FEBRUARY 2013 Patron ~ Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair AC

NEWSLETTER OF THE RAIL MOTOR SOCIETY INCORPORATED

www.railmotorsociety.org.auPRINT POST APPROVED PP247759/00002

Paterson Points

The sign says it all, look out for trains as the ARTC’s Southern Sydney Freight Line (SSFL) is open! CPHs 1 and 7 stand in Leightonfield Loop between Driver familiarisation runs on Tuesday 8 January. Photo: S.G. Preston

Inside...~ Society News~ Tour Reports~ From the Archives

Learning the Line

PAGE 6

AGM UpdatePAGE 2

Page 2 ~ Paterson Points

Society NewsAnnual General Meeting Members are reminded that this important meeting will be held on Saturday 23 March commencing at 1000hrs, the formal meeting notice and other associated forms are included with this newsletter.

Election of Board Members This being the first election under the new Constitution, we will be electing all eleven Board Members. Five of these elected members will retire after one year, while the remaining six will serve a two year term. The five who will retire after one year will be determined in an appropriate manner by the Board. The five retiring members will be eligible for re-election in 2014. At elections from the 2014 AGM onwards Board Members will be elected for a two year term.

A fact sheet explaining the duties and responsibilities of Board Members of organisations such as The Rail Motor Society is included for the information of prospective Board members.

New Members William Todd of South Windsor; Richard Jones of Mortdale; and Keith Ryan of Blacksmiths, are welcomed to the Society.

New Auditor AppointedThe Management Committee have appointed Walker and Company Chartered Accountants as the Society’s auditors following the resignation of Honorary Auditor Terry Armstrong (see December Paterson Points).

In addition to auditing the 2012 accounts for the AGM on 23 March, they will also oversee the installation of a new set of accounts which will provide the Board with more precise details of income and expenditure.

Operations Report ~ Bruce Agland, Operations Manager

Operations for 2013 24 February Nowra (CPH), ARHS

12-15 March ARTC, Victoria Inspection (402)

23 March Scone, (620) Gresford Parish

7 April Woy Woy, (620) Westpac Rescue Helicopter Booking Form enclosed

13-14 April Steamfest (TBA)

4 May Denman (620) Private Charter

19 May Sydney Metro, (CPH) ARHS

8-13 June Oaklands, VIC. (620), ARHS

31 August Gulgong (620), Ray Barry (10th Year)

16-17 November Gulgong, (CPH) Peter King

Operations subject to confirmation6 March ARTC, (CPH) SSFL Special

17 March Rotary, (620)

13-14 April Steamfest, TRMS

8-12 June Nyngan, (CPH) Nyngan 130th Committee

Vale Ken Alfred Butt26/05/1932 – 28/01/2013

The Society is saddened to report the passing of our esteemed member Kenneth Alfred Butt on Monday 28 January 2013.

Well known professionally in Bus transport circles for his long involvement with the Punchbowl and Hunters Hill Bus Companies and his later ownership of North and Western Coaches, Ken had the reputation of being a great organiser and firm but fair operator which duly won him the respect and admiration of many including employees and industry colleagues. An example of Ken’s renown is recounted by our Operations Manager when, during discussions with a taxi driver in New Zealand the driver’s previous employment with North and Western was raised and the mutual association and admiration for Ken then occupied the rest of the journey.

Ken’s love of all transport modes and travel also resulted in him becoming a welcome and familiar face to many railway, tramway and other transport followers. Not content with involvement at a professional level Ken became a member, office bearer, campaigner and supporter of multiple heritage transport groups including 3801 Ltd., SPER and ARHS (NSW) of which he was a Life Member. Always willing to assist with an initiative , Ken chaired the founding meeting which formed the Rail Transport Museum and was a foundation member of the Lachlan Valley Railway. Also active in model railway circles Ken was a long standing AMRA member and operated an impressive layout and collection of “O” gauge models.

Becoming Rail Motor Society member 169 in 1988, Ken was an avid supporter of the Society’s development and provided generous financial support to ensure the success of several significant initiatives. The photo above was taken on 17 January 2010, the occasion of an ARHS (NSW) tour to Nowra using 621/721 and where the Society presented Ken with a plaque in recognition of his outstanding contribution and support of Society projects.

