A WHIZ AROUND OZ
Howard Forster and Chris Campbell
An opportunity to visit a number of interesting railway sites in Australia arose on
examining the itinerary of a circumnavigation by Princess Cruises. The timing of the
trip depended upon when the price had fallen to an acceptable level.The day arrived
when the price including flights from Newcastle and stopovers in Kuala Lumpur, (as
we are not as young as we would like to be), was less than £100/day.
Saturday 30/03/2013 A hire car was picked up in Sydney, and after collecting our
wives from the hotel, travelled north over Sydney Harbour Bridge and through very
heavy traffic towards Newcastle. Broadmeadow, the former No. 2 depot in NSW is
being set up as the Hunter Valley division of the NSW Transport Museum. Shane
Blatchford, chairman of the project and Joe Millier gave us a most informative tour of
the site which contained a 38 road covered roundhouse and an open one with 44
roads. On site were 1219 4-4-0, 2606 2-6-2ST, 3203 4-6-0, 5096 2-8-0, 4102 Bo-Bo
DE, 4801/5 Co-Co DE, IR1427 Co-Co DE ex DSB, 42202 Co-Co DE, 48531 Co-Co
DE,952/4 DHRC, 4638 Co-Co E, 7100 Co-Co E. Newcastle Museum, On display but
difficult to photograph, were 20N (K 1620/70) and toastrack tram L/P 284.
Newcastle City. Under the revitalisation plan, it was proposed that the heavy rail line
be lifted between Wickham and Newcastle terminus and a new terminus be built to
the west of the Stewart Highway. Following further consultations, it is now proposed
that a light rail system be constructed from Newcastle to Wickham, and the potential
development of the system by expanding it to the suburbs, beaches and the broader
Hunter region be explored. Morandoo Yard is where the Hunter Valley coal trains
discharge. As well as conveyer loading facilities for ships it is used for stockpiling
coal . Pacific National has a locomotive servicing facility on the north side of the
complex. Five PN locos were present as well as Aurizon 5026/9 on a discharging coal
train. A former Billiton Port Kembla Steelworks shunter, BHP32 Bo-Bo, was plinthed
opposite the PN facility. Maitland. The Hunter Valley was very busy with frequent
coal trains headed by pairs of diesels. X10 1042 2-4-0T which had been plinthed, has
now been taken to a newly constructed windowless small shed near East Greta
Junction, where we were told it has been dismantled. East Greta Junction. The
works was securely fenced and deserted. SMR 10/18 2-6-2T were sheeted over in the
yard. A supervisor who had been at the training building, said that two locomotives
from China were receiving attention in the workshops, when pressed he could not be
more specific. Greta. On 13 December 2012, Pacific National opened a new five
track yard together with locomotive maintenance facilities on the south side of the
line west of the station.A new road has been constructed from Nelson Street. Access
to the site was barred by electronically controlled gates strategically placed before a
bend in the road, so that only the end of the yard could be seen. Observation from a
Hunter Valley passenger train appears to be the only option. North Rothbury. There
was a considerable amount of rolling stock, not all of it identifiable, on the site which
was deserted at the time of our visit. SMR 17/20/26/28/31 2-6-2T were stored
complete. Parts of 23/27 were scattered around the vast area. VR 766 4-6-4, now
standard gauge was receiving attention and 4627 Co-Co E was also present. 903/57
DHRC appeared to be stored out of use.
