JAMIE'S RANDOM EUROPEAN AND REST OF THE WORLD RAILWAY PHOTOS.

[brushman47544]

On 12/04/2022 at 08:30, jamie92208 said:

Jamie

 

 

On 12/04/2022 at 09:00, Johann Marsbar said:

I've only ever been to Lisbon once, back in 1990, but the stock running on the Cascais line at that time was originally built by Cravens in Sheffield during the 1950's....

 

 

Seems that two of the sets were preserved when they were withdrawn in the early 2000's but they have since been scrapped....

They are both the same trains. The units were rebuilt/overhauled in the late 90s and are still going strong-ish today. Quite a few have been robbed of parts and then scrapped but in the last couple of years have been overhauled again. Unless the tender is cancelled again, new trains are finally in the offing. They are my commute to work…

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a sunny Charente.   In tardis land it's still 19th September 2014 and we are in Lisbon. The aqueduct looked even more impressive from outside the next station that I stopped at.

However there were other impressive sights to see as there is a big depot next to the station, though I've forgotten the name of it.  This 2600 looked good as usual.

I loved this plinthed hand crane.

Then after a quick trip to Benfica and back it was time to head back to Oriente where an EMU was in the platform.

My ride back to Loule was waiting.

And one last look at the view south from Oriente.

Now time to sort out the next photos.

 

Jamie

 

 

[EddieB]

4 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Good moaning from a sunny Charente.   In tardis land it's still 19th September 2014 and we are in Lisbon. The aqueduct looked even more impressive from outside the next station that I stopped at.

However there were other impressive sights to see as there is a big depot next to the station, though I've forgotten the name of it.

 

That'll be Lisboa Campolide.

[jamie92208]

Good morning from a sunny Charente.   The tardis though is now back on the Algarve in late September 2014. In fact it's 25th September and we are at Loule where the usual freight loco was parked up for the day.

Meanwhile 5611 came through with an express from Faro to Lisbon.

This provided a shot of the two together with contrasting styling.

The express set off.

And headed off towards Tunes.

Jamie

 

[brushman47544]

On 15/04/2022 at 08:42, jamie92208 said:

 

However there were other impressive sights to see as there is a big depot next to the station, though I've forgotten the name of it.  This 2600 looked good as usual.

 

Then after a quick trip to Benfica and back it was time to head back to Oriente where an EMU was in the platform.

That’s a 1900 class diesel loco at Campolide. It was probably there to drag a Cascais line EMU to Entroncamento works. Those units are 1500v DC so cannot work under their own power. The power system has been upgraded progressively over recent years and apparently the new trains, when they arrive, will be 25kv like the rest of the Portuguese electrified network. The problem has been funding the necessary sub-stations. At one point I believe an idea was a power connection from the bridge over the Tagus down to the Cascais line at Alcantara!

 

The blue and white EMU is not at Oriente. Not sure where it is but perhaps Entrecampos. It is one of the fertagus EMUs that work between Roma Arreiro station in Lisbon and Setubal on the south side of the Tagus. 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a sunny Charente but it's still quite cool.   The tardis though is still in the Algarve in late September 2014. the 27th September and here a5613 pulls in with a Lisbon express.  

Next a DMU of the 450 class is coming in. These older units had replaced the 600 class since my 2010 visit.

A bit reminiscent of a Budd car in the US.

Then a Pendular came in heading for Faro

A nice bit of styling to my eye.

And that's it for Portugal and 2014 folks.   Time to put the tardis into storage for a few years as for the next 4 years we were busy moving to France,  However other travels did take place.   More tomorrow.

 

Jamie

 

[EddieB]

Yes, Sorefame obtained a licence from Budd in 1953 to construct stainless steel bodies, as applied to carriages, emu/dmu's and even electric locomotives (2551 series).

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a land of mist and fog aka the Charente.  The tardis though has been busy and we are now at Charles de Gaulle aerogare and it's the morning of the 7th April 2019.  Beth and I were off to celebrate our ruby wedding by heading round the world.  First of all a TGV to the airport and a night in the hotel there.  Then check in and this was to be our transport to our first stop of Dubai.

Two and a half hours of chaos then another 13 hours on a different A 380 and we arrived in Melbourne at about 1.30pm their time.  Our bodies had absolutely no idea what time it was.  Our hotel was on Flinders Street right opposite the station, aka the Palace of Attendance to those who follow ER's. Rick @Gwiwer  might well be interested along with @Ozexpatriate and @monkeysarefun as wel travel round Oz for the next few days.  What a grand sight the station is.  Beth seemed to want more time in bed than me so I wandered out round the nearby streets which were busy with trams.

I did get a view from the station footbridge looking along the lines.

And a view along Flinders Street.  Our hotel was about 100 yards along on the right but the only view was of the back yards.

