robbotd5
14th February 2015, 07:26 PM
Evening all.
I was just thinking today about this year's "Maitland" Steamfest and i'm wondering how it will be run (if at all). For the people who are unaware, the Newcastle line has been closed to all rail traffic with the view of tearing the tracks up as soon as a court injunction has been resolved. The station has been there (in various guise) since 1858 and is in my opinion an iconic part of a Novocastrian's surroundings.
So where will the steam trains terminate now?
I have a new proposal but I know it's pie in the sky though....
Let's remove the center of steam locomotive activity from Maitland to the old Broardmeadow roundhouse ?. It could be turned into a working steam museum. Sure it would require a whole swag of funding and infastructure but imagine how many locomotives that the public will be able to get up close and personal with instead of the usual station viewing or watching it speed past line side? The trains can still run to Maitland and the static displays and road steam can still be at Maitland, but with shuttle trips to Fassifern return as well.
To do this we will need a few of the iconic NSWGR locomotives that are in operational condition, let's see:
6029 (a 60 class Garratt would certianly cause a stir in the ranks here!!) hauling 1210+tender on a low loading rail wagon with suitable passenger stock in tow, 1709, to double head with 1210, 3237 & 5917 from LVR, 3801 (yep, now I know i'm dreaming!!) 3112 and our best 10 class to double head or run shuttles with the regulars like 3642, 3265 and 3526.
Just imagine something like that.......ah well, I can deram:D;)
Regards
Robbo
I was just thinking today about this year's "Maitland" Steamfest and i'm wondering how it will be run (if at all). For the people who are unaware, the Newcastle line has been closed to all rail traffic with the view of tearing the tracks up as soon as a court injunction has been resolved. The station has been there (in various guise) since 1858 and is in my opinion an iconic part of a Novocastrian's surroundings.
So where will the steam trains terminate now?
I have a new proposal but I know it's pie in the sky though....
Let's remove the center of steam locomotive activity from Maitland to the old Broardmeadow roundhouse ?. It could be turned into a working steam museum. Sure it would require a whole swag of funding and infastructure but imagine how many locomotives that the public will be able to get up close and personal with instead of the usual station viewing or watching it speed past line side? The trains can still run to Maitland and the static displays and road steam can still be at Maitland, but with shuttle trips to Fassifern return as well.
To do this we will need a few of the iconic NSWGR locomotives that are in operational condition, let's see:
6029 (a 60 class Garratt would certianly cause a stir in the ranks here!!) hauling 1210+tender on a low loading rail wagon with suitable passenger stock in tow, 1709, to double head with 1210, 3237 & 5917 from LVR, 3801 (yep, now I know i'm dreaming!!) 3112 and our best 10 class to double head or run shuttles with the regulars like 3642, 3265 and 3526.
Just imagine something like that.......ah well, I can deram:D;)
Regards
Robbo