Parkes area report 25/1 to 28/1

[John Martin <jmartin@uow.edu.au>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list

Left home (Oak Flats) tues. morning 25/1 and proceeded via Moss Vale,
Harden, Young, Grenfell, Forbes to Parkes.  Weather not promising!
Cloudy and occasional drizzle.  At Forbes 48158/48104 on 8822 were at
the silo loading 20 wagons of GT9 at approx. 14.30.   8148/8250 x Parkes
on 8924 to Port Kembla with GT4 passed through at approx. 15.30.  8822
arrived back at Parkes around 19.00.  Meanwhile, 48143/48111 on 8922
arrived from Yarrabandia (west of Bogans Gate) at approx. 16.00 after
which  a visit to Parkes Top Loco was arrange after signing the
Silverton visitors book and an indemnity form.  At loco was
442s1,442s2,442s3,48s30,48s31,48s37, and 33.  The Silverton Regional
Manager advised there was one 442s and two 48s's at Narromine but
nothing would be working on Australia Day.  He was professional  but at
the same time friendly and helpful.  These 3 locos, 442s6/48s35/32  were
later sighted at loco on Thurs. morning (27/1) having worked down
overnight.
At approx. 19.00 8161 arrived back from Parkes Sub with T790 with the
rest of GT9..
Later that night at the scheduled time of 21.00 NR18 arrived from the
south on 3NY3 steel train and proceeded through Goobang Yard to Broken
Hill.

Wed 26/1 still cloudy.  08.00 at Goobang Yard saw N35/NR18 on 4YN2 steel
train depart for points south while NR118 on 3SP5 "Western Sprinter" of
con flats and roadrailers left shortly after to the west.
8161 was sighted on 8871 empty wheat x Manildra returning to Parkes at
12.30.
We them waited to photograph WL33 which duly arrived with 42203/42220,
of two passenger cars and a power van.  Foolishly tried to chase it west
of Parkes but after exceeding the speed limit by a sizeable amount,
sanity returned!
48111/48143 were out at Parkes Sub all day until 15.30 when 8153/8161
arrived LE to replace them and complete the loading,  returning to
Parkes at 17.00.
That evening 48128, 4897, and 4887 were stabled near the "Comet Shed" at
Old Parkes Loco.

Thur 27/1 after heavy rain all night, dawned cloudy but sunny!  The best
conditions yet.
Went to Grawlin (south of Forbes) and chased NR119/NR95 on 5SP5 back to
Parkes and at one location on the way to Bogans Gate!
48104/48153 worked to Peak Hill to load and returned 1-1/2 hours late at
15.35.
2 x 48's also worked to Bogans Gate to load but managed to miss this
one, however suspect it could not be fully loaded as 8250 worked the
wagons to Parkes Sub at 17.00 returning an hour later.  At 21.10 5NY5
steel train departed Goobang Yard towards Coota.  At 22.10 Silverton's
33/32/48s35 passed through on their way to Cobar via Narromine with an
empty ore train.  These wagons had been sitting in Parkes Yard at least
since being first sighted on tues afternoon.  At 22.20 8131/8215
departed Goobang Yard with a full wheat made up from the Bogans Gate and
Peak Hill trips.

Fri 28/1 chased NR37/NR41 on 3PS6 from Goobang to Daroobalgie (half way
to Forbes) before returning to Parkes and then Manildra where 8250 was
unloading wheat and both MM01 and 7340 (stored) were photographed before
returning home via the Blue Mountains (only "V" sets sighted!)

Hope this is of interest.
Regards
John


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