The 'ALCo' Motorcade Of
A Lifetime.
1998
I had planned to sit down over a couple of beverages and write up an extended report on this fantastic long weekend motorcade up to Brisbane and Murwillumbah.
However another recent email attack on myself, followed by similar aimed at others by insignificant railfans, on irrelevant railway hate forums, has again left me feeling largely unmotivated. Of course, everyone knows that this is their aim, however, it is good that everyone does now what is happening.
This tour was probably one of the biggest ALCo events run by the 'Rail Transport Museum' since the museum restored 4490 and 4520 to active service.
The tour was to operate from Sydney to Brisbane, via Fishermans Island (this diversion cancelled due to a massive storm taking out the local signalling.
1998
I had planned to sit down over a couple of beverages and write up an extended report on this fantastic long weekend motorcade up to Brisbane and Murwillumbah.
However another recent email attack on myself, followed by similar aimed at others by insignificant railfans, on irrelevant railway hate forums, has again left me feeling largely unmotivated. Of course, everyone knows that this is their aim, however, it is good that everyone does now what is happening.
This tour was probably one of the biggest ALCo events run by the 'Rail Transport Museum' since the museum restored 4490 and 4520 to active service.
The tour was to operate from Sydney to Brisbane, via Fishermans Island (this diversion cancelled due to a massive storm taking out the local signalling.
In Brisbane, there was a local dinner trip to Gatton run, utilizing the restored 1009 (sse photo below).
We chased this dinner tour, then did a quick return run to Toowoomba (Willowburn Depot), before heading back to Gatton for a night time motorcade back to Brissie.
The tour would then resume from Greenbank the day after, heading back south to Casino, before being joined by 'Northern Rivers Railroad' locomotive 42109 for a run out along the now mostly closed line to Murwillumbah.
This beautiful line was probably the highlight of the trip, more so now that it is closed and likely to be turned into one of them vile rail train things.
Along for the trip were David Xuereb (above) and Motive Power supremo Stuart Ellis (seen below). We decided to wear out a rented Pulsar, rather than any of our cars.
Sadly, the final day came along far too fast and we found ourselves on the final stretch back from Casino to the Hunter again. The further south we got, the more fans joined in the chase.
It was still a good time to be in the hobby and it was a long weekend that still rates as probably the best I have ever had.
It was still a good time to be in the hobby and it was a long weekend that still rates as probably the best I have ever had.
Thanks to David and Stuart for being part of a great weekend away, thanks also to the many fans we also met along the way.
The railway hobby has certainly degenerated into something disgusting and full of hate, but at least we have memories of the better days that we leave behind.
Best of all, we still have ALCo locomotives.
The railway hobby has certainly degenerated into something disgusting and full of hate, but at least we have memories of the better days that we leave behind.
Best of all, we still have ALCo locomotives.
Come Join The Fun Of This Event!
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