We were coming home from the Easter Show (I'll be ready for that again in about 4 years but there was this one goat that was awfully cute) Anyway - 3801 - We were coming into Central around 18:30 and could see it a few platforms over (platform 1 I think) backing up toward two or three carriages and a tank car (water I would guess.) Since we had to change trains anyway we went over to get a closer look. That's the biggest steam engine I have ever seen under fire in person. (it's a 4-6-2) The only others that have come close have been narrow gauge and well, it's just no comparison. This thing SOUNDED like it meant business just waiting for the green signal! There was a father and son on the platform with us - the kid was about 3 (maybe 4) and I'm fairly sure this was his first steam engine. This kid's gonna be a railfan for life now They finally got the green and the kiddy wasn't ready for the steam horn (heck - it startled me - darn loud that was) and then the HISSSSSSSSSSSSS and it was moving - hardly seemed to care that there was anything attached. In the words of the little kid: "I saw it! I saw it! I saw it!"
Rob, 3801 is an infamous engine here in Sydney. I may be wrong but I think it still holds the record time between Newcastle and Sydney. 3801 was involved in a fatal accident approx 12 years ago when it was involved in a collision with an interurban train. Someone had applied the handbrake to one of the passenger cars to enable 3801 too use more power,unfortunately the driver used more sand for 3801 to get up the grade. The sand insulated the train from the signal track circuiting causing the train in the rear to receive a false clear signal. The interurban hit the rear of the 3801's wooden passenger car, killing a boy sitting behind the drivers cabin on the interurban. As you stated 3801 still runs on historical journeys and I always try and take a look when I hear it approaching my work. 3801 Unlimited site
Never having had the opportunity to see a streamlined 38 in operation I enjoyed your description of your encounter. Living in South Australia I am also priveledged to have the opportunity to observe preserved streamlined passenger steam locomotion. Steamranger, based in the Adelaide hills, regularly run a preserved South Australian Railways 520 class 4-8-4 locomotive fitted with a 12 wheel tender. It weighed in at just over 200tons and produced 32600 lbs of tractive effort and makes an impressive sight pulling through the hills.
It's a bit scary seeing you guys talking about steam,makes me feel a lot older than my 55 years. I was a Guard on the NSW Railways in the 60's and 70's, [I was the youngest North of Newcastle] I worked a lot of steam trains just before they retired, used to work Werris Ck. to Wallangarra [Qld. border]. At the time every one involved was pleased to see the last of the dirty bloody things, funny how times change. I transferred to Grafton in '70, no steam left there except for an oil burning 59 class, last one I ever saw working. I would have to say the biggest thrill in my Rail career was seeing 2 60 class loco's pulling up Murrarundi Range. That was steam at it's best. It's like Harleys and Jap bikes, Steam had a heart, not a silicon chip! Memories!!!
yes... shame its so expensive to do. we did the Lovedale Long lunch up to Maitland, including a bus trip to 4 wineries a while ago, and that was 7am at Central stn to 11pm! What a day out... http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=58&t=000013 if you get a chance to do it, do it once in your life.. You can join the 3801 Club.. they are at Redfern I think?? Gary? paul... correct me? [ 30 April 2001: Message edited by: virtual-bird ]
Now that you guys have had a taste of the romance and mystery of real steam, you can understand why we love a steamer so much. Diesels are pretty, but to us they aren't alive monsters to tame and control, like a steaming dragon! There is nothing so loud, so big, so scarey and so lovable as a steam engine under a full head of steam! (Yeah there are a few women who come close!)
Watash, if you want to see some REAL Steam Locos, take a look at the photos that Alan has posted of the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway on the Narrow Guage & Shortline Forum Hank
