Last weekends wanderings

[Notagunzel <notagunzel@bigfoot.com>]

This last weekend, the RTA ran a tour to the Limestone Coast Railway in
Mt Gambier.  Most of the group travelled per a BK attached to Friday's
1800 down Warrnambool, some antisocial freeloaders travelled in the ACZ,
whilst others travelled independantly to Mt Gambier.  2 chartered Luxury
Omnibus's then conveyed the group to Mt Gambier.

On Saturday morning, Redhen 405 conveyed the Group to the 509.5 km peg
at the Border on the line to Heywood.  After returning to Mt Gambier, we
journeyed to Coonawarra.  At Penola, we stopeed for lunch, and attached
Redhen 355, it had run a Track Inspection earlier in the day. 
Coonawarra is on the line north towards Wolseley.


Sunday saw Car 355 journey to Millicent.  'Big bad' AN actually closed
the line beyond Snuggery to Millicent several years ago, and the LCR has
only recently reopened the line.  We only went as far as the Up end of
the yard, the track beyond being inpassable.  Allegedly the RTA group
were the first passengers to Millicent since reopening.

Single Ended Car 355 then set back to the triangle at Snuggery, and then
deposited its passengers back at Mt Gambier.  The group then travelled
back to Warrnambