SteamRanger Heritage Railway

mynameismike · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:11 am

Denis · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:08 pm

43 is at Goolwa and has been for several weeks now. The move went off without a hitch and ended up without a winch, which some lowlife HMMM’s removed from the truck during its over night stopover.
43 was towed off of the truck at Goolwa depot by 60, which was a nice gesture.

Some preliminary works have already taken place on 43 including the removal of the last of the camp car walling, and a thorough clean inside. Sadly some of the ‘restoration’ work undertaken on the car during its stay in Clare will have to be undone to allow access to certain structural areas known to have needed attention on other Brill’s.

The other Brill cars at Goolwa include 55 class number 10 in very very poor condition, well beyond restoration, gradually being environmentally reclaimed. 75 class trailer number 211, heavily stripped but not beyond restoration using some imagination. EG new roof supports of steel, with a fiberglass roof, aluminium window frames, new windows and a floor, its not hard. Just that it wont be too original!

There is also the narrow gauge car, wrapped in tarps for its long term protection, used to store other brill bits and the better of the timber removed from each car for later re-use. I have never heard of any plans for this car to leave the society, or and interest from Pichi Richi in the car, as they have other brill trailers in store in Quorn already.
As a member of the Goolwa depot team I would hope we would know!

As for MU that is a long long way off yet. And needs a few mods to be performed on 60 before that can happen. 60 currently has several manual systems throttle/clutch etc which would need to be converted to air or electric and persuaded to ‘talk’ to 43. but in time I’m sure that will happen.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Denis

Steamranger Volunteer

Denis · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:29 pm

A fun day yesterday, Sunday 1 June on the SHR.

Brill 60 operated a special ‘Southern Encounter’ complete with SE signage from Mt Barker to Victor Harbor (and return). 507 performed the honors on the ‘Cockle Train’ while 428 ran a series of shuttles from Victor to Port Elliot. Arriving and departing the old goods loop at Pt Elliot.

The occasion was the re-opening of the Whale center located in the renovated ex SAR goods shed at Victor.
Due to some clever shunting 428 was lined up on the holding road while Brill 60 sat on the old loco road, allowing 507 to pass between for a 3 train photo line up.

So it was only diesel, it still looked good and boosted SHR image at Victor in front of a crowd of thousands.

Later while 507 wandered off on its duties and 428 ran to Pt Elliot and back, 60 was moved down past the tram barn (towards the causeway) to stand in Warland reserve, where it attracted a lot of attention, last time I saw a train down that far was F251 new years 2000!

The next shunt was for 60 to join 428 on the holding road so I can say I have been on a train which ran express through Victor station!

At the end of the day 60 departed Victor followed 20 mins later by 428 then 20 mins later by 507. A fun day was had by all despite the lack of steam!
Volunteers train coming up soon with 958 to Goolwa, which will be a good chance to hear the Alco sing, and as previously mentioned the team at Mt Barker should have 621 out and about soon.

One last thing, donations to the restoration of 43 are still being sought and will be for some time, so please keep 43 in mind.
PM me for details.

Cheers
Denis

Steamranger Volunteer

blue520 · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:56 am

Thanks both for the information, good to hear that 43 got to Goolwa.
Is its condition really as good as the photos look?

I know very little about the railcar MU systems employed by the SAR, any one can quickly or simply describe the system used by the Brills (75's)?
Also that of the Red Hens/Bluebirds (I know Redhens/BB differ but have similar features)?

Even if MU ability never came to pass a two car brill set like what the SAR use to do with the 55 class cars (one car pulls the other) on some metropolitan Adelaide services would still be useful on VH - Goolwa and other runs.

Has SHR ever given thought to rebuild some of the stock that is way beyond restoration like 55 class railcar in to liveable accommodation/housing, place/biuld them at important locations like Goolwa Depot (Mt Barker Depot?) and selectively rent them out. Not for the rental income but for the added deterrence a permanent presence has towards graffiti/theft/vandalism.
If it did not work out or was seen later as unnecessary SHR could may be sell them off to be transported elsewhere, I assume there always will be a market for heritage roiling stock as accommodation and would be better than rotting/rusting to dust.

520 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:32 am

958 had a very busy long weekend, operating three interesting movements over the three days.

I was wondering if anybody managed to grab some pictures of any of the workings, or maybe a bit of a summary?

Cheers,
Alex

bingley hall · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:44 am

958 yesterday at Mount Barker on the CFCLA/BRO 10th anniversary charter. Despite the smeggy weather, the scenery was very atmospheric and all on board were impressed with the train and volunteers.

Not sure how many corporate charters like this operate during the year, but hopefully more of these will turn into a nice little earner for the railway.

Journey was over all too quickly.

Bing

Life is just a bowl of All Bran...you wake up every morning and it's there

Pressman · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:12 pm

Certainly an impressive sight, thanks for the photo Bing Smile

Cheers,
Tony
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ARG706 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:22 pm

What's all that in the background behind the train and the platform?

409 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:10 pm

New bus interchange for the bus to Mt Barker from Adelaide (864M) as well as a couple of other more localised routes. Should be open in July according to one bus driver when I was there.

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2001 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:25 pm

I'm 'sitting on the fence' in regards to how I'd like to see the livery of 958.

I cannot decide whether I'd prefer a switch to its original SAR colours, or kept in the Green & Gold.

One thing I am certain of, is that the loco would now look 'complete' if it still was bearing AN logos.

It must be quite a chore keeping the yellow paint on the bogies looking clean Wink

2001

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85trainfan · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:27 pm

520 · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:03 pm

hey all,

So far as I know, a diesel hauled Southern Encounter ran yesterday (20th July) with 958 at the head. Apparently steel cars were to be used? Did anybody happen to see it or get any pictures, or some details of the consist? Love to see some pics, would have looked great!

We haven't had an update on any recent movements or anything like that of late, how are things going up there? A rundown from Ben would be great!

How is 621 coming along? Any progress with the unfortunate problems encountered with the tender alignment/frame?

cheers,
520

P.S.- A source high up inside Steamranger with a lot to do with loco happenings has been hinting to be that something is finally in the pipeline for 520. He wont tell me what, but seems to think that if I dig deep enough in the right places it will expose itself publicly, he just cant do it himself! Here seems a great place to start, anybody with some details?

David Peters · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:21 pm

Well one of the major problems is the tender frame so lets start there and see what can be dug up. I assume a new one will be needed but how, when and at what cost I do not know. The loco by now would also probably need a bit of work done to it as well. But again I do not know what. This could be an interesting exercise here! Cool

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Alco_Haulic · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:21 pm

520? Really? Please please please let it finally get back on the tracks!

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nm39 · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:11 pm