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North Coast Railway

Round Up

Issue 2. September 2017.

In This Issue:

Duralie Coalie goes to GWA NPRY and NPRF cement hoppers

The Duralie Story Historical Sightings

Sightings Round Up Aurizon Winding Down

North Coast Railway Round Up Issue 2 September 2017


North Coast Railway Round Up

Issue 2. September 2017. Compiled by Mark Bennett.

Contents:

North Coast News Page 6 September Sightings Round Up Page 10 Wagons on the Coast NPRY and NPRF Cement Hoppers Page 27 Historical Sightings Page 30 The Duralie Story Page 33

Front Cover: After 14 years operated by Interail/QRNational/Aurizon, the Duralie coal contract has changed hands to GWA. The first GWA service, DU601 runs through Craven behind XRN004, with XRN013 at the rear. Thu.21/9/17. Photo: Jon Eggins Previous Page Top: At Wallarobba on Tue.5/9/17, NT35 runs through SF916 from Stratford behind TT108/9212/9304. Photo: Graham Cotterall Previous Page Bottom: The AK cars did their quarterly run over the North Coast during September. LVR provided the power with 4701 and 4702. The Caterpillars run through Bromelton on NK81 on the 14th Sept 2017. Photo: Dylan Bondarenko Next Page: On Thu.7/9/17, 5BS6 is about to duck under the Pacific Hwy at Rossglen, hauled by 9310/NR20/NR53. Photo: Mark Bennett


Above: 8236 on her first trip ex-CCO and repaint, leads 8205 and 4621 cement in Eungai on Sat.9/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett

Editorial Issue 2. September 2017.

G’day, and welcome to the second North Coast Railway Round Up, bringing you the action from September. First, I would like to express my gratitude for the kind words and support Issue 1 received, and you will notice this issue is much bigger, with better coverage and more than one contributor! So, thank you very much to all who have helped with photo’s and info for this issue. I look forward to your continuing support to make this emag possible, and hopefully together we can continue to thoroughly cover the North Coast for a long time to come. As this issue has grown, and I was overwhelmed with requests for the newsletter, I have started a website which will host the newsletter and it will be available for download from there. I will email this issue, then only contributors will have it emailed, and each future issue will be available from australianrailmags.weebly.com. I am available at [email protected] if you wish to send comments, suggestions or photo’s. So, I’d like to thank the following folks who helped with this issue. Dave Porter, Jon Eggins, Dylan Bondarenko, Graham Cotterall, Chris Jones, Barry Petersen, Wyatt Crothers, Leon Batman, Benjamin Francis, Anthony Evans, Bradly Coulter and Graham Attenborough. Hopefully I didn’t miss anyone! Mark Bennett, Rollands Plains, Oct.2017.

mailto:[email protected]

http://australianrailmags.weebly.com/


North Coast News:

Duralie Changes Hands

After 14 years with Interail/QRNational/Aurizon, the Duralie to Startford coal shuttle contract has changed hands. The last Aurizon services ran on Thu.31 Aug 2017, then on the 1st Sep, loco’s 6006/6003 worked Light Engine as D452 from Duralie to Hexham and an era came to an end. The PHGH hoppers on the train belong to Gloucester Coal, so remain with the service. GWA officially took over from the 1st Sep, however, nothing happened until the 12th, when D481/D482 L/E’s (XRN007/XRN028) ran from Newcastle to Craven and return for crew training. The delay was caused by waiting for a TOC Waiver to run XRN’s on the North Coast, which was issued on 8/9/17. Then, for a couple of days leading up to Thu.21/9/17, XRN004/XRN013 ran several returns L/E from Duralie to Craven to teach the road to GWA crews. The first GWA service ran on the morning of Thu.21/9/17, DU601 with XRN004 and XRN013 in push pull mode on 34 PHGH’s. Three return runs were made on Fri.22/9/17, and now the new era has begun. Aurizon Starts Winding Down Intermodal

