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DECEMBER 2010 PPatronatron ~ RearRear AAdmiraldmiral PPetereter SinclairSinclair ACAC 621/721 Tests ARTC’s ICE Radio PAGE 5

STOP PRESS PAGE 4

621/721’s crew have changed ends and the test participants stretch their legs in the midday sun as an Up freight rolls off the 1 in 40 grade of Picton viaduct and heads north. With the freight service clear, ARTC ICE radio test train 7R04 will cross to the Up main and also head towards to continue its verification of the new ICE train radio system operation into the RailCorp network. Photo: S.G. Preston www.railmotorsociety.org.au PRINT POST APPROVED PP247759/00002 Society News

From the President’s From the Secretary’s Desk Desk ~ Arthur Burgess ~ Bryan Hicks Well another year is fast drawing The end of the year is again to an end and with it another approaching and a tremendous chapter of The Rail Motor Society, amount of work has been carried it has been a privilege to lead a out by our enthusiastic team of fi ne Committee of Management volunteers over the last eleven during 2010. months. Yes, we have had our ups and downs like any organisation. Our I congratulate all those who have put in the effort to keep our trains have performed faithfully throughout the year however, rail motors running, we have had a lot of mechanical problems despite regular care and attention as befi ts their age, they get during the year which is no refl ection on our maintenance crew tired and eventually need a refi t. This year they needed bogie but rather an indication of the age of our vehicles. repairs and transmission upgrades to meet our future targets. When we received 621/721 they were in poor mechanical However, with our highly trained and motivated tradesmen and condition. Thanks to the efforts of our maintenance crew we have been able to solve a lot of issues with 621/721 to keep them their helpers we managed to meet all our commitments without running while the CPH’s have been out of action due to bogie loss of trade. This was achieved by making full use of rail motor overhauls, body repairs and repainting. The outlay for machining set 621/721 which we acquired from RailCorp’s Offi ce of Rail parts and work performed by contractors has put a tremendous Heritage NSW. strain on our fi nances. We have updated our catering facilities in CPH’s 1,3 and 7 also We have a membership of around 140 of which approximately 621/721 by installing electric water heaters as fi tted in interstate 20% contribute their time to the running and maintenance of the touring coaches, this was made possible with the generous depot and vehicles as well as crewing on tours. So again I appeal support of member Ken Butt also the Australian Railway to members who cannot help out at the depot due to work Historical Society (NSW Division). commitments or who live too distant to attend work days, please I must thank everyone involved for their continued support of consider contributing in some way towards YOUR Society. Your The Rail Motor Society and, in particular, our volunteers who annual subscription alone contributes very little to helping with made such a tremendous effort in their assistance in so many restoration as the majority is absorbed in administration costs. ways. The volunteers who work at the depot not only give freely of I will be off the scene for a little while, the replacement of a knee their time but they also have to bear the cost of transport to and has been successfully carried out but I am confi dent the system from Paterson, most of them live at least 50 kilometres away. So, will keep rolling along. how about donating the cost of the fuel you would use to travel to Paterson, all donations are tax deductible, the workers at To everyone, I wish you a safe and a Happy Christmas. Paterson do not have this privilege so don’t leave it to the 20%, help YOUR Society in some way today. ThThee following list is a report on what work has been carried out aatt ttheh depot in recent times, the magnitude of the activities gives aann iindicationn of the burden on the Society’s fi nances. Season’s 11.. A licensed electrician has installed new suspended 15amp ppower points in the shed and rewired the FZ amenities/ ttraining car for 240 volt lighting to replace the 24 volt Greetings ssystem that was prone to battery failure. 22.. A new metered, pressurised diesel fuel pump has been TThehe OOffiffi ccersers aandnd CCommitteeommittee iinstalled by Stafford Payne to enable 621 to be refueled ffrom our own storage tank eliminating the need for the fuel ooff tthehe RailRail MotorMotor SocietySociety ttruck to call after every trip. eextendxtend thethe Season’sSeason’s GreetingsGreetings 33.. AllA the hydraulic hoses have been replaced on 621 by PPirtek. New sectioned fl ooring is being placed under seats ttoo aallll mmembers,embers, ffriends,riends, ini 621/721 where the hold down screws will not hold in the originalo ply fl ooring due to deterioration. New cupboards aandnd ttheirheir families.families. forf catering supplies have been fi tted to 621 and 721, a microwave oven has been installed with a rotary 240 volt

