Not much conversation lately on the Rothbury 'museum' (Its's a 'museum' as it's not really open to the public) So I thought I might make  a new thread instead of resurrecting an old one.

I have recently visited the place and most locos and rolling stock is intact (although some dick heads have gone through the place with a can of spray paint), About 2 years ago there was a scare that that new "Huntlee" would knock down the place and put some snobs houses on there and that many carriages would be scrapped this will not happen to my understanding, all locos except 4627 are in great condition and most are undercover I'd say about 70% of the carriages are under cover as well, R766 is almost done and will have it's boiler checked for leaks very soon. The 10 classes are still there as are 'old mate' Keith can't move them until he builds a shed or something and the 49 44 and 47's are operational to my knowledge. I can answer some questions you may have. i anyone has some more info please post it here. Contacting them may be a bit tricky there landline does not work and the only way to get a hold of them if with the mobile number.

This video I put together has most of my pictures.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=180pQBArUR4

And their website

http://huntervalleyrailway.tripod.com/

Not much conversation lately on the Rothbury 'museum' (Its's a 'museum' as it's not really open to the public) So I thought I might make  a new thread instead of resurrecting an old one.

I have recently visited the place and most locos and rolling stock is intact (although some dick heads have gone through the place with a can of spray paint), About 2 years ago there was a scare that that new "Huntlee" would knock down the place and put some snobs houses on there and that many carriages would be scrapped this will not happen to my understanding, all locos except 4627 are in great condition and most are undercover I'd say about 70% of the carriages are under cover as well, R766 is almost done and will have it's boiler checked for leaks very soon. The 10 classes are still there as are 'old mate' Keith can't move them until he builds a shed or something and the 49 44 and 47's are operational to my knowledge. I can answer some questions you may have. i anyone has some more info please post it here. Contacting them may be a bit tricky there landline does not work and the only way to get a hold of them if with the mobile number.

This video I put together has most of my pictures.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=180pQBArUR4

And their website

http://huntervalleyrailway.tripod.com/

Dorrigo 2. What is exactly under cover. Certainly not R766. Why bother moving the 10 Class. They can rust away just as well in the Hunter.

R766 is almost done

Just an observation, from your photos this would appear to be far from the case. Nothing in any of your photos would seem to indicate that anything is anywhere near ready to operate a train.

The re-gaugeing appears finished, I would say that is the bulk of the work done.

All that, and "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" as background !

R766 is almost done

Just an observation, from your photos this would appear to be far from the case. Nothing in any of your photos would seem to indicate that anything is anywhere near ready to operate a train.

By that I mean the loco is ready to be fired and tested, as I said in another reply the blokes will take a class on firing a oil burner. She looks in a bad state due to the shoty paint job at the moment, will probably be painted in VR black and red like most of her sisters.

Cheers, Aiden

Hello Aiden,

Do you know the numbers of the Southern Aurora / Brisbane Limited Express carriages that are still at Rothbury?  I'm particularly interested in the fate of the DAM class deluxe sleeping car that was obtained by this group.

Thanks

Campaspe

Those images were a little bit depressing. I know it would be nice to see them restored or at least protected but they look to be deteriorating.

Thanks Aiden.  That's probably the most information I've seen and heard out of Rothbury since 2013 when R766 was meant to be only "6 months away from running".  Appreciate it.

(Now to have R766 running parallel with a broad gauge R-class between Seymour and Craigieburn at 115 km/h would be nice - I'm daydreaming way too much right now)

Hello Aiden,

Do you know the numbers of the Southern Aurora / Brisbane Limited Express carriages that are still at Rothbury?  I'm particularly interested in the fate of the DAM class deluxe sleeping car that was obtained by this group.

Thanks

Campaspe

I was not taking notes sorry, if you look closely at some of my pictures you may be able to tell.
I'm sure they can help you if you email or call them.

Thanks Aiden.  That's probably the most information I've seen and heard out of Rothbury since 2013 when R766 was meant to be only "6 months away from running".  Appreciate it.

(Now to have R766 running parallel with a broad gauge R-class between Seymour and Craigieburn at 115 km/h would be nice - I'm daydreaming way too much right now)

Yeah that would be a sight, I hope if they ever get a bloody 38 class going again another 38 vs R class showdown would bring in the crowds.

A few weeks ago I was finishing up some flight testing and thought I'd do a little gunzelling from the air. So here's what Rothbury looks like from around 1000'!





And just for good measure, Broadmeadow and Port Waratah as well.

A few weeks ago I was finishing up some flight testing and thought I'd do a little gunzelling from the air. So here's what Rothbury looks like from around 1000'!

And just for good measure, Broadmeadow and Port Waratah as well.

Oh there're some good shots there mate. Cheers, better than the flat google earth photos!

Thank you for sharing

I assume that 5917 is still being worked there (Correct me if I'm wrong) I'll try contact them to see if this is true and that if we can have a look at how it's going on, and take some update photos.

From what I have been told the 59 will be there for a fair while with a lot to be done on it.  I would say that they would be looking for a RTS for Maitland Steam fest 2018

On the way home decided to pop in the news agency and take a glance at the March 2017 issue of Railway Digest. There was a small piece on Rothbury and it mentioned that on January 30 there was a close call with fires in the region due to the intense heat waves we had. Some of the cars/locos there were threatened with mention of the likes of 5917, 4472, 4627 and a DEB set undergoing restoration. Fortunately the fire was contained before any damage was done.

A nice video with some rare trains.

Thanks for the update

Is the branch out to Braxton still intact?

Please advise

Thanks for the update

Is the branch out to Braxton still intact?

Please advise

Yes the line is intact, but overgrown at the Branxton end.
They used not to long ago to move 5917 in, They do almost all their transfers by rail.

Cheers, Aiden

Posted October 27, 2017.

Bush fire fears for hundreds of homes as well as heritage rail collection at North Rothbury

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/5012692/hundreds-of-family-homes-and-priceless-trains-in-the-line-of-fire/?cs=171

Posted October 27, 2017.

Bush fire fears for hundreds of homes as well as heritage rail collection at North Rothbury

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/5012692/hundreds-of-family-homes-and-priceless-trains-in-the-line-of-fire/?cs=171

Ill informed media beat up
All the ratbag has to do is contact his local NSW RFS brigade and ask them to do a hazard reduction burn around the site by simply applying for a permit through their FCC (Fire control centre) and they will happily come and do one at no cost or perhaps for a small donation.