After announcing in August that they intend to get out of the intermodal game, Aurizon have followed up with a further announcement regarding the winding down of services was made on the 18th September. The end is expected to be ‘Late December’, however, the 5 weekly services on the Mel-Ade-Per corridor will be reduced to 4 weekly services and on the Mel-Syd-Bris corridor, 6 weekly services will be reduced to 5. 6MB7 service will be cancelled from 13 Oct, with the last 6MB7 due to depart Melbourne on 6/10/17, and 2BM7 will be cancelled from the 9th, with the last 2BM7 departing Brisbane on 2/10/17. #MB7 and #BM7 have been noticed quite empty over the last few weeks, as customers change to other operators. I would think PN will be a big winner on the corridor once they have Acacia Ridge to themselves. September Starts With a Snap!

In the early hours of Fri.1/9/17, 4WB3 broke a knuckle near Border Loop. Loco’s were NR113/NR63/NR24. The train was tied down with handbrakes, and the defective wagon attached to the front portion with a tow chain. The front portion then worked forward to Tamrookum and 5BW4’s loco’s were used for the rescue of the rear. The defective wagon was shunted into the Perway Siding at Tamrookum, then the now very late 4MB4 (NR65/NR109/NR61) and 5SB1 (NR103/NR52) ran through. 4WB3 was eventually put back together, and got on the move again around 12 noon. The defective steel wagon was eventually picked up by NR103 working as D662 from Acacia Ridge and T661 return on Sun.3/9/17. New ARTC MTP and XRN TOC Waiver

ARTC released a new Master Train Plan (MTP) from 24/9/2017. No significant changes for the North Coast. TOC Waiver 17088 was released on 8/9/17, authorising XRN’s to run on the North Coast, as long as they comply to a 22.8tonne axle load by managing their fuel load to 7600L or less, as to not exceed 136tonnes.

Next Page: The broken knuckle that caused all the trouble for 4WB3, at Tamrookum, 1/9/17. Photo: Ben Francis


Above: The PN breakdown gang change the knuckle out, as the 2 halves of 4WB3 are shunted back together. Tamrookum, 1/9/17. Photo: Ben Francis Next Page Top: A very late 4WB3 gets going from Tamrookum after all it’s drama’s, NR113/NR63/NR24. Fri.1/9/17. Photo: Anthony J. Evans

Next Page Bottom: XRN013/XRN004 running Light Engine through Stroud Rd on Mon.18/9/17, to take up GWA Duralie workings. Photo: Jon Eggins


September Sightings Round Up:

Fri.1/9/17 6M21/6M22 Pt Waratah-Martins Ck return ballast 8167 D452 6006/6003 L/E Duralie-Hexham 5BM9 CSR009/SCT011 V925/V938 to Dungog HMT2755/HM2705 Sat.2/9/17 4621 8205/8154 6MB7 LDP002/LDP005 7BW2 3 x NR’s and 8112 (81 off Acacia Ridge shunt duties) Sun.3/9/17 Mon.4/9/17 1BS2 NR52/NR58/AN8/NR30 NR25 worked K711 steel shunt (Would’ve been very colourful in the past!) 7MB9 SCT011/CSR009/SCT005 6422 8154/8205 7MB7 6042/LDP006 D662 NR103 L/E ACR to Tamrookum and T661 return, picking up 1 wagon from 4WB3 from 1/9/17. Mon.4/9/17 2BM4 NR42/AN9/NR71 2BW4 NR23/9302/NR93/NR25 Tue.5/9/17 3BS6 NR81/NR90/NR18 V967/V974 Dungog Endeavour TE2801/LE2851 Rail Grinder MMY34 working in Stroud Rd area Wed.6/9/17 Thu.7/9/17 3BS5 NR68/NR56 6M21/6M22 to Martins Ck 8205 3BM4 NR77/NR44 4WB3 NR93/9302/NR23 3BW4 NR106/NR12/8226 5BS6 9310/NR20/NR53 3MB9 SCT004/CSR009 NT32 XP2001/XP2012 MMY34 around Gloucester area NT35 XP2009/XP2003 4MB7 LDP001/LDP005 4MB4 NR94/AN9/NR42 4MB9 SCT011/SCT005 5BM4 NR86/NR59/NR87 At 2355hrs, simultaneous operator crosses…. Aurizon 4MB7/5BM7 cross at Rappville PN 4MB4/5BM4 cross at Kyarran SCT 4MB9/5BM9 cross at Nana Glen!



