Re: [NSW] Double 86 class on freight

[John MacCallum <johnmac@lisp.com.au>]

Anita Lukaszyk wrote:
> 
> I saw 2 86's on an East Bound freight through Blacktown yesterday
> (sometime between 15:30 and 17:30)...
> 
> Two questions:
> 
> 1) Is it common for 86's to run on "normal" freight trains? I've only
> seen them on Coal trains.
> 2) There were a few cylindrical containers, similar to cement
> containers, but much smaller and made of a brown metal with a ladder
> hanging off the side. Does anybody know what they are used for?
> 
> --
> Anita Lukaszyk
> neety@ozemail.com.au
> http://www.ozemail.com.au/~neety

Nothing that happens with 86 class engines is normal these days.
CSC at Parramatta (what replaced CMPC) will change engines around
to suit at will. 

They have been using 86's on the Dubbo speedfreight (1837)
sometimes and they have also been using them on the Blayney jobs
from time to time. 

Apparently the overhead is going to removed from Clarence Loop so the
only time you will be likely to see 86's on Coal trains will be on
Baal Bone or Charbon coalies. Even this is not very likely due to
through crewing of Port Kembla and Lithgow crews because they will
normally have 4 by 81 or 82 class and 4200 tonnes on these trains.

Anita I can't say for sure what you saw unless you give vehicle 
codes. Could have been some ex DOT tank wagons that they have been
doing up at Bathurst Workshops lately. Sorry I don't know what they are
going to be used for.


Pope

Alias	John MacCallum