C504 derailed at Junee

roy marshall (marsh@zip.com.au)
Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:48:26 +0000

On Wednesday at 1630 NR85 arrived at Junee on NP2 Steelink to pick up
the Austrac loading (3 container flats - one off 3122 from Griffith
which ran behind 4814) and C504+C506 which were destined for storage
in Adelaide.After attaching to the C's the trio set back onto the
Austrac loading behind south box then pulled forward under the road
bridge.As the third loco went over the points leading up to thr depot
(heading back across to the mainline) the rear bogie at the cab end
split the points causing all wheels to come off.

NR85 was detached and proceeded on NP2 after a delay of 1 1/2 hours
and the Austrac loading went south on (I think) BM4.The C's were left
there for the night blocking the entry to most of the south end of the
yard. The Cootamundra breakdown crew were on duty at 7am this morning
and re-railing was completed using hydraulic jacks by 0910.As some
damage looked to have been sustained to C504 the decision was taken to
return both locos to the depot.Next problem was the fact that both
locos had flat batteries and would not start.C502 was in the depot and
had seen recent service so was started and run down to the yard to
haul both locs back up to the roundhouse.All C's other than the two
intended for Melbourne shunting duties will be moved to Adelaide
eventually and this was going to be the first movement.

Of other interest was the Austrac loading going south rather than to
Sydney.The working out of Griffith (3122) still left at 1215 as tabled
but does not appear to be running to Sydney anymore.Does anyone know
if this working has now finished? One container flat hauled all the
way from Griffith to Junee by 4814 does not appear to be a profitable
line of business.Austrac's ex WA NB class have recently seen some
action on load trials hauling dead 44 and 45 class to Harefield over
the last two weeks.

Best wishes Roy Marshall