Nannies up North

 Its been so long I had forgotten how to log in to Blogger.  Anyway, I happened upon some of the family's photographs of Nannies - so, not the maternal grandmother but the locomotive class.  So here they are, pretty much unaltered from the 1960s.

I think this one is from the early 1960s, and it is of an unnamed 35 on the Brisbane via Wallan-garra Express. I just love the TRCs up front.

The rest are from around Gosvegas, the centre of the Central Coast, all in the mid to late 1960s. Here is 3524 under the infrastructure which did them in.

And one of the longer lived Nannies, 3509, in the same location.

Now for two of 3532, coupling up and then headed out of town.  We think these are from 1967.

Cheers

Don

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A couple from Cowan (& not from me)

Just  quick one to clean out another selection from the camera of Mr Ian Brady.  These two shots apparently date from 24 November 1956 (the alternative offered date is 15 December 1956), and what great photos they are!

This first photo shows 3606 hauling a 4 car Pullman set up Cowan Bank, with what appears to be an EHO trundling behind.  I am always happy for esteemed readers to correct or add to this caption... going out on a limb to guess this could be the up Kempsey Day Train?  Just a stab in the dark but I seem to remember these carriages being used on this service prior to being condemned in 1960.  Glorious shot of a pig in its prime though.

This next shot perhaps eclipses the first? Here we have 3818 on an up Newcastle Flyer service. Gee it would have been something special to be line-side as it passed.

Anyway, this nearly ends my little cache of gems from the lens of Mr Brady.  There are a few more trams around Glebe to sort through, then a special collection of industrial locos in operation around Port Kembla in August 1955.  Will get them sorted and up here as fast as I can.

Cheers,
Don

PS for details on why I am displaying another man's (remarkable) efforts, please read my post from 12 October 2017.

Garratt tour

On 15 March 1964, 6027 worked an early Rail Transport Museum tour to Wyong. The purpose of the tour (if one was needed) was to travel across the old and new rail bridges at Ourimbah Creek.  While the Creek may not be one of the great waterways one thinks of immediately, but according to the Railway Digest's report of the event 'approximately 370 persons travelled on an eleven car (527 tons) special train... worked by Beyer Garratt 6027 (fitted with dual control).' Several members of my family were included in the 370 souls interested in the creek, the bridges and/or the Garratt.

This first shot shows 6027 cruising along the banks of Mullet Creek.

According to the Digest a 'highlight of the tour was the fact that the train travelled
over both the old and the new rail bridges at Ourimbah Creek...'. I have carefully edited out those highly excited patrons from these next two shots so as to protect the innocent.

I am more inclined to accept the Digest's correspondent who noted that the 'sound of the 60
climbing Cowan Bank was a joy to listen to and brought back many memories of the past.' This last photo conveys some of this feeling.

Until next time!
Don

A few more from the river

Every time I post photos from the collection of Ian Brady I feel a bit conflicted, but I figure that if you or your loved ones decided to sell photos then they are accepting of a somewhat wider audience.  And all I can see is the absolute public benefit in giving these five masterpieces an airing before their current owner shuffles away, in one form or another.

Public benefit? I think it is demonstrated by the following shots, apparently taken on New Year's Eve, 1956. Lets start with what I believe to be round top 3606 - though it could be the super pig(?) on what looks like a long distance day train - or it could be a relief given the time of the year.  Perhaps to Kempsey, Werris Creek or Cessnock? Just magic.

Next in the deck was a more prosaic P class - but these days it would be the stand out shot. An obedient BOB set trails? The loco crew may have decided to give the photographer a show.

Time for some Pacific action! First 3824 on an up service and then 3816 on what I guess is the down morning Flyer (going from shadows).

Lets wrap up this series with a return to the 19th century conveyance - the dog box! This train too is quite eclectic - LFXs, steel cars, R cars and a heavy van.

More from Mr Brady and yours truly later this month.

Cheers,
Don

PS - for the back story as to how I was lucky enough to receive these photos, see my post from October 2017.

Hawkesbury - October 1958

Another collection from the camera of Mr Ian Brady, this time collected on 11 October 1958.  These photos are perhaps my favourite batch of Ian's collection purchased secondhand by a mate, for reasons which will be obvious from the very first photograph.  Here it is, 4420 helped along by a 43, back to back!

There'll be more Alco goodness along the way, but lets move to a couple of standard goods locos getting things underway at Hawkesbury River.