Page 2 ~ PatersonPaterson PPointsoints Society News

inverter to run it and the onboard computers when they transmission has subsequently been returned to Paterson are used for testing purposes. on 15th November, this will allow us to return HPC 402 to 4. Stephen Preston has been busy running cables in all the service for tentative work in the next year. operational rail motors in readiness for the installation of The diffi culties experienced in having these transmissions the new ICE radios. The cost of the aerials and cabling is serviced has highlighted the scarcity of suitable experienced astronomical but is necessary if we are to comply in order personnel and servicing facilities for these items which to operate. Stephen also prepared CPH’s 1 and 7 and then are common to both 402 and the CPH’s . Our Society is 621/721 at short notice to take over HPC 402’s testing/ grateful to the Cooma - Monaro Railway for their assistance inspection role when it developed transmission problems and cooperation with this project which is of mutual benefi t earlier in the year. to both our organisations. 5. Four new alternators and four new dry cell batteries 10. Ray and Dave have made new cupboards and bench tops have been purchased and are to be installed in the CPH’s and fi tted them into CPH’s 1 and 7 which will make life a and 621/721 to operate the new hot water urns. Thanks lot easier for the catering crews. to generous donations by Ken Butt and the Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW Division), the cost of 11. CPH 3 was ready to run trials but the air compressor that purchasing and installing fi ve hot water urns has been was overhauled by a fi rm in Sydney failed and is in the covered. Urns have already been fi tted in 621 and CPH 3 process of being repaired. and are operating successfully, the installation in 721 has 12. After a delay of over 18 months, the two new data loggers been delayed while a special 100amp coupler was made which were ordered from UGL Rail have arrived. They to transfer power from 621 to 721, hopefully this will be were manufactured locally from components sourced from completed before Christmas. the United States at a cost of $22,000.00 for both units, 6. A marine vacuum retention toilet has been ordered for they will be installed in CPH’s 3 and 7. CTC 51 as part of our heritage grant. This type of system 13. Two plaques have been placed on the doors of the operates successfully in CPH’s 1 and 7. Very little work has bookcase in the cottage recognising the bequests made by been done on Trailer Car CTC 51 over the last few months Tom Holmes and Harry Wright of their book and magazine as our body builder, Alwyn Williams has been extremely ill. collections to the Society. We wish him a speedy recovery. 7. The driving bogie on CPH 7 has been reinstated after 14. A new fl at pack kitchen has arrived for the cottage. The being overhauled, these repairs have taken some time original kitchen was manufactured in 1969 and donated by and had to be done as CPH 7 was suffering a hot box a member when he was doing renovations to his home in problem. The repairs necessitated the axle boxes and horn 1987, the chipboard is breaking up badly and the laminated cheeks being welded, re-machined and new axle brasses cupboard surface almost impossible to clean. As the kitchen machined as well, all at considerable cost to the Society. is used to prepare food for the consumption of passengers The trailing bogie was removed from CPH 1 after the tour and crew it was considered necessary to replace the to Murrurundi and is now receiving the same treatment as kitchen to avoid any health issues. the drive bogie in CPH 7. 15. The old garden shed that was adjacent to the cottage 8. Steve Davies and Peter McFarlane have repaired and has been moved to a new location and a new larger shed repainted the exterior of CPH’s 1 and 7 using Galmet one erected to house the BBQ trailer and portable chairs. pack paint and they look magnifi cent. 16. Eric is working on the BR amenities car replacing rotten 9. The second transmission that failed in HPC 402 in April was timber and painting, all the handrails around the drain area taken to Kempsey in May for overhauling but has not been have also been painted in safety yellow. returned as yet due to the repairer experiencing personal 17. The new security keying system has arrived and will be problems. The transmission that was taken to Sydney to be implemented immediately. overhauled by the RailCorp apprentices is in limbo due to the relocation of their workshop facilities. 18. Barrie Kingsford’s efforts around the depot area have been A proposal was made to our Society recently by the Cooma rewarded with a magnifi cent display of fl owers in bloom – Monaro Railway which has been accepted. They will and mown lawns, the hard to maintain areas have been supply us an overhauled transmission in 3 weeks, we will sprayed with weed killer. exchange the transmission from the Apprentice Training 19. I am currently negotiating with Volunteers Australia to have Centre and an overhaul kit from our stock. We will have to them working at the depot again next year. pick up the two transmissions in Sydney (1 being Cooma’s which was also waiting to be overhauled by the apprentices) ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU CAN DO and transport both to a workshop in Narooma which will FOR YOUR SOCIETY necessitate an overnight stop. STOP PRESS The overhauled – NOT WHAT YOUR SOCIETY CAN DO FOR YOU