Fri.8/9/17 MMY34 working around Mt Geaorge area 5MB7 6024/LDP006 5WB3 NR105/NR12/NR106/8025 (80 class returns, heading to ACR as shunt loco)

Above: 5WB3 heads through Grafton behind NR105/NR12/NR106/8025. The 80’s are now very rare on the Coast, where they were once so common, ‘25 was on it’s way to Brisbane to be Acacia Ridge shunter. Photo: Wyatt Crothers

Sat.9/9/17 Sun.10/9/17 4621 8236/8205 (both PN’d) MMY34 to Kendall and stable 7BW2 NR105/NR106/NR12 7WB3 NR19/NR64/9301 NT33 XP2017/XP2006 1SB1 NR24/NR102 MMY34 in Taree area 7MB9 SCT004/CSR009/CSR005 8025 now ACR shunt loco Mon.11/9/17 Tue.12/9/17 1WB3 NR8/AN2 D481/D482 Newy-Duralie Rtn XRN007/XRN028 MMY34 grinding Wauchope-Tele.Pt section 2MB9 CSR004/SCT015



Wed.13/9/17 6M21/6M22 to Martins Ck 8168 3MB9 CSR003/CSR005 First double CSR’s and oops!, it failed at Cullerin. Got pushed to Goulburn by PN’s 1PS6. Eventually got going again after leaving some loading at Goulburn, only to fail again on Hawkemount, and rescued by 3 x CEY’s off VP02 coalie. Train was buried into Broadmeadow Yard. MMY34 working in Kempsey-Eungai section. NK81 AK cars 4701/4702 3MB7 LDP001/LDP006 NT31 XP2012/XP2001 Thu.14/9/17 4621 8161 and 4 sugar wagons and no cement 4BM9 SCT015/CSR004 (picked up disgraced CSR003 at Broadmeadow) 3MB9, a day lat,e ran north from Broadmeadow behind solo CSR005 4MB9 SCT007/SCT002/SCT014 (picked up 3MB9’s loading from Goulburn)

Above: 8025 as Acacia Ridge shunter, Wed.13/9/17. Only lasted a few days, the depot Manager wasn’t impressed and sent her south again! Photo: Ben Francis



Fri.15/9/17 8025 sent south on 5BW4 and NR8 took over as ACR shunter until a replacement 81 could be found. 5BW4 NR59/9316/9305/NR52/8025 NK82 AK cars 4702/4701 5MB4 NR106/AN6/NR12 Sat.16/9/17 NK82 4702/4701 Taree-Sydney 4621 8151/8163 6BM4 NR61/AN4/NR65 7BM9 SCT002/SCT007 7R00/7R03 Railmotor Society tour Paterson-Cessnock and return CPH1/CPH3/CPH7 NT35 XP2012/XP2001 7BM4 NR12/AN6/NR106 Sun.17/9/17 7MB9 CSR002/CSR004/CSR009 (1st triple CSR’s to the Coast) 1SB1 NR51/NR99/NR41 7BW4 NR58/NR82 7BM7 LDP006/LDP008 Mon.18/9/17 XRN013/XRN004 L/E to Duralie Tue.19/9/17 2MB9 CSR005/SCT014 MMY34 around Raleigh area Wed.20/9/17 D404/D405 XRN013/XRN004 L/E route learning Duralie-Craven rtn 3MB7 LDP004/LDP009 3MB9 CSR002/CSR003 3WB3 NR105/NR108/NR77/8254 MMY34 at Coramba Thu.21/9/17 48162 now Grafton shunter 4MB4 NR84/AN3/NR32 DU601/DU602 first GWA Duralie’s XRN004/XRN013 Fri.22/9/17 3 return XRN-hauled Duralie’s



