Continued packing for a move of residence is bringing forth copious amounts of photos taken over the years.
  Many are newish, even more that bring on the depressing reality of how old I actually am now, all however just seem to sit around doing buggar all of use to humanity.

  Many of these shots are being gradually placed on my FLICKR SITE, so if your not content to wait here for my less than regular updates, then you are invited to take a squiz there.

Hendo and MrX find the excitment of going to Naradhan a little bit to much.

I suppose "reflecting on a long career" is the usual overused caption for this one.

4464 stares down the approaching storm at Ungarie while the patrons head off for lunch.

Mk2 Leopard 1722 nears the end of its days driving passengers around Sydney.
In the garage at Waverley bus depot.

1717 doing similar.

The long trip from Redbank to Rockdale saw a temporary stopover at Werris Creek.
Locomotive 4705 in the background.

D34 during some steelworks shunting action at Port Kembla.

A still clean 4717 hauls a mostly empty rake of container flats out of Port Botany.

GL104 prepares to run around its train at the Elouera dump.
A ceasing of coal production has seen this line fall out of use recently.

Always a great feeling when the day is about ended, you think your daylight shots have ended and then something like these 48ers roll up.
Still one of NSW's best engines.

More delicious picks shortly.

GOODBYE 2014 HEADING

NARADHAN INTERMISSION

  Lets face it, the railfan hobby is full of some really horrid people. Over the years I have had the displeasure of of death threats, threats of violence, racist attacks etc etc etc.
  Like myself for quite some years, I have seen many good contributors throw up their hands and walk off, never to contribute again. We are not talking just one or two, we are talking MANY.
  Indeed, it was the growing resentment of the hobby that saw this website born years ago. Mostly just to treat it all like the joke it had become.

  But during these decades of this railfan business, a few people have stood out, people I have admired for almost as long as I have been a fan. People who give to the hobby and who it is an honour to know.
  I was privileged to have two of these people on the Naradhan tour.

  John Currey and Neville Pollard

  It would be few in the hobby who have never come across these two names somewhere.
  John's (owner of 4465) name is synonymous with Australia's Alco locomotives, most especially the 44 class.

  Neville's historical articles, especially those covering NSW branchlines, have been enjoyed and referred back to more times than I dare to try and remember.
  His Naradhan article instantly came to mind when we decided to do a special issue of the Lubricated Flange for the tour. He was generous enough to allow us to reprint it.

  John I have known for many years, Neville I only just met, but both are among those who greatly inspire me to carry on in this hobby.

Thank you.

Credit Both Photos: David Phillips

SMUT NARADHAN TOUR

Part 3

After months of organising and stress, the day had finally arrived that we were to set forth to Naradhan and into history.  But actually boarding the train was no guarantee of our getting to this far flung terminushe fact the train was at the platform eased concerns a lot, but until we pulled into Naradhan yard there was no to be total relief.

Stunning weather, sunny but not hot, greeted as on arrival at the station.
Spirits were high, a chance meeting of a ol Coota North Box friend from two decades ago had been considered a good sign, and we quickly offloaded the drinks and snacks for the weekend and loaded the train.

Mel tries in vain to keep her hubby from getting over excited and jumping up and down in from of the other tour patrons.

A good morning greeting from a passing steel train bound for Melbourne.

Colonel prepares of two days full of living in the good ol days, back when things were a lot more civilised.

I don't whinge..........much.
Those kind Lachlan Valley guys hang up our groups banner.

Roddy puts his little unit on display for all to see.

Excited travelers hop out for photos at Temora station.

Storm clouds threatened as we arrived in Ungarie for lunch at the local Central Hotel.
Luckily rail held off for our walk to the hotel and back again, and it did provide a lovely backdrop.

Time to eat and then we are off on our history making journey to Naradhan.

More to come in Part 4 - Control yourselves until then.

STRANGE MODELERS OF UNIVERSAL TRAINS

NARADHAN TOUR - PART 2

The evening prior to the trip saw us gather at Cootamundra West for a epic line side BBQ.

The choice of Coota West over the main station was due to expected traffic levels. As it turned out, this was a good idea.
Not much commentary needed here, so the photos can do all the speaking.

Stay tuned next week for Part 3.