December 2010 ~ Page 3 Society News

New South Wales Volunteer Awards Donations Operations Manager Bruce Agland was awarded a Certifi cate of Please remember that the ATO has approved the Society issuing Recognition for his efforts on behalf of the Society at a function receipts for gifts/donations (not testamentary gifts) which will be held recently at the Charlestown branch of the Westpac Bank. allowable deductions for income tax purposes. Due to work commitments in Sydney Bruce was unable to attend, his award was accepted on his behalf by Bryan and Maree Operations Report Hicks. Well done Bruce. ~ Bruce Agland, Operations Manager Annual General Meeting Operations for 2010 This important members’ meeting will be held on Saturday 20–21 November Metro Weekend (ARHS) 26th March, 2011 in the Station Master’s Residence, Webbers 5 December Taree Mystery Tour (Ted McKellar) Creek Road, Paterson commencing at 1000hrs. 6 December Maitland Markets ex Wauchope (Ted McKellar) The formal meeting notice, nomination and proxy forms will be posted out beforehand, why not make an effort to attend 11 December Gloucester (Transport Express Joint Venture Xmas Party) this important date on YOUR Society’s calendar and also take the opportunity to inspect progress in depot development Operations for 2011 and restoration activities. 22 January Nowra ARHS (NSW Div.) 23 January Tamworth (Peter McFarlane) Membership Renewals 20 February Werris Creek (Maitland Modellers) Members are reminded that your membership renewal is 5/6 or 12/13 March Gulgong (National Servicemens Assoc.) due on the 1st January 2011. A renewal form and envelope 20 March Kiama (Westpac Rescue-Bruce Matthews) is enclosed with this newsletter for your convenience. 9 -10 April Steamfest New Members April Hawkesbury River ex Wollongong (Illawarra Modellers) The following new full members are welcomed to the Society: Peter and Allison Swinbourne, John Ridden, Robert and Kathryn 20-29 May Brisbane & North West (Insights Tours) Lane, Stephen and Jennifer Cornish. 10-14 June Broken Hill ARHS (NSW Div.) 31 July Gloucester Changed your address? (Westpac Rescue, Bruce Matthews) Please check the address on the label of this newsletter envelope. 27 August Gulgong ex Denman (Ray Barry) If the details are incorrect or you have changed your address 7 August Kempsey (Trish Cheetham) advise the Secretary as soon as possible. 30 October Murrurundi (TBA) 19-20 November Gulgong (Peter King) Correspondence To ensure that postal items do not go astray, members are Work Days requested to direct correspondence to the Society’s Post Offi ce Regular work days are usually held each Wednesday, new volunteers Box 445 Charlestown 2290 address, NOT to individual Offi cer’s are always welcome. If you are not a regular volunteer at the depot private addresses as they may be absent on leave. and would like to participate, contact the Secretary Bryan Hicks (see directory) in the fi rst instance for further information. STOP PRESS Society members, supporters and the rail preservation movement in general will be well aware of the thousands of hours over many years that have been expended to return CPH 3 to active service. Nor has any expense been spared to ensure that CPH 3 complied to regulatory requirements in every conceivable way, the most recent purchase being $11,000 for a data logger. The Society planned to return CPH 3 to service in late January 2011 with a run to Nowra for the ARHS (NSW Division). Unfortunately, the bureaucracy within RailCorp is attempting to now impose additional operating requirements on CPH 3 that are not currently required for the operation of CPH 1 and 7 and for other CPH rail motors operating on the RailCorp network. The Society is progressing these new requirements with RailCorp and with the rail safety regulator (ITSR) to come to a satisfactory agreement. Due to the Christmas break, the Society has to await the outcome of these negotiations and has decided to postpone the re-launch of CPH 3 until a date to be confi rmed.

