Thread: Calling all steam railway fanatics!

Thought I would resurrect this Thread, with another old UTube clip of twin Garretts coming up the Fassifern Bank in 1968.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1EWpCQP7eE]60 class Garratts double-head up Fassifern Bank - Winter, 1968 - YouTube[/ame]

I don't know if anyone has seen this but this is workmanship without the machinery of today

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcbTXlMSCwk"]3685 horsepower steam locomotive - YouTube[/ame]

All this talk of Steam and Garratt's and not one mention of Puffing Billy Narrow gauge railway in Belgrave Victoria.

As a kid I volunteered as part of the "School Section" with Puffing billy, my mob did mainly trackworks replacing the bits and pieces tracks with new 80 foot sections (From memory) as well as sleeper replacement and packing and tamping of new ballast.

The SS doesnt exist anymore sadly but the one weekend a month we spent doing trackwork still sticks in my mind.

Puffing billy has a Garratt G42 which was awaiting resto when i was a kid but pulls trains regularly now and compliments the NA Tank engines they usually run with the huge Garret hauling specials and extra long trains during peak periods.

PBR also has Climax and another geared loco with a huge cab that they use for learn to drive steam packages.

Although im no Gunzel the sound, smell and raw power of these engines brings me back to a happy place in my teen years.

puffing billy | Australia's favourite steam train

I went for a ride on the Puffing Billy many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, It is a real credit to the people who keep it going!!

Originally Posted by tony66_au

All this talk of Steam and Garratt's and not one mention of Puffing Billy Narrow gauge railway in Belgrave Victoria.

As a kid I volunteered as part of the "School Section" with Puffing billy, my mob did mainly trackworks replacing the bits and pieces tracks with new 80 foot sections (From memory) as well as sleeper replacement and packing and tamping of new ballast.

The SS doesnt exist anymore sadly but the one weekend a month we spent doing trackwork still sticks in my mind.

Puffing billy has a Garratt G42 which was awaiting resto when i was a kid but pulls trains regularly now and compliments the NA Tank engines they usually run with the huge Garret hauling specials and extra long trains during peak periods.

PBR also has Climax and another geared loco with a huge cab that they use for learn to drive steam packages.

Although im no Gunzel the sound, smell and raw power of these engines brings me back to a happy place in my teen years.

puffing billy | Australia's favourite steam train

You might be interested in the Timbertown Heritage Steam Locomotive at "Timbertown" near Wauchope on the mid north coast of NSW. Similiar theme to the Puffing Billy and I also have had a ride on this.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB3t3xgaAHg]Timbertown Heritage Steam Railway Hudswell Clarke 1862 of 1952 - YouTube[/ame]

Ahh Puffing Billy!
LOVE IT!!
We went to Belgrave when we were on our Vic caravan trip last year. Always on my hitlist and I had a great day. If I was a local I'd be a volunteer for sure. Beautiful area too. Interesting collection of locomotives too. Geez, I flattened the batteries in both the video camera and my iPhone!! Plus I love narrow gauge. Ps: some good clips on YouTube.
Regards
Robbo.

Heads up, the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tassie is set to cease oprations at the end of April. If you want to ride this iconic train, you better start planning!

Originally Posted by isuzutoo-eh

Heads up, the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tassie is set to cease oprations at the end of April. If you want to ride this iconic train, you better start planning!

I'd love to but it's too expensive. Maybe Puffing Billy could take on the loco's and rolling stock. Isn't it the same gauge? I know PB has some rolling stock from this line in Tassie.
Regards
Robbo