Happy Birthday 4465
G'day one and all who have somehow stumbled across this post covering the birthday celebrations of a grand old lady of the rails.
These days it is becoming increasingly rare for me to venture too far from home in pursuit of this hobby. Partly because I am getting older, partly because fuel is expensive, and partly because the railfan hobby seems to have become a far more toxic place than it was back in the good old days. You know, those ancient times when people actually went out and enjoyed trains instead of arguing about them on the internet.
However, late last year I received a very generous invitation to attend the 50th birthday celebrations of an old friend, locomotive 4465, at Werris Creek. There was absolutely no way I was going to turn that down. After all, opportunities to celebrate six decades of existence with a locomotive don't come around every day.
Unlike my younger years, when a thousand-kilometre day trip was considered perfectly reasonable and perhaps even sensible, these days my ageing and increasingly derelict body prefers a slightly more civilised approach. As a result, we broke the journey with overnight stops in Singleton in both directions. Not only did this make the trip considerably more enjoyable, but it also provided plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and gather material for future 'Station Spotlight' posts. As any railway enthusiast knows, a trip is never simply about getting from A to B. The real fun is finding interesting things between A and B.
The main event was held at ALCo Park, Werris Creek, the long-time home of 4465. It is a place that seems to grow every time I visit. What started as an impressive collection years ago has evolved into a fascinating museum packed with railway history, local history, and a surprising assortment of artefacts that have absolutely nothing to do with railways whatsoever. It is the sort of place where you can arrive intending to spend an hour and suddenly discover half the day has disappeared.
Of course, seeing 4465 again was the highlight. Having photographed and written about her on numerous occasions over the years, it was wonderful to see her looking as magnificent as ever while celebrating such a significant milestone. Equally enjoyable was the opportunity to catch up with a large number of friends and acquaintances from the days when the hobby felt a little smaller, a little friendlier, and perhaps just a little less obsessed with social media outrage.
The day itself was a fantastic celebration, bringing together people who share a passion for preserving and appreciating railway history. It was a reminder that despite the occasional negativity that seems to creep into modern enthusiast circles, there are still plenty of good people working hard to preserve these pieces of our heritage for future generations.
Below is the usual random assortment of photographs taken throughout the day for your visual displeasure. Hopefully amongst them you'll find something of interest, even if it's only evidence that I occasionally point the camera in roughly the right direction.
A huge thank you to Mr John Currey for the invitation, and to everyone involved in organising and celebrating the day. It was a thoroughly enjoyable event and a fitting tribute to one of New South Wales' most recognisable ALCo veterans.
If you even find some moderate amount of enjoyment would you consider giving us even a little bit of
A couple of classy cars also visiting for the big event.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Preserved 8006. The first, and thus far only, member of her class to be preserved.
Photo: Brad Peadon
L997 (Crane Tender).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
L102 (formerly MHG-11648).
ALCo Park, Werris Creek
Photos: Brad Peadon
L1165 (ex BX-1945, ex ACM-1945).
ALCo Park, Werris Creek
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
The mortal remains of the late great 4445.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
A selection of the fascinating tractor collection.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Random truck.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mr Glenn Ryan wearing a little bit of SMUT Tour history.
Good ol days attempting to raise money for regional railway preservation.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The new 'Werris Creek - Mechanical Branch' display.
An unveiling ceremony was also held on the day.
Photo: Brad Peadon
NLKF-18606.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Turns out that the small building was from a local cordial factory that is now long gone.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mr Roy Howarth.
Photo: Brad Peadon
B3834 (CC471 Hopper).
Behind is B4836 B3834 (H1242 Hopper).
Then H1242.
Photo: Brad Peadon
L-813 (originally S-813).
Photo: Brad Peadon
Party time.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mr Derek Rogers.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
4465 comes out to play.
4465 comes out to play.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Admiring the birthday gal..
Photos: Brad Peadon
Mr Currey with his pride and joy.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mr Ben McCarthy who's name I eventually got right. :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below, the lady of honour sits in her home.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
This fully operational beast went for a few runs around the site. A site to behold.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The legend that is Mr Geoff Riley.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and three below.
What a beautiful nose the lovely lady has.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Derek Rogers, Roy Howarth, Stuart Ellis.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Raffle time to win a couple of posters.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Can you possible get a more appropriate 44 class number?
Alas, I was not a winner.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Birthday cake cutting time, with Mr Currey doing the honours.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Tell me he isn't a proud daddy :-) .
Photo: Brad Peadon
L601 (ex S-2865).
Photo: Brad Peadon
L206 (ex S-21370).
Photo: Brad Peadon
CHG-16526.
Photo: Brad Peadon
I initially thought this was a railway building.
But turns out it is a relic of a former cordial factory that once existed at Werris Creek.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
FHH-2217 (formerly PFH-2217).
Photos: Brad Peadon
Unveiling the 'Werris Creek - Mechanical Branch' display.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Werris Creek Loco Depot
Taken from ALCo Park before anyone has a meltdown.
Werris Creek loco depot and it's large collection of stored locomotives.
X46 at left and DL42 at right.
Photo: Brad Peadon
DL46 - Werris Creek Loco Depot.
Photo: Brad Peadon
DL49 - Werris Creek Loco Depot.
Still in her very faded Nation Rail livery.
Photo: Brad Peadon
DL42 - Werris Creek Loco Depot.
Photo: Brad Peadon
DL46 & DL38 - Werris Creek Loco Depot.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Only two units older than the earlier preserved 8006, poor ol 8004 has seen better days as she await the
dismal future that is likely ahead.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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