Page 4 ~ Paterson Points Society News

Cover Story: A Sputnik enters the ICE Age by S.G. Preston

The ARTC test ICE radio unit was supplied installed in a test rack to facilitate easy transport and installation and due to the location of the temporary power and antenna cables was positioned in the luggage area of 621. Here we see radio technician Matt Burger checking cable connectors whilst Jared Smith waits to complete commissioning tests. The final space requirements for the ICE system is much less than pictured here with the main CCU rack capable of being fitted into the same cabinet as the existing CountryNet radio tray.

The society’s long standing support for Train Radio testing on” to the ARTC network the unit then operated into RailCorp continued on November 11 with the proving of ARTC’s new territory and Newcastle station before changing directions and “ICE” radio within RailCorp territory for the fi rst time. heading to Sydney. With 402 and the CPH’s still unavailable for traffi c Sputnik set The main focus of this test run was to validate the operation 621/721 was called upon to perform the testing honours and of an ICE radio in the RailCorp network which was proven by operated a day return test run to validate the operation of the the placing of multiple test calls to and from the RailCorp RMC new system beyond the ARTC network. control centre at Central and observing the network change over at the ARTC/RailCorp interface locations. In the days leading up to the test trip 621 was equipped with the ARTC ICE test rack which was again mounted in the luggage area Senior ARTC offi cers including the C&CS Communications and connected to the temporarily installed antennas and cables Manager John Hall and Operations Support Manager Graham supplied by Goodwin Alco. To provide a more comfortable Harrison travelled from Adelaide to witness the testing and were environment for the test crew and observers the drivers HMI also joined by other ARTC staff and stakeholder representatives console, microphone and speakers were extended into the including a veteran of train radio projects, Pacifi c Nationals Mark passenger saloon which also allowed maximum observation and Sheargold. participation by those involved. A slightly early departure from Newcastle ensured the timetable A 0600 departure from Paterson saw 7R00 test run underway on was easily maintained along the Short North and after picking up time and Newcastle bound capably crewed by Mick Baczynskyj, more dignitaries at Hornsby 621/721 entered Sydney’s suburbia Doug Bennett and Eric Larkins. With the ICE system “logged and soon diverted off the main at North Strathfi eld and onto

