faulcon1

The shot of the 86 class locos at Lithgow brings back memories as I used to work at the now closed depot. The electric loco fleet was maintained at Lithgow. It consisted of 40 Metropolitan Vickers 46 class co+co from 1956. 10 Comeng (Commonwealth Engineering) 85 class co co from 1979 and 50 Comeng 86 class co cofrom 1982. Actually there was only 49 86 class with a co co wheel configiration as 8650 was a tri Bo. The red pantographs on the locos are not new but were washed before every inspection for metal fatigue testing. I know that because I and my workmates used to do it. We used a strong alkaline/ acid mixture to remove the overhead wire residue. We also washed the roofs of the locos too. We also washed diesel locos of the 81, 80, 48 classes mainly and also washed the Manildra Group 100 ton flour hopper bogie wagons. All washing was done by the bucket and brush method. There were no automated washing plants for locomotives on the railways, only multiple unit EMU's and the XPT were put through automated washing plants. I should also add that the 3 82 class are not in Pacific National livery but actually painted in Freight Corp livery, the livery they were delivered in when new. They just have "Pac Nat" stickers below the cab windows.

Thanks for that Ian all photos were taken with a Cannon EOS 450D or the U.S designation a Rebel XSI Roy.

A former level crossing between Lue and Mudgee. The road authorities aren't too worried about the possiblities of a reopening in the future of the line as they have resurfaced the road and have buried the railway line under bitumen. The small yellow sign on the up grade reads 100, meaning 100kph or 60mph the lines maximum speed. The last train travelled over the line in 2002. There was a proposal to reopen the line to serve a new colliery in the Gardens of Stone National Park, known for it's beautiful natural red and yellow sandstone pagodas. They are many millions of years old. But the whole tender process was done on the sly by the previous Labour state government. The present Liberal state government threw the under hand tender process out and abolished the idea. So the Mudgee line will continue to "sleep" for some time to come. I unfortunately couldn't get good pictures of Mudgee Station as there was a Breast Screening coach parked right in front of the station. The station itself is now an art gallery and an Indian/Thai restaurant.

Lue trestle bridge. You need to drive under this bridge in order to get to the remaining shops

Looking back towards Rhylstone from Lue. On the left is the remains of the town with most shops boarded up and slowly decaying.

Lue Station looking towards Mudgee. In the days of steam this station was often a hive of activity. But that was before the railways gave away their traffic to the roads.

Lue Station from the platform side. All the windows are boarded up and the main door has a notice on it which reads "door is locked from the inside". So they must have locked that first and then climbed out of the windows

This is the former Lue Station (pronounced Loo)

On the leaving the station by car there is this sign. If you obey it you'll wait for the rest of your life.

The former goods shed with disconnected track work in the foreground.

The remains of the Ground frame. The house in the upper right of the photo is the former Station Masters house, now in private ownership.

This view shows the platform side of Rylstone Station On the left is the former bay platform.

The next station is Rylstone (pronounced RileStone). This view is from the station forecourt. There was a sign on the station building which said "CCTV cameras in operation. I looked very hard but didn't find a single one.

Kandos Station is the start of the disused line. There was a cement works at Kandos which is know closed and sees no rail traffic. At the time the photo was taken the little station building was being converted into a cafe hence the barrier on the platform to prevent people from falling onto the disused permanent way. The signal in the background is merely a monument.

Here is a few photos of the abandoned stations on the railway line to the central western town of Mudgee in New South Wales Australia. New South Wales has many abandoned branch and secondary lines due to successive state governments being disinterested in railway transport and being bullied by super powerful road lobby groups. Today in New South Wales if you wish to travel you drive or fly, there is no alternative. This is Ben Bullen Station with the platform on the down line.