Another siding to go? :(

[mk@netstra.com.au (Michael Kurkowski)]

Hi All,

I've been passing Kensington lately, with interest in what will be happening 
with the two short sections of concrete sleepered track (approx 20m each) that 
have been standing there for a few weeks now. It also happens to be of 
co-inceidence that these two sections of track are standing right near the 
points to the regularly used grain siding that is inhabited by RT43 and the 
regular visiting grain wagons. Is it just coincidence, or is it planned for 
that siding to be taken out of service and presumably replaced by road 
transport?

It might be also of interest that on Tuesday morning, at approximately 12pm 
there was a group of people standing toward the end of the siding, where RT43 
is normally stabled. Two of the people were extremely well dressed, in suits, 
and wearing what possibly looked like a visitors pass type badge on their suit 
coats. The other people (about 4 or so) looked like they were just workers at 
the grain yard(?). At the same time RT43 was standing under the shelter 
coupled to a VHGF wagon probably dropping off grain.

Also noted by a friend, on Sunday was a PTC truck standing almost immediately 
near RT43, with a couple of work people doing some work beneath RT43. He 
assumed that they were disabling the driving gear for it to be towed, but 
after Monday this seemed not to be the case. The only difference between 
before then and now, is a lot more graffiti. Perhaps it was a case of 
sabbotage as well.

In any case, are there any known plans to close or not to close the grain 
siding at Kensington, and if so, what do they intend on doing with RT43 which 
resides there. Will it suffer the same fate as 2RT, and be butchered for parts 
resulting in it being taken out of service? 

And finally, speaking of 2RT, which has been sitting for over 12 months near 
Flinders St station, near the Exhibition Street bridge that is being built, 
what has happened to it? I went past there yesterday on a down Eltham train 
(as I do each day - to get to work) and there was no sign of 2RT. Hopefully it 
has just been moved again to somewhere that will treat it better.

Regards,
Michael.