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.
