WESTERN AD'V'ENTURE - A V-SET TRAINOCADE - PT 2 KATOOMBA

 

Not a day for brass monkeys.

The second freezing instalment.

Welcome to the second riveting chapter of our frosty misadventure in the Blue Mountains — this time featuring a glamorous tour of the historic Katoomba railway station. Yes, the kind of place where history whispers through the icy wind and your extremities start questioning your life choices.

Now, it’s been a few years since I last set foot here — we’re talking mid-80s, when hair was big, and apparently, the sun still made guest appearances. Not so much on this particular day. Oh no, this time the sun had clearly taken a sick day, and in its place we got temperatures that could humble a penguin.

Nevertheless, with fingers slowly turning into frozen twigs, we bravely soldiered on, snapping photos that radiate exactly as much warmth as we felt while taking them — which is to say, none whatsoever. Enjoy.

Above and below.

DJM-8106 (V37) and DIT9141 immediately behind were in their last couple of weeks before retirement when we rode this set to Katoomba.
It is seen here at Katoomba for trailing a service back to Sydney.
Photos: Brad Peadon

V 37: DJM 8106, DIT 9141, DIT 9181, DJM 8101

Totally irrelevant to this post, but by chance I captured DJM-8106 passing through Broadmeadow back in the 90s, wearing the far more attractive (IMHO) Sydney.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and three below.

The subway entrance and ramp to the station platforms.

The artwork in the subway is quite striking.
Of course it has to include 'The 3-8-0-1'.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

Katoomba signalbox.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Katoomba station luggage trolley.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A somewhat warmer Katoomba station waiting room for those wishing to keep their vital organs in a thawed state.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.
Views of platform 2 while awaiting our train.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Above and three below.

DJM-8101 preparing to rack off to a slightly more warmer Sydney.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Above and two below.

A few more random shots, this time around platform 1.

Photos: Brad Peadon

XP-2015 training the daily XPT service to Dubbo.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

A nice little display they have set up opposite platform 1.

Photos: Brad Peadon

V37 leaves us behind to freeze.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Another mural, this one under the Parke Street bridge at the west end of the station.

Photos: Brad Peadon

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Bradly Coulter, Chris Lithgow, Mick McGinty & David Phillips.

Semi-Retired Foamer

NSW Railways Past & Present

NOTE: The video version of this day out will appear on the 'Semi-Retired Foamer' YouTube Channel shortly.

 

Western Ad'V'enture - Part 1

Semi-Retired Foamer Media Updates

Australian Locomotive Rosters

Blue Mountains Line - Transport NSW

New South Wales V Set - Wikipedia

NSW Railways - Past & Present

Historic Electric Traction - Website

Sydney Electric Train Society - Website

Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park - Website

Check our new Linktree site above for piles of dreary transport entertainment.

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Click HERE for the guide to Australian rail/tram museums

and operators.

#semiretiredfoamer

CHARBON RAILWAY TOUR

ET Tours - 2nd November 1991

Three part video covering the late Bruce Cook's final tour.
Despite it not turning our to be the expected interstate motive power, it was a fantastic day that will never likely be forgotten.
The three part series include run pasts of the train, railfans on board (some of whom are no longer with us) and finishes with an evening cab ride from Lithgow, through the ten tunnels, and on to Katoomba.
Bruce ran tours with a difference, doing things that would horrify the self appointed railfan police of today.

Thank you Bruce.

1) Starting at Sydney Terminal, with the hard slog up the Blue Mountains 

to Mt Victoria.

2) Mt Victoria through to Charbon Colliery.
On the train and tour lineside photo stops..

3) Charbon Colliery through to Lithgow on the train, then through to Katoomba in the cab of EMD powered 4905.
On the train and a number of great sounding photo stops.

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Plenty more tour train action to come.
Subscribe to the'Semi Retired Foamer' YouTube Channel.

Trains In The Snow.

Today we were privileged to be sent a good selection of photos of trains, and stations, covered in snow.  This late winter event courtesy of a major weather event that has moved it's way across 'New South Wales' from the south.
While it has not been ideal for any local brass monkeys, it has been great for those sporting a camera.

Thankfully, railway infrastructure historian, Andrew Tailby, went out into the field and returned with these great images.
Thanks Andrew.

As far as random photos go, I guess they do not come more random than this.
I do not normally put many of my old Instamatic shots on the blog, however every now and then I make an exception.

I know little of this operation, where it ran, or how long it did so. I have only been to Manly once or twice since this shot was taken, but am almost certain it does not operate anymore.
Perhaps one new regulation, or a massive insurance increase, put an end to it all. Like so many other good things that we once enjoyed.

Best and Less have outlasted the Leyland Leopards around Mascot, however, it too is due to shortly be gone.
Too many Sydney icons have disappeared since I carried this bodgy little camera.

Golden West Tours.

Our ride from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, having caught a V set up from Sydney.

LADY McKELL opposite the Opera House as she prepares for the
Australia Day 'Ferrython'.
Alas, she was not to win. That honour went to LADY WOODWARD, a regular
winner at these events.

The final four shots are taken around the BHP Steelworks system in Port Kembla.
The big K class were subsequently sold and later scrapped.
Pacific National has been ignoring the desperate pleas of museums who want to preserve the smaller units here, many having already been scrapped, NEEDLESSLY, during 2017.