DavidB-AU

List of animals in Australia that won't kill you. 1) Some of the sheep. That's about it. Cheers David

Even a baby red belly black can put you in hospital, but they aren't aggressive and will try to escape unless provoked. Cheers David

There was an intruder in our club room this afternoon. Cheers David

Following on from my "modern scene" post about sugar cane trains, here is Victoria Mill's preserved loco "Homebush" (Hudswell Clarke No. 1067 of 1914) which runs tourist trains on the mill's network. The loco made a brief cameo in Baz Luhrmann's film Australia, pretending to be in Darwin. The carriages were built by Decauville in 1885. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5ZXO_pOHuw Cheers David

Something I don't think we've covered yet are Queensland 2' gauge cane trains. The loads they carry these days are phenomenal. Tully Mill #3, converted from a Queensland Rail DH class. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6-3PCpsJlk South Johnstone Mill #15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqSxH0Cj6yg Mackay Mill "Marian" and "Habana" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkvSXVI_Mdo Mossman Mill "Douglas" and Faugh-A-Balaugh" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMTAnBPl60w Cheers David

Just when you thought prices couldn't get any more ridiculous... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPERB-RARE-BOXED-BECKMANN-TT-DR-LIVERY-0-6-0-CLASS-BR-89-6-TANK-No-89-603-/400661492291 Cheers David

This was a chance sighting as I was crossing the footbridge as Morningside this afternoon. Not HQ as it was only taken with my phone. Cheers David

Last weekend, 6029 was steamed for the first time since 1981. Cheers David

4001 leading a NSWRTM tout to Bathurst. If you like the sound of Alcos, turn this one up loud. If you prefer the sound of EMDs, just watch the pretty pictures. Cheers David

Asciano announced today that Pacific National Coal Pty Ltd and Pacific National Rail Pty Ltd will merge from next Tuesday. This could see some mixing of the two locomotive fleets. Cheers David

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

What about an Emmett type 0-2-0? Cheers David

Yes there is. A completely seized Alco 251 replaced by something with an EMD 645. Cheers David

Same train, different day. Unfortunately the EMD ear candy has been contaminated by an Alco. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOA76J496c Cheers David

Network Rail has awarded Robel, Germany, a contract to supply eight 69.7/4 Mobile Maintenance System (MMS) trains, which will be delivered from July 2015 onwards. http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/track/network-rail-orders-robel-maintenance-vehicles.html?channel=542

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

I just got the 2014 Model Railroad Planning book in today's mail. Well worth buying if you like design ideas. Cheers David

Following up on an item from last year, Southern Downs Steam Railway C17 971 sheared a crank pin and bent a couple of rods en route to Wallangarra back in November. The damage is repairable but will take time. Queensland Rail Heritage as agreed to hire C17 974 to SDSR so services can recommence. It will be running light (with water gin) from Ipswich to Warwick on Wednesday and the SDSR Australia Day run to Wallangarra is back on. Cheers David

EMD ear candy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzLec8Wir9c

Not exactly modern any more as all but one of the locos shown in this video have now been scrapped. Cheers David

Vintage Alcos transferring the Pullman cars to Werris Creek. Cheers David

EAST Midlands Trains will launch accelerated services between London, central England and South Yorkshire on December 9 following the completion of a £70m project to upgrade sections of the Midland Main Line for 200km/h operation. http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/midland-main-line-ready-for-200km-h-running.html

Speaking of which, I think two of the Lowfit W&C match wagons went to the Isle of Wight. Cheers David

Medfits ADB459046 and ADB461123 were used as match trucks from 1970 to 1980. Lowfits ADB452339, ADB452604, ADB452732, ADB453241 and ADB453255 were used from 1980. Some photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianews/6022764883/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/74009/4263247785/ http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/paulbartlettsrailwaywagonphotographs/h1AE59520 http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/paulbartlettsrailwaywagonphotographs/h16118F79 http://daverowland.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/BR-1983-2003-Location/Portsmouth-Fareham/i-SLwTwD6/0/L/4342-W%26CityMatchTruckADB452604-483004-124-Fratton-L.jpg The boxes were for carrying brake hoses. 452604 later had the box removed and became a W&C stores carrier. Cheers David