themselves for the afternoon south.

One such trip south was captured at the beautiful Bombo.

Further south, a service sits at Bomaderry, watched by a candy 48.

Moving away from the Illawarra, it is worth paying tribute to the outer suburban services provided on the Richmond line, amongst others.  I took a run u to the terminus before electrification headed there too. I think this is best train-hating dog I have ever seen...

Further again to the north, diesel sets sought out Art Deco magnificence. Here a set rests at Dungog in the mid 1990s.

And to their final haunt, the Hunter. Here a 660 set pauses at Maitland before dashing back to Newcastle.

And finally, in their last revenue earning livery, two sets snuggle at the buffers in Newcastle.

The ubiquitous nature of the 600s made them worthy of ridicule in my childhood, but now they are gone from revenue service I am rather fond of them. 

Until next time!

Southern Highlander tour

Hi all,

Here's a few snaps of today's Southern Highlander tour pulled by 3642 and pushed by 44211 and 4306. This tour, operated by the NSW Rail Transport Museum, went down the south coast, up the Unanderra to Moss Vale line (pausing at Robertson for a hearty lunch), and then back to Sydney.

This post is coming to you live from Car D, en route to Bargo, so please excuse any typos.

At Central, about to depart...

In the burbs...

On the hill...

Our pushers...

Ok, enough... Back to sticking the head out the window...

Gosford, part 2

Hmmm... This post is being prepared from inside a lift which has been my prison cell for the past 45 minutes. At least it is time spent profitably!

Figured it was worth posting a few more shots around Gosford post the steam days. First up is 4606 (truly) under the wires, heading north in the late 1970s with a mixed freight.

That photo was taken from a carpark which is still adjacent to the line. This location gave an excellent view of the timber railway buildings which perched awkwardly on the hill opposite. 

The car park also presented an unimpeded view of the Way & Works sheds at the southern end of the station. Here 4612 winds up for the run south with a passenger service. Love that bug!

In the mid 1980s there was some kind of celebration at Gosford. Amongst it all arrived a dilapidated 4438.

It also brought out a candy two car set, seen basking in the late afternoon light.

Onto modern times... And they are 'changing....

One is most likely to encounter a V set interurban these days, though more recently even these venerable sets have been usurped by the dreaded oscars.

Another stalwart, the NR class, has trod the rails like NR94 is seen doing in the next shot. These too are succumbing to newer models.

Intrastate freight services are still dominated by 81 class locos, but the receding incidence of such services may make 81s and 48s like the following mill grain service less likely to be seen on the Short North.

Of the other ubiquitous visitors to Gosford, the XP must rank high. Until now these locos have run under the Countrylink monicker. This month a new entity, NSW Trains, has assumed responsibility. So it may mean that XPs are seen in a new livery sometime soon. The following three photos show liveries carried in recent times.

But regardless of the changes, Gosford will always likely not to disappoint. The odd arrival of a tour adds to the exotic nature of the beating heart of the central NSW coast... Trips like 3801 Ltd's 4908 and an IRA 'Helga' 1432 will make sure of this.

Until next time!