On this day on the Short North, Ian photographed seven of the 30-strong C38 class, starting with the most-junior (and green) member on an up Flyer.

 

Next we have 38s 25, 16, 12,15, 10 and 07.

 

 

  

 

I was thinking about starting a competition to see which reader could explain what is going on with 3807 in this last picture.  It appears to be an up train on the down main, and then there is the issue of a gentleman standing in the permanent way, chatting to the crew.  Anyway, enough of that.  Back to trains... time for another Alco, or two.

Back to the Cowan side of things. Time for three little pigs. First pig is 3617 with an up local passenger.

And if you like pigs on passengers, how about popping 5175 (I think) on the front of one?

The third little pig Ian photographed that day also seems to be be wrong road on Cowan bank.

And I'll finish with 4011 getting a help up the bank.

I presume Ian decided not to photograph a few trains that day, as they were then too prosaic to waste expensive film - he was shooting Kodak. But gee, what a collection by a very talented shutterbug.

Might have to get back to pasting a few of my shots up on this blog sometime.

Cheers,
Don

A Few Hours on the River

The River Hawkesbury, that is.  In this second installment from Ian Brady there is a selection of action shots from 24 November 1956.  In my humble opinion just about every one of them is brilliant, even if they may have seemed a bit prosaic at the time to him. Read my previous post if you want to know more about how and why I am presenting another photographer's efforts, but lets get on with the action.

I have no way of knowing what order these are supposed to be so lets start with the start or the end of the journey.  It is labelled as the 'Chips' which seems reasonable.  What I didn't know is that the Railways Administration were guilty of inflicting FGs on the good citizens of the Blue Mountains.  Thought only the southern highlanders and south coasters were that unlucky.  Anyway, here's 4607 at the head of the Chips.

Now, up to the River.  In the hope that someone recognises Ian or whoever this person is, here's a partially obscured tender from 5611. The tender lettering looks like one of my decalling efforts.

Onto the steam action.  Ian may have reflected that he hit the button a fraction early on this shot of a 59 leading a Garratt down Cowan Bank, but I love the result. Poles are up, but no wires at this stage.

Anyone who wants to guess the number of this 38, you are welcome to post your guess in the comments below. Guessing its the Midday Flyer. I reckon its number is somewhere between 06 and 30 (inclusive) and not 13. Yes, I am being a smarty pants.

Better job on working out this one - 3816 also moving a seven car Flyer service at great speed.

And Ian wrapped up his photography that day with snagging 4014 as it emerged from the tunnel. Might even be a greenie?

More to come at a later time.

Cheers,
Don

Preservation is not for ever

Was cruising through some shots from 2007 this morning and was just surprised by how much things have changed in the 'heritage' or 'preservation' scene in NSW.

It has to be said. I miss the Cocky. A regular heritage train, keeping the momentum of preservation alive. 4908 and 4833 on the Cocky on 14 March 2007.

A few from Koolewong on 14 April 2007 as positioning runs were made for the Maitland Steam Festival that year. Will start with 01 doing what it had done for 60+ years.

Thankfully (at least one) 01 is still going. And looks better than ever.

3112 is a terrific little loco. Hope it runs once more.

While we are in Koolewong, here's a resplendent 4918 on 4 August 2007.

Some other things were different in 2007 - like the cameras in mobile phones were truly crap. Here a night shot of MZ1432 at Gosford on tour on 7 May 2007 tested my phone's capabilities and found them wanting. 

So, jut like the 'real thing', photograph the preservation scene before it too has gone.

Cheers,
Don

Remembering Frank, Part III

Its time to finish off the Frank Barrett trilogy with some big power... three shots of 6020 on a once ubiquitous Hunter Valley coal train

Will sign off with this beaut shot of what train hunting is all about... a comfortable at a great train-watching venue (Hawkemount in this instance) and a cup of tea out of the thermos. Here's Frank modelling how it is done in style.

Cheers,
Don

Newcastle's 30 tanks

Here is the third installment of photographs from Frank Barrett. This time a series of shots from around Newcastle, including the Toronto branch.

First up, a semi-blurred 3086.

And then 3034, bum end leading.

The front end of 3067.

3046 with a 5 car set.

Finally, a 30 tank with a headlight! 3134 with a four car set.

 Two now from what was probably the same afternoon: bunker-leading 3067 on the way out and 3114 with a substantial carriage set.  

And finally, down to the shoreline of Toronto to find the crew climbing aboard 3067 on what appears to be a nice, sunny afternoon.

Until next time - cheers!
Don