December 2010 ~ Page 5 Society News

To minimise the impact of the fitting of test antennas to 621 Goodwin Alco also provided stand off brackets to mount the antennas clear of the roof and to provide easy access to the bottom mounted connectors. The antenna above left is a combined unit which supports operation of both the Telstra Next G and GPS functions while the antenna pictured above right is for the satellite unit which provides back up service should Next G coverage not be available. the dedicated goods lines leading to Flemington and . Arrival into Strathfi eld saw two yellows confi rming the road north ARTC’s plans to take up control of the Sydney Freight Network and with the 1 in 40’s of Denistone and Beecroft conquered are well underway and this test run also provided confi rmation and an all stations service overtaken at Hornsby more of the for radio operations through the “Goods road” and SSFL timetable was regained in each section. corridor areas that it will soon manage. Final radio testing was performed whilst crossing the Islington Unfortunately the clear running ended as the end of the goods Junction interface and after dropping a large contingent at roads approached and after fi nally clearing via SP3 signal steady Waratah 621/721 headed home to Paterson after another progress was made stick for stick until an all stations suburban successful testing duty. service “crossed over” at Campbelltown. Thanks are due to all the societies train crew, maintenance As the acceleration increased through the platform all on board staff, volunteers and also the ARTC and RailCorp staff which smiled as green southward signals were observed and free running contributed to make the trip possible. at track speed was enjoyed to the termination point of Picton. After changing ends and being run through by an Up freight the ARTC Junee Main South A Network Controller cleared the road for the now 7R04 test train and rapid progress retracing the path northward was made only to again be halted on the approach to the RailCorp passenger network at Macarthur. Blocking back due to an all stations service saw slow running across the network boundary and continued through to Sefton Park which saw the goods roads rejoined. Running on the goods turned out to be no less obstructed and after running over multiple speed restrictions due to track mud holes and also catching a preceding coal train the special rejoined “high iron” at Sydenham and ran briskly into Central terminal. With a signifi cant running time defi cit and the peak period rapidly approaching a quick turn around on platform 3 saw some RailCorp test staff hurriedly board the train and the journey home of 7R05 commenced. With the multiple crossovers of Sydney yard cleared 621/721 powered under Cleveland street and after cresting the climb through Redfern platform commenced an To provide a more comfortable environment and better observation capability for the testing officers, the ICE driver interface “HMI” unit was extended into impressive run across through Stanmore and Lewisham in a style the passenger saloon of 621 while the speakers were placed above in the luggage reminiscent of the “Richmond Rocket”. rack. For normal operations the HMI and speakers will be placed within the drivers cab area. Here Matt Burger places a test call to Broadmeadow control to confirm correct operation.

Page 6 ~ Paterson Points Tour Reports

Westpac Bowral Tulip Tour Article and Photos: Bruce Gehrig

Passengers rejoin the train at Bowral after visiting Corbett Gardens.

Sunday 26th September was a fi ne day for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s second rail trip, this time to the annual Tulip Festival at Bowral in the southern highlands. The trip was again organised by Bruce Matthews and Lorainne Corcoran, with all monies being raised going to the rescue organisation. Departure was on time from Maitland at 6.30am, all seats had been sold with passengers being picked up from Broadmeadow, Cardiff and Morisset stations. Leaving Morisset on time at 7.26am tour notes, Tulip Time programs, map and a history of the Corbett Gardens at Bowral were distributed and the obligatory safety issues announced to all on board. Good running ensued, and morning tea was served by the friendly cabin crew however, by Gosford our train had caught up to the 6.31am intercity service from Newcastle. While travelling at reduced speed on caution signals along Mullet Creek, it was possible to see the Sydney bound Newcastle train around the curves ahead. Our train travelled through Sydney via Chullora Junction rather than Lidcombe and came to stop at Campbelltown at 10.00am for a ten minute leg stretch. 621/721 attracted interest here with some passengers on the two car Endeavour service to Moss Vale getting off their train to have their photos taken next to 721. The Moss Vale service left from the back platform on time at 10.04am and our special followed six minutes later. Arrival at Bowral was 20 minutes ahead of the timetable at 11.30am thus allowing passengers well over three hours to visit the tulip display in Corbett Gardens, have lunch and explore the town of Bowral which had most of its shops open. Corbett Gardens were a spectacular display of colour, with stalls set up both inside the gardens and on one street outside which had been closed to traffi c for the event. After over three hours, passengers made their way back to the station where our train was due back from Moss Vale at 2.50pm. However, the combined Up Griffi th and Canberra Explorer was running 20 minutes late and 721/621, which was tabled to follow it, did not arrive until just 3pm.

