Re: Picton-Mittagong Loop Line Re-opens?

[matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au (Matthew Geier)]

In article <2ced5tstmrqt5hqbn83bmt40op9rfr4b9n@4ax.com>,
Bill Bolton  <billbolton@computer.org> wrote:
>"Chris" <chrisc@fl.net.au> wrote:
>
>> It seems that the RTM have no operational steam till march. As their loco
>> (only one?) is under repair.
>
>We turned up on Sunday December 31st, to find the place shut tight.  
>
>Since we were in the vicinity anyway, we called into the local tourist
>information spots who advised us that as far as they knew, since it
>was Sunday, the RTM should be open, an dthere wa snothing in the
>tourist brochure about it not being open on New Years Eve.

 It was closed on Saturday as well, I went down to do some work and
found the place mostly deserted, although I did eventually find Tom
Pall working on a 50 class, so I lent a hand.

 A number of people through the day go personal guided tours from various
working members that took pity on them.

>Several other cars pulled up at he gates, then drove off while we were
>peeking through.  I wonder how many others were caught out by RTMs
>poor communication with the tourist info centres?!?

 I wasnt aware of it either, and im a semi regular!.

>The one piece of info we did pick up form the signs at the closed RTM
>was that indeed, steam operation wasn't planned to commence again
>until March.

 Yea, all the steamers are stuffed, and with the threat of firebans
they figure its best not to run. If enough people turn up on a Sunday
I belive they will fire up a diesel and run to Buxton, but only on
demand.

 A steam engine (or 2) is supposed to be fit for traffic by March...