Not a day for brass monkeys.
So, the government, in a rare example of generosity, decided to bless us mere mortals with two whole days of free train travel. Naturally, Dr Cooties and I seized this once-in-a-lifetime* opportunity (because who doesn’t want to ride the rails for free?) to hunt down the soon-to-be-extinct V sets between Katoomba and Lithgow.
Of course, because life loves a good joke, these glorious free travel days landed smack dab in the middle of what can only be described as the apocalypse of bad weather. We’re talking freezing cold — the kind that would have polar bears reconsidering their career choices and digging out jackets and beanies like they’re prepping for a ski trip. Spoiler alert: polar bears don’t wear beanies. But they’d want to.
Our wild expedition included V sets at Sydney Terminal, Katoomba, Mt Victoria, Bell, and Lithgow — because why stop at one when you can chase them all like some desperate Pokémon trainers? Thanks to the local legend Chris Lithgow (no relation to the place, sadly), we even got an exclusive tour of the awesome gems that are: Bowenfels and Wallerawang stations, plus the State Mine Museum.
Surprisingly, despite my previously mistaken icicles-for-fingers condition, we managed to snap a ridiculous number of photos — enough to fill way more posts than anyone should reasonably have to endure. So consider this your official warning: brace yourself for a relentless barrage of misery and bollocks disguised as train photos. You’re welcome.
* = Probably not once in a lifetime.
For Locomotive & Tram - Updates - Status - Photos.
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T1302 (part of set B2) provided my thrilling ride to Central station on an already cold early Thursday morning.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The endangered spark excitement started the second of my arrival at Central station.
T4236 (above) and T4175 (below) heading southwards at Central.
Like the V sets we were up early for, the surviving K sets are not long for the world and likely to start the journey to a blast furnace by the end of this year.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
A couple of dreary everyday (everynight?) shots of the platforms at Central.
Photos: Brad Peadon
B22 arrives at Central Station before going for another loop around the City Circle.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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DJM-8137 trails a Lithgow service on Set V31.
Photo: Brad Peadon
V 31: DJM 8138 - DIT 9130 - DIT 9153 - DJM 8137
Trailer car DIT-9153 Set V31.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Trailer car DIT-9130 Set V31.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Power car DJM-8138 Set V31 to Lithgow.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Power car DJM-8106 on Set V37 to Katoomba.
This was to be our first ride for the day.
Photo: Brad Peadon
V 37: DJM 8106 - DIT 9141 - DIT 9181 - DJM 8101
Power car DJM-8138 Set V31 to Lithgow.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Trailer car DIT-9181 Set V37.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Trailer car DIT-9141 Set V37.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Power car DJM-8106 on Set V37 to Katoomba.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Upper and lower decks of DJM-8106 on Set 37
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below
Power car DJM-8101 Set V37, the rear of our train to Katoomba.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Other side of trailer car DIT-9141 Set V37.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Other side of trailer car DIT-9181 Set V37.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Exploder power care 2524 next to XP2015 and the rear of the Dubbo XPT. We would see the later at Katoomba.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Above and four below.
In a moment of weakness, and obviously boredom, we took a look on new (operationally at least) Mariyung carriage DN8559.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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Above and five below.
A squiz around our trailer car to Katoomba, DIT-9141.
Photos: Brad Peadon
About to depart Sydney Terminal and the weather was already looking pretty spiffing.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Heading west into temperatures that were getting more and more appalling.
Parramatta Station
Photo: Brad Peadon
Oh yes, things look nice and warm in Katoomba this morning. Let the frozen fingers begin.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below, set 37 waits to return down the mountains.
Photos: Brad Peadon
I was surprised to find this sign still existing. I remember going on Golden West Tours (see below) to Echo Point with my mum back in the 80s.
They ceased to be many years ago.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Commencing in 1974 with the purchase of Katoomba Scenic Tours, the new owner John Cronshaw rebranded the operation.
John remains as the Founding Director, while Jason Cronshaw (presumably his son) is the Managing Director.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Yeah, it was literally as cold, probably colder, as it looks in this shot from the Sydney end of the Katoomba Station platform.
It was a brutal day temperatures wise, but didn't stop these dedicated old fans.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Bradly Coulter, Chris Lithgow, Mick McGinty & David Phillips.
Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
