Trainrover
News of my occasional trips to various parts of the globe and the narrow gauge railways I encounter there.
About Me
- John B
- Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- See also John Raby's blogs at www.rabylee.uk/linesidingindex.html
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Monday, August 8, 2016
Kolkata 6-7 March
Plinthed in a small enclosure opposite Howrah station was 2ft 6in gauge Bagnall 0-6-4T AK 6 (2021 of 1916) ex Ahmadpur-Katwa Railway |
Acclimatisation for the early arrivals included a visit to the famous Howrah station, across the Hooghly River from the CBD, and a ride back on the ferry.
The huge Howrah station from across the Hooghly River |
We made acquaintance with some of the residents of Howrah Station, a very busy suburban terminus. |
The Howrah bridge, similar in length to Brisbane's Story bridge, dominates the scene |
Ablutions on the western bank |
The next day the entire party rode a chartered tram from the central tram station in the heart of Kolkata. This is the last tram system left in India.
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Articulated tram at Dalhouise Square |
Goat herding at the central tram station |
Kolkata is a busy commercial hub. |
2ft 6in gauge Bagnall 2-6-2T BK-13 (3053 of 1953) ex Burdwan Katwa Railway
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First sighting in India of a Darjeeling B class locomotive. 798 (North British 23291 of 1898) is nicely displayed under cover with two carriages. |
A metre gauge express engine, 2-8-2 3403 built by TELCO (a.k.a Tata) in 1961. |
Two British tour members enjoying their ride on the 18 inch gauge 'Fairy Queen Express' train. |
Indian Narrow Gauge Extravaganza
Mahanadi, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 11 March 2016 |
Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh |
Having said that, a tour of this length in India is hard going and a certain level of physical fitness and endurance is recommended. India can seem chaotic at times, but things generally work, and the Indian people are welcoming and proud of their country.
Kangra Station (2ft 6in gauge), Himachal Pradesh, 21 March 2016 |
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Mackay Sugar 11 February 2016
Just a quick visit to Mackay enabled me to find a few sugar industry off season maintenance tasks going on.
One task is putting all the bins from the three mills through routine greasing and checking at Pleystowe. Farleigh Mill's turn to participate in this process began today with Walkers B-B DH DULVERTON making the initial run from Pleystowe with 160 bins that had already been serviced. It would later return with a rake of bins from Farleigh. Up to 200 bins can be serviced in a day at Pleystowe, so it is quite a job to keep up the supply.
Eric Gibson's ex Farleigh Mill Avonside 0-4-0T is still stored under cover on Gibson's Road, behind Racecourse Mill.
One task is putting all the bins from the three mills through routine greasing and checking at Pleystowe. Farleigh Mill's turn to participate in this process began today with Walkers B-B DH DULVERTON making the initial run from Pleystowe with 160 bins that had already been serviced. It would later return with a rake of bins from Farleigh. Up to 200 bins can be serviced in a day at Pleystowe, so it is quite a job to keep up the supply.
DULVERTON eases its load across Mandurana Road |
The large radio-controlled bogie brake wagon makes up the rear off the rake. |
On the intensively-used main line south of Racecourse Mill, two Plasser track machines were in use.
Plasser Model KMX-12T TTAMP5 (built 1990) |
Plasser ballast regulator BREG1, built 1982 |
Saturday, February 20, 2016
New Zealand January 2016 - 7. Blenheim Riverside Railway
The Blenheim Riverside Railway is a superb new 2ft gauge line that has been developed over the last 30 years. It runs 5.5km from Brayshaw Heritage Park to the heart of Blenheim alongside the Taylor River. An 800m branch to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and Omaka Classic Cars was recently opened in 2015.
The railway makes Blenheim unique as a 2ft gauge railway centre worldwide. There is nothing quite like this anywhere else.
At Brayshaw Park Station, the main loco working currently is GEORGE, 4wDH A&G Price 166 of 1951, built in Thames, New Zealand for the Ohai State Coal Mine. |
Maintenance vehicles coupled to ONAHAU in the spacious shed. |
This rotary grass cutter built by the railway is reminiscent of larger versions once used on Queensland sugar cane railways. |
WW 7443, a converted ex-NZR jigger |
MURRAY is Ruston & Hornsby 170204 of 1934, converted from 2ft 6in gauge. It worked at Milburn Lime & Cement and is currently the backup passenger train loco. |
RM1 is a B-B DH railcar built by the railway in 1992 and available to handle light services or operate shuttles on the Omaka branch on busy days. |
The railway runs alongside the Taylor River through parkland. This is just past Eckford's Engineering Corner as the line approaches central Blenheim |
The train passes below High Street at the Alfred Bridge and joins the River Board Walk at Leeds Quay |
Beaver Station terminus alongside the river quay in central Blenheim |
On returning to Brayshaw Park, GEORGE runs around its train in readiness for its run up the Omaka branch, opened in 2015 |
The Omaka branch crosses a bridge over the Taylor River constructed by the Marlborough District Council |
Train at Omaka Station ready to return to Brayshaw Park |
Climbing up from the river bridge on the return journey to Brayshaw Park |
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