Ken was a knowledgeable and skilled contributor in many fields and a true gentleman who’s efforts and friendship will be missed by many. His contribution to NSW’s daily and heritage transport scene over many years cannot be easily explained and the many people that his actions affected will no doubt never forget him.

The Society extends its deepest sympathies to Ken’s wife Judith and children Leanne and John, Janelle and Tony, Anthony and Melissa and Samantha and Mark as well as his grandchildren and other family and friends.

Ken’s final departure was celebrated on Monday 4 February at the Macquarie Park Cemetery, North Ryde.

S.G. Preston

February 2013 ~ Page 3

Around the DepotWith the final tour of the year run and everyone focussed on the festive season holiday period one could be forgiven for thinking that there would be little newsworthy depot activities to report this edition – in fact nothing could be further from the truth!

The pre Christmas and subsequent activities continues to demonstrate the constant hive of activity that is our Paterson Depot thanks to the excellent efforts of the regular working volunteers.

The following photos illustrate just a portion of the activity of late at Paterson, activities that all involved are to be congratulated for and all members are welcome and encouraged to be a part of.

Prior to Christmas, a depot party which gathered 30 workers and celebrated the years achievements was held on Wednesday 19 December with the ladies presenting a most impressive (and as the photo shows) enjoyable feast. This photo shows the hard working ladies relaxing in the back verandah area after the main activity of the party, whilst the men folk were elsewhere. The sterling efforts of the ladies once again ensured the successful and professional presentation of the Society’s services throughout the year as well providing much appreciated support for the rest of the team. Pictured top right are (L to R) Cheryl Davies, Lorainne Corcoran, Margaret Pantlin, Joy Kildey, Bev Walsh, Bev Redman.

Later in the day the inaugural “Mislaid” Trophy was presented to Secretary Bryan Hicks. This trophy shaped like a large key is intended to recognise the years “over achiever” in the art of misplacing items in the course of society activities. It is reported that this year Bryan was an outstanding winner by a clear margin for his efforts in regularly losing his keys.

New year workshop activities commenced on day two (02/01/13) with a clean out of the inspection pit on No.1 road. In the photos bottom right, Graham Pantlin is seen finally cleaning up his act while in the shot at right Mick Walsh washes away the grime from 2012 works.

Santa didn’t forget the mechanical branch this year thanks to the end of year sales and an Operations Manager with a keen eye for a bargain and a slick tongue. Having unwrapped the goodies, Rolling Stock Engineering Manager, Stafford Payne (below), is seen inspecting his collection of new tools and mobile trolley.

Photo: Steve Davies

Photo: Steve Davies

Photo: S.G. PrestonPhoto: S.G. Preston

Page 4 ~ Paterson Points

Around the Depot

621/721 has been a regular workhorse on charter trips during the year and during the lull in operations the work team has attended to some improvement works not able to be completed between runs. Dave Thomas is seen here (photo 1, above) busy preparing 621’s side panels for painting to remove the scars received when it struck on track debris placed by vandals during the Brisbane trip.

A task being undertaken on 621/721 is the refitting of the doorway step treads. This requires removal of the fibreglass covers and then removal of the old supporting material and fixtures. Here Graham Heggie and Dave Thomas (photo 2, above) prepare another entrance area ready for the woodwork team.

The wood working team of Ray Kildey and Steve Davies are progressively rebuilding the door entrance step areas to ensure ongoing integrity for safe boarding of passengers and crew. Machined from seasoned hardwood each supporting piece is hand cut and measured the photos above (3 and 4) showing Ray, keenly watched by Steve, cutting a section to be removed before hand finishing with a chisel.

After several trial fits and adjustments the proud team pose with another fitted step support and contemplate the next task, the refit of the tread drains (photo 5).

Photos 1–5: S.G. Preston

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February 2013 ~ Page 5

Society News

Photos 6–8: Bruce Gehrig

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A long awaited activity by many is the return to service of HPC 402. Out of service for all of last year with engine problems, the preparations and steady progress by the mechanical team has won the balancing act of completing both operations maintenance duties versus project works and have now reunited an overhauled engine and transmission ready to be installed.

