[VIC] Bendigo Easter Fair tour

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

Steamrail ran it's annual Bendigo Easter Fair tour today (16/4). I
motorcaded it for a bit in both directions. The loco was R761, which has
just been re-painted into the proper VR red and black livery by the
volunteers at Steamrail. The consist from Melbourne was 4BE - 60BW -
61BW - 63BW - 7ABE - 68BW - 1BCE. In the down direction it passed
Clarkefield shortly after 0945, departed Woodend at 1022 and passed
Ravenswood at 1113. In the up direction it passed Kangaroo Flat at 1718
and Taradale at about 1805.
 
If you don't consider the headboard, I thought this train looked
extremely good. R761 was in the traditional VR red and black livery with
a 7 car all wooden consist. As this was just a tourist style trip, I
don't really mind the headboard as it does get the Steamrail name out.
If Steamrail ran an enthusiast tour with this sort of train and removed
the headboard at photostops I would be very happy.
 
On another note, while the special was at Bendigo we went and took a
look at the VGR at Maldon. J549 was running the train and the consist
from Maldon to Muckleford was 16BCPL - 30BCPL - 42BU - 333ZL. After
enjoying a ride on the second trip of the day, I went to photograph the
third. Unfortunately, J549 failed and the train had to be towed back to
Maldon by T333.
  
Here are some image captures of Steamrail's train:
 
R761 departs Woodend with the down special.
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/easter_fair_2001/woodend.jpg
 
R761 storms out of Kangaroo Flat with the up special.
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/easter_fair_2001/kangaroo_flat.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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