Sunday 31/03/2013. Enfield and Chollera Yards yielded 11 diesels; a further 15
were at Clyde Yard. Valley Heights is the Blue Mountains division of the National
Rail Transport Museum. A visit had been arranged with Andrew Tester, their
Publicity Manager, who was waiting for us on arrival and gave us a very informative
guided tour. In the yard being restored were 5711 4-8-2, 1308 4-4-2T and 1022 0-40ST. The roundhouse contained 5461 2-8-0, 3214 4-6-0, 4601 Co-Co E being
restored, NSWGTW 103A 0-4-0Tm, and APC 2 0-6-0ST (RS 2994/08). St Marys
plinthed near McDonalds restaurant was BHP Steel 16 0-4-0T (Porter 6596/20). On
returning to Sydney we had a last look at the monorail which was scheduled to close
on 30th June 2013. From opening on 21st July 1988 it had not been very successful,
partially due to the flat fare system which made it very costly for short journeys, and
it did not really connect areas between which large numbers of passengers wished to
travel. The NSW Government wished to expand the Sydney Convention and
Exhibition Centre near Haymarket. As the monorail circuit impinged upon these
plans, the NSW Government purchased the monorail from Metro Transport Sydney
on 12 March 2012, to enable it to close it down without having to negotiate with
private owners. Two carriages from the six seven coach rakes, together with a length
of track are scheduled for preservation in the Powerhouse Museum. After taking our
wives to the Dawn Princess berthed at The Rocks and returning the hire car, we set
sail from Sydney Harbour.
Tuesday 02/03/2013 Brisbane. A hire car was used to reach Kunkala, the main base
of The Rosewood Railway. This railway had suffered from a washout of part of its
track, and as a result could not operate its service. On site were: 720 4-8-0, 738 4-6-0,
DL3 2-6-0 DM, 1179 A1A A1A, DH38 B-B DH, 1815 DRC, RM64 PRC. Off site
763 4-8-0, 935 4-8-0 and 855 4-6-4T were dumped in poor condition. Ipswich
Workshops. Queensland Railways still use part of the site. There are three sections in
the parts no longer in normal use. The first section contains several steam and diesel
locomotives as well as play areas for children. In the second section which is still in
workshop condition, are maintained and housed the working steam locomotives of the
Queensland fleet. It may be the largest steam locomotive workshop in use at present,
with 11 locomotives seen at the time of the visit. Access is restricted to guided tours
around that section. The third section, in a separate building, is the store shed which
contained five steam locomotives. As it is out of bounds, we asked to see the curator,
David Mewes, who was a mine of information and gave us an excellent guided tour of
the workshop and store shed. In the first section were: 398 0-6-0, 444 4-6-0, 1262 CoCo DE, 1281 Co-Co DE, DL1 2-6-0 DM, RM14 Panhard RC, and 3 FLASH 0-6-2T
(Perry 6160/48) 610mm ex Qunaba Mill Bundaberg. The second section contained:
No.3/6 0-4-2, 732 4-6-0,1079/89 4-6-2, 974/1000 4-8-0 221A 2-8-2, 1009 4-8-2+2-84, 1051 4-6-4T, No.4 4-6-0T (HE 1239/17) 610mm ex North Eaton Sugar Mill and
ROD 327, 02 B-B DH (Wlk 584/68). In the store shed were:48 4-6-0, 2 4-8-0, 700 48-0, 290 4-6-0 and 771 4-6-2. Beyond the store shed there were a number of diesels
which belong to QR Heritage Division, non of which had been restored.
1159/1270/1450 and 1620 were noted. Swanbank. A securely fenced site enclosed
the stock of the QPSR. Visible was 1707 Co-Co DE, the sole remaining member of
the class. Redbank, the whole modern complex is now owned by Aurizon who in
August 2012, closed the foundry, wagon works and locomotive maintenance depot;
the jobs of the remaining hundreds of workers in the main workshops remain under
threat as Aurizon is looking for further costs reductions. Locomotive maintenance has
been transferred to Woomba and Townsville. Behind the site security fence, there
appeared to be locomotives in the former maintenance building. In the yard was
AHRS 1650 Co-Co DE. A considerable number of diesels were stored in the works
yard, those identified were: 1722D/1727/1743D/1747/1750D/1762/ 1763D/
2102D/2116D/2155D/2161D/2172F/2209D/2255/2256/2267 and 2271. A South
African Company purchased 39 surplus locomotives from QR, the 33 which were
shipped in August 2012 were reported to be:1721D/29D/39D/40D/2D/8D/ 55D/7D/
66-9D/72D/5D/2600-12/2111D/6D*/32F/3101-3. In addition spare parts from
1722D/7D/47D/50D, were also shipped, their bodies were still in the yard at Redbank
at the time of our visit as well as 2116D*(possibly stripped for spares?). Aurizon has
sold 20 more locomotives to South Africa, they were due to be shipped with the
remaining six from the previous sale. Some of the locomotives in the yard at Redbank
were presumably part of the batch awaiting shipment.
