Main line 1800 hp Goodwin Alcos of 44, 45 and 2000 hp 442 classes are handling the lion’s share of the work, with the occasional branchline 48 class Goodwin Alco, XPT passenger, 8201, 8202, 9002, 9004 and 81 Clyde GM locos, 629-729 2- car diesels and a Fairmont rail quad. Many have disappeared from the scene, and others recycled.
The scene opens in Brisbane’s Acacia Ridge yard with Queensland Railways GM powered 1773 shunting the narrow gauge, along with a NSW 45 class doing the same on the standard Gauge. Further south, see the action inside signal boxes like Kagaru and Tamrookem, with mechanical lever frames, quaint old telephone equipment and operation of the electric staff machine, staff exchanging, and lower quadrant mechanical signals. It is like visiting a bygone era.
The famous Border Loop is covered, while nearby Queensland stations have lovely old signal cabins, loco water tanks, water columns. In NSW the magnificent Casino coal stage is still there. The 45class were banned as lead units, but are still manned and seen hard at work at Grafton, in a display of shunting, with coverage of the shunter’s hand signals to the driver. There are views of the double deck bridge, and the since demolished long timber trestle, with its timbers visibly bending under the weight of the loco. Further South we see Orara bridge, and look at Coffs Harbour, with it’s banana wagons, old jetty, X117 shunter, and manual crossing gates. We pause at the Macleay River bridge at Kempsey with bolted as well as riveted construction. Just south of Kempsey, an old timber trestle is still in use, with its timbers propped up with old rails!
In June 1994 we cover the introduction to service of 8201 and 8202 then 9002 and 9004 Clyde GM locos at Beecroft, Boronia tunnels, Maitland and Kooragang Island bridge. At Maitland, Triple 81 class Clyde GMs on block coalies and 629-729 2 car diesels are seen.
Maitland station is covered in some detail, as is the heavy coal traffic through Greta. A ride on a Fairmont rail quad at Rothbury Riot Railway site is next. This unit is powered by a large 1 cylinder 2 stroke reversable petrol engine which, when up to speed, seems to give “one chug per telegraph pole”. The fine art of “gear changing” is covered which must be seen to be believed!
The story concludes at the coal loader at Port Waratah with its massive bucket wheel coal reclaimers.
Approximate run time: 120 minutes.