Photo 6 shows the lifting and placement of the units into the pit ready for fitting into place in 402, a hiab crane being generously provided by local friend Bill Driver to simplify the move and placement.

In photo 7 Stafford, Mick and Bryan carefully guide the placement of the engine to ensure its correctly located for fitting to 402.

With the motor/transmission combination located in the pit, CPH’s 1 and 7 shunted 402 from its recent 3 road resting position over the 1 road pit in anticipation of the reinstallation. The view (photo 8) also displays some of the recent fruits of labour from the Infrastructure crew activities, the spreading of road base and levelling of the car park adjacent to 3 road providing much improved parking space and access to the shed.

Page 6 ~ Paterson Points

Tour ReportLearning the Line – ARTC’s SSFL Driver familiarisation runs. By S.G. Preston

After four years of extensive project works involving new route construction, considerable service relocations and alterations to adjacent infrastructure (including stations, streets and waterways) ARTC’s Sefton to Macarthur Southern Sydney Freight Line was commissioned for use on 23 December, 2012.

With the line ready to accept the Southern Freight program ARTC engaged the society to supply CPHs 1 and 7 for five days of operations between Enfield West and Macarthur and provide operators with the opportunity for their crews and trainers to travel and view the new route first hand.

While opened for service before Christmas, due to crew availability restrictions and adjacent line possession works, commencement of full SSFL freight operations were deferred until late January with only limited operations of Down Freight services scheduled in the interim period.

To stagger and maximise possible crew attendance two periods of familiarisation runs were scheduled over the 27-28 December and 7-9 January periods. ARTC invited operators to roster their crewing representatives on the trips which the CPHs performed up to three times each day between Enfield West and Macarthur. In all over 160 participants comprising permanent and casual train crews from most freight, passenger and heritage operators, ARTC Junee Network Control staffers, representatives from the Independent Transport Safety Regulator (ITSR) and some invited dignitaries made the journey along the new track.

Despite warmish weather experienced on most days, the CPHs again proved to be worthy for this inspection duty with the front vestibule and forward looking windows providing a great view. Thanks to the preparation and care provided by the Society’s fitters Stafford and Bryan and the skillful operation by the train crew who manned the trips ARTC’s needs were again exceeded with on time or running ahead of time provided. During the trips ARTC’s Mick Baczynsky and/or Doug Bennett answered questions and provided a commentary highlighting track geometry, speed limits, interlocking arrangements, signal aspects, access locations and other operational aspects to support the crew members learning and their interpretation of supplied operational data.

Between their SSFL running days the CPHs enjoyed the hospitality of Pacific National’s Sydney Intermodal Terminal, Chullora organised by the Operations support manager Michael Riley. Stabled overnight in the “Sand Road” the society is extremely grateful for this assistance as it allowed the crew to inspect and prepare the CPHs away from active lines each day and also sleep soundly knowing that the ‘motors were in a secure storage area.

Although the railmotor runs accounted for a significant percentage of initial operations, SSFL passenger train movements are not expected to be regular events and observers can already note the regular SSFL use by freight services and the resulting frequency reduction on the adjacent RailCorp network. Those wishing to read more of the SSFL operational route details are referred to ARTC SAFE Notice 2012 No.2–1821 which includes a Drivers route diagram.

With Doug Bennett at the controls, the first inspection trip for Tuesday January 8 arrives back at Leightonfield on the SSFL main line. To the left beyond the lighting poles the SSFL loop and Leightonfield yard sidings can be seen with the adjacent RailCorp “new south” passenger lines also visible to the left of frame. Photo: William Todd

February 2013 ~ Page 7

Tour Report

The photographer receives a friendly wave from the Driver as CPH’s 7 and 1 accelerate past Villawood platform on December 28. This is the former location of the Stage1 SSFL and Leightonfield yard connection to the RailCorp passenger lines. From this point to Macarthur the SSFL provides all new, separate trackage for freight operations. Photo: William Todd

It seems to be a case of all hands upfront as the CPHs climb and curve away from Boronia No.1 tunnel on their January 6 empty car positioning run to Chullora. Photo: William Todd

Page 8 ~ Paterson Points

Tour Report

Surrounded by freight and under the elevated work platform the CPHs enjoy the secure storage of the Chullora Sand Road at Pacific National’s Sydney Freight Terminal. Photo: S.G. Preston

