Scenes of the GSPE to Canberra.

[bevanwall@ozemail.com.au (Bevan Wall)]

G'day all.
Just got home from videoing the first run of the GSPE to Canberra
today which was hauled by 8124.
SL39 departed Tarago on time at 06.10 in conditions that were so
gloomy that it wasn't even worth getting the camera out. By the time
it left Bungendore the weather had improved, still mainly overcast
with occassional patches of drizzle but also some sunny patches as
well. Arrival at Canberra was at 08.50, with surprisingly no fanfare,
celebrations, etc. 7319 then hauled the observation car back to
Queanbeyan for turning. No sooner had this been done and the 73
departed Queanbeyan for Canberra, a very late running FA log train,
worked by ELs 62, 53 & 64, arrived and proceeded straight out on the
line to Hume so as to clear the main for the down Xplorer which was
waiting at Bungendore. Once the Xplorer had departed Queanbeyan the
log train propelled back into the yard, the ELs were marshalled into
push/pull formation and then dfeparted for Hume. 
The GSPE departed Canberra at 12.45, and a spectacular sequence was
recorded as the train emerged from Pine Range tunnel no.1 at the top
of the Molonglo gorge. One of the selling points for the new housing
estate that has been built here must be "railway views", with a number
of signposted  ("tunnel view") paths constructed leading to the tunnel
mouth and garden seats cemented in place overlooking the tunnel and
line! The train was then chased back to Goulburn, and then on to
Bundanoon .   While on the line from Joppa Junction to Canberra the
train certainly lived up to its nickname of "Go Slow People Eating",
as it trundled along at a very sedate pace, making it easy to chase. A
few images from the day's action  can be seen by going to my web page
at :
http://www.geocities.com/bevan_wall/videos.html
and clicking on the link at the bottom of the "Recent Recordings"
section.

Bevan Wall.