Hurstville1’s Weblog

On the 14th of September 2008, a few Railpagers went out to the Richmond Vale Heritage Railway museum not only for a great day out, but also to raise funds for the museum.

I left home at 7 and got to Mortdale Station and met 8203(Adam), 1979(Kaine), Mark and Mitchell.

We got to Central where we met with the other New South Welshmen herded together by Trent ‘Raichase’ Nicholson.

About 5 minutes after arrived, the Mexicans arrived to join us and so did Maikha. The said the bus was at Eddy Avenue, so the 20 or so of us gunzels herded down to the bus(a MKII) driven by TheLoneGunMan.

We had a toilet stop at Wyong service station, before heading direct to Richmond Vale.

After branching off the F3, Maikha sold raffle tickets with many Railway Prizes in which I bought 8 tickets which were 15-22

After arriving at Richmond Vale, we were briefed by our tour guide Richard and Maikha held the first raffle prize ‘ 10 cab rides(one per person). First ticket drawn 21. Oh yay thats mine, so I glady recieve my cab ride ticket. A few later; 16. That’s mine but as anyone would, I put it back as I already had one. Next one gets drawn 17. Mine again and I take it back. Maikha’s reaction was ” Go away Vince!!”. hehe

Then we went into the mining museum.  Well not really, we were a little late and the train from Pelaw Main pulled in and everyone had a foam over it.

SMR30 runs around her train

Then we hopped on into the carriages(former U boat) while Maikha and Liam(Sydney_Gunzel) hopped into the cab for their cab ride. Well Maikha hopped in because if we raised over $1000(which we did) we was allowed in fire SMR30 which he did.

Once the 1.5km journey to Pelaw Main had concluded, we alighted the train at Pelaw Main where we where given a quick tour of the colliery and we got the train back to Richmond Main where I took advantage of my cab ride and so did Trent(he got in because he organised it as well as Maikha).

After alighting at Richmond Main, we were given a walking tour of the Locomtive workshops which had many passenger cars, some U Boat cars and a few coal wagons.

After the locomotive workshop tour, we headed for our privately charted room in which we had a very good lunch. After lunch, we had a presentation for the rest of the raffle and the handing over of the $1136.20.

The handing over of the money

After the presentation, we returned to the station where we were given some information about the colliery by Graham and Richard.

Following the information session, we hopped on the train to Pelaw Main for a photostop of the train coming up the grade. So we got off and got a picture of it coming up the grade.

SMR30 climbs the grade at Pelaw Main

After the photostop, we headed for the train back to Richmond. After alighting at RIchmond, we went to check out the line of wagons and locos to the left of the line

SMR22

After the tour, we went back to the station for our tour to Mulbring Road.

Turns out the loco was at the wrong end and could not shunt due to the U set cars on the road. So, we headed forward to the junction to the triangle where we piloted to the end of the triangle. Then we proceeded to the station then to mulbring Road.

Then after the tour at Mulbring, we headed back to the station, where we departed Richmond Vale for the long trip back home.

1: Have internal CCTV cameras installed in older rolling stock with the camera’s wirelessly sent to a new HQ where staff are continously checking the cameras for tagging, seat tearing and vandalism.

2:Keep the end of Platform Gates locked. I know this sounds stupid, but most of the gates at the end of the Platforms are unlocked  with the trains and track easily accessible by vandals.

Just a quick update, for all intrested, trains like to leave at 30 seconds before the departure time

Etc: Let’s say I catch the 3.25 from Hurstville.

This train will normally depart at 3.24.30 as that’s when they are technically allowed to depart.

On the afternoon of the 5th of September 2008, I went out after school to the city to photograph the city.

After school, I got my train home, got home, got changed, got my tripod + camera and I was off.

I headed to the station, where I got a train to the city which arrived almost immeadiately after I bought my ticket(a cityhopper).

I got off at Central where I walked into the ARHS bookshop where I bought this month’s Railway DIgest.

BY now, it was later than I expected so I boarded the train I was planning to photograph at Milsons Point which was a G set & I was only going to photograph it because I thought it was an OSCAR so I was kind of relieved.

After I got off at Milsons Point, it was pouring. So I walked down to Bradfield Park under the Harbour Bridge. It’s funny to think that us people who live here, don’t really do this that often.

I got some “rainy” shots of the Harbour Bridge & Opera House from the Park which was as you’d expect, very muddy.

Then I saw a wonderful photo opportunity. The Manly ferry next to the Opera House. So, I run. But as I told you before, it was very muddy.

Sprint, Sprint, Sprint, Slip, Sprint , Sprint, Slip.

After slipping twice, I finally get to the Harbour Edge of the park but the ferry has already gone.

Damn.

So, I move on and get some pretty good shots of the Harbour Bridge, in Sydney’s Pride.

The Harbour Bridge in the park.

The Harbour Bridge

Then, I move to Luna Park where I get some pretty average shots of the bridge & the big face at Luna Park.

The Harbour Bridge over the harbour

Then I go for a short walk along the foreshore, bypassing a large puddle about 20cm deep and about 1m sqaure big.

On the way back(I think this is what happened), “someone”you know who you are” sent me a SMS and I was sending a reply before I realised i’d been standing in that puddle for about 10 seconds.

Then I decided to go to Circular Quay to get more pictures of the harbour. By the time I left, it was almost dusk so but I went neither way.

Then I got a few shots of the harbour & city from the Opera House & left for home, in which while waiting for my train at Circular Quay Station, saw G21 & G26 both Hornsby G sets.

Sydney Harbour viewed from Circular Quay Station(note the ferry leaving the wharf)

Harbour edit

The Harbour Bridge in the dark

Sydney by Twilight

I was just wondering if either Dapto or Kembla Grange Racecourse were formery called “Kembla Grange”.

As you can see the station sign has formerly had Kembla Grange and the “Grange” is at the side so it had to end in Grange.