In September 1991 4-6-2 No 3801 hauled its train of six cars and a van to Dubbo and beyond, for a five day tour in what was the first time a 38 had ventured into the area.
The video opens with a brief look into the past, November 1983, with shiny new Clyde GM 8111, towing a dead and partly dismantled 3801 through West Ryde on its way to Newcastle, for possible restoration. The boiler rebuild did of course take place, thus making this video possible.
We begin the coverage of the Dubbo trip on Thursday 19 September 1991 near the end of electrification at Lithgow, with 3801 departing for Wallerawang, where water is taken at the picturesque station and we have a brief look at some of the facilities including remains of the goods shed and hand operated crane.
Strong winds and rain then ensued, so our camera resumes on a bright and sunny Sunday 22nd at Dubbo, with an early morning start showing good steam effects in the cold air as the Pacific heads for Wellington on a shuttle trip, with some exciting run pasts on the way. At Wellington the engine runs around the train, before heading tender first through Dubbo, crossing the steel bridge with its remnants of the steam powered pumping plant that once supplied the water columns, and the wooden trestle bridge approaches being replaced by concrete.
At Narromine, after a brief look at the town and the station, we find the 38 once again in the normal running direction, speeding through beautiful farmlands to Minore, along the roller coaster line towards Dubbo and on through Guerie in the afternoon sun to Wellington. A late afternoon return towards Dubbo follows.
Monday finds our train heading back towards Sydney, with views from every angle, and in beautiful countryside from Wellington, through Stuart Town, Mullion Creek, Bathurst and coaling at Orange, where, on departing, the 38's exhaust literally lifts a plank from the signal bridge! A memorable scene follows, taken from a high viewpoint, crossing the XPT at Blayney, then in the spectacular hilly country through Newbridge, Rydal, over the stone arch bridge west of Lithgow and finally, blasting out of Lithgow, to conclude a colourful 5 day tour.
Approximate run time: 60 minutes.