From the RHRS President, Ian Wallace:
On Sunday, 29 January 2017, train guard Alex Crass stands characteristically at the doorway of the second passenger car as the return journey of the 'Cockatoo Run' heritage tourist train slows before stopping at Robertson station to pick up many passengers returning to Wollongong and Sydney. This was a six-car train conveying 200 people and hauled by restored heritage diesel-electric locomotive 42101.
Sunday, 29 January 2017 was the last train operated by 3801 Limited before their scheduled eviction date from the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh on 31/1/2017, although as-yet unapproved trains have been scheduled for dates in February and March 2017 pending (hopefully successful) negotiations with Transport for NSW.
At this stage, we are unable to comment further on the outcome of these negotiations, but we hope for a satisfactory future. We will advise further when more is known.
Sunday, 29 January 2017 was the last train operated by 3801 Limited before their scheduled eviction date from the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh on 31/1/2017, although as-yet unapproved trains have been scheduled for dates in February and March 2017 pending (hopefully successful) negotiations with Transport for NSW.
At this stage, we are unable to comment further on the outcome of these negotiations, but we hope for a satisfactory future. We will advise further when more is known.
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A noteworthy working occurred on successive weeks in January with SSR locomotives C506/C510 hauling an AWB loaded grain train from Quandialla (on the Parkes-Cootamundra line) through Robertson to Port Kembla as train No.3978 on Saturday, 7 January. In the top photo it is shown east of Robertson as it slowly descends the steep gradient under dynamic braking.
On Sunday, 15 January, the same two locomotives were photographed (middle photo) on a similar grain working (No.3948) as C506/C510 slowed to a stop on the loop line at Robertson prior to a cross with No.9329 Manildra empty grain train working from Bomaderry to Cootamundra. |
Bottom photo. After crossing No.9329 empty grain train at Robertson station in the late afternoon on Sunday, 15 January - as wisps of low cloud drift by – the driver of No.3948 expertly starts more than 3,000 tonnes of export grain out of the loop at Robertson from a standing start on a rising grade. This was an impressive sight and sound as the train gradually moved forward and the old C class locos lifted their load to Ranelagh and then went into dynamic braking for the descent to Unanderra. The very audible sound effects would have pleased the many railway enthusiasts who love the sound of Clyde GM powered locos working hard.