A day in Maitland with some very old mates.
The drive to Maitland brought back a flood of memories. I hadn’t seen Frank and Alina Kirk in what felt like a lifetime, and the thought of surprising them had me grinning the whole way. On the route, I made a stop at Neath railway station along the South Maitland Railway. The station, now in a very advanced stage of dilapidation, stood quietly, waiting for the TLC that it will never likely get. I snapped a few photos, documenting every angle for a new historical association I’ve recently joined, then continued on, the anticipation of seeing my old mate growing.
When I finally pulled into the High Street station carpark, Frank's face lit up in shock, then warmth as he recognized me. “Wow Mr Peadon, I didn't know you were coming up.” he laughed, pulling me in for a hug.
The three of us spent hours roaming the familiar spots around Maitland, capturing images of trains in the old haunts around Maitland. Our cameras clicked non-stop, documenting everything, there had been so many changes on the coal roads over the years. The day grew even better when our friend, and fellow YouTube icon, Dr. Cooties showed up, camera in hand and the usual massive amounts of news.
With Dr. Cooties in tow, the laughs got louder, and the photos grew more frequent. We shared stories, caught up on each other’s lives, and found ourselves laughing until our stomachs hurt—almost like no time had passed at all.
For old time's sake, we stopped in at Henny Penny (remember them?) for some grub.
The day wrapped up with one final shot: all of us, side by side, a great lasting memory of a wonderful day.
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After a few tough months, it was absolute heaven to have a stopover along Leggetts Drive to take in some of that wonderful rural atmosphere.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The magnificent Neath Hotel.
Once witness to a massive amount of rail traffic, today it has all gone silent. The closure of the Austar (Pelton) mine was the final nail in the coffin for the once-busy line.
Once witness to a massive amount of rail traffic, today it has all gone silent. The closure of the Austar (Pelton) mine was the final nail in the coffin for the once-busy line.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Numerous photos
The current situation with the Neath Railway station.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The photos were all taken from an accessible passenger platform that is open and has no signage. Implied right of access.
All structures are in a deplorable state, with the earlier idea of restoring and preserving now beyond a realistic proposition.
The above shot gives a good indication of the termite damage that afflicts both the small station building and signalbox
Photo: Brad Peadon
The vandals have really given the Neath signal box a good seeing too over the years.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Restored old Caltex service station on Lang Street at Kurri Kurri
Photo: Brad Peadon
X200 (ex X207) East Greta Junction shunter.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
SMR18 and 4703 at East Greta Junction.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Signal - East Greta Junction
Photo: Brad Peadon
High Street Station, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Just turned up at High Street Maitland to surprise my old friend of many decades.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8253 8255 - Up grain - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
5011/5012 - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
5040/5044 - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
XRN011 XRN019 XRN012 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Team Semi-Retired Foamer - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
5024 5006 / 5034 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
2703 / 2753 - Dn passenger - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
QE007 QE008 1108 1107 - Up containers - High Street, Maitland
The two lead units are obviously new.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
9310 9201 (9312 mid train) - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
6001 6002 - Up ore - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Exploder - Down passenger - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
RHDH-99132T - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
9202 LDP004 LDP009 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
NR77 NR35 NR69 - Up containers from Brisbane - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
9315 9211 TT03 - Up coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
9029 9025 9030 - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
2751 / 2701 - Dn Passenger - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
TT132 TT01 (9207 mid train) - Dn MT coal - High Street, Maitland
The oldest and newest TT class on the lead.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
SSR103 SSR104 - Up Grain - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
QE004 QE005 QE003 - Dn MT Grain - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
9308 9215 TT117 - Dn MT Coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
9015 9032 9019 - Up Coal - High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
Frank getting some of that Hunter action.
High Street, Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
TT121 LDP011 LDP007 - Dn MT Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
2751 / 2701 - Dn passenger - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
TT118 TT125 TT114 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
9310 9201 (9312 mid train) - Down MT Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
9310 9201 (9312 mid train) - Down MT Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
5002 / 5023 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
5002 / 5023 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
5002 / 5023 - Up Coal - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
2859 / 2809 - Dn Passenger - East Maitland
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Bradly Coulter (Dr Cooties), Alina Kirk, Frank Kirk (Frolicking Frank), Ana Peadon, Ronnie Smithston
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