December 2010 ~ Page 7 Tour Reports

Away from Bowral just 6 minutes late with a train load of contented passengers, the defi cit was recovered by Bargo. Tickets in a raffl e had been sold on the way to Bowral and the successful prize winners were announced on the run down to Picton, nearly $450 was raised for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. A form was also distributed amongst the passengers requesting contact details for future trips to Gulgong and Kiama which are being considered. Afternoon tea was served after Campbelltown and the rejoined at North Strathfi eld at 5.00pm. After passing Woy Woy, our special caught up to the 4.45pm Wyong service which could be seen ahead over the Brisbane Waters as it climbed the grade into Point Clare, our arrival at Gosford for a comfort stop was at 6.15pm. After leaving Gosford cheese, biscuits, wine and orange juice were served which was much appreciated and contributed to the convivial atmosphere onboard, passengers were dropped off at their respective stations and a fast run across Hexham swamp saw our train arrive at Maitland 17 minutes early at 7.54pm where the last of the tired but happy passengers left the train. Full marks to Bruce and Lorainne for their organisation of the day also the Society’s operations crew of Rodney Short, Bruce Matthews and Eric Larkins Fitter Graham Pantlin and cabin crew John and Bev Redman, Lorainne Corcoran and Margaret Pantlin who contributed so much to their passengers enjoyment. People are already placing their names on the waiting list for the next trip even though the destination and date are yet to be fi nalised.

A group of passengers enjoying a short break at Campbelltown.

Page 8 ~ Paterson Points Tour Reports

October Long Weekend Tour Dunedoo and Gulgong, 2nd – 4th October Article and Photo: Bryan Hicks

621/721 are welcomed into the platform at Dunedoo.

An early start on Saturday morning saw the crew preparing the station when we arrived to help us out with repairs to the 621/721 for a three day jaunt to Gulgong and Dunedoo. Because damaged metal pipe. As we only had about 45 minutes before of track closures on the line between Muswellbrook and Ulan, the train was scheduled to return to Dunedoo, our passengers we had to travel via Werris Creek, Binnaway and Merrygoen to were quickly unloaded so 621 could be moved forward clear arrive in Dunedoo for the Centenary of Rail festivities. of the platform to gain access to the offending pipe. The pipe After a quick run to Broadmeadow to pick up the majority of the was removed and the refrigeration mechanic took it away, silver passengers, we departed in drizzling rain with a trouble free run soldered it and had it back to us in 15 minutes. We replaced the to Werris Creek where the Lions Club met us at the station with pipe, replenished the coolant, and moved the train back onto prepared takeaway lunches which were quickly put onboard for the platform in time for passengers to board, our departure was our hungry passengers and we set off smartly for The Gap to delayed for 10 minutes waiting for some latecomers for the 45 keep ahead of the CountryLink Explorer service to Moree. minute run to Dunedoo. Spirited running was the order of the day with safeworking stops The bowling club was the venue for a “Murder Mystery“ dress-up at Springridge and Premer before arriving at Binnaway where dinner which was enjoyed by passengers and crew, an enjoyable our driver changed ends and, once safeworking formalities were dinner was had by all but the crew had to leave before the show completed, we departed for Merrygoen where our passengers fi nished to prepare 621/721 for the run back to Gulgong with a alighted to stretch their legs while more safeworking was carried very merry load of revellers. out by the crew in readiness for the run to Dunedoo. During Saturday night the heavens opened up and the rain Between Merrygoen and Dunedoo someone had placed a fi shplate continued all day on Sunday which didn’t dampen the locals’ and two rail retainers on the line, unfortunately we were unable enthusiasm for riding on our rail motors, every trip was full even to stop in time to avoid running over them and they were thrown the crew’s rest seats, which exhausted them completely as they up underneath 621 causing No.2 engine to shut down. Upon had to stand all day. inspection it was found that a steel water pipe on No.2 engine Thankfully, the weather improved Monday allowing the rail motors had been damaged and it was rapidly loosing coolant. The engine to be refueled and serviced in readiness for the run home. In was shut down before it overheated, No.1 engine restarted and contrast to the previous day the crew were able to enjoy a leisurely checked for faults and, as it appeared OK, we decided to proceed lunch at the pub before heading back to the station for the trip to Dunedoo at reduced speed arriving one hour late. home. With the line through to Muswellbrook now re-opened to A large crowd that had witnessed a street parade prior to our traffi c, the journey back to Broadmeadow via Sandy Hollow was arrival including the Mayor, brass band and mounted police were done in splendid sunshine that the passengers enjoyed. on the station and surrounding area waiting to welcome us, as A special thanks to Phil Mattick from the Mudgee Miniature 621 broke through the ribbon draped across the track from the Railway who relentlessly taxied our crew and baggage to and station the waiting crowd cheered. Due to our late arrival our from our motel for three days and his brother Geoffrey for the stay at Dunedoo had to be shortened and we were soon on our speedy repairs to the damaged pipe, much appreciated Phil way to Gulgong. and Geoff. Also Peter and Lois King for organising the weekend A local Gulgong refrigeration mechanic was contacted by phone for the Mudgee Miniature Railway, their tenth anniversary rail from the train enroute to Gulgong and he was waiting for us on excursion to Gulgong with our Society.

