Christmas in July… and Other Mild Disappointments
Howdy train fans.
So, back on the 12th, we made our grand pilgrimage down to Wingello for the tragically mediocre annual "Christmas in July" party — one of those SRF/SMUT traditions we inexplicably keep showing up for every year. Think of it as festive disappointment with tinsel.
In a textbook example of why planning ahead is for winners, we rolled in to discover the south rail line was closed for maintenance. Yes, the one day we actually wanted trains, and the network said, “lol nope.” The only thing moving all day was road traffic — thrilling stuff.
Faced with the prospect of watching literal paint dry (probably on rail sleepers), we made a snap decision to abandon ship and head to the steelworks instead. But first, we made a pit stop at Berrima Junction to squint at whatever rusting relics might be lying around.
Turns out, this chaos worked in our favor. A completely unplanned detour to Albion Park led us to the light railway museum, which — shockingly — was fascinating as always. That delightful little surprise will get its own post soon, because, yes, it deserves more attention than Wingello station's ghost town vibes.
Anyway, below is a look at the not-so-riveting highlights (using the term loosely) from a day that went off the rails — quite literally.
If you have an interest in aviation and other guff, check out my
BHP News - Photos - History. Come have a squiz.
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| Date | Locos | Train | Location | Time | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-7-2025 | See Notes: | Station | Wingello | Got there to find no trains running. | 42 | |
| See Notes: | Sidings | Berrima Junct | RHJF-43001 43088 | 42 | ||
| 8132 NHFF-42538 42544 42528 | 42 | |||||
| NPIH-35603 35681 | 42 | |||||
| NPHH-82104 | 42 | |||||
| See Notes: | Station | The Robertson | - | Recently rebuilt | 42 | |
| MAN008 MAN003 MAN006 | Light Engine | Cringila | 12:21 | Up to Inner harbour | 42 | |
| 8231 8175 8101 | Light Engine | Cringila | 12:53 | Up to Inner Harbour | 42 | |
| See Notes: | Yard | Port North | 14:40 | QL011 QL020 QLxxx 44202 8030 | 42 | |
| See Notes: | Depot | Port Kembla | 8179 8216 8160 8172 8211 8159 8167 | 42 | ||
| Deros: 48103 8005 48164 48160 | 42 | |||||
| Seen by Dr Cooties | 8046 8166 8201 8118 8224 | - | ||||
| QL010 QL012 | Steel | Port North | Steel Shunt | 42 |
The Robertson Hotel station in Robertson.
The platform has recently been rebuilt. Photos of it before can be found HERE.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8211 is one of the last six of the class still in the old Freightrail livery.
Port Kembla Loco Depot
Photo: Brad Peadon
Former bicentennial livery locomotive 8172.
Port Kembla Loco Depot
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Oscar set H48 waits for departure at Port Kembla station.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Port Kembla station carpark.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Rail sidings with the former 'Australian Fertilizer Limited' building looking to be getting demolished.
The company was formed in 1920 as a joint venture between the nearby 'Electrolytic Refining and Smelting Company (ER&S)' and 'Mt Morgan Mining'.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below'
Kenworth XN-15HF near the old fertilizer place above.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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| Date | Locos | Train | Location | Time | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-7-2025 | QL010 QL012 | Coils | Cringila | 11:48 | Shunt, transfer to Port North | 42 |
| 8202 | Coal | Cringila | 12:29 | ex Dendrobium | 42 | |
| PB6 | Light Engine | Cringila | 12:48 | From 18 Area, through yard, to works. | 42 | |
| PB3 | Light Engine | Cringila | 12:57 | From 18 Area, through yard, to works. | 42 | |
| PB3 | Coils | Cringila | 13:32 | from works to yard, then limestone to works. | 42 | |
| PB6 | Light Engine | Cringila | 13:43 | to yard | 42 |
Above and three below.
QL012 and QL010 shunt a rake of steel coils in Cringila yard before transferring them to Port North.
Photo: Brad Peadon
8202 enters the steelworks with a load of coal from Dendrobium (Kemira Valley).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
PB6 on a light engine transfer from 18 Area to the works.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
Changing the points for PB6.
Cringila yard
Photo: Brad Peadon
RCBF-20216C steel wagon in Cringila Exchange Sidings.
Photo: Brad Peadon
PCAF-20399F steel wagon in Cringila Exchange Sidings.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
PB3 partaking in a coil steel shunt of Cringila Yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Our last Cringila sighting of the day was PB3 hauling this heavy rake of limestone hoppers into the works. It was the hardest I've seen a PB work.
Have a video of the day that will appear on the
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Bradly Coulter for the company on the day.
Wongawilli Revisited - 4-1-2022
BHP Kemira Valley Line
Australian Locomotive Rosters: K Class
LRRSA: BHP Fleet Update (Brad Peadon)
BHP Kemira Valley Line
Australian Locomotive Rosters: K Class
LRRSA: BHP Fleet Update (Brad Peadon)
Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment.
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