Thursday 04/04/2013 Airlie Beach. A visit was made to the Proserpine Museum
where 7 4-6-0T (HE 1317/18) 610mm was on display.
Saturday 06/04/2013 Port Douglas. From here a visit was made to the Great Barrier
Reef 20 miles offshore. Near the harbour, Port Douglas Tramway FAUGH-ABALLAGH 0-6-0T (which carries plates JF 8733/01), 610mm was plinthed. Cairns
The yard appeared to be out of use. The only locomotive present was an
unidentifiable Co-Co DE in store. Former EBR 1101 B-B DH was noted at the Cairns
– Kurunda Railway depot.
Tuesday 09/04/2013 Darwin Spare locos for the Ghan, Genesee & Wyoming ALF22
and FQ02, were parked near the entrance to the freight terminal. A jobsworth female
security guard on the gate refused a request to walk in to photograph them. No.1
SANDFLY 0-4-0ST (BLW 7860/86) has been totally dismantled, cleaned and then
cosmetically restored and reassembled, by members of the Darwin Motor Vehicle
Enthusiasts Club. It is now on display with their collection of motor vehicles in the
Old Quantas Hanger.
Tuesday 16/04/2013 Fremantle An interesting combination was noted on a
freightliner, Aurizon DC2213 formerly NSWGR 42215 and Aurizon LZ 3103
formerly Westrail L259. Perth has an excellent electrified suburban system, which
was very useful for planning the itinerary for the day. It covers five lines, all 1067mm
gauge, Armadale, Fremantle and Midland operated by 48 A series two car EMUs and
Joondalup and Mandura with 46 three car B series EMUs, with a further 22 sets
currently being delivered due to the increasing demand on rail services. TRANSWA
provide DMU services to Bunbury on 1067mm gauge lines, and from East Perth to
Kalgoorlie and Northam on standard gauge track. The ship berthed near Fremantle
Station, from where a train to Perth connected with a train to Bassendean. A day
ticket made travel easy. East Perth S 542 4-8-2, was noted plinthed at the station.
Bassendean A visit had been arranged to the ARHS Museum. Graham Watson,
Archivist, was waiting to meet us on arrival, and gave us a very informative guided
tour of the well planned site. The majority of locomotives were as listed in the LCGB
Preserved Locomotives book. The following changes had taken place: Dd 596 4-6-4T
is now inside Gosnells Railway Market. R 174 4-4-0 has arrived from Midland. W
947 4-8-2 in poor condition, was awaiting a move to Hotham Valley Tourist Railway.
