UNITED GONINAN - 30-6-2005

 

Some fifteen years ago I worked for Railway Digest, compiling the 'LocoShed Express' column.

The publication was, at the time, run by my friend Scott Martin.

It was a fun time, and quite a privilege to be able to work for a magazine that had been part of my life from the early days of my hobby.

One of the benefits of doing this, was the ability to attend a few very interesting rail related events. The most enjoyable was probably the handing over ceremony for the 'QR National' 5000 class.

Not only did I have a bias for all things Queensland (still do), it was one of the few times, if not the only time, the railfan media were given free run to check out the place.

In hindsight, I wish I took a lot more photos on the day. However, I didn't, but below are some of those I did.

Enjoy..........or not. That's purely up to you.

5007 was the newest member of the class completed and was used for the event. 5008 and 5009 can be seen below in various stages of completion.

Can't recall who any of the official people were now.

Though, in the above photo, I seem to remember the guy in the middle being from QR National and the guy to 'his' left being the boss at United Goninan.

Corrections, and additions, welcome.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Railway Digest, read by all the most important people.
Goninan boss at right, Andrew Constance lookalike competition winner at left.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The second of the new Huntercar DMU sets 2702/2752 under construction.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Shunter at the Goninan plant.

Photo: Brad Peadon

One of the cars for the first Hunter set 2701/2751 under construction.

Photo: Brad Peadon

2757 - Photo: Brad Peadon

Cab of 5009, yet to be placed on the locomotive. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

5008 to be the next locomotive completed. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

5009, following 5008 in the production line. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

5009 still some way off from completion. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

Video: Includes a shunt of the Goninan branch.

~~ NEATH RAILFAN WEEKEND NUMBER ? ~~

PART 1

Ahhhhhh yes it was that time again, its spring, a time when a young man's thoughts to love and a foamers thoughts turn to the Hunter Valley.

While not really a weekend, given this was a one day venture north to sit in on the inaugeral meeting of the 'Merriwa Railway Society', much opportunity was taken to consume the Hotels fantastic food and delightful 'alcoholic' beverages, during a sampling of Colonel's finest orchestral instrumentation from the nearby gentlemans convenience.

As it was likely to be the last time I can drag my rapidly decaying frame to East Maitland prior to the most glorious of all hackspots, Pitnacree Bridge (aka Houro's Bridge), being destroyed by a brand new bridge catering for the ever growing needs of humanity. I thought this would have to be the go for the first few shots of the day.

Now I am not going to sit here and type up a whole pile of sightings for you to quickly persue through and soon forget about. Nah stuff it - I can't be bothered.
So instead - please devour the following selections of gunzel porn taken on the dribbly cam which will appear over two parts.

NOTE: I hold no responsibility for expansion of personal

body parts while viewing the following!

Just in case anyone cares - our first sighting was this flamin thing!

The Colonel brings along a sample of his new gunzel rag.
To be released in 2012

PL5 48120 48137 pass through East Maitland with one of two services out of Pelton

that morning. The afternoon services were cancelled.

NR92 NR83 NR52 scream through East Maitland with a load of containers

bound for the 'Shakey' city of Brisbane.

The excitment of the earlier Huntercar was way to much for Nathan and Colonel.

The elder-statesman of Hunter railway photography, Mr John Hourigan

as found in East Maitland waiting to pounce on the next exciting combination!

9005 9022 8241 up coal rooooooooooar through East Maitland 20kph.

A Broken Man - 8am and still no Bundy!

Buggar, didn't I just show this one?

Must have come back for a second run through.

8237 8217 8210 Down empty coal passing through East Maitland.

Yes, it was getting very hot. As a safety precaution much fluid was consumed.

Perhaps a little to much was consumed in retrospect!

Anyway, eventually 8226 8254 8129 9007 took centre stage with a rake of coal

headed to port.

Cooties, 3112 and the World Famous Colonel!

All members of the 'Neath Hotel Railfan Group', Facebook and AA.

5010 5004 make a welcome change to the endless Pacific National passings.

Despite being a hot and sunny day, the moon did make a brief apearance.

~~ COMING VERY SOON IN PART 2 ~~

In Part 2 we shall sit in on the inaugeral meeting of the 'Merriwa Railway Society', visit the Richmond Vale Railway and head on back to East Maitland for the final hours of daylight.

12126

You come back again - ya here?