Sat.23/9/17 6MB4 NR72/AN11/NR2 7MB9 CSR009/CSR002/CSR004/CSR003 Sun.24/9/17 MMY34 in Grafton area 1BS2 NR93/AN2/NR66 7WB3 NR91/NR81/NR27/8106. 8106 to ACR to replace NR8 on ACR shunt duties. 7MB7 LDP008/LDP009 7MB9 CSR007/SCT015/SCT006 7BM4 NR36/NR19 7BM7 LDP003/LDP007 6422 8163/8151 Mon.25/9/17 K711/K712 shunts NR8 T662 8106 and 3 wagons ACR-Glenapp. Pick up 2 defective wagons and T661 return to ACR.

Above: The first triple CSR’s to Brisbane, 7MB9 at Craven worked by CSR002/CSR004/CSR009. Photo: Jon Eggins


Above: SF916 Stratford coalie through Hilldale hauled by TT108/9212/9304 on Tue.5/9/17. Photo: Graham Cotterall


Tue.26/9/17 2MB9 CSR007/SCT006/SCT015 3BS6 NR27/NR81/NR91/NR93 2WB3 NR4/NR37/NR95 4621 8163/8151 2MB7 LDP007/LDP003 Wed.27/9/17 6422 8151/8163 Thu.28/9/17 5BM9 CSR009/CSR004 4MB7 LDP003/LDP006 4WB3 NR19/9316/9305 4MB9 SCT015/SCT006



Fri.29/9/17 5WB3 Dropped 9310 at Nambucca Heads due to a seized T/M bearing. Dropped some loading at Grafton due to be a loco down. Sat.30/9/17 4621 8205/8163 (remarshalled at Wauchope to 8163/8205. Something wrong with the 82?) MMY34 at Casino 7BS6 NR10/NR24/NR84

Above: 2MB7 crosses the Paterson River bridge hauled by LDP004/LDP009 on Tue.5/9/17. Photo: Graham Cotterall

Next Page Top: 7BW2 at Telegraph Point behind NR105/NR106/NR12. Sat.9/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett Next Page Bottom: 1BS1 crosses Pembrooke Rd at Pembrooke behind NR24/NR102 on Sun.10/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett


Previous Page: NT35 twists through the curves at Yumbunga, power cars XP2009/XP2003 providing the power. Thu.7/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett

Above: 7WB3 at The Tin Bridge between Pembrooke and Telegraph Pt behind NR91/NR81/NR27/8106. 8106 on it’s way to take up Acacia Ridge shunt duties. Sun.24/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett

Next Page: Aurizon’s 4MB7 at Yumbunga on the evening of Thu.7/9/17, hauled by LDP001/LDP005. Photo: Mark Bennett


Previous Page Top: 4MB4 at sunset at Bulliac, NR94/AN9/NR42. Photo: Mark Bennett Previous Page Bottom: 6422 empty cement from Grafton between Telegraph Pt and Pembrooke hauled by September regulars 8151/8163. Photo: Mark Bennett

Above: PN’s Grafton shunter parked in Grafton Yard, on an off day between cement/sugar shunts.Wed. 27/9/17. In the background are RKWY’s waiting to be loaded with telegraph poles, making a total of THREE forms of traffic originating off the North Coast these days! The RKWY’s normally run on #BW4, but sometimes end up on 6422 cement/sugar train. Photo: Mark Bennett

Next Page Top: An S truck parked in Grafton Yard. It’s in surprisingly good condition, must have been here for decades! Anyone know it’s number or what it’s story is? Wed.27/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett Next Page Bottom: SF613 arrives at Stratford Colliery behind TT121/9304/9318. Fri.22/9/17. Photo: Jon Eggins


Above: Wauchope, Sat.30/9/17. 4621 in the loop behind 8205/8163, waits to shunt, as 7BS6 passes behind NR10/NR24/NR84.


Below: V966 ex-Dungog at Wallarobba, Hunter railcars 2755/2715. Fri.22/9/17. Photo: Jon Eggins

Next Page: 4621 shunts cement hoppers at Wauchope, 8205/8163, which was then remarshalled to 8163/8205, probably some problem with the 82 as 8163 led on 6422 the next day, too.


