~~ 4001 RETURNS TO SERVICE ~~

Well the foamers came out of the woodwork on Novemebr 20th the celebrate a very important event in NSW railway preservation history, the restoration to service of 4001 after more than 30 years sitting idle in a museum.
The 40 class were the first mainline diesel used in the state, so her returning to the rails is one of the more important achievements in preservation, some of us may even say rivalling any (non-SMR related) steam loco event. :-)
You know its important when you find renown GM obsessives out for a day of ALCo chasing. G'day there Mr Fisher :-)
The following two shots show 4001 crossing the Cooks River bridge at Tempe Station.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved at the RTM.

~~ WELCOME HOME SMR10 AND 18 ~~

A six hour return trip, a pre dawn departure, pouring rain during the whole event and deep thick mud.

AN AWESOME DAY!

Nothing was going to stop myself, along with my usual sidekick MrX, heading north towards Maitland to celebrate the returning home of SMR10 and 18 to their rightful home in East Greta Junction.
The whole day was somewhat heritage themed, with visits to Minmi and Pelaw Main aso partaken in, along with a chase of a Pelton (SMR) coalie with ALCo locomotives up front, something that will soon disappear.

Thanks to everyone at the HVTC and 'Friends of SMR' for a truly great day.

East Greta Junction

Abermain

B1 preserved at Minmi has had its windown smashed on the other side.

Passenger gets sick of waiting for next Cessnock passenger.