Refuged in the Glenfield loop and sitting at the top of the Glenfield Flyover (above the RailCorp passenger lines) the CPHs and Pacific National service MB4 become the first trains to cross on the operational SSFL. (Tuesday 8 January 2012.) Photo: S.G. Preston

In addition to crew members from the major freight operators, representatives from several Heritage organisations also participated in the familiarisation runs. While at first the scene above may appear to be just another inspection group, a closer review will reveal the distinguishing features of several notable preservation identities. Photo: S.G. Preston

February 2013 ~ Page 9

Tour Report

Pausing for an inspection on the approach to the SSFL Sefton dive, this trailing view of the CPHs sees the consist standing beneath the RailCorp Sefton triangle service road and adjacent to the Sefton park East Junction. Photo: S.G. Preston

Deep within the Dive CPH1 poses with the impressive pipework of the SSFL Sefton Dive pump station and beneath the Bankstown suburban lines. Photo: S.G. Preston

Page 10 ~ Paterson Points

Tour ReportDancing down the line – The 2013 Rotary Tamworth Trip Article by Bruce Gehrig and S. George, Photos by Bruce Gehrig

Relaxing in the shade of the Tamworth station awning, the Society’s crew partake of a “Subway” dinner prior to the return departure and homeward bound trip.

Having stabled the train in the dock platform Driver Rodney Short toasts Australia Day with a cool drink of water before enjoying a day of country entertainment and hospitality.

Standing at Tamworth platform 721/621 is ready to form the return Rotary rail cruise.

After standing for around eight hours, the two car set shunts from the former Barraba Dock platform to the Tamworth mainline.

On Australia Day, 26 January, 621/721 operated the third Maitland Rotary Rail Cruise to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Obviously losing none of its popularity the trip made an early morning departure with 88 passengers onboard enjoying a “hot” breakfast and the scenery enroute along the Great Northern railway. With a mid morning arrival in Tamworth the passengers were able to comprehensively take in the entertainment on offer over a nine hour period.

For the crew this meant plenty of time was provided to stable, rest and prepare the train for its return journey, the festival parade and a good lunch and dinner also being enjoyed before the return departure some fifteen minutes early at 1815.

Thanks to some good running and a path following the Scone CityRail service resulted in a quick run home with no interruptions from coal train services.

Congratulations are extended to the Society’s crew for putting in a great effort on a particularly long outing and to the Maitland Rotary group for another successful tour.

February 2013 ~ Page 11

Tour ReportARHS outing to Cooma by S. George

The weekend of 27-28 October saw ARHS NSW again charter CPHs 1 and 7 for a weekend country adventure, the ultimate destination being the NSW Monaro region town of Cooma.

With a long way to go, the tour departed Paterson at the early hour of 0400 with a few keen travellers aboard, picking up the rest of the contingent at various points along the way before running down the Main Southern line. Diverting from the main at Joppa Junction the ‘motors headed into the Train Order territory of the Canberra branch, a line which once passed Canberra and continued through to Cooma and beyond, terminating at the timber town of Bombala.

An early afternoon tour arrival in Canberra at the ARHS Museum platform (www.canberraheritagerail.org.au/museum/) allowed the passengers to disembark and enjoy a well received BBQ lunch. Following a inspection of the museum exhibits and impressive restoration efforts (including the mighty Garratt loco the 6029) the tour group joined a road coach for the rest of the trip to Cooma, largely following the railway corridor along the way.

Through rail services to Cooma were suspended in 1989 due to the poor condition of the impressive wooden Umaralla River bridge near Chakola but thanks to the efforts of the Cooma Monaro Railway Group (www.cmrailway.org.au) heritage passenger operations have now returned to the Cooma – Chakola section using two restored CPHs and a CTC trailer (CPH 8 is still undergoing restoration). Following afternoon tea at the station the group enjoyed an afternoon run to Chakola and return utilising CPHs 22 and 6 with trailer CTC 55 marshalled between before retiring for a nights rest in Cooma.

