Here's a few more from the lens of Phil Clarke to ease us all through a wet Friday here in NSW. This time the photographs come from a trip to Broken Hill in October 1978.
First up, 4905 acting as Broken Hill's yard shunter on 9 October 1978.
Phil then captured 600, 703 and 864, all in South Australia's mustard pot scheme. Sadly for us he was shooting black and white. Not sure who the young fella is hanging off the locos. Suspect it is Phil's son. This would have been unheard of in our family. Any child straying in front of a loco was promptly told to get out of the way (in more colourful language than is permissible on this blog).
And two shots of the Indian Pacific - the first at Broken Hill with GM27 at the front. Noice combo.
No trip out west would be complete without a change-of-loco shot at Lithgow. So here you have 4607 heading another 46 on a down Indian Pacific at Lithgow on 11 October 1978.
Cheers!
Don
Going a bit further afield with this post, but it covers a tick on the bucket list for this rabbit.
During the 2000s, the wide and wild world of the Internet even allowed you to gawk at massive US consists climbing up Tehachapi Pass and rolling through a small northern Californian town called Dunsmuir. And the best bit about these websites is that you could see reasonably clear and up to date train workings, free of charge, without passwords, rolling ads and incessant encouragements to upgrade. These websites were run by Trainorders, and the sites disappeared about the same time someone realised how to monetise these offerings.
Here's four shots that I'll admit I purloined for a rainy day. They are a bit grainy but they convey (to me at least) a pretty attractive location for train watching, so its always been a dream to get there.
Anyway, today my dream became a reality. Snow on the hills, whistles echoing up and down the valley, fog rising, with the promise of more snow to come. Around 7:30am local time I parked our rented steed in front of the substantial brick building in the Trainorders photographs, and wandered across the depot (see, I am learning the lingo!). And waited.
Hey, Dunsmuir is just like home, nothing runs when I go trackside! Finally, around 9:00am my patience was rewarded with Union Pacific's 6039, 5393 and 8560 work south on a double stacked container train. Here's a couple of shots of it sliding into the loop, which got me excited about a cross which never eventuated.
After 30 minutes of waiting I packed up. Watching the flashing tail light of a freight has never been much of a thing for me. Lucky I did quit, as I saw the same train stowed in the loop 3 hours later.
A break in intensive family holidaying late this afternoon gave me a second chance to sit at Dunsmuir's depot. This time a 15 minute drop-in produced the following cross. First up, Union Pacific's 5444, 6204 and 7434 worked a south-bound freight into Dunsmuir's loop.
I was heartened to see a couple of historic wagons included in the 115 wagon consist... a Chicago & North Western hopper and a vintage-liveried Canadian Pacific boxcar.
As the tail-light for this train traversed the level crossing, Union Pacific's 5321, 9093 and 5050 roared north with a similarly sized freight.
And the best part? When all the noise cleared a young couple approached me, explained that they loved trains, and we got talking. He showed me how to use the scanner app so I am now able to hear trains approaching town. Its a great past-time when people from half a world away can have a yarn about something that isn't corrosive to humanity.
If you ever get an opportunity, look this little town up. The pizza palace is a good hang out, and one of the burger joints is in the top 100 for USA... what other reasons do you need?
Cheers,
Don
Previous posts have described the agony of family caravan holidays taken in the hottest month of the year. Forty years ago, after many supplications, the Elders agreed not to head to White Cliffs in western NSW in January, but up the NSW north coast. Of course it was a great holiday, with tons of trains and many great photographs. Unfortunately, we discovered a month later that the camera had been misfiring so the following is all that remains of that trip (plus the memories of 44s everywhere). So, enjoy a record of the start of the holiday - a couple of days and nights at Taree.
Lets start just out of Taree, at Wingham. Its one of my favourite shots because it sums up the time. Even the pole leaning admirer (Dad) of 4428 in the middle of a warm January day was dressed for the times, terry-towelling hat and thongs.
Taree loco was explored, also around the middle of the day. It took a bit of looking, but 4520 was found lurking. More accessible was 4805 and 44207.
The whole loco depot reeked of the steam era. The allusion was assisted by the fuel tanks, late of 5707.
The real action happened around this time of day too, with the cross of the two (up and down) North Coast Daylight Expresses. With some nimble footwork, it was usually possible to catch the locos doing the cross, then catch one of them sidling up to the tail of the other's train.
The following day we used up the remainder of the roll of film on another superannuated practice - a human hot box detector.
Happy with these shots, we loaded the next roll of film into the camera and headed north. And that is where the troubles started. Oh well, as I said memories....
Happy New Year!
Don
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
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