Later in the day I had a longer explore and found my way to Southern Cross Station where this loco was waiting with a train.

The maintenance depot had a familiar name on it.

Jamie

Edited April 18, 2022 by jamie92208

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 What a grand sight the station is

It is indeed.  They knew how to build stations back in the day.  Ballarat is another very fine example.  

 

At the other end of the scale were the many "Rail Motor Stopping Places" serving mostly rural properties.  Sometimes there was a tiny platform just big enough to accommodate the doorway of the railmotor; at others the steps went out and down you climbed!  The last of those in public use was "Stopping Place No. 15" on the outer suburban route to Stony Point.  Opened in 1960 it gained a platform in 1963 and was rebuilt as a proper station 1996 and renamed Morradoo.  

[Gwiwer]

Not wishing to hijack Jamie's topic unduly but here are a couple of my mate Marcus Wong's pictures (with permission) showing the smaller end of the station scale in the outer regions of Melbourne.  First is the platform at Leawarra on the Stony Point line which is broadly similar in size and appearance to the present-day Morradoo and was my local station for 15 years.  The recent platform extension farther from the photographer was built to allow two-car trains to call.  Then we see a typical rail motor stopping place - in this case Tanti Park - with the barest minimum of platform and zero facilities.  This is on the former Mornington line which is now operated as a heritage attraction rather than a public transport service.  Mornington is now a huge growth area including a vast new Tanti Park housing development but has no rail link to Melbourne.  

 

 

[monkeysarefun]

14 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

It is indeed.  They knew how to build stations back in the day.  Ballarat is another very fine example.  

 

At the other end of the scale were the many "Rail Motor Stopping Places" serving mostly rural properties.  Sometimes there was a tiny platform just big enough to accommodate the doorway of the railmotor; at others the steps went out and down you climbed!  The last of those in public use was "Stopping Place No. 15" on the outer suburban route to Stony Point.  Opened in 1960 it gained a platform in 1963 and was rebuilt as a proper station 1996 and renamed Morradoo.  

 

 

Similar in NSW  except ours attract international celebrities.

 

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning again from a sunny but cool Charente.   The tardis though is still in Melbourne and it, the 8th April 2019.   This is the view looking , what I think is north along the tracks.  Most are broad gauge I think but two dal gauge (Standard and broad) tracks are visible.  The pointwork would be interesting to model.

Then looking back into the station with another N class loco.

A lonely lost box car was present.

And a very British styled signal box.

I then walked up to the loco depot and was able to walk almost into the middle of it on a sort of public road.  On one side were storage sidings with the depot on the other side.  This N class was parked up.

And next to it another in the older livery.

I think that there were both broad and standard gauge examples.

 

Jamie

 

[PhilJ W]

Is the N class based on the SD-40 like the class 59?

[jamie92208]

2 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Is the N class based on the SD-40 like the class 59?

Unfortunately I have no idea but hope that someone much more knowledgeable can tell us.

 

Just as interest, a few of these photos appeared in ER's back in 2019 but the more complete railway ones will be all in this thread.   Port Douglas, Mossman, Brisbane and Sydney to come before we get to the islands.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a rather damp and grey place.   It was nice and sunny in Melbourne though on the 9th April 2019.  I was still in the Bombardier depot at Southern Cross and made the most of photo opportunities as I probably won't ever get back there.

And a front end shot. Still on the right side of the fence.

Anther N hidden away but the long lens captured it.

Then a tram ride down to the marina area.

Good to see such a well used tram system.

Next morning went out for a walk to the Rod Laver Arena area and this baby road train was passing.  

Lots to see and a great city to get around. Jet Lag was fading.  Probably easier for me after nearly 30 years of shift work.

 

Jamie

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning again from a grey and cloudy place.  It was still bright and sunny in Melbourne though. It's the 9th April 2019.  On my way back to the hotel from Southern Cross station these classic trams were in evidence.

I believe that they are W class and mainly do the city circular tour which is free.  There's even a clue on this one. 

Another view of Flinders Street station before I went back into the hotel.   It even had a model railway shop in the basement just across from where I  was standing.   I went in and despite great temptation only bought one small item.  A Micro models fold up steel kit of a W class tram.   More of that later.

The next morning Beth and I took the tram out to St Kilda.  This was the terminus.  An interesting ride that took us alongside the park where the Grand Prix is held. They were still clearing up.

Then a walk along the shore to find a cafe when I came across this set of rails across the road.

I think I might have got a bit wet if I followed them.

Jamie

 

[Re6/6]

Good stuff again Jamie! What is the intriguing last picture all about?

[EddieB]

The historic tram is a W7.

 

Fleet information can be found here: https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&section=rollingstock

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, Re6/6 said:

Good stuff again Jamie! What is the intriguing last picture all about?

All will be revealed tomorrow........

