Re: Classic Railway Tours trip to Shepparton

[James Brook <ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au>]

I motorcaded the CRT Shepparton tour today. The locos from Melbourne to
Seymour and Seymour to Melbourne were GM36 and T320. GM36 led in both
directions. The loco from Seymour to Shepparton (including Pine Lodge
shuttles) and back to Seymour was J515. The consist from Melbourne was
Melville - 30AE - 14BE - 1BE - 2AE - 5ABE - 16ABE - 3BCE.

The down tour passed Beveridge at 0913 and Tallarook at 1000. J515
departed Seymour at 1102. It arrived at Nagambie at approx 1130 and then
departed at 1139. I then photographed the first shuttle about half way
between Shepparton and Pine lodge at 1343. Apparently there was some
problem when it reached Pine Lodge and J515 was unable to run around the
train. The shuttle was pushed back to Shepparton and I photographed this
at 1418 at the same location. After this it started to rain fairly
heavily so I didn't bother photographing the second shuttle. The up
special passed Murchison East at 1714, Nagambie at 1739 and the road
bridge near Seymour Loop (SG) at 1808. GM36 and T320 departed Seymour at
1903 and Wallan at 1952.

Unfortunately there didn't seem to be that many passengers on it. I
think this tour had potential but its interest to railfans was limited
as there were no photostops and the destination wasn't that interesting.
Tocumwal or Cobram are destinations further north that may be
interesting for railfans as a steam locomotive has not run on these
lines for quite some time. If the trip was extended to one of these
locations with photostops in this section, it may have helped with the
ticket sales. This sort of compromise would make the tour attractive to
all potential customers. People who just want a ride to Shepparton for
the show wouldn't be affected and the railfans who want a more "out of
the way" destination and photostops would also be satisfied.

Here are two video captures of this trip:

GM36 and T320 near Beveridge with the down special:
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/gm36_t320_beveridge.jpg

J515 departs Nagambie with the down special:
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/j515_nagambie.jpg

Note: These images are copyright and must not be used for anything other
than personal non-profit use without my permission.


-- 
- James Brook -

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