With the tour group gone, CPHs 1 and 7 enjoyed the hospitality of ARHS ACT for the lay over until the tour patrons returned to Canberra by coach next day. During the Sunday morning pre trip preparations the rare opportunity for a reunion photograph of the Canberra Tuscan Red and russet liveried CPHs 27 and 37 alongside their Green and Cream sisters was realised with side by side positioning being arranged. In addition to the contrast in colours the co-location of the highest and lowest (but not oldest) numbered CPHs was also highlighted. Having the CPHs

An early Saturday afternoon arrival at the ARHS Canberra Museum platform allowed the passengers to alight and directly enjoy an inspection of the exhibits as well as a lovely BBQ lunch. Photo: Steve Davies

Page 12 ~ Paterson Points

Tour Report

in their depot allowed the ARHS staff to personally inspect the many modifications that have been carried out on No’s 1 and 7, comments of admiration being particularly noted regarding the recently installed catering facilities.

Recommencing the rail tour from Canberra’s Kingston station the tour began a North bound retracing of the previous days run through the impressive Molongolo Gorge and capably conquered the long climbs to Bungendore and beyond. Upon arrival at Goulburn the travel direction was reversed with the ‘motors running up to the Goulburn Roundhouse, home of the Goulburn Loco Roundhouse Preservation Society (www.roundhouse.org.au) for a break and another BBQ lunch. Time was allowed here for an inspection of this impressive steam era facility which is operated by dedicated volunteers as both a museum and depot facility supporting the operation, stabling and restoration of vehicles from multiple heritage organisations. Amongst the exhibits, CPH13 owned by Goodwin Alco was noted on display making a total of eight CPHs observed during the trip.

With sights set for home the motors departed Goulburn just before 1500hrs and with a largely unimpeded run and some quick set downs of passengers the motors returned to Paterson with those on board glad to be home but having thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Congratulations are due to ARHS NSW tour Director and Society committee member Spencer Ross for organising another successful trip, TRMS also wishes to thank ARHS ACT for providing much appreciated safe storage and hospitality during the Canberra stay.

Sunday morning sees preparations of CPHs 1 and 7 underway with ARHS ACT CPHs 27 and 37 posed along side to provide the rare photographic opportunity of four CPHs in two colour schemes together. Photo: Steve Davies

Following a coach ride from Cooma the passengers Sunday departure from Canberra (Kingston) was made from the public station which supports daily arrivals and departures of CountryLink services. Photo: Steve Davies

Having passed through the short (165m) Pine Range No.1 tunnel CPHs 7 and 1 roll down the 1 in 40 grade having little powering left to do on their journey to Queanbeyan and their ultimate destination of Canberra. Photo: Graeme Stanley

February 2013 ~ Page 13

From the Archives

This month’s archives scenes come again from the camera of long term member Stewart Ellway. (The Editors are pleased to report that Stewart is back in the saddle following his recent “ground relay” and has sent us several contributions for use in Paterson Points).

When the Society took up residence at Paterson in 1984 almost none of the facilities that are enjoyed today were in place. The existing Goods siding, complete with Goods shed and gantry crane, marked the eastern boundary of the future Depot. However, the establishment of the remaining site area required considerable earthworks to accommodate the planned sidings and facilities. The laying of track work (recovered from many locations), fencing, the connection of services, the erection of the shed and all manner of other tasks were progressively completed thanks to the commitment of the early work teams and their hard work in largely primitive conditions. Over many years the progression of plans into reality and the establishment of the Depot area that we all now appreciate was realised, a task that continues as the Society’s operational activities and needs progress.

As funds permitted the luxury of using contractors to accelerate the completion of some tasks was approved however not without some issues. The circa 1986 photo above shows workers including Steve Davies and Mick Turton curiously surveying siding

track work being installed by a contractor. While it can be seen that only the Up rail has so far been secured, the placement and gauge of the diverging road suggests that some additional works were required prior to the siding rails being spiked in place.

Behind the gents, the Society’s collection of Rail Motors, trailers and support vehicles can be distinguished located on temporary track, pigsties and also on the Goods siding, all waiting for the connection of sidings and the consolidation of their storage.

To the left, the depot boundary fence has been erected alongside the new Perway siding while beyond a Candy liveried 620/720 set pauses at Paterson platform on a morning Dungog service.