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a misty and foggy Charente.  The tardis though is still in Melbourne on 10th April 2019 in the St Kilda area. Having left @Re6/6 on tenterhooks yesterday it's time to reveal all.  This was the view of the rails on the other side of the road.

The track was a  slipway from a yachting club.  It led to a traverser and the boats were stored to the left and right of the end of the track.  The strange thing was that it was fully signed as a level crossing.   However when we went round the other side of the building it turned out to be a rather prestigious place.

Then it was time to take the tram back to town.  Much of the route is actually a rebuilt suburban steam railway as can be seen from the stations.  Here one of the modern trams is arriving.

On returning to the hotel a disturbing discovery was made.  Somehow the charger for my camera battery had been forgotten.  I managed to locate one on line but it would not arrive before we left Melbourne the next morning.  I noticed that the phone number quoted on the website was a Melbourne one and eventually got the retailer to allow me to go to their warehouse and pick it up directly.  This I had to catch a train out to a station near the racecourse.  This was from Flinders Street with a change just north of Southern Cross.

I managed to find the warehouse and got the charger that I needed, obviously with an Australian plug fitted.  Then it was back to town via a tram to near the racecourse then train to Southern Cross which is pictured here.

Then we got packed and next day headed north to Cairns via Brisbane. The change from international baggage allowances to internal ones caused some repacking at the airport and Quantas' disabled assistance left much to be desired.  Though the staff were brilliant the system was disconnected and carp.  Anyway a few hours later we arrived in Cairns and took a taxi to the hire car garage.  It was on an isolated industrial estate and was closed for the night.  A half hour of phone calls ensued but things were livened up by this train going past.

We eventually got a taxi back to the airport and hired a car there and drive north to Port Douglas.  The hotel was lovely and we had a very relaxing time.  I even discovered a narrow gauge railway in the port area.

More to come tomorrow.

 

Jamie

 

[Re6/6]

Thanks Jamie. All is now apparent!  As a sailor, it's still puzzling how the boats are launched from a height!

 

The RMYS is a posh place. The likes of me probably wouldn't be admitted (no hoi-polloi!).😉

[jamie92208]

5 hours ago, Re6/6 said:

Thanks Jamie. All is now apparent!  As a sailor, it's still puzzling how the boats are launched from a height!

 

The RMYS is a posh place. The likes of me probably wouldn't be admitted (no hoi-polloi!).😉

The photo of the slipway us a bit deceptive. It goes down into the water atvthe usual sort of angle.

 

Jamie

[Re6/6]

Thanks Jamie. A logical explanation if I'd thought about it properly!

[monkeysarefun]

19 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Anyway a few hours later we arrived in Cairns and took a taxi to the hire car garage.  It was on an isolated industrial estate and was closed for the night.

Holidayed on one of the GB Reef islands in the mid 80's, transfer was via Cairns before it was rebuilt as an international airport.

Our little King Air from the island arrived 3pm on a Sunday to find the terminal building at the time locked and no one in sight. Pilot made a call and 15 minutes later a bloke with a key to the side door turned up and let us in.

Everything inside the terminal was shut, all the lights were out and shutters were down until about 30 minutes before the flight that would take us back to Sydney was due to arrive from wherever.

Hire car staff, airline staff, food staff started dribbling in and turning on lights and opening up things so by the time the plane landed it was a fully functioning airport. 

Very different now, the Japanese tourist boom of the late 80s and 90s opened up the sleepy north.

 

Edited April 23, 2022 by monkeysarefun

[jamie92208]

Thanks @monkeysarefun it was a bit like that but the car rental agency I'd used didn't have an airport base and our plane was a bit late.  They'd just shut up for the night.  Fortunately the normal rental desks at the airport were open.  The agency's help desk in Auckland were less than helpful.  Jiffy Car I think.  

 

Anyway Our hotel was excellent and we relaxed.  It's now the 1th of April and I went out for a little explore after breakfast.  I followed the narrow gauge tourist line and discovered that it wouldn't be running on any of the days that we were there.   I did find the northern terminus, not far from the Cook Highway. Here was another turntable.  The end of the line.

This was the carriage left in the open,

It appeared that the line was an isolated part of what had been part of the local sugar can network centered on Mossman, a town just north of Port Douglas.   I had by now discovered that I needed some small tools to build the little metal kit that I had bought of the Melbourne Tram.   I therefore got permission from the boss to head up to Mossman to see what I could find.   Along the side of the road this appeared.   Sugar cane wagons parked on a siding and a main line alongside the road.

This is what the wagons looked like.

The siding was a long loop.

Anyway I drove on to Mossman seeing several more rakes of empty wagons on the way and in the centre of town the track went down the main road.

All very intriguing.  I had by the way found a hardware store and bought a small pair of pliers and a pair of small snips.

 

Jamie