In this presentation we take a close look at passenger and freight operation on the tracks between Central railway station in Sydney and Wollongong railway station on the South Coast in the year 2020.
We first look at how the distinction between interurban and suburban passenger traffic has become somewhat blurred between these two cities after the Oscars (Outer Suburban CARS) completely replaced the V Sets feature more long distance facilities (toilets and luggage stowage) than the Tangaras which were usually assigned the ‘all station’ passenger services for the Oscars, Tangaras and the newer Waratah passenger fleets.
Coal, steel, flour, intermodal traffic and to a lesser extent ore remain the major freight components on this section of track between Sydney and Wollongong. Aurizon has broken into the Metropolitan Colliery coal market with 44 wagon ‘batwing’ coal wagons in push-pull formation, whilst Pacific National retains the Manildra Group traffic and has entered into intermodal cement haulage.
Passenger equipment viewed in this presentation includes C Sets, Endeavours, Oscars, Tangaras, V Sets and Waratahs whilst freight locomotives include 22 (ex-422), 81, 82 and 6000 Class.
Approximate run time: 102 minutes.