A six wheel steam crane with no identification was on site. An addition from Mount
Newman Mining was standard gauge 5499, an Alco 636 Co-Co. After a most
enjoyable visit, Graham Watson volunteered to take us to our next site Bennett
Brook Railway in Whiteman Park, Bassendean, which belongs to the West Australia
Light Rail Preservation Association. It was fortunate that the cousin of Graham
Watson was there that day and was able to take us into the majority of the secure
sheds which housed the rolling stock. At weekends, trains operate on the 610mm
gauge railway on a fairly extensive system within the grounds of the park. Not all of
the buildings could be accessed so a complete listing could not be made. Locomotives
noted were: South African Rly NG15 123 2-8-2 heavy repair, NG15 118 2-8-2 minor
attention, LV&S 0-4-0DM (Planet 2150/38), Inkerman Sugar Mill BT1 BETTY
THOMPSON 0-4-2T (Perry /1939), Maylands Brickworks 4w PM (homemade), Isis
Sugar Mill 0-6-0 DM (JF 4110019/50), ‘The Big Grange WA’ steam outline 4w DH
(Kless), Wyndham Jetty WYNDHAM 27 4w DM (Gemco), Whiteman Brickworks
4w DM (Planet 3996/62), Whiteman Brickworks 4w PM (Ridley). Magnet Tramway
TAS 0-4-4-0 Mallet, dismantled and having an overhaul, was locked up and not seen,
as were an 0-6-2T, a Krauss 0-4-0T and another 4w PM by Ridley. We were grateful
for the lift as it turned out to be quite a distance from the main entrance to the railway
complex. Graham stayed with us and then gave us a lift back to the suburban railway,
on which we then took a train to Midland at the end of the wires. Freight trains bypass
Perth main station by turning south after Midland. Four trains were observed,CBH
001 and 002 on a grain train for shipment from Kwinana, CBH 016 on grain empties,
NR86/106 on an eastbound freightliner and (Aurizon) QN ACA6005/12 on empty
gondolas. A bus was taken to Kalamunda History Village where G 118 4-6-0 was
preserved. Trains were then taken to East Perth and Gosnells before returning to
Fremantle. Cooperative Bulk Holdings, CBH Group, were formerly known as the
Grain Corporation of Western Australia. They decided to haul their own grain trains
to their export terminals at Geralton and Kwinana and the joint terminal at Albany. 22
new diesel electric locomotives were purchased and in June 2012, on contract to
CBH, WATCO WA commenced operations. CBH 001-011 are MP27CN, CBH 012017 are MP33CN, both batches are for use on the narrow gauge. CBH 118-122 are
MP33C for use on standard gauge trains. Construction of these locomotives was
international. The engine blocks were cast in Germany. Diesel engine manufacture
took place at the Cummins factory in Daventry. Then final assembly was carried out
by Motive Power Inc (formerly Morrison Knudsen), at Boise, Idaho. All were
delivered in 2012.
Wednesday 17/04/2013. We should have been at Bunbury, the captain came up with
the excuse that there was insufficient depth of water to dock, so we missed it out. (On
returning home I checked the port log and found that he had missed it out on previous
trip also) Using tenders to go ashore is common, so he did not make the effort. As a
result a hire car had to be cancelled, Picton Yard and the Hotham Valley Tourist
Railway missed, as well as the three locomotives at Collie which had recently been
cosmetically restored.
Thursday 18/04/2013 Albany. This was mainly a tourism day, a hire car which was
waiting at the berth, enabled us to visit the Valley of the Giants to see the Tingle and
Karri trees which grow up to 300ft tall. Back in Albany the depot was locked up and
deserted. A grain train arrived for discharge at the terminal hauled by CBH 005/012.
Sunday 21/04/2013 According to previous weather records, this should have been the
driest and sunniest day of the trip. It was raining and there was a stiff breeze, so the
captain decided to miss out Adelaide. That decision was a major disaster as far as we
were concerned, a hire car had to be cancelled, Port Adelaide, rated by some as the
best railway museum in Australia, Steam Ranger Tourist Railway at Mount Barker
and Dry Creek depot were all missed as a result.
Monday 22/04/2013 Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world, with
nearly 500 trams running on 30 routes over 250 km of tracks. 12 of the W class built
between 1923-56 are normally used on the City Circle tourist route 35 on which travel
is free. Route 109 connected the port with Southern Cross Station. V/Line A60 CoCo DE was on 16:15 to Bacchus Marsh, it also repeated the working on 24/04/2013,
which was its last train in V/Line service. All four V/Line A class have been
withdrawn from service and stored. PN still has the remaining seven in service.
