Greetings, regular viewers, casual passers-by, and other assorted vagrants. Today marks the beginning of a new series chronicling our decades of shared experiences alongside this bustling railway line.
When I say "our," I'm referring to my railfan companion David 'MrX' Xuereb and myself. I first met MrX on the bridge at Page Street, a spot where we'd often gather, both living just a stone's throw from the tracks at the time.
Over the years, this railway has played a pivotal role in our lives. We've witnessed numerous changes, some really not for the better, made some lasting friendships, embarked on cab rides, and even ventured into businesses for an ambitious exhibition layout project.
Our former model railway club, housed in the historic Rockdale signalbox, even had the name 'Botany Line MRC.'
Originally opened in October 1925, next year will mark its centennial anniversary. One can't help but wonder if there are plans to commemorate this milestone.
Are you interested in the Botany railway line?
History - Today - Future
You are invited to join the chat with likeminded people.
Botany Railway Line SIG.
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NR29 'Kwinana' - Cooks River.
Today she is operational with Pacific National and currently wears a special 'Indian Pacific' livery.
Photo: Brad Peadon
42216 and 42203 climb the grade away from the Cooks River Staff Hut.
42216 now 2204 with Southern Shorthaul (Stored Cootamunda)
42203 now HL203 with Watco Australia.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8123 8152 at Cooks River with containers from Port Botany.
Both now with Pacific National.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8134 8121 at Cooks River with containers from Port Botany.
Both now with Pacific National.
Photo: Brad Peadon
4436 nearing the end of it's existence.
Sim's Metal Mascot.
Both the loco and Sim's are now gone. The Sim's site now being factory units, and 4436 a Kia in South Australia.
Photo: Brad Peadon
4436 also nearing the end of it's existence.
Sim's Metal Mascot.
Photo: Brad Peadon
D11 was the last of a number of shunters used at the Sim's Mascot site. An English Electric locomotive, originally owned by the steelworks at Port Kembla.
Today it is preserved by the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum.
Sim's extreme dislike of camera usage made this shot a rather big challenge.
Photo: Brad Peadon
4820 and 4907 snake through Mascot with a fuel train from Botany.
4820 (now 8420) stored half rebuilt in Junee Roundhouse. Talk has it that occasional work has recommenced on this rebuild.
4907 now with Manildra Group as MM01.
The QANTAS jet base buildings at very far right have recently been removed for new roadwork
Photo: Brad Peadon
80s2 848 442s1 passing through the once popular golf course location at East Botany.
442s1 is with Southern Shorthaul and now numbered back to it's original 44220.
848 is now scrapped.
80s2 now with Qube Logistics as it's former number 8044.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
1445 14xx approaching the Page Street bridge at Gelco (East Botany). Duplication, and the Banksia Street footbridge have totally change this view.
Believed to be in service with Qube.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8249 with containers from Port Botany to St Marys.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8128 with containers from Port Botany to St Marys.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8249 with containers from St Marys to Port Botany.
Photo: Brad Peadon
4458 arriving at Gelco with containers destined for Port Botany. Again, duplication has made for a very different view.
Unit now with Qube Logistics and stored at Junee. Not giving much hope for a positive future.
Photo: Brad Peadon
4807 passes the old Chinese Gardens at Banksmeadow with a rake of fuel tankers.
Now preserved with Transport Heritage.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Back before the new yard was built, the single line entrance into Botany yard had this gate.
There is now 4 lines, the semaphore signal is gone, as has that part of the old fuel siding at right.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Fuel tankers in the old Botany Goods Yard.
One of Dave and my many Sunday nights visiting there.
Photo: Brad Peadon
1431 pulling containers out of port at Banksmeadow.
Those track panels in the background are sitting on the former Caltex yard.
Operational with Qube.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Rebuilding Port Botany yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
48136 4898 4903 pulling out of Patricks.
48136 and 4898 now scrapped.
In service with SRS Heritage, currently being used on the Sadliers shunt.
Photo: Brad Peadon
EL62 at Patricks.
Note the missing yellow side panel and number.
Now with Railfirst Asset Management.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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GL112 GL109 pulls a rake of flats out of Patricks.
Rebuilt from 44212 and 44229.
It is interesting to note that 44212 was a Botany trip train regular for some time, while 44229 in use at the Port Kembla steelworks for some time.
Today GL112 is working at Weipa in Far-North Queensland.
Photo: Brad Peadon
GM34 and GM37 with another rake of emties from Patricks.
GM34 has been scrapped while GM37 is believed to be with Aurizon.
Photo: Brad Peadon
4903 heading light into the CTAL Terminal (now DP World).
In service with SRS Heritage, currently being used on the Sadliers shunt.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Photo: Brad Peadon
Today she is stored at Minto with accident damage.
Botany Railway Line SIG - History & News
I stole a heap of eggs from a farm once.
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