The Semi-Retired Foamer has been a railfan since he was around 5 years old, oh yes a very young age, an age when one really should avoid being involved with the gunzel community to any great extent. A few rather unsavoury people bringing that fact home.
After a few decades of train chasing, one decided to break with protocol and get married, thus leading to a severe cut in railfan activity.
Subsequent dealings with hate breeders, lunatics, mental defectives and self-appointed preservation overlords lead to an even greater decrease in my hobby participation.
However things have changed thanks to our small group of trusted mates, interest has returned, and now I have become a bit more involved yet again.
.
_
Over the years I have tried my best to further both the hobby, as well as the friendships that it brings. I have done this by setting up proactive groups both here in Australia, as well as the Philippines. It is with huge honour that I am often considered the founding father of the railfan hobby in the Philippines (my second home).
_
I don't take the hobby too seriously and I am a friend to anyone who is good and genuine. But never forgive those who have used their hate to destroy my hobby or hurt the friends within it.

Let's Make The Hobby Great Again!
I aim to share the era that I considered mine, the 80s and 90s. I also like to help promote, and even raise funds for, the various heritage societies that keep the era alive
_
**** LOCOMOTIVE/ PUBLICATIONS ****
-
We occasionally publish information on the locomotives, and rollingstock, from railways in Australia and the Philippines.
All are available for
FREE at our ALR WEBSITE.




Please email me should you wish to use anything from this site !



Wednesday, July 20, 2022

YASS RAILWAY MUSEUM - 6/3/2022



 Back in March we headed to Canberra for a wedding anniversary. Instead of doing the ol Federal Highway in both directions, we set off down the Barton Highway to Yass.

The main reason for this choice was to finally carry out a long-held plan to visit some great friends in Yass and, while there, take the opportunity to check out one of those museums that have long been a favourite.

My first ever road trip, back in the mid-80s, took in Yass Town amongst many other locations.

 As luck would have it, we had only just missed a 48 there shunting the Caltex depot. Thus depriving me of ever seeing a train operate along there.

However, that did not end a very long fascination in the line, one that continues to this day. This is the reason why this museum remains so important to me.

If you find yourself in Yass on a Sunday (10am - 4pm), I can thoroughly recommend a visit to this fantastic museum.

Besides the outside exhibits seen here, you can explore the wonderful collection inside the station itself. Lots of photographic history, memorabilia, a large model railway, and a souvenier shop is all waiting for you inside.

Location: 8 Crago Street, Yass

The entrance fees are extremely good for  2022.

Adults: $6

Children under 12: $4

Family (2 adults + 3 children): $12

Concession: $4

-------------------------------------------------------------

The exploring fun need not end there, with much of the branch, including the street section down Dutton Street, and the impressive Yass River bridge, which can be followed by road.

Once you get back to the junction, there is the stunning Yass Junction station to check out.

Really is a great day out for the family.


Yass Town station building.

Photo: Brad Peadon


Kettle 1307 was built by Beyer Peacock & Co of Manchester. 

1637 of 1877.

Photo: Brad Peadon





The view from 1307 looking towards the very end of the line. After curving as seen in the photo, the line crossed the street into the local Caltex depot, then a short way beyond into a mill.

A short section of track still exists in the unloading area of the mill.

Photo: Brad Peadon






End platform carriage 1259, built in Australia back in 1908.

The goods shed is behind.

It was retired in 1975.

Photo: Brad Peadon



530 built by 'Vulcan Foundry' In Lancashire.

Originally #128, a member of the P127 class, a type that would be seen along the Yass Town branch from 1892 till 1910. It became 530 in 1897.

Following use on the tramway, it was sold to the Commonwealth Government for Jervis Bay breakwater construction, then later still sold to Kalingo Colliery (South Maitland coalfields).

It spent many years shunting the colliery, before being set aside. It would sit around for years before being rescued for preservation by the 'Richmond Vale Railway'. 

It would later return home to Yass.

Photo: Brad Peadon



156 - Covered trike.

Photo: Brad Peadon



ABV 13856 - 'Arnott's Biscuit Van'.

Built in 1908 as a CV (covered van), it would later be internally lined in 1963 and recoded to ABV for delivering Arnott's biscuits around the state (including Yass Town).

Photo: Brad Peadon



HG 10834 was built in 1900 and is of a type that operated to Yass Town until the late 1960s.

Photo: Brad Peadon



The base of another HG van.

Photo: Brad Peadon



Unidentified fuel tanker of a type that once served the four fuel terminals that once provided so much traffic to the line.

Photo: Brad Peadon



Fettlers Hut.

Photo: Brad Peadon


Yass Town lays claim to having the shortest platform in New South Wales.

Photo: Brad Peadon



I've always been fascinated by the track layout at Yass Town. It would make a great model railway.

To the right are the two loading banks.

Photo: Brad Peadon



The sign is obviously from the other end of the line.

Photo: Brad Peadon



X203 is a shunting tractor built at the 'N.S.W Railways Water Supply Workshops' at Chullora (Sydney).

While X203 was never used on the line, its sister X202 was the sole motive power from 1964 till 1972. Sadly, it went on to be scrapped in 1989.

Photo: Brad Peadon





The museum has two S trucks from a fleet that originally numbered over 10,000.
Photo: Brad Peadon



The out-of shed and cream stage.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Viewing looking back towards the junction, taken from the platform of the goods shed.

The goods loading crane would have seen much use once upon a time.

Photo: Brad Peadon


Dutton Street in Yass has a rare, for New South Wales anyway, section of street railway.  It runs down a number of blocks to the trees visible in the distance, immediately beyond which is the impressive Yass River bridge.

There was a recent move to have this section lifted, but it was greeted with much opposition.

Photo: Brad Peadon

-----------------------------------------------------------

The bulk of information in this post comes from the 'Yass Railway Museum Visitors Guide' which is supplied to everyone visiting.

There is much more information contained in the publication, while the volunteers would be more than happy to discuss any other questions you may have.


At Yass Town in 1987 and 2022.
Above: 1987 - David Henderson photo.
Below: 2022 - Ana Peadon photo.


-----------------------------------------------------------

Thank You

Yass Railway Museum

Alf & Vicki Atkin

Nhing

-----------------------------------------------------------

Video: Cootamundra to Yass - 1989

Video: Yass Town Branch - 1989

Video: Yass Junction Station - 2021
-----------------------------------------------------------
Note: A video of the day is planned and will appear on the
-----------------------------------------------------------
We occasionally have Yass updates on our










No comments: