Re: Cockatoo Run to Continue?

[Paul G. Hogan <pghogan@SPAM-NYETbigpond.com>]

"Chris Stratton" <stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au> writes: > Was there 
double 38s last Easter? There have been two 38s on the one train
> recently, but one was in the middle.
> --

To my knowledge, the only use of two 38's on the Unanderra -Moss Vale
line since 3830 returned to service has been on the amalgamated downhill 
trains referred to by Chris. (Charter train + Cockatoo run marshalled
together).

The last *genuine* double 38's, up the hill may have been an ARHS NSW
tour on 17 September, 1972, hauled by 3813 and 3820 . I was on the
train (I was at school at the time) and I recall 3813 slipped going 
through the first Illawarra Range tunnel, causing the train to stall. 

The restart attempt was spectacular, but unfortunately too much so
for the fireman on 3813 who ended up in hospital from smoke and heat
overdose. (I'm not sure if they wore respirators).

If there was a later instance on double 38's on this line, 
I'd be interested to know - 3813 didn't survive too much longer, and
we ended up with a total steam ban from 1974, thanks to Commissioner
Phillip Shirley. 

Cheers,

Paul Hogan
pghogan@bigpond.com