> rdulin@hotmail.com wrote in message <6h6kic$7k9$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
> >Hi all,
> >
> >About a month ago I went on a 3801 Limited trip to Robertson. A
> >great day's trip, but it left me with some questions...
> >
> >Why don't they get a better hose at Picton? It took a long time
> >to refill the tank with what appeared to be a garden hose.
>
They carry a fire hose and fitting for non sheduled watering so I doubt they
were using a garden hose.
> >We had 3830, and (I think) 9 carriages on our train. When we arrived
> >at Robertson, we passed 3801 (with about four carriages) going the
> >other way (on the Cockatoo Run). After lunch, 3801 steamed back into
> >Robertson (having been to Moss Vale), running tender first.
> >It was then attached to the back of our train, and we ran down the
> >long mountain with 3801 in the middle of the train.
> >
> >Why did they do this? Surely it wasn't just so I could look out the
> >window and see a steam loco either way I looked?
>
> This is done so that only one train runs down the mountain and thus reduces
> track occupancy. They couple the trains together with one loco in the middle
> to save time shunting at Robertson, as it would take a bit of shunting
> around to get both locos at the front of the train, and then they would have
> to do the reverse at Unanderra.
> The tender first running is unusual as they normally run around the triangle
> at Moss Vale so the loco is engine first both ways. This is what was done
> last weekend with 3830.
> I think 3830 will be on the Cockatoo Run this weekend as it is still at Port
> Kembla after last weekend's trips.
> >
> >And why did the 48 class diesel join (the back of) our train at Waterfall -
> >which seemed to be *after* the steepest part of the trip.
The 48 was used to assist with the operation of the train. From memory that
train went to Hornsby via the shore and the 48 allowed the train to become a
push pull arangement. After the passengers were ofloaded the train reversed
direction without the need to run around. The 48 would have also assisted the 38
that had not been recoaled all day and as such reduced the need for the
remaining coal.
> >Why did we travel so fast? We kept catching up to whatever was in front
> >of us and having to wait at red signals. I slower but steadier trip would
> >have been less frustrating. Is it because the crew like going fast?
> >
> >And out of interest, where (in Sydney) can they turn steam locos? We
> >seemed to take some fairly circuitous routes to keep the loco at the
> >front and pointing the right way (I presume running a steam loco around
> >the city circle is out of the question, and the only turntable I know of
> >is at Lithgow).
>
> Is the turntable at Eveleigh out of service?
> Couldn't they run around the Olympic Park loop :)
>
No the Eveligh turntable is fine. Why go out all the way to Olympic Park loop
when the Meeks Road triangle is much closer to Eveligh or Sydney.
Hope this info is helpfull.
Cheers
Bob