3801 Timetable Central Western NSW starting June

**4bee** · 9th June 2021, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Bee and all steam locomotives in NSW, with the exception of the 59 class, were/are coal fired.

The Yank built 59 class were initially oil burners but most ( if not all ) were converted to coal.

Ah Ha I, knew I'd seen a reference to oil somewhere. Thanks for that. NSW would still have good access to coal whereas Oil could cost an arm & a leg. Makes sense now.

**JDNSW** · 9th June 2021, 06:46 PM

I failed to get pictures at Dubbo - I arrived at the station shortly before it was due to arrive - and it was just leaving! All I saw was the tail of the train.

But there were 150 passengers that got off it on the XPT I was catching, including the one next to me. Most of them got off at Orange, which is where 3801 came from yesterday.

**Tote** · 9th June 2021, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by 101RRS

So is the old engine so knackered that it needs the diesels to push it along.

Nope, it's as good as new, however after an electric train ran into the rear of a steam hauled service near the Hawkesbury river after it stalled on a grade, all mainline steam services have a diesel attached. I'm not sure if its a rule or an insurance condition.
Cowan rail accident - Wikipedia

Regards,
Tote

**drivesafe** · 9th June 2021, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tote

Nope, it's as good as new, however after an electric train ran into the rear of a steam hauled service near the Hawkesbury river after it stalled on a grade, all mainline steam services have a diesel attached. I'm not sure if its a rule or an insurance condition.

It is pretty well a worldwide requirement.

Top-n-Tail reduce the chances of a single engine operation causing havoc if it fails.

With the backup loco, should the "show" loco fail, you can at least get the train out of traffic.

**4bee** · 10th June 2021, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by drivesafe

It is pretty well a worldwide requirement.

Top-n-Tail reduce the chances of a single engine operation causing havoc if it fails.

With the backup loco, should the "show" loco fail, you can at least get the train out of traffic.

It appears as though that Diseasle is sharing the load already, with exhaust emanating from it's stack. A couple of great images back there<. I love steam.

**drivesafe** · 10th June 2021, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by 4bee

It appears as though that Diseasle is sharing the load already, with exhaust emanating from it's stack. A couple of great images back there<. I love steam.

I also love WATCHING steam locos at work, but I absolutely hated working on them.
While I was never qualified to work a C38, they were one of the worlds largest HAND FIRED locomotives.

**4bee** · 10th June 2021, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by drivesafe

I also love WATCHING steam locos at work, but I absolutely hated working on them.
While I was never qualified to work a C38, they were one of the worlds largest HAND FIRED locomotives.

Auto Electrix are so much cleaner I suppose.

**drivesafe** · 10th June 2021, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by 4bee

Auto Electrix are so much cleaner I suppose.

Ironically, the dirtiest locomotives I worked on were the 46 class electrics.

And while steam locos could be dirty, it was more the exposure to the elements that I didn’t like. Much more pleasant being in the cab of a diesel electric or suburban set.

Thread: 3801 Timetable Central Western NSW starting June

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