Wagons on The Coast:

NPRY and NPRF cement hoppers

The NPRY and NPRF cement hoppers have been a staple of North Coast freight traffic since their introduction in the late ‘70’s/early ‘80’s. Blue Circle Southern Cement has dispatched cement to Wauchope, Coffs Harbour,Grafton, Lismore and Murwillumbah since that time, however these days cement is only delivered to Wauchope, Coffs Harbour and Grafton on 4621/6422 freights operated by Pacific National. The first wagons were built from 1978 by Mittagong Engineering, a contract for 100 wagons coded PRX, numbered 12061-12160 and mounted on 2CL 3 piece bogies. These were later changed to 2CM bogies, and from 1979 they became NPRY’s. This first series feature a taller bulkhead end, which resulted in the cylinder of the wagon sitting higher than the next 2 series. A second contract was issued to Mittagong Engineering for 25 wagons, and were built in 1981, these were also NPRY’s and are numbered 18201-18225. The final series of 30 wagons was built by COMENG in 1987, coded NPRF and numbered from 82030-82059. These hoppers all feature air discharge through the bottom of the wagon, the wagon cylinder sloping down to the middle to assist with the discharge process. They have a Tare of 20t, Gross of 78t and a length of 12.6m. Small variations exist between the types, for example the NPRY’s feature manual Load Compensator Valves, whereas the NPRF’s feature an Automatic Load Compensator, and slightly different lifting points.

Above: NPRF 82042T at Wauchope. Sat.30/9/17. Photo; Mark Bennett


Above: The height difference between the first series of NPRY’s and the NPRF’s is obvious in this view of discharged hoppers at Wauchope awaiting collection by 4621 freight. Also visible is the different design of lifting points between the different builds. Sat. 30/9/17. Photo: Mark Bennett

Next Page Top: The manual Empty/Loaded load compensator is visible on this NPRY, set to the Loaded ‘L’ position. Next Page Bottom: NPRF detail, showing the bogie mounted automatic load compensator and the circle type lifting points.


Historical Sightings:

Sept.1984

10/9/84 44215 failed at Bangalow on NL-5 North Coast Overnight Express, and 4403 was taken off 6289 goods and hauled the Passenger through to Murwillumbah. 17/9/84 Brisbane sightings 6277 48152/4513 6226 8042 Sth.Brisbane shunt 7314 6202 44218/4487 6281 4883/4503 No.9 shunt 4506 6283 8028 NL-1 44217/44226 Sept.1987

6319 Express Goods 17/9/87 4487/4424/4477 18/9/87 4458/4491/4531 25/9/87 8050/4470/4523 30/9/87 44240/4470/44100 6157 Superfreighter 14/9/87 8044/8014/4527 22/9/87 44212/4526/4469 24/9/87 8048/4533/4507 26/9/87 8022/44217/4526 29/9/87 8047/8038/4540 30/9/87 4480/4526/4501 Sept.1992

4/9/92 6168 44234/44212/44227 5/9/92 6289 44100/4438 6382 4491/4487 10/9/92 6157 44208/44209/44216/44222


11/9/92 Grafton Pass. 44240 12/9/92 6329 4499/4487 6303 4473/4454 6372 4481/4497/44100 6184 4488/4472 13/9/92 6AB7 4486/4461/4438 6250 8177/8160. Return working of trial of 81’s on the Coast. Dyno Car DMC1902 in the consist, testing for single 81 on 2100tonnes. 6250 ran as a load of 2150tonnes with 8160 as a back up. 21/9/92 Yeerongpilly Loco Depot 4401, 4427, 4446, 4468, 4490, 4493, 4496, 4499. 44203, 44219, 44227. 3532.

