David when was the grey nurse job done on 3801.I'm in shock . Alan I used to service JL4 70tonner and three 44 tonners at John Lysaughts Aust at port Kembla so have a soft spot for them.JL three is in residence at Dorrigo according to their stock list .Manildra has a T class at Gunnedah also. Les
Not in Sydney, but still in the same state. Two Pacific National 81 class on a Down empty wheat train near Cootamundra. The train has crossed over to the Up line to take the branch to Temora. Two NR class and an AN class (JT46C) in Ghan livery on a steel train at Jindalee. In the failing light, four preserved NSW locos haul a New South Wales Rail Transport Museum special from Albury to Tamworth. The locos are 442 class (Alco DL500G), 43 class (Alco UM-118T), 49 class (EMD G8C) and 42 class (EMD A16C). Cheers David
The repaint was done around December-January. The driving wheels were taken off late last year for repairs and they took the opportunity to do a complete repaint. It is an authentic livery but hasn't been used since about 1948. Cheers David
Hi Les, That loco is actually an ex BHP Newcastle 45 tonner. The 70 tonners have an end cab and look very similar to thier US built cousins. This one is plinthed on the site of the former BHP Steelworks in Newcastle. A few of the 45 and 70 tonners have also been preserved at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum at Richmond Main. Cheers, David.
Here are a couple shots taken recently. 1. AK car is used for inspections on the rail network. 2. A rail motor (600 class) that will be phased out of service within the next 6 months. Here it is seen passing Hamilton Signal Box
Rowie the loco is X Newcastle but its bigger than 79 class or 44tonner physically.Lysaughts at port Kembla had three of the 44tonners and one very very similar to this Loco but was 70 ton? When I can get back there in daylight hours I'll see if I can scrounge some more info .I'mm waiting on info from a friend in the gong to email back .Will update when I can. Regards Les
My apologies Les. :embarassed: A friend that is "supposed" to be an expert on the BHP locos told me they were 45 tonners, when they actually weigh 77 tons and are model L80T. http://locopage.railpage.org.au/bhp/newc_37.html I will go and hide now :embarassed: David.
David thats not a problem.Iknew it was nearly thirty five yrs ago that I serviced the loco's in Wollongong and the memory could've been wrong.I see by the page in the link that the Newcastle ones ran on narrow gauge while the ones in Lysaughts all were standard gauge. They were also allowed to run on the government line to C.R.M. at Port Kembla.Also about this time BHP commisioned DL34 to haul coal to the steel works on the Gov lines They used to use two English Electric loco's to do this . DL34 caused quite a commotion when she was commisioned trying to get passed for main line running. Regards Les
Where I live, near Branxton in the NSW Hunter Valley, we get a constant procession of coal trains to and from the open cut mines in the area. This is a north bound empty passing through Branxton station. Just north of town
Then there's a bunch of people who play trains just over my back fencemg: This is 7350, the last of a 50 member class of diesel hydraulic shunting locomotives that saw service all over the state. All are now withdrawn from government use, however a few see service in private industrial an preservation operations. Someone was working on a loco kit - it's now finished though
I work for State Rail (or RIC, I'm not sure anymore ) and seconded to ARTC. Have been in signal boxes all my 32 years on the railway. This is my current workstation at Broadmeadow
Wow! Certainly different from the old mechanical signal boxes What is the multitester on the bench being used for? Problem with the electrics?
Thanks Les. Next time I'll get my info correct to ward off a case of foot in mouth disease :teeth: pfft, I aint scared of him! Stop posting photos and get back to work! Heading down to Singleton next month, so I'll get in touch with you. Cheers, David.
Yes, do. It'll be good to catch up with you again, rowie...:thumbs_up: Alan, they were still commissioning the communications equipment, as usual it didn't want to work!!
some awesome shots Mosslake, have to say the Newcastle area is a fave for shooting trains. also work for Railcorp in train crewing at the moment but sick of passengers so have just been accepted to signaller... should be going into the school in July.
Those 9000 class locomotives look great! Very beefy. Beats me why more Aussies don't model Aussie railways, rather than American. Or is there a lack of models from Aussie manufacturers?
Alan, the 90 class were actually built in London, Canada (EMD). They recently built another 7 or 8 at the local EMD contractor's plant, which was fully committed with another order, the 82 class, which is why the 90 class order went overseas. As for the local scene, the average wagon costs about 3 times the price of US models, then you have to assemble and paint/decal it. As for my own case, I work with the stuff on a daily basis, the last thing I'd need to see is a model of 9012 on my layout when the real thing failed on a train and caused all sorts of problems - I'd probably throw it out the window. I doubt the hobby would hold the same enjoyment for me if I couldn't model my freelanced logging empire.
