Thanks to Coronavirus, what we thought was a few months away, suddenly become a thing far earlier.
That being the demise of the final members of the QANTAS Jumbo fleet.
With a stroke of luck, I was down at the popular Kyeemagh Beach hack spot for the second last flight, then again two days later for the very last.

A truly sad moment in Aussie aviation history, but one I was glad to be able to witness.

Thanks Gordo for the inspiration to push on.
You are a walking example of irony.

Second last QANTAS 747 arrival.
VH-OEI from Johannesburg. 23-3-2020

The grand finale as VH-OEE touches down 

and makes history.
Final flight was from Santiago to Sydney.

The final Thai Jumbo also recently arrived.
Photos Here

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We will follow what happens to the final five 

here on the blog.

Despite a rapidly growing interest in them, planes have never figured heavily on the pages of this blog, in fact, I can't recall the last time they ever did.
But here they be, and tolerate them you must (or not, it's really up to you).

Anyway, rather than spend hours of time lineside partaking in what passes for a train hobby in 2020, I find myself drawn towards the airport, primarily in search of the final Boeing 747s, and anything else that has been on the endangered list in recent years.

Unless you live under a rock, you would no doubt be suffering the effects of the Coronavirus to some extent or another. Hopefully not in to serious a way.
Stay safe people!

I live right under the runway and have noticed a massive drop in aircraft traffic. However, despite this reduction, intolerable boredom saw me take my chance down on Shep's Mound today.

Turns out that it was worth the 6am effort :-)
Plus there was a social distance of at least 500 metres from anyone else.

Unknown at the time, this arrival of Thai Airways HS-TGA from Thailand was the last time a 747 is likely to be rostered to fly here. According to posts on Farcebook (yeah, yeah, I know), it is likely that 777s will operate once things return to normal.

Polar Boeing 767-3JHF(ER) N643GT lands.

Consecutively numbered (if that matters to anyone) Delta N708DN and N709DN touch down within a hour of each other.
I am reliably informed that one was just being used as a freighter, 

possibly for medical supplies.

Aviation beauty.
Atlas Air, Boeing 747-87U(F) N856GT, lands in Sydney.
Seems a very realistic possibility that the freighters will be the only 747s we regularly see here very soon.

Three 767s at Sydney Airport.
Not at the airport enough to know how common three 767s are, but it is indeed rare enough for me to ensure all those juices started to flow..

L to R:
VH-EFR - Owned by QANTAS Freight
N643GT - Polar Air Cargo, operated for DHL.
VH-EXZ - Owned by DHL, leased to Tasman Cargo.

Have long had a fascination for these little BAe-146-300s, but have always had absolutely no luck in getting photos of them. The few times I have seen them, I've either been driving, or without camera. :-(
So VH-NJM and VH-NJZ in the one morning was an added bonus.

A familar sight at Sydney Airport for so many decades, but very soon to end.
If Farcebook rumours (yeah, yeah.....I know) are to be believed, this may be very close to her last flight. Though, as I type this (13:42 27/3/2020), she is on her way back from Johannasburg and expected to land around 16:30.
Boeing 747-438ER VH-OEI

A couple of Tigers caged in at Sydney Airport.

Tiger Airways, Airbus A320-232 VH-VNH and VH-VNO

Got plenty of shots all ready, but can always use another 'Retro Roo'.
QANTAS B737-838 VH-VXQ 'Retro Roo II'

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Brad's Mound - Sydney Airport (Facebook Page)

Philippine / Australia Aviation Fans (Facebook)

Stay safe everyone!

RANDWICK LIGHT RAIL TERMINUS

December 2019 saw the first tram (light rail if you insist) services return to Randwick since the 1960s. While many, including me, would probably argue that these grand examples of modernity are far removed from those wonderful old 60s cars, it is an exciting move back towards this vastly superior (personal opinion) mode of transport.
While I am not well known for obsessing over modern day rail operations, light or heavy, this has been a move of such importance to our local area, that I have been out on a few occasions to cover some different stops.

While I shall eventually cover all these wanderings on the blog, will start our dreary journey at the current terminus of Randwick.
The branch to Kingsford is due to open this year. Originally said to be March, a recent interview suggested it would be pushed back to mid-year.
As long as it happens while I still walk the earth, I shall be a happy lad.
Anyway, on to Randwick. 

Looking west down High Street, with the 'Prince of Wales Childrens Hospital' at left

Light rail cars 02 and 33 both preparing to lead their respective 

services back to the city.

Driving cab of car 01.

A warning so often ignored it would seem.

Set 11 & 12

East end of the Randwick terminus.

Coupler (if that is what they call it on these things) between 37 and 38.

Inside car 38.

Sydney Light Rail

On Wikipedia
Citadis X05 Vehicles

Semi-Retired Foamer Travel Blog

Semi-Retired Foamer Facebook Page

Tribute To Recently Passed Friends.

Roger Cantwell - Edwin Gatia

In Memory Of Recently Lost Friends.

Roger Cantwell
One of the first railfans, definitely the first employee, that I ever  become friends with.
Roger taught me a true respect for how great our old single deck U-Boats could go.

Photo: Edwin Gatia

Edwin Gatia
Philippine Railway Historical Society Member since 2011.

Queensland 2800 Class

Current status 'now available' at the

'Australian Locomotive Rosters' Website.

50 Locos in 62 Photos.
Various Liveries Covered.

2826 on a ballast train.
Denison Street, Rockhampton

2806 arrives at Ingham with the ironically named, given the weather, Sunlander to Cairns.

2815 on a Cairns bound freight train near Babinda.

2821 on ballast at Garbutt (Townsville)

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Builder: Goninan, Townsville

Gauge: Narrow & Standard

Power: 2380 kW / 3190 HP

Axles: Co-Co 

Length: 21.416 m

Mass: 116 t

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Further Reading
Australian Railways- Past and Present
Semi Retired Foamer
Australian Locomotive Rosters Online

Semi-Retired Foamer Travel Blog

Australian Fleetlist Collectors Group