The railway tradition of lunchtime BBQs were a regularly conducted event in these early days to ensure the energy and cholesterol levels of the workers was maintained. In the picture above left former Society President and Life Member, Harry Wright, is seen tongs in hand overseeing an impressive line up of snags on an early makeshift BBQ. In the background visible evidence of the progression of restoration efforts can also be noted, a difficult task in the outdoors as many societies will attest.

Photos: Stewart Ellway, Text: S.G. Preston,

Page 14 ~ Paterson Points

Still in Service

Directory The Rail Motor Society Incorporated

Depot & Museum Webbers Creek Road, Paterson NSW 2421 Caretaker Phone: 02 4938 5411

President Arthur Burgess Phone: 02 4959 6409 Email: burgessaj@bigpond.com

Vice President & Infrastructure Manager Eric Larkins Phone: 02 49661549 Email: eric.larkins@bigpond.com

Secretary Bryan Hicks Phone/Fax: 02 4954 4904 Email: trmssec@bigpond.com

Treasurer John Redman Phone/Fax: 02 4948 8769 Email: trmstres@bigpond.com

Operations Manager Bruce Agland Phone/Fax: 02 4996 4666 Mobile: 0416 224 531 Email: aglandb@bigpond.com

Engineering Manager (Rolling Stock) Stafford Payne Phone: 02 4948 8521

Train Crewing Manager Eric Larkins Phone: 02 4966 1549 Email: eric.larkins@bigpond.com

Paterson Points / Tin Hare Gazette Editor Geoff Murray 1/10 Seaspray Close Caves Beach NSW 2281 Phone: 02 4971 4114 Email: geoffanna64@hotmail.com

Assistant Editor Stephen Preston Phone: 0407 016 133 Email: sgp33@bigpond.net.au

Contributions of articles and/or photographs for future editions of Paterson Points and The Tin Hare Gazette are most welcome and may be forwarded directly to the Editor.

Correspondence to be addressed to: The Secretary PO Box 445 Charlestown NSW 2290

Article: S.G. PrestonDespite being withdrawn from commuter service duties in 2007, the 620/720 class railcars continue to serve and traverse the NSW rail network in 2013 both in Heritage and RailCorp service.

Converted from set 631/731to become a RailCorp track inspection vehicle, set ML070 can be seen regularly patrolling the RailCorp network scanning the permanent way for track defects.

After the 620/720 fleet ran its final commuter runs two “good” sets were retained from the Newcastle suburban fleet (the

other being 625/725) for conversion to RailCorp inspection

vehicles while 621/721 and 623/723 were also retained within

the RailCorp ranks as core collection heritage vehicles.

As seen here captured by Bruce Gehrig passing Gosford Signal

Box on January 2nd, ML 070 (631/731) continues to provide

a useful function for its owner, sadly the other selected set

(625/725) has not been so lucky having been stripped and

stored pending scrapping at Chullora despite requests for its

purchase and preservation to serve heritage groups.

February 2013 ~ Page 15

WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER CESSNOCK SUPPORT GROUP

Rail and River Luncheon Cruise

Hello fellow supportersThe Cessnock Support Group are planning another fundraising outing for Sunday April 7th.

This time we are hoping to take you on a cruise as well as a train trip.

We will depart from Maitland station (0800hrs. approx.) as usual picking up as required enroute to Woy Woy where we will leave the train and make our way at a leisurely pace

over to the adjacent wharf to board the MV Lady Kendall.

We will then depart Woy Woy and enjoy a cruise of Brisbane Water with morning tea and a lunch of Fish and Chips provided on board returning to Woy Woy at approximately

1340hrs for the run back to Maitland arriving at approximately 1600hrs.

At this stage we expect that the cost will be $80 per person all inclusive.

To break even we need to sell 76 seats so if you are interested please book early and tell your friends, we expect to fill the train but the trip will be cancelled if we can’t cover costs.

Tickets will be available as usual from Cessnock Locksmiths in the Cessnock Marketplace from Monday 4 March 2013.

For further details contact Lorainne and Bruce on 4990 1587 or 0417655677.

