930's - ASR - GM1 and other items of interest

[driver@seyaboyo.com.de]

I got somewhat abused by MarkBau
Quote ....
<<<<<<<Another *informed* observer of the Australian Railway scene
??>>>>>>>

And you are just what this ng needs, another know it all!

Mark. "

Well, sorry, but the information was accurate - and I do believe that
there is a significant amount of uninformed crap on this news group -
there is however, also some very smart and informed commentary as
well. I would hope that all readers would like to see more accurate
information published.  
So, in the interests of exactly that .... and in answer to a couple of
recent comments and questions ......

930 class:
961 (still painted in the short lived "Explorer" paint scheme is alive
and occasionally athmatically wheezes into motion.  It is currently
stored on the "middle road", on the SG side of the bogie exchange
complex at Dry Creek - as are GM30 and 874 (ex Silverton 27 - and
incidently a survivor of the 1974 Crystal Brook bridge collapse).
There are plans to return these to service.   As has been pointed out,
930 (aka 967) is at the Port Dock Station railway museum (By gee the
early Alcos used go be real balltearers on the Overland! - to ex SAR
loco crews "Alco" meant 930 - despite there being 3 other Alco
classes!).  963 and 958 are in the Steamranger collection at Mount
Barker.   I hope they are both running soon - 958 certainly sounded
sweet last time I drove it!  All the others ....... R.I.P.

ASR - Australia Southern Railroad.
ASR took over certain operations performed by Australian National on
Novermber 8 1997.  The Company is wholly owned by Genesee & Wyoming
Incorporated, of the USA, and purchased portions of AN prior to
November 1997.   The Company operates services from Melbourne to Perth
on behalf of TNT, SCT and Adelaide to Melbourne on behalf of Patrick.
Grain, coal, lime and gypsum traffic is also carted.   ASR performs
its own Train Control functions over the line it purchased.  Its
operating headquarters is at Dry Creek, Adelaide, and crews are
stationed iin Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Ceduna and Kalgoorlie.   The
Company has plans to expand into other areas of Australia.  Corporate
colours are orange, (Oh No!! Not more orange!!!!!!) with black and
yellow trim.  To this point, only DA7 - destined for the Eyre
Peninsula division, CLP13, and the ex Trans Australian Wegmann
observation coach EI84 have been painted.  The rest of the fleet is as
AN (or should I say we, the taxpayer) sold it (minus the AN symbols).

GM1:
GM1 was the SECOND Australian built main line diesel electric
locomotive to enter service on the Australian mainland - SAR 900 was
the first.  TGR X-1 was also a diesel pioneer.  The locomotive was
extensively overhauled by AN's Port Augusta workshops in 1997.  The
original (but temperamental - prone to water and oil leaks around the
heads) EMD 567 B engine was replaced with a 567 C engine, but
substantially it is still as it was built.  The loco had been in
storage, in the open, at the Port Augusta platform.  The local
hooligans and the weather were getting the better of it - and it was
removed to the Port Augusta workshops awaiting a future.   

Now, a little known snippet of history for you.  In 1989, Australian
National *VERY SERIOUSLY* considered the restoration of a steam
locomotive to service.  Several options were considered.  
1- Obtain a 36 from NSW and do a Commonwealth C Class conversion
(there is still a set of tender bogies in existance at ........ ) 
2 - Restore G1 from Port Dock 
3- Obtain a QJ from China.  
4- Obtain an RM pacific from China
5- Do a gauge conversion on a BG loco - possibly a 520 class (there
are 2).
GM1 was going to be the heritage deisel helper/backup!
Sadly, it didn't happen.   It was intended, by the way, to run 1
Indian Pacific each month from Broken Hill to Adelaide, and/or 1 Ghan
each month from  Adelaide to Port Augusta, with this power !!

GM1 is now within the Islington Workshop complex,under cover, away
from the public gaze, protected against damage and deterioration.   It
is started eack week to ensure that it can be made available if call
on !!  (Still sounds nice if you're an EMD fan !).

I hope that some of you find this of interest.  It isn't conjecture.
It isn't crap.  This is all accurate and informed comment.

One last thing.   ASR is not so willing to turn a blind eye to
tresspassers who think they have a right to be on the property because
they have a camera.  Several photos have been published in various
magazines which have been obtained illegally.  A warning.  Do NOT get
caught!  ASR does not have the liability cover of the Federal
Government, andf will NOT tolerate infringements on its assets.   If
you are approached to move off the property - remember it is NOT
government land anymore.  We would not think about - or support anyone
-  standing at the threshold of a busy airport runway to get a
picture.  Why do we turn a blind eye to those that tresspass on
railroad property to get a picture of a train??   Worth a thought ??

CYA