the 21st of September would see R 761 head the Vintage train to Castlemaine, this being a tour to mark 40 years since the mighty Hudson was restored by Steamrail in 1984.
starting off at Seddon to capture the transfer towards Southern Cross. then to start of the chase sees the train roll over the Maribyrnong River before moving to Sunbury Bank where the mighty engine blitzes the grade out of Sunbury before moving to Kyneton where the train speeds by before catching the again to Elphinstone tunnel as it tackles the final grade before a downward decent into Castlemaine.
At Castlemaine, passengers where able explore the town and have something to eat. Meanwhile, the R would be turned and with help from Y157, 64 AW would be temporally traded with 63 BW and 61 BW that have been on long term hire to VGR from SRV to receive much needed work.
with shunting done, the R is captured pushing the train back onto the mainline before heading up the line towards Elphinstone where the train is tackling up the grade towards Elphinstone Tunnel, next up the R is seen powering out of Taradale after having waited for a couple Vline services to pass, next up sees the train coast through Macedon and again at Kelior Plains.
To finish off the day, gently powers through Seddon as it returns to Newport.
2 окт 2024