Around the station, on the standage and at the Bombardier depot to the north of La
Trobe Street were: A70, N452/4/9-65, P11/4/7/8, Y129
Tuesday 23/04/2013 Melbourne, Southern Cross, The 16 lines of the electrified
suburban services and one diesel railcar operated line, have been franchised to a joint
venture group. They operate 407 three car sets from four manufacturers and 21 DMUs
on hire from V/Line, who themselves have 51 DMUs, 25 class N Co-Co DE and 8
class P Bo-Bo DE for trains on the regional services. In the rush hours services are
intense. PN NR59 was on 8:10 Overlander to Adelaide, in the adjacent platform was
Countrylink XP 2014/5, the Australian Speed Record holder, on the 8:30 to Sydney.
Also present were N452/5/9/64/74 and Y161. A suburban train was taken to Belgrave
in order to visit the Puffing Billy Railway. Permission to visit the well equipped
workshop was given. It contained 1694 Climax and 12A 2-6-2T, both after heavy
repair almost ready for service. CARBON 0-4-0T was being restored. Outside were
G42 2-6-0+0-6-2 in steam, DH5 (QGR DH5) B-B, DH31 (QGR DH59) B-B, VR D21
(TGR V12) 0-6-0DM. In a shed were 8A 2-6-2T in steam and 7A 2-6-2T. 3 0-6-0WT
(O&K 12331/31) was dumped and parts of S African Rly NGG16 129 2-6-2+2-6-2
were nearby. NGG16 127 was at Menzies Creek. 6A 2-6-2T was on the 10:30
departure to Lakeside and 14A 2-6-2T was on the 11:10 to Gembrook. The staff were
very friendly and helpful, and there were no restrictions on photography on this
superbly preserved working railway. On the journey back to Melbourne a stop was
made at Bayswater in order to photograph VR D3 666 4-6-0 in King’s Park
Children’s Playground. Back in Southern Cross N462/71 were noted before taking a
free City Circle Tourist tram from La Trobe Street to Docklands, from where it is a 10
mins walk to South Dynon Depot. Opened in 1961, it was designed for both standard
and broad gauge, each with its own turntable. At present the maintenance and service
facilities are operated as a joint venture by Downer Rail (Clyde Engineering) and
Bombardier V/Line Maintenance. Due to its location adjacent to the PN Freight
Terminal, PN has a crew depot on the site also. Around the depot were: Aurizon
G516, El Zorro(Cargill) G521/32, Engenco 442s2 (NSWGR 44217), PN A71/3/85,
BL29/34, DL50, T399 (stored)/400, X37/42/9, Y119/24/42/7/52/7, 8173, Seymour
RHC C501, V/Line N464/7 and Yarra Valley Tourist Railway T341 in VR livery. On
returning to Southern Cross, the following were noted at the station, on the standage
and at the depot: N452/4/60/2/3/5/71/5, Y129/61.
Wednesday 24/04/2013 Burnie Tasmania. Former TGR railcars DP13/4, now
owned by Burnie City Council, were still at the station after having last worked in
2006. In May 2012, arsonists who were subsequently caught, had set fire to DP13
which was badly damaged, part of the station building suffered slight damage. A hire
car was collected and then we headed for the Don River Railway & Museum.
