Re: [VIC] SRV Tocumwal trip

["Paul Nicholson" <pn1@rocketmail.com>]

The lady in the tourist office at Tocumwal told me that it was a bit hard
for the locals to get information from the organisers so the town could
prepare for the visitors.
It did appear that the facilities of the Terminus Hotel [ the one closest to
the station] were somewhat taxed.
A Victorian rail news editor was even spotted drinking beer at the said
establishment! Had the red wine dried up?
The train did look impressive and a credit to everyone involved.
However, I wonder if it is time for the Steamrail staff to get a more modern
"uniform" such as that used by the GSR staff on the Overland. The current
style is rather dated and reflects the "railwayman" era now gone.
Good work Steamrail!
Paul
PS: And another observation-Reggie seems to updated his 1970s safari suite
for 1950s style "self supporting" trousers! Is this a recent development?
"James Brook" <ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
3A863BF2.235B157@ozemail.com.au">news:3A863BF2.235B157@ozemail.com.au...
> As most of you probably know, SRV ran their regular diesel trip to
> Tocumwal yesterday (10/2).
>
> The consists were as follows:
>
> Spencer Street to Seymour:
>
> S313 - T413 - VOAF9 - Avoca - Victoria - BRS14 - 3ABE - 17BE - 25BE -
> 18CE.
>
> Avoca and VOAF9 were removed from the train along with S313 at Seymour.
> Avoca was being returned to Seymour after a charter and VOAF9 was being
> used to transport some E car bogies and other items back to Melbourne on
> the up trip.
>
> Seymour to Tocumwal:
>
> T320 - T413 - Victoria - ... - 18CE.
>
> Tocumwal to Seymour:
>
> T413 - T320 - 18CE - ... - Victoria.
>
> Seymour to Spencer Street:
>
> T413 - S313 - VOAF9 - 18CE - ... - Victoria.
>
> T320's short hood was facing Tocumwal while T413's short hood was facing
> Melbourne. S313 had it's No 1 end facing Tocumwal for the entire trip as
> it wasn't turned at Seymour.
>
> We left Spencer Street on time at 0810 but were forced to wait at
> Broadmeadows and we left at 0849 instead of 0836. The original plan was
> to arrive at Seymour at 0940 and have morning tea on the platform. To
> save time, the train was left in the loop on the Melbourne end of the
> yard while all the shunting took place and morning tea was served on
> board. Eventually the two T's arrived and we arrived at the platform at
> 1040 instead of 0950. After a short 10 minute stop we left at 1050,
> stopped at Shepparton for about 5 minutes at 1240 and arrived in
> Tocumwal at 1435.
>
> The up tour departed Tocumwal at 1620 and arrived at Shepparton at 1744
> for a short stop. X53 and A78 (both in FA livery) were shut down in the
> yard with a down freight. After stopping at Seymour for about an hour,
> the tour departed at approx 2000, passed Dysart at 2005 and departed
> Essendon 10 minutes late at 2134.
>
> In my opinion this was Steamrail's best day tour since 1998 and one of
> the best tours in Victoria over the past few years. The motive power
> combinations and destination were as interesting as I have seen on a
> tour and the train's general appearance was very good, enhanced by the
> fact the hideous Explorer liveried K cars were left at Newport.
>
> The tour was also run at a very leisurely and relaxed pace compared to
> many recent Steamrail trips where they have been rushing to get to the
> destination so all the tourists can go for their paddlesteamer rides or
> go to the local winery. I go on these trips to relax while travelling to
> and from the destination, not to end up waiting for 7 3/4 hours in
> Ballarat like the upcoming re-launch of R766.
>
> The use of the E cars with their cleaner windows with larger openings
> also added to the relaxing atmosphere of this trip. It is much more
> relaxing to be able to simply lean out of the window when you want to
> instead of having to get out of your seat (in the process blocking the
> view of other passengers) and twist your neck at a strange angle like in
> the K cars.
>
> In addition to this, the Steamrail volunteers should be congratulated
> for their smooth running of this trip. The ones running this trip seemed
> to be much more organised than the parallel run tour last year.
>
> Finally, the lack of headboards or obtrusive Steamrail advertising north
> of Seymour is what make this trip really one to remember. This tour
> reminded me of the "Quambatook Pass" tour in 1997 and the Panitya
> weekender in 1998. Both of these tours were really good and didn't have
> excessive Steamrail ads all over them. I think this tour is an example
> of the way fan trips in Victoria should be run.
>
> Here are some image captures from my MiniDV video:
>
> S313 and T413 with the down tour at Spencer Street:
>
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/tocumwal/s313_t413_spencer_street
.jpg
>
> T320 and T413 cross the Murray River at Tocumwal:
>
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/tocumwal/t320_t413_murray_river.j
pg
>
> T413 and T320 with the up tour near Katunga:
>
http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/pics/vidcaps/tocumwal/t413_t320_near_katunga.j
pg
>
> As usual, these are all copyright and must not be used for anything
> other than personal non-profit use without the photographer's
> permission.
>
> --
> - James Brook -
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> e-mail:
> mailto:ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au
> Victorian Railfan Web Site:
> http://www.railpage.org.au/vr/
> ----------------------------------------------------------------