CENTRAL 1969 Pt 2

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

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Continued from.......Pt 1

One of the highlights of the evening, for us, was the 8.00PM dual
departures of the Aurora and the North Coast Mail. And almost always,
they would both get away on time. Thus, ensuring the rare sight of two
trains leaving Central side by side.

Because of the complexities involved in gaining the Down 'Suburban' the
Mail is usually a bit slower finding its way through the Yard. But, tonight,
with the three 40's providing plenty of horsepower, it's a safe bet that
they will make up for that slow start. They might even arrive at
Strathfield, just in front of the Aurora. Their now ageing Alco 244's would
provide some nice sound affects as the Mail departs from Strathfield and
climbs the Flyover !!

The last of the well-wishes are now making their way from Platform 1, as
the 8.10PM departure of the 'Spirit of Progress' approaches.

A similar scene to that which we witnessed with the Aurora's departure is
played over again.

But just to provide a bit of drama, a passenger who obviously had spent a
little bit to much of the afternoon 'sampling' the products of Mr. Tooth
and Mr. Toohey is escorted from the platform by two of Sydney's
finest.......
We think he may have to postpone his trip........
Wonder if he gets a refund on his ticket.......

It wasn't all that common to see this sought of thing, back then.
Unfortunately, you see it almost every day, now !!

At this time, law enforcement at Central was still mainly the
responsibility of the NSW Police Service.

The nearest thing the Railways came to Policing was the
'Plain Clothes' D's !! These were the guys that seemed to have an almost
supernatural ability to suddenly appear from nowhere, especially when you
were wandering around Enfield Loco' studiously 'archiving' engine numbers.

Me !! Well, I think I must have had my own personal 'D' !!
In fact, We were on first name basis !!
But that didn't matter !!
With the usual warning, that I could almost recite myself, he'd still
always escort me, my movie camera, and my bike, from my spot on the platform
opposite Enfield South Box, up to Punchbowl Road !!

But, hey !! If I was quick enough on the bike, I could get back to Enfield
NORTH Box, before he did !!

The trail of green signals, that start from the end of Platform 3, announce
the imminent departure of the 'Spirit'. The usual departure announcements
are made and as always, a green light from a hand lantern, appears from the
van at the other end of the platform, which is in turn duplicated halfway
up the length of the platform. And with the care that comes with experience,
the driver, looking back, notches out. Just enough to take up the slack
through the train.

Blue smoke, from the idling 42 and 44 envelopes the few of us gathered at
the end of Platform 3.

Now in Notch 3 or 4, the 2 cycle sound of 4203 is made up for by 4416's
typical 4 cycle Alco exhaust.

By the time the van passes us, he's powering !!

As the tail-lights disappear under Redfern's Cleveland Street bridge, the
sound of the GM is still audible. But quickly fades away.

More often than not, Brian and myself would have caught the Liverpool
via Granville 'Spark' that left just a few minutes before the Spirit. And,
usually, just as we were leaving Redfern, the Spirit would appear
alongside.

We would normally run side by side all the way to Burwood. And anchoring
ourselves securely, the open doorway provided an ideal vantage point to
catch the action. The Spark's drivers always seemed to put up a good
performance !!

Our free entertainment usually came to an end at Flemington, where we'd be
held in the platform to allow the Spirit to cross over in front of us.

Tonight though, so that we can record the arrival of the two Sunday night
southern passenger trains that were still steam hauled, we've decided to
hang around for a while longer. It was apparent that the use of steam on
these services could end at any time. And 6 months later, it did !!

The ARHS 'New South Wales Digest' and Peter Neve's NSWSRCA 'The Railway
News' were our main sources of news and information at this time. And I
thank all those guys, especially Peter, who put in a lot of time and effort
to keep us 'young fellas' informed, back then.

At 8.13PM, 4885 departs with 243 South Coast Pass'.

And, at 8.30PM, 4889 arrives with an Up South Coast Pass'. Made up of Set
93, HFL and Set 51B.

We decide to make our way over to No. 24 Souths arrival platform, missing
the departure of the Cooma Mail, while doing so.

4460 wanders in Light Engine, to work the Glen Innes Mail.

No. 24 Moss Vale turns into a bit of a disappointment. Instead of the
normally rostered 36, it arrives behind Bathurst unit, 48105. We speculated
on the various possible reasons for this.

With a cloud hanging over the handful of surviving 'Pigs', a failure would
probably mean withdrawal. And indeed, 6 weeks later 3644 was stopped for
repairs. But was ultimately withdrawn, without ever receiving those
repairs.

No. 24 Moss Vale, ran via the Mittagong-Picton Loop Line. And I'd travelled
on and chased this train on quite a few occasions. It was one of the more
enjoyable ways to spend a late Sunday afternoon.

Prior to the return of service of the 36's fitted with Power Reverse, and
mainly due to the motive power shortage that occurred during 1968,
it was a regular P Class roster for a while, as well.

The Loop Line always had a 'Branch Line' feel about it, and the 'Pigs' and
occasional 38'er always looked like they didn't belong. But the 32's were
'Just Right'.

At 9.01PM the Through West Mail, departs behind 4613. The same 46 that had
earlier worked the Flyer.

Then at 9.05PM, 4624 with NAB set 115 and 3 loose coupled cars, arrives
with a Newcastle train.

Compared to earlier in the evening, Central's Concourse is beginning to
look a lot less crowded, now !!

At 9.20PM, 13 North, the Glen Innes Mail leaves behind 4460.

4889 departs with 249 South Coast. Utilising the same set of cars it
arrived
with on an earlier train.

4448 arrives to work the South Mail.

No. 36 Goulburn Pass' arrives at 9.50PM. Always a nice looking train with
NIB Set 111. Tonight, especially so, with 4001 up front.
You've probably guessed what was our favourite diesel class !!

No. 18 the Sunday evening Canberra Pass' arrives at 9.57PM.
And 3809 is just as impressive arriving, as 3827 was departing !!

We will spend the next 45 minutes absorbing the sights, and the sounds and
committing these things to memory.

All of this will soon be gone !!


Authors Notes:
The information presented here has been based on the Authors records and
recollections from that day and every effort has been made to ensure its as
historically accurate and as complete as possible.

Copyright 1999
Patrick J. Buchanan

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