Australian National Railways donated the station, signal box and turntable. The
buildings containing the workshops were purpose built and opened in 1999, with the
help of a Federal Government Grant of $500,000. M4 4-6-2 was tender first on the
10:00 departure to Coles Beach. DP22 DMRC and trailer PT3, which are also used on
the passenger services were not seen. Inside the workshops were: EBR 8 4-8-0 (D
3856/00), Kiama Mun Council PWD 0-6-0T (JF 5265/87), CCS23 2-6-0 (BP
4415/02), CCS25 2-6-0 (BP 4417/02) both under repair, A4 4-4-0 (BP 3392/91)
frames and wheels only, Ida Bay Railway 6 0-4-2T (HE 1844/36) 610mm stripped
down, EBR 1002 Bo-Bo DE (Walkers /63), Tasrail 866 Co-Co ( Goodwin Alco /63)
ex SAR. Outside were: H7 4-8-2 (VF 5955/51), M3 4-6-2 (RSH 7423/51), MA2 4-6-2
(RSH 7421/51), MA4 4-6-2 (RSH 7422/51), QGR 4D9 131 2-4-2T (D 1415/80), U6
0-4-0DM (Moore 1950), V2 0-6-0DM (Drewry 2228/47), X4 Bo-Bo DE (VF
D91/50), Y6 Bo-Bo (EE/TGR 1970), BDM RH (279571/49). Deloraine At Apex
Park, surrounded by a steel security fence, was E1 4-6-0 (BP 4967/07), it carries the
number E2. In Lions Park Perth (Tas), H6 4-8-2 (VF 5954/51), without a tender,
was plinthed. Launceston. A quick look in the depot yard produced DQ 2012, Z
2111, ZA 2115/8 (S), ZB 2121 (S), ZC (MKA) 2132 and Diesel Traction Tasmania
ZC 2144, the sole surviving member of the class. Burnie Another varied collection
consisted of Y2150/1, ZR 2100/1, DQ 2006 and 2050 class 2054. The two ZRs and
2054 were on a container train.
Thursday 25/04/2013 Hobart. Anzac day is a major event in Australia with most
people off work. A hire car was used reach a viewing point overlooking the container
terminal in which D 2020, ZC (MKA) 2133/8 and 2050 class 2053 were parked.
South of Hobart on the road to Margate is a small retail complex at which is located
The Margate Train. MA3 4-6-2 (RSH 7426/51) and seven coaches in which visitors
can dine, have been well placed by the car park. The catering coach was used on the
final journey of The Tasman Ltd, on 28 July 1978. For a set of toilets, railcar DP24
had been converted. The train provided a fitting setting for our last food on Australian
soil.
Sunday 28/04/2013 After having sailed back to Sydney, we flew to Kuala Lumpur
and stayed overnight.
Monday 29/04/2013 Kuala Lumpur The construction of KL Sentral Station which
opened in 2001 and its rail links could have been better. The journey from our hotel to
KL Sentral Station was taken on the elevated monorail. 10 two car units were
providing a frequent service on the twin track route which although shown as
terminating at Sentral Station, stops short and involves descending to street level
crossing several roads and then ascending to concourse level in the Sentral Station. It
looks as if some of the designers of the Heathrow terminals had a hand in the layout,
there are no tracks at concourse level which could have been better laid out, and there
are steps and escalators everywhere. With parallel tracks it is remarkable to have them
at three different levels. KTM Intercity and KL Komuter trains utilise the metre gauge
tracks. The LRT line which has driverless trains with 3rd rail pickup, and the privately
operated KLIA Express, both run on standard gauge track. National Museum. Three
locomotives were in the grounds: Bagnall 321.01 0-6-2T, Kitson 531.01 4-6-2, being
repainted at the time of the visit, and EE 22102 Co-Co DE. Also preserved was a
Swiss built coach dating from 21/10/23, which had been used on the funicular railway
at Bukit Bendera, Penang, until it was withdrawn from service in 12/77. It weighed
7.5 tons and could carry 50 passengers. A short journey was made by KL Komuter
train to Kuala Lumpur Station, designed in Western Colonial style and opened
in1910. Since Sentral Station was opened it is served only by suburban trains. Almost
as impressive is the KTM HQ, built in matching style on the opposite side of the road
to the station. That evening we departed by air for home. Overall it had been a good
trip with remarkably fine weather for most of it. It was noticeable how much food
prices had increased in Australia since our previous visit in 2009, even when making
an allowance for a deterioration in the exchange rate.