December 2010 ~ Page 9 Society News

ARHS (NSW Division) Support Recognised A commemorative plaque, recognising the support our Society has received from the Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW Division) over the past 25 years, was presented during the lunch break at Paterson on the ARHS CityRail Hunter Tour on Sunday 8th August. The presentation was made by the Society’s Operations Manager, Bruce Agland, on behalf of the Management Committee to ARHS (NSW) Council representatives Terry Boardman, Spencer Ross and Grahame Thurling. The plaque featured a brass 2QG bogie plate retrieved from a scrapped rail motor bogie, while the timber for the plaque mount was made from cedar salvaged from the restoration of CTC 51.

(Left to Right) ARHS Councillors Terry Boardman, Spencer Ross, Grahame Thurling and Operations Manager Bruce Agland. Photo: Bryan Hicks Directory

The Rail Motor Society Incorporated Depot & Museum Treasurer Paterson Points / Tin Hare Gazette Webbers Creek Road, John Redman Editor Paterson NSW 2421 Phone/Fax: 02 4948 8769 Geoff Murray Phone: 02 4938 5411 Email: [email protected] 1/10 Seaspray Close Caves Beach NSW 2281 President Operations Manager Phone: 02 4971 4114 Arthur Burgess Bruce Agland Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 4959 6409 Phone/Fax: 02 4996 4666 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0416 224 531 Contributions of articles and/or photographs Email: [email protected] for future editions of Paterson Points and Vice President The Tin Hare Gazette are most welcome and Eric Larkins Engineering Manager (Rolling Stock) may be forwarded directly to the Editor. Phone: 02 49661549 Stafford Payne Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 4948 8521 Correspondence to be addressed to: The Secretary Secretary Train Crewing Manager PO Box 445 Charlestown NSW 2290 Bryan Hicks Eric Larkins Phone/Fax: 02 4954 4904 Phone: 02 4966 1549 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Page 10 ~ Paterson Points From the Archives