Above: Back when Candy Jumbo’s ruled the North Coast, 6303 freight seen at Stratford, hauled by 44233 and 4485 on 10/9/92. Obviously a dry winter in 1992, too! Photo: Leon Batman


Above: 44236/44208 drag a southbound freight out of Grafton on 8th Sept.1994. Photo: Mark Bennett

Sept.1997

Regular Acacia Ridge shunt loco during Sept.1997 was 8046. 20 years later and 8025 does a stint! 1/9/97 2BS2 Seatrain 8253/NR31/NR39 3/9/97 4BS2 Seatrain NR107/8254/42210 8046 sent south on 6/9/97 for a service on 7BS8 8256/8257/dead 8046 and returned on 9/9/97 as a working unit behind NR105 on 2SB3. 10/9/97 Last 82’s with National Rail, 8253/8255 worked 4BS8 south. 16/9/97 2SB3 8169/8170/8001


Sept.2007

Wed.19/9/07 Up MT Duralie 42306/42301 + 42304/42302 Dn MT Stratford coal 8213/8145 and 42 hoppers 3MB7 CLF1/CLP11/CLF2 Things have definitely changed over the years!

The Duralie Story

Above: DU602 Empty service returns to Duralie, 42301/42305 push/pull with 6011 and 34 PHGH hoppers,working towards Wards River on Sun.18/12/2011. Photo: Mark Bennett

With the September takeover of the Duralie contract by GWA, I thought it would be an appropriate time to look back at the Interail/QRNational/Aurizon years. During 2002, QR was looking to enter the interstate market, and bought Northern Rivers Railroad which gave them NSW accreditation. The NRR operation was renamed Interail, and they quickly won a $15 million, 7 year contract to haul coal from Gloucester Coal’s new Duralie Mine to the company’s loader at Stratford, a distance of around 20kms commencing in March 2003. Unwashed coal from Duralie is railed to Stratford to be washed, then loaded onto Pacific National export coal trains for delivery to Newcastle.


The coal loading siding and associated signalling was commissioned over the weekend of 15/16 Feb.2003. The Duralie siding is located at the 272.770km, and is a dead end of 1120m with an overhead loading bin about halfway along. The service was initially operated using 42202 and 42206, which were then quickly helped out with 421’s and 423’s loco’s. A fleet of 80 ex-1067mm gauge VAKM 76tonne hoppers were converted to standard gauge, with 35 becoming QHAF’s and 45 QHBF’s. These hoppers were also used on the Newstan to Vales Pt service that Interail started operating in Sept.2003.Trial trains ran at first during March 2003, before the first full sized train ran on Wed.19/3/03 with 42202 push/pull with 42206 and 35 QHAF’s for 2660tonnes. These QHAF/QHBF wagons operated on the service until late 2011 when Gloucester Coal took delivery of their own PHGH 100tonne capacity 2-pack hoppers. The train then settled to a regular consist of 34 PHGH’s for a total weight of 3400tonnes.

Above: 2204 was a regular during 2011, seen here at Wards River on the rear of DU605, which had 6012/42303 on the front. Fri.1/4/11. Photo: Mark Bennett

The Duralie shuttles have attracted some interesting motive power over the years, with 423’s being the mainstay for many years, helped by 421’s and 422’s. 6000’s became regulars from 2010, and were on the last Aurizon services in August 2017 (6003/6006). 2204 was a regular in 2011, QRN liveried 42103 was a regular, and the service was also in the hands of the gauge converted 28xx’s no’s 3209 and 3221 in 2015/16. During June 2005, L271 and hired CFCLA GL108 also got involved.


Above: DU601, the first service of the morning, heads north through Wards River, with 42301/42305 and 6011 on the rear. Sun.18/12/11. Photo: Mark Bennett

An interesting working occurred on 22/5/2010, when CFCLA 2-pack CHAY coal hoppers were trialled for their new life as coal hoppers. One 2-pack was loaded at Duralie and tipped at Stratford, hauled by 42302 and pushed by 42305/42103. So, here are some samples of Duralie loco workings over the years. 19/3/03 First full train, 42202 + 42206 2/5/03 42301/42202 + 42206 4/8/03 42301/42202 + 42105 19/5/04 42202/42301 + 42206


