RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted October 18, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 18, 2013 The Blue Mountains route is cut between Mount Victoria and Lithgow until further notice also due to major bushfires (with an unknown number of homes though to be in the hundreds lost and one confirmed fatality so far) with the Dubbo XPT set trapped west of the blockage. Until such time as it requires stopping for exam it can run a shuttle from Bathurst to Dubbo and back with road coaches linking to Sydney as and when the roads are open - which is intermittent due to the fires at the moment. The Indian Pacific normally goes this way and is diverted not only via the Illawarra escarpment but would either be routed via the Cootamundra - Parkes freight line or take the long way round via Melbourne. Some Sydney - Canberra trains have been disrupted by the fires. One was trapped at Picton with fires in front and behind and all on board were evacuated to a shelter. Another was trapped at Moss Vale for some reason unable to return to Sydney via the Illawarra instead of the usual route. Bargo - on the main line normally used - has been one of the towns significantly affected by these fires and reports suggest the railway formation has burned meaning an extended closure can be expected. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 It's not that unusual for the IP to go via Stockinbingal and the Main South when there is trackwork between Sydney and Parkes. It happens a couple of times a year. But going via Wollongong is highly unusual. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 I would guess that the last time the IP ran via our line (Illawarra), it would have either been 200x or 199x-certainly highly uncommon. The cameraman has been informed of all diversions, and shall be trying to catch these unusual workings through Sutherland. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Still going through the photos from my Sydney trip 2 weeks ago. Here are some I took of the Inner West Light Rail. Current terminus at Lilyfield New trackwork at Lilyfield for the extension to Dulwich Hill. Glebe Tunnel Wentworth Park viaduct Variotram in original livery at Exhibition. New CAF tram at the depot. Cheers David 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 The NSW Main West hasn't fared well between Mt Victoria and Lithgow. NSW Trainlink posted photos of a communications hut at Edgecombe. http://www.sydneytrains.info/service_updates/service_interruptions/images/20131018-edgecombe_02.jpg http://www.sydneytrains.info/service_updates/service_interruptions/images/20131018-edgecombe_03.jpg http://www.sydneytrains.info/service_updates/service_interruptions/images/20131018-edgecombe_05.jpg The line is expected to be closed for at least a week. There is an XPT set trapped west of Lithgow, which has been running between Bathurst and Dubbo. But tomorrow it will be replacing the Broken Hill Explorer. Anybody in the far west of NSW might like to take the very rare opportunity to see an XPT. IRC the last time an XPT ran west of Parkes was in 2002. Cheers David 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted October 20, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 20, 2013 Truckloads of replacement comms wiring and overheads have been reported on the Great WEstern Highway at those times it's been open. What ever faults NSW railways have (and there are a lot) they are ready with stacks of spares for fire-damage reinstatement every year. The risk isn't over which is one reason the line is expected to remain closed. Monday and Tuesday are likely to be very high risk days. The community of Bell which is on the railway line has been advised to evacuate tonight which implies the RFS (Rural Fire Service ) feels there is an immediate risk to life and that they cannot save the homes there if the fire moves in. The XPT set trapped west of the blockage can run for so long as it is safe to do so but sooner or later it must come back to Sydney for servicing. It can be refuelled and the snack bar re-provisioned locally by road vehicles in the interim but it cannot be checked for brakes not receive other workshop attention out there for example. The historic Zig Zag Railway has suffered significant losses including all of their accommodation coaches, a former Queensland rail motor and many of their workshop areas. The signalbox was saved with flames licking its base. There is enough undamaged stock to re-start operations when clear to do so and they are awaiting their re-accreditation more than fire recovery before this can happen. It's a big but not terminal set back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 The XPT set trapped west of the blockage can run for so long as it is safe to do so but sooner or later it must come back to Sydney for servicing. It can be refuelled and the snack bar re-provisioned locally by road vehicles in the interim but it cannot be checked for brakes not receive other workshop attention out there for example. If necessary the XPT could go to EDI at Kelso for minor work. The last resort would be taking it back to Sydney via Stockinbingal or Ulan. The bad news is that a state of emergency has been declared with the entire Blue Mountains region west of Penrith and Richmond now on alert. High temperatures and strong winds forecast for tomorrow, but the possibility of rain on Tuesday. However that could also bring more lightning. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 The load trial of CFCLA's newest loco, CM3301. The CM class is a Wabtec MP33C, basically the same as the standard gauge CBH class in Western Australia. They have an 18 cylinder Cummins QSK78 engine. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosiesBoss Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Modern Scene – NSW Main Northern Line Introduction After a gap of a few years, I have recommenced photographing the current railway scene in my area (northern Sydney) and a little further north. Things are now very different today, compared to my time in the railways (1968-1989). Freight is now entirely in the hands of private operators, who compete for business. The NSW government has retained ownership of the infrastructure and passenger trains. The rail corridor is now entirely fenced off, making it rather challenging to take unobstructed photographs. Overhead wiring and lush lineside vegetation also tend to spoil some viewpoints. Nevertheless, it’s still possible to find some reasonable locations. Here are some images that I have captured over the last couple of years. Each image contains its own caption. Aurizon/QR National freight trains: Pacific National freight trains: (This was in the freight train hauled by NR42 and NR 6, riding on standard gauge bogies, with its own narrow gauge bogies on flat cars behind it.) Greentrains freight trains: Centennial Coal/Southern Shorthaul Railroad freight trains: Sydney Trains Interurban passenger Trains: Passenger services are still being provided by V sets (1970-1989), supplemented by newer H sets (“Oscars”, 2006-2012). Sydney Trains suburban passenger trains: Quite a mix of designs is still seen in northern Sydney. S sets (1972-1980) are being withdrawn. K sets (1981-1985) are still common. C sets (1986) seem to be confined to the Carlingford line shuttle. A sets (“Waratahs”, 2011) are very common. T sets (“Tangaras”, 1988-1995) are also common. Several types are stabled and maintained in Hornsby car Sheds, with overflow storage at the north end of Hornsby Yard. Diesel Railcars and XPTs: Most early diesel railcars have been scrapped or sold to museum groups. However one 2-car set (formerly 620/720 class railcars) now patrols the network for routine inspections and is regularly seen around Hornsby. Local and long distance passenger services outside the electrified network are in the hands of Hunter, Endeavour and Xplorer railcars and XPT sets. Overall, there is much variety in the passing parade of trains on the main north line. Regards, Rob Edited November 19, 2013 by RosiesBoss 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Local and long distance passenger services outside the electrified network are in the hands of Endeavour and Xplorer railcars and XPT sets. 26, Endeavour railcar 2753 + 2703, Newcastle, 12 Sep 2013 a.JPG That one is a Hunter railcar. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 While up in Newcastle with the Newcastle Flyer on the 27th of October, we took the opportunity to jump on a Hunter up to Sandgate and see what would show up in 50 minutes.... While not in order of what we saw when, it was a good amount of freight, and better than we expected. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosiesBoss Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 G'day all, Thank you, David for your correction. I've updated my post with your information. Regards, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) I'll refrain from posting this twice in separate topics, so I'll direct readers to the video of quin bulldogs on Cowan Bank in the EMD 567 ear candy topic.CheersDavid Edited November 22, 2013 by DavidB-AU Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 (edited) Over at Rockdale at the moment (until Friday morning), NREC N-viromotive demonstrator locomotives 1201 and 1202 of the 3GS24C-DE-AU design are sitting in the works siding. The locomotives are undergoing signalling tests on the Bankstown line overnight. The pictures were taken with permission of the staff at the station, and are predominately of 1201. Overall view Overall roof view, clearly showing the three exhaust stacks and fan grills Front end Cab top view Genset doors 1, 2 and 3 Fuel gauge (hint to modellers?) Rear end It is interesting to note that there is no MU cable between the locomotives. In case anyone is wondering about the designation, it reads as: 3 Gen Set 24 C (3 axle bogies)-Diesel Electric-AUstralia Edited 11/2/14-Code changed to correct description Edited February 10, 2014 by 69843 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Budgie Posted December 4, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 4, 2013 Are there any horns on the front end? It seems odd to see them facing backwards at the rear of the unit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Are there any horns on the front end? It seems odd to see them facing backwards at the rear of the unit. The horns are behind the little black grill bit on the front valiance. Took me a while to figure that one out as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 (edited) Well, it almost should go in the preservation thread, but... RHIF 29298 has popped up twice now while I've had the camera pointed at it, most recently at Marrickville on Friday. This wagon has a long history. Originally built in the early 1950s as coal hopper BCH 29298, it was converted to a BWH wheat hopper with the fitting of a roof. After being reclassified as a NGBF wagon, then being reclassed NGMA when the wooden walkway around the roof was changed for a steel one, the wagon became the sole member of the RHIF class when modified for mineral train use in 2003. The roof was removed, the bogies changed from 50T rated ones to 70T ones, the chassis strengthened and the hopper doors modified for air discharge. The wagon can usually be found in one of the Dunmore stone train consists. Edited December 22, 2013 by 69843 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Not exactly modern any more as all but one of the locos shown in this video have now been scrapped. Cheers David 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 EMD ear candy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzLec8Wir9c 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Unusual combination with two PN Internodal locos helping out on a Rural & Bulk train on a very wet night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXPscrfztc0 Cheers David 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Same train, different day. Unfortunately the EMD ear candy has been contaminated by an Alco. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOA76J496c Cheers David 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 Same train, different day. Unfortunately the EMD ear candy has been contaminated by an Alco. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOA76J496c Cheers David There is nowt better than a flat out 251x ALCo motor! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 There is nowt better than a flat out 251x ALCo motor! Yes there is. A completely seized Alco 251 replaced by something with an EMD 645. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
69843 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Why not compromise and take an ALCO, cut out the 12-251C heart and put in a GE 7FDL-12? Here's one that was prepared earlier: Once an ALCO, always an ALCO... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 A mix of new and old motive power on Fassifern Bank. Best viewed with the volume up LOUD!. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz--UvqlD1M Cheers David 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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