A steam train trip

On Sunday 3rd March 2013 I was going on a steam train trip. The train was going from Sydney Central on a two and a quarter hour journey to Thirlmere. We were being hauled by the loco 3642.
It was good that there was not a diesel unit in sight so journey was guaranteed to be entirely steam powered.
The previous 24 hours in Sydney had been continuous rain, strong winds and cold conditions. So it was with a sense of  relief that I set off on Sunday morning with drier conditions and the chance of sunshine. The first ferry on a Sunday from South Mosman was at 9:30am and this would not get me to Sydney Central in time for the 10:00am departure.
So my trip today was going involve, a walk of 25 minutes uphill to a bus stop, a bus ride over the harbour bridge to Wynyard, where I would get an electric train to Sydney Central.

At Central it was still looking cloudy but it was warm and the wind was slackening.

 

Our loco for the day was 3642

 

Steam up

 

On the footplate

 

The rear observation carriage and the sun was peaking out

 

2.25 hours later we arrived at Thirlmere after a very pleasant ride. The journey was mainly uphill and our speed peaked at about 55 MPH.

There were so many full carriages that the train would not all fit onto the platform.

 

The signal box was being restored.

 

I did take a few videos with my newly repaired camera and I have posted a couple of these on Youtube.
Here is one.
There were a number of different locos either shunting carriages or taking passengers on a 50 minute sightseeing trip. Here is 2705 

 

This is the engine that pulled us all the way from Sydney.

 

3265 on duty.

 

At the level crossing.

 

In the trainworks museum.

 

Old and very big.

 

Open cab.

 

A blinking long and big Garret.

 

Heritage diesel.

 

I'm glad this was static.

 

There were dozens of engines on static display.

 

Another biggy.

 

I think that this one was made in the UK.

 

The good old days of mining.

 

3642 on the turntable.

 

Is this phosphor bronze ?

 

Tall.

 

Footplate gubbins.

 

The green lever with the red handle is the regulator. Just to show that I do know a little about these engines.

 

English nameplate.

 

1883.

 

Back out in the town of Thirlmere they were holding what looked like a very successful festival. They had a few steam engines on a smaller scale.

 

Boiler.

 

The local.

 

Trips for the kids.

 

Dancing in the street.

 

Contact the council if you want a stand next year.

 

Live music.

 

Our loco getting ready for the return trip.

 

The children enjoyed getting close to these hot and loud machines.

 

Coupling up to the carriages.

 

A last photo while I walked over the level crossing.

 

On a bend.

 

Mostly downhill.

 

Back at Sydney Central right on time at 5:50 pm

 

It had been a very enjoyable day and I just needed to catch an electric train to Circular Quay and then the Mosman ferry, before a short but intense uphill walk would get me back home.

Peewit

Steam hauled awayday

I took a trip to the seaside yesterday. I was travelling by steam train to Weymouth.
The weather was lovely at Weymouth and I met a friend from college and work days who I have known for almost fifty years (that is a scary number). We walked along the promenade and had lunch at the Oasis cafe. I had a Portland crab sandwich and it was the best crab sandwich I have ever had.

This loco called Bittern was hauling us down to Weymouth and here it is arriving at Woking where I joined the train.

 

The journey to Weymouth was really enjoyable with some high speed sections and literally thousands of people who had come to take photos along the route. They were at stations, on bridges, standing in fields, at level crossings and hanging out of office windows.

After our three and a half hour journey from Woking we arrived at Weymouth where passengers where queueing up to speak to the driver.

 

The holiday season has started in Weymouth

 

A very pleasant walk along the prom

 

After our three hour halt in Weymouth, Bittern hauled the coaches back into the station. As on departure the train has to ascend the steep climb on the Upwey bank we going to have another loco pulling us with Bittern pushing

 

Sir Lamiel that was built in 1925 was hauling us and would take the train right through to Waterloo

 

Getting ready on the footplate

 

We travelled near Poole harbour. Some passengers were drinking a strange mix of lager and Newcastle brown ale.

 

After a long period of no rain the water had a lot of green on the surface

 

We stopped to pick up water at Eastleigh and many passengers wanted to see what was going on

 

Time for some checks in the cab

 

I thought the water would come from one of those overhead towers but apparently they are long gone, so ours came from a fire tanker

 

They just rememberd to fit up the correct sign

 

Time to oil a few bearings

 

I disembarked at Woking and walked up to see the engine

 

Bye bye as the train continues on to Waterloo

 

Peewit