28/7/04 DU603 42301/42302/42105 + 42206/42303 2/6/05 42105/42107 + 42303 9/6/05 42202/L271 + GL108 23/6/05 42105/42107 + 42303 19/9/07 42306/42301 + 42304/42302 27/9/10 DU603 2204/42103 + 42304/42305 1/4/11 DU605 6012/42303 + 2204 25/6/11 DU602 2204/42305 + 6011 18/12/11 DU601 42301/42305 + 6011 2/2/15 3221 + 6007 2/9/15 DU601 6004 + 3221 29/12/15 3209 + 6007 18/2/16 DU603 3209 + 3221 31/8/17 Last Aurizon services 6003 + 6006 1/9/17 D452 6006/6003 L/E Duralie to Hexham, and the end of an era.


Above: 6011 brings up the rear of DU601 at Wards River. 18/12/11. Photo; Mark Bennett

So now for the next chapter. The first GWA working was D481/D482 L/E’s (XRN007/XRN028) on 12/9/17,running from Newcastle to Craven and return for crew training. On the 18/9/17, XRN004 and XRN013 worked L/E up from Newcastle, then spent the next 2 days doing L/E runs from Duralie to Craven/Stratford and return for crew training. On Thu.21/9/17, the first GWA Duralie’s ran, DU601 with XRN004/34 PHGH/XRN013, and then on Fri.22/9/17, 3 return trips ran. However, the services have been very intermittent until the end of September. I’m guessing the train will settle into a regular pattern of XRN haulage under GWA, and the variety of the past has probably passed for now, however, with today’s very evolving rail scene, who knows?! Next Page Top: DU601 discharging at Stratford Loop, going under the Stratford Loading Bin (the Dump Station is out of view towards the back of the train), with 42301/42202 and 42105 on the rear. 31/7/03. Photo: Graham Attenborough Next Page Bottom: On 22/5/10, the trial for the CFCLA CHAY’s seen at Stratford with 42302 + 42305/42103. Photo: Chris Jones


Top: The CHAY trial tipping at Stratford. 22/5/10. Photo: Chris Jones Bottom: DU603 at Wards River. 6011 + 42305/2204. Fitted perfectly! 25/6/11. Photo: Mark Bennett


Previous Page: On 11/5/04, DU601 heads towards Stratford again, with 42202/42301 + 42206. Very fond of the 422’s, and the Interail livery sat very nicely on them. Photo: Mark Bennett

Five Years Ago:

Sept.2012

Above: NT33 (XP2016/XP2003) pulls into Kundabung loop to cross NT32. 4/9/12. Photo: Mark Bennett


Above: XPT’s cross at Kundabung on 4/9/12. NT33 in the loop (XP2016/XP2003) as NT32 heads through on the main (XP2007/XP2005).

Youtube Links:

5BS6 at Kundle Kundle https://youtu.be/jwskEjyHONs

4MB7 at Yumbunga https://youtu.be/h_zVwH1bEmA

4MB4 at Bulliac https://youtu.be/o0AvNLR4OJk PN 82’s at Eungai https://youtu.be/EElNwCqFfP4

https://youtu.be/h_zVwH1bEmA

https://youtu.be/EElNwCqFfP4

https://youtu.be/jwskEjyHONs

https://youtu.be/o0AvNLR4OJk


Above: Shiny new paint on 6021 as she leads LDP008 and 6001 across the floodplains heading north out of Wauchope on 7MB7 on 9/9/12. Photo: Mark Bennett

More Youtube Links:

SCT at Mingaletta https://youtu.be/2TcDtip3ymk 6422 near Pembrooke https://youtu.be/gtuj-67HajI 4621 Wauchope shunt https://youtu.be/svBOhSRNsoY 7WB3 at Tin Bridge https://youtu.be/Wy2tuFkCFPM

https://youtu.be/svBOhSRNsoY

https://youtu.be/Wy2tuFkCFPM

https://youtu.be/gtuj-67HajI

https://youtu.be/2TcDtip3ymk


Above: The Vanilla NR era was coming to an end, with only a couple left by this stage, here NR111 leads 7WB3 steelie with NR52/NR88 on 9/9/12. Photo: Mark Bennett

The End.

See you next month!

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