CENTRAL 1969 Pt 1

["Patrick J Buchanan" <mainline@cyber.net.au>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list

Fellas,
I Posted the following to AusLoco, some 8 months ago when there was only a
couple of Subscribers.
As its a pretty miserable Sunday afternoon, thought it might be worthwhile
Re-Posting !!

Pt 1 CENTRAL 1969 !!

A walk through Sydney's Central Station one evening this week, reminded me
how much things have changed over the last thirty or so years.

Gone is the hustle and bustle associated with large numbers of people
travelling by the Interstate Expresses and the overnight Mail's.

Central had an atmosphere all of its own !!

With that never forgotten smell of the coal smoke from the always present
30 Class. The rhythmic throb and blue pungent haze of the idling diesels
waiting for departure. And of course that not unpleasant smell of brewing
hops from the old Tooths and Tooheys Breweries around Kent Street
and Broadway.

The cuisine also rates a mention, with those 'Railway' Pies at the top of
the 'menu' !! But my own personal favourite was those funny steak
sandwiches; thin bread and an equally thin piece of steak. All of this
wrapped and sealed and heated in a manner that was probably the precursor
of todays FastFood. To this day, those 'Central' steak sandwiches remain my
'Steak Sandwich NIRVANNA'. But alas, I'm still searching for that same
level of epicurean enjoyment !!

LOOKING BACK ON SUNDAY 20th April 1969 !!

Its around about 5pm, and a long walk to the end of Platforms 2 & 3,
will give you an opportunity to see which engines are rostered as shunters.

Tonight, it looks like Eveleigh units 4896 and 4897.

A weekday evening would usually be a bit different, with two or three
30 Class normally rostered. The 48's, would of course, be fully utilised on
the peak hour South Coast pass's as well as Metrop 'Trip' working.

In addition to the couple of 48's, the GE centre cabs, 7920 and 7923 are
usually lurking in the shadows of the car sheds.

But, this Sunday evening, not all is lost, as 3138 will keep us
entertained !! Tonight it's deputising for an unavailable 7923. Shame !!

We make our way over to the departure platform for No 51 Moss Vale pass'.
At the head of SEB set 100 and 4 additional cars; FS's and BS's ; is 3827 !!
We obviously linger !! Waiting for departure !! We check the engine over !!
And yes, everything looks, OK !! With only a few minutes to the tabled
departure, we take a few steps back, and watch the driver and fireman !!
Obviously they've been doing this for a hella lot longer then us !!

Right on 5.50, with a long blast from the whistle, the 38 departs, and only
as 3827 and her driver and her fireman know how !!

The sound of a 38's chime whistle is etched in my memory.

Ten minutes later and as a bit of an anti-climax:
3107 wanders in light engine !!
And nothing happens again, until 25 minutes later,
when 3107 tries to do a 38 Class impression;
taking an empty LUB set to Clyde yard.

The first of the overnight trains will depart shortly, so we make our way
to Platform 2, an unobstructed vantage point where we can observe most of
the evenings activities.

Just as we arrive the colour light 'Departure Stick' at the end of the
platform flickers from Red to Green. Central is still controlled by manual
Signal Boxes, at this time, with electronic 'Track Locking' as an integral
part of the signalling system.

And at 'Exactly' 6.30PM, 4494 + 4484 depart with the 'Brisbane Limited'.
And 3 minutes behind, 4439 + 4462 and the 'Brisbane Express' with 14
heavyweight cars also departs. A very efficient last minute reshuffle of
the units on 3 North, as a result of a faulty 'Staff Exchanger' on 4462,
has ensured an on-time departure.

Those who have seen off family, friends and loved ones, heading north,
slowly wander back towards the platform gates.

Coming the other way, and with a bit more pace in their step, are those
travellers destined for the south. Melbourne and perhaps after a day there,
Adelaide. And of course, family, friends and loved ones.

4620 for the North West Mail slips in LE.

At 6.45PM, 4482 + 42103 'dock' their Aurora cars in platform 1.
They then run 'round and couple to the front. We watch as 4482 is coupled
to the train and the various cables 'plugged in'.
The customary communication tests are performed.
Remember, no hand-held portable radio's, back then !!
There was however, the portable phone. This provided limited communication
between the crew in the engine, the guard and the technician in the power
car. It was generally placed on top of the control stand.
42's and 43's were not fitted with the necessary phone jacks. And,
therefore, only very rarely appeared on the Aurora.