Article by S.G. Preston Photo: R.G. Preston The 62 mile branch line from Cooma to Bombala traversed some of the highest and most remote parts of the NSW rail network and included the most southerly located stations served by the NSWGR. The extreme climatic conditions encountered which included snow falls and frequent high winds meant that the crews on the line were intimately familiar with tough working conditions and with the grades on the line being “up hill both ways” it is unlikely that crews other than those chasing promotion volunteered to be appointed to the area. Originally goods and mixed services were timetabled to carry timber, meat and other produce connecting with and off other services at Cooma, with a weekly goods only service operating in the branches fi nal years of operation till 1986. A review of the Southern Division 1956 WTT shows the introduction of a three days a week “Diesel Train” passenger service rostered to operate from Cooma to Bombala on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays as No.71 returning on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays as No.72 and Saturdays as No.14a. These services were operated by the 600/700 2 car diesel train sets built from 1949 in the railways own Chullora workshops and, due to their insulated aluminium body construction and internal refi nements including padded seats and gas heaters, must have been very well received by passengers and crews alike. Originally equipped to carry 82 passengers and 8 tons of luggage, parcels and mail, they were fi tted with 2 x GM 6-71 diesel engines and would have had no problem supporting the lines normal service requirements. The 1960’s scene above was captured at Nimmitabel station which was located almost midway along the branch and only a few miles from its highest point. Two car set 710/610 working service No.71 Down Bombala Diesel train, stands in the platform while a special headed by double 32 class steam locos waits patiently in the loop for the passenger to pass. The new model cars of customers including a shiny EJ Holden are lined up behind the white platform fence while two mothers, children and Corgi walk along the gravel platform towards the railcar set, hoping to receive their goods unloaded by the Guard and Station Master. While still in existence, Nimmitabel station today stands decaying and out of use with rail services almost certainly never to return to the region. Unit 610/710 (now 670/770 being one of fi ve sets being reconfi gured with Cummins power to operate in multiple with 620/720 sets in 1971) turned 60 this year and is privately owned and stored out of use at the former Valley Heights loco depot. Coincidently, the lead steam loco pictured, 3214, is also housed at the RTM’s Valley Heights depot site and is the sole remaining P class loco equipped with steam train heating equipment (which was a feature of many southern area P class locos) although it has been separated from its tender which faces an unknown future in storage at Broadmeadow.

December 2010 ~ Page 11 The Rail Motor Society

MAGAZINE SALE

At last we have sorted through the magazines in our collection, and as we have quite a few surplus to our needs it has been decided to offer them to our members fi rst. If you are interested in purchasing and of the below publications, please send a list of your preferences, along with your contact details, to Maree Hicks c/- PO Box 445Charlestown NSW 2290. Please note we only have some months and years of each magazine on the list. Prices quoted are per copy unless marked otherwise.

Aust. Western Rails 78-89, $2 England SteamWorld 83-05, $3

ARHS WA 85-86, $2 Aust. Light Railway 98-05, $3

ARHS QLD 77-89, $3 QLD Railway Digest 68-79, $3

Rail Aust 87-90, $4 Green Over Red 72-79, $3

SA Railend Museum Catchpoint 82-96, $3 Light Railways 80-97, $3

America Magazine of Railroading 77-89, $3 Stack Talk 76-79, $3

America Railroad Magazine 75-92, $3 Bytown Railway Society 2000-05, $2

America Trains Magazine 47-04, $5 Electric Traction 66-83, $4

America The Popular Magazine of Railroading 47-69, $5 Railway Enthusiast 67-90, $5

America Classic Trains 01-02-05, $2 Roundhouse Quarterly 06, $4

Britain Steamworld No.77, $2 Roundhouse Quarterly 70, $5

Railway Gazette 90-91, $2 Track & Signal 03, $1

Europe Big Diesel Special 2006, $5 NSW Digest 66-03, $3

SA Catchpoint 82-98, $3 Railway Transportation 51-74, $3

VIC Newsrail 73-96, $3 Aust. Western Rails 78-89, $2

VicRail Newsletter 47-76, $2 ARHS WA 85-86, $2

Railway Transportation 51-74, $5 ARHS QLD 77-89 77-89, $3

Canada Pacifi c Spanner 50-67, $5 Rail Aust. 87-90, $4

England Modern Railways 73-85, $2 Aust. Model Railway Magazine 64/78/79/80/81/82/83/84 England Steam Railway 86-97, $2 Full Sets $25 each 65 Missing June/July, $20 NZ Transport Journal 74-02, $3 Aust. Model Railroad NZ Railway Observer 68-05, $2 67/76/77 SA Recorder 77-89, $2 Full Sets $25

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