It is difficult to comprehend that in the early to mid years of the 1900s fuel used to be delivered by rail to hundreds of rail side distribution centres throughout the state of New South Wales and that today, in 2010, all fuel distribution by rail will end by April.
As with the case of general freight, improved road quality and access, point to point delivery without multiple handling, increased road capacity and capability (B Doubles, Road Trains etc) and in some cases the ‘take it or leave it’ attitude of certain rail operators have all made their contribution to rail’s demise.
This presentation traces fuel distribution by rail in NSW in the period 2000 through 2010, covering operations to Bomen, Canberra, Dubbo and Tamworth. The Dubbo and Tamworth fuel trains ceased operation in November 2009, the Canberra in March 2010 and the Bomen is expected to cease by April 2010.
Locomotives seen include G, X, T, 442, 48/830, 80, 81 and 90 Class in the liveries of Freight Australia, Freight Corp, PacNat, RTS and Silverton while XPTs and Explorers of CountryLink are also seen in action.
Approximate run time: 96 minutes.