Page 16 ~ Paterson Points

AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NSW DIVISION

TOUR INVITATION

Page 8 February 2013 ARHSnsw Members Newsletter

Annual June Long Weekend Tour 8 to 11 June 2013Sydney Central – Moss Vale – Goulburn – Yass – Harden – Cootamundra – Junee – Wagga Wagga –

The Rock – Culcairn – Albury – Wodonga – Wangaratta - Glenrowan - Benalla – Yarrawonga - Oaklands

Celebrate the 80th Birthday of the ARHS by travelling and exploring the delights of the Main South to Albury. Also experience our first Victorian tour in the restored 621/721 DMU Set from the Rail Motor Society, Paterson.

Our expected Saturday departure from Sydney Central Station is at 7am following the newest route to the south via the East Hills Line to Glenfield and the Main South line via spreading southern suburbs to Campbelltown, Picton and on to the Southern Highlands passing Mittagong, and Bowral. Moss Vale is our first stop. Enjoy the crisp winter air as we proceed to Goulburn, Gunning, Yass, Harden and then Cootamundra for lunch. Continue south to the once grand railway town of Junee, then Wagga Wagga, Uranquinty, The Rock, Henty, Culcairn and on to Albury where we will stay for the next three nights.

After a hearty breakfast we will rejoin the train to be the first NSW Heritage Rail Cars Tour to travel into Victoria. Travelling south across the Murray River and the Victoria / New South Wales Border through Wodonga, Chiltern, Wangaratta, Glenrowan to Benalla where we take the recently re-gauged branch line to Yarrawonga to cross the border and the Murray River again and continue to the once dual-gauge station at Oaklands. Lunch will be provided here before we return to Albury.

Monday will be an off-train day where we will be transported by coach on a tour to Wodonga, Bandiana and Yackandandah (The National Trust has classified this whole town). A little further on we reach the old goldfields town of Beechworth with over 30 buildings also classified by the National Trust. We will have a professional Beechworth tour guide join us for the town tour. A wine tasting and lunch will be at the nearby Amulet Winery. A visit to the Telegraph Station is also included to view the HO scale model of Beechworth Station and yard circa 1960 when the line was open (closed in 1976). Dinner this evening will be at Albury’s Commercial Club.

After an early breakfast we will departAlbury for our return journey. From Junee we ascend the Bethungra Spiral and on to Cootamundra for lunch. Continuing our travels we head north retracing our forward journey. Our evening arrival in Sydney is expected to follow the evening peak embargo on special trains. An evening light snack will be provided on board. The train will then return to Paterson.

The tour will start and finish at Sydney Central Station. Other pickups and set downs can be arranged en-route by application. Tour cost includes rail travel, the coach tour to Beechworth, transfers, dinner bed and breakfast accommodation at the Commodore Motel, Albury, all lunches, morning and afternoon teas whilst travelling on the train and an evening snack on Tuesday. Tour notes will be provided on departure from Sydney. A souvenir 621/721 mug is included.

Limited single supplement will be available upon request. Items of a personal nature/drinks are at own expense.

VICTORIAN VENTURE: ALBURY, BENALLA & OAKLANDS

Mail to: ARHSnsw Tours or fax (02) 4956 3370 Pay at: ARHSnsw Bookshop PO Box 4083 Rail Heritage Centre EDGEWORTH, NSW, 2285 SYDNEY CENTRAL STATION

Please reserve for me............ Seats ARHSnsw Members and Guests @ $1325.00 $......................... (GST incl)Please reserve for me............ Seats non-ARHSnsw Members and Guests @ $1395.00 $.………....…....… (GST incl) Limited Single Supplement................ @ $ 155.00 $.....…………....… (GST incl)I require Twin Share...................Double Accomodation.................. 2% Credit Card Payment Surcharge $..........................(GST incl)

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for $................................ Or please DEBIT my VISA or MASTERCARD (add 2% surcharge to payment)Card No. ..................................................................................................................................Expiry ........../..........(Add 2% above)Signature ......................................................................................................Date ........................................

Tickets, timetable and accommdoation confirmation will be posted to your address 10 days before departure.ARHSnsw Tours Infoline (02) 8394 9019 or 0428 333 443

ARHSnsw (ABN 96 000 538 803) is not responsible for last minute changes to train composition, tour route or destination(s). Refunds: up to 30 days prior–100 %; less than 30 days to 7 days–90 %; less than 7 days–NO REFUND

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