Re: V set transfer (repost)

[Chris Gordon <cmgord@alphalink.com.au>]

> I can't stand the motorcaders who never buy a ticket for these trips or
> do some sort of volunteer labour for the societies. They get the
> benefits of seeing steam locomotives and historic rolling stock in
> action but they contribute very little to the societies who maintain
> them. Although I motorcade some trains, I also book on quite a few.

Or like ARHS have done for the Wakool, suggest $10 for S circulars and
tour notes for motorcaders.  It is a fair price.
 
> > Finally, after much mucking around we left Maryborough late. Schedule wise,
> > things went downhill, fast. Arriving at Castlemaine/Maryborough junction,
> > we got the news that the controller wanted to path a pass in front of us
> > "just in case". As a result, we witnessed the up train, that many of the
> > railfans were going to catch fly past, having already left Castlemaine.
> > Many were disappointed. We finally ended up in Castlemaine, and were told
> > there was not hope of getting pathed in front of the pass, despite the fact
> > we wouldn't delay it much. Controller on duty kept us there anyway. It was
> > getting dark. Many wanted to get home. Personally, I was getting cold - But
> > we'll blame a fast approaching Winter for that one.
> 
> Does anyone know what actually caused the late departure from
> Maryborough? T413 and the WAL seemed to be sitting in the yard for a
> very long time after the shuttle returned.

We arrived in Maryborough 7 minutes early.  The shuttle left a little
late and was late back (5 minutes), the timetable allowed 10 minutes
shunting time, which after about 15 minutes they had cleaned the smoke
box, and then shunted to the siding to pick up water gin, T413, GYs, WAL
and just sat there.  Eventually they shunted back onto the train and
then left.  It took about 70 minutes to shunt and clean loco.  (only 10
minutes allowed)

 
> > In general, todays trip was excellent, and the hospitality provided by the
> > onboard staff was exceptional (they know who they are :-)). The way things
> > turned out in the end turned out to be a bit of a disaster for many, but
> > didn't really bother me. I personally blame the PSR[1] system (thanks
> > Jeff). I enjoyed the trip. However, out of interest, why were no photostops
> > planned? Timetabling constraints?
> 
> I think the organisers did a reasonable job but was the delay at
> Maryborough caused by the railways or the tour organisers? If it was
> caused by the railway's then its a pity because at Castlemaine some
> people were blaming the organisers for the stuff-up. Anyway, I had a
> good trip yesterday but it was a pity there were no photostops. Soon
> after leaving Creswick the person in the kiosk said there would be
> photostops after Guildford. I'm guessing they cancelled them because of
> the late running.

There was no reason to hold us outside Castlemaine to wait for the up
pass to leave, they could have let us into platform 2, change trains and
the up pass would have left about 5 minutes late (remember that up to 5
minutes and 59 seconds is still defined as "on time").  

As for the point failure, these things happen.  65 minute delay to the
down sprinters, well that is a problem with maintenance and response to
failures.  (the key broke in the lock while the first guy tried to place
the points into hand operating mode)

Pity about the lack of photo stops, I think they were replaced with the
shuttle.

> > But, most of all, and this made everyone
> > happy, there was no headboard!
> 
> Except we couldn't enjoy it as much because there was no photostops :-(
> 
> This is what I think Steamrail should do with the headboard:

Headboard topic is going on and on, I agree about headboards not being
used for railfan trips, steamrail knows this, we know this, nothing will
happen.  

As for the consist, maybe it would have been better as:
Y112 + water gin + GYs + Cars + Z van + WAL + T413.  The run the shuttle
as is, no shunting and this would have saved time which could have
allowed more photo stops.

Maybe a Saturday run. Then the connections to Balarat and from Bendigo
would have been a little better.

> > There, if you NSW people came this far looking for stainless steel V sets,
> > bad luck, there is none in this post. This is a Victorian post. Next month,
> > we invade NSW with our V set![2] (-:
> 
> I agree, our V set is much better than those Yankee tin cans :-) <runs
> for cover fast>
> 
> > [2] ARHS trip to Wakool in about mid June.
> 
> AFAIK they are just using the K and S cars from Melbourne when they go
> over the border on this trip. :-(

Won't the V/U cars be in Echuca with Y112? 

> - James Brook -