While this is happening, 4638 on a Newcastle pass' arrives.
LUB Set 56 plus 2 loss coupled cars.

Now, its a 10 to 15 minute lull for us, before 4620 and 7 North, the
North-West Mail, departs.

The 7.10PM departure of the Mail coincides with the arrival of 4416 + 4203
with the empty Spirit cars.

A similar routine to the 'Aurora' then takes place.

The next hour or so is probably one of the busiest periods for the
signalling staff, with a number of arrivals and departures, including the
departures of what was always considered to be THE premier overnight
trains, the Aurora and the Spirit.

The Brisbane Limited and the Brisbane Express always appeared to be the
'Poor Cousins' !!

The driver and fireman rostered to work tonight's Aurora from Central have
climbed into the 42103's cab and are deep in conversation with the crew
they are relieving. The driver, obviously one of Eveleigh's more
experienced, is dressed in what has now become the more appropriate
work attire, of the time, when working this, the NSWGR's Flagship.
White 'Gloweave' shirt, dark tie and, a cardigan !!
And, still worse, the 'Tucker-box' replaced by a trim overnight bag !!
Indeed, this was times of change !!

No 338 Up South Coast pass' consisting of SUB set 108 arrives at 7.15PM,
behind 4885, long end leading.

4879 arrives shortly after, for shunting duties.

At 7.23PM, 4613 arrives with the Up Flyer. HUB Set 118.

At 7.25PM, 4638 takes the empty LUB Set plus 2, that it worked in from the
North, to Clyde for stabling.

With a bit of a break in arrivals and departures, it was usually around
this time that we took a bit of time to pursue our other interest. This
entailed a bit of a walk, half way, back down the platform
.
But it was always worthwhile for a couple of eighteen year old 'Lads' !!

Those TCS girls !!  I could watch them for hours !!

NOW !!  Where was I !!

Oh, thats right !! We've moved to the far end of platforms 2 & 3, with
4203, leading the 'Spirit' idling away just behind us.

Now, back to what we came here for !!

At 7.40PM, 4017 + 4019 + 4004,  the rostered engines for the North Coast
Mail arrive from Delec.

Even though triple 40's were permitted to run, and 'Load Tables' were
issued, it was only on a couple of occasions, I've seen triple 40's
actually run. And in all cases it was on Sunday nights North Coast Mail !!

The North Coast Mail was a regular roster for the 40's, usually, as a
single unit. But Sunday evenings Mail was more often then not, double 40's.
And on a very few occasions, as tonight, triple 40's.

Obviously, a balance !!

And with only 20 minutes to departure up their sleeve, the crew will
obviously have to get a bit of a move on !!

The crew are more traditionally dressed. Faded blue Bradmills,
and in the case of the driver, a well weathered felt hat. And his
Tucker-box!! Well !! It must have been the size of a small country loco
depot !! It would definitely look more at home on the side of a 'Pigs'
turret tender !!

But then, tomorrow afternoon, after 'Rest' at Villa de La Broadmeadow, that
might well be true !!

4019 was withdrawn only 3 months later. And 4004's withdrawal
was only about 8 months away. 4004 had run an impressive 1,734,669
MILES, when withdrawn. In what, 18 years !! Very similar mileage's to that
accumulated by a lot of the 'Pigs'. But, of course, it had taken them 40 to
45 years to reach those figures. Incidentally, 4017 was not withdrawn until
June 1970. It also happens to be the first member of the class to reach one
million miles. This occurring in September 1961.

Back on the Aurora, the 'seasoned' travellers, having quickly stowed their
luggage in their sleeping compartment, are now settling down in the
Lounge car with their evening Cocktail. A number of well-wishes also
taking advantage of the excellent service.

There is also a great deal of activity in the Dining car. With the TCS
girls serving coffee to the large group of people present. Booked passengers
and others.

As 8.00PM approaches, 'Best Wishes' are exchanged and those who 'Are not
Travelling' leave the Aurora and take up a position on the platform. Here
they will bid their 'Farewell's'.

Goodbye, Sydney !!  Hello, Melbourne !!


To be CONTINUED.......Part 2

Copyright 1999
Patrick J. Buchanan

Regards
Patrick J. Buchanan
mainline@cyber.net.au
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