CANBERRA KETTLES - MICHELAGO REOPENING

  

Note: This was way back in 1993, so some memories are a tad foggy.

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These photos were all taken over the weekend of April 25/26th, 1993.
It was a special weekend for the ARHS (Canberra), with numerous steam operations to celebrate the railway festival, along with the opening of the 'Michelago Tourist Railway' on the 26th.
At the time, I was a non-active member of the museum, having mostly joined due to their taking 
the lease out on the Yass Railway Museum. 

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I actually arrived in Canberra late on the 24th, travelling with John Auer, Kevin 'K-Med' Medley and David 'MrX' Xuereb.
 For whatever reason, we stayed the weekend at a spot on the north outskirts of Canberra. I doubt we could have picked a place any further from the railway had we tried.

On Sunday the 25th, shuttles operated between Canberra and Queanbeyan using 1210 and 3016.
My notes seem to show the following timetable:

09.00 - 1210

10.00 - 1210

11.30 - 3016

13.30 - 3016
I am unsure if this was all the shuttles, or just the ones we saw on the day.

Locomotives

1210 Beyer Peacock 1767 of 1878

3016 Beyer Peacock 4459 of 1903

I have also noted that there was a railway display at Canberra on the day.

6029 7315 7320 7324 8182 42220

AAH7 AAH8 AAH19 PHA2362 AVAP387-H
CPH27

Us fans of the diesel locomotive were treated to 42209 on the Canberra Express. But the best was yet to come, 

with 4477 to arrive on that nights express.

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Day 2 - April 26th

At the risk of being berated by the steam fans, the highlight of the weekend was when 4477 turned up at Queanbeyan (06.19) on the Sydney bound Canberra Express.
A whole train of candy goodness to admire.

Later on, the inaugural train to Michelago arrives from Canberra, then runs around it's train 

for the journey south.

An added bonus was this Tiger Moth that followed us from Queanbeyan to Hume.

On arrival in Michelago (have not found those shots yet) the two locomotives were turned, the train split in two, with both sections returning separately.

I had ridden the train down, so opted to chase 3016 back to Queanbeyan with MrX.

The weekend ended for us as 3016 arrived back at Queanbeyan in the late afternoon.

3016 is seen coming off the former Bombala line, the track to Canberra being on the right.

On the way back to Sydney we passed 4461 on that evenings Canberra Express (19.17)

Local Area Rail Heritage Sites

Cooma Monaro Railway

Cooma Monaro Railway - Facebook

Friends of Bombala Railway Park

Canberra Railway Museum

Michelago Railway Station

Nimmitabel Railway Station

Updates from all these heritage sites appear on the Semi-Retired Foamer page from time to time.

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Thanks to:
John Auer, Karl Maftoum, Kevin Medley, Lindsay Richmond and David Xuereb

3-8-0-1 Pictorial

When we are young, we all do things that, in later life, we realise were a bit embarrassing.

These are the things that we try to keep secret, certainly they are things we would never admit too, for fear of ridicule.

I admit, as a teenager, I was often seen doing something crazy on weekends. Something few who know me will likely even believe.
That's right, I have been known to go chase that overwhelmingly popular 3801.

After all these years, it feels wonderful to get that shame off my chest and be able to share some of those trips here with you.

Gib Tunnel, just to the north of Bowral station.

3801 passing the secluded Mount Murray station on the Unanderra to Moss Vale line..

3801 leaving Picton with an down special and passing a very well used photo location..

The above two shots show 3801, and 3830 for that matter, at Eveleigh on a rather historic evening. 

The 38 joined visiting FLYING SCOTSMAN for two return trips to Gosford on SCOTSMAN's last day of operation in Australia. They had just arrived back at Eveleigh following, what was for me, one of the most memorable experiences of her visit.

Always a beautiful location for a photo, 3801 crosses over the Bargo River.

This was our lucky day, with an up freight going through soon after. Normally, that would mean our shot would have been ruined :-(

3801 races through Douglas Park with an down special.

3801 approaching Fassifern station with an up special.

To the right is the junction for the former Toronto branch

3801 at Paterson (North Coast line) on a Steamfest shuttle.

3801 arrives at Picton with an up special.

3801 and prepares to depart Picton with same.

Two photos of 3801 at Robertson station on the Unanderra - Moss Vale line.

3801 at Thirlmere.

3801 somewhere between Calwalla and Robertson I would think. Guess someone will identify it.

Finally, that 3801 again, this time around Yerrinbool.

Wow, I feel so much better after opening up about my personal shame.
Please don't mention it on the internet :-)

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Thank you: David A Phillips (Blackmarks Photography) and Justin Rodgers.

Semi-Retired Foamer Page

Trains For Kids With Cancer

FLYING SCOTSMAN in Australia.

Philippine Railway Historical Society

NSW Railways: Past and Present

 

PICHI RICHI RAILWAY 22-4-1995

 

The Pichi Richi Railway, based in Quorn (South Australia), was formed in 1973, and operates the last remaining portion of the old 'Central Australia Railway'
through to Port Augusta.

Though I have been to many a tourist railway over the years, hence my interest in promoting and helping, the Pichi Richi has always held a top position in my favourites list.

The fascinating history of the line, the outstanding restoration work, coupled with scenery so incredible that bad photos are almost impossible, make the Pichi Richi Railway a must see for anyone lucky enough to be in the area.

Brad Peadon

Pichi Richi Railway Website

W933 was the kettle in use during the days we
visited in 1995.
The locomotive was build by 'Beyer, Peacock & Co'
back in 1951-52.
She is currently in storage at Quorn.

The world famous 'Steven J Miller' is seen at
Quorn with W933.

W933 crossing the original 1878 iron bridge over Waukarie Creek on the approach to Woolshed Flat, the terminus of the line at this time.

W933 passing Summit, which was the original terminus of the tourist railway from 1974 until 1979.

W933 crossing the Flinders Ranges Way.
That Commodore was our rent-a-car for our monumental trip from Sydney to Sydney, via South Australia and Victoria,

W933 back at Quorn.
Note the stunning Quorn station (opened 1893), which gives a great idea of how important this former junction station once was.

Woolshed Flat, which was the terminus of  heritage operations at this time.
The line was reopened to this point in 1979 and remained as such until 1999 when it was extended to Stirling North.

PRR Museum At Quorn

SMC1 "Coffee Pot"
The locomotive part was built by Kitson & Co of Leeds, England (1905), and the coach section was built by Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and
Wagon Co of Birmingham.
This last part is of particular interest to me, as that is the same company who built the last remaining six-wheeled bogie carriage in the Philippines.

T186 built by 'James Martin and Co' of Gawler in 1909 and withdrawn in 1970.
She is currently awaiting overhaul.

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In closing, if you find yourself in the area, or are looking for a wonderful rail experience, don't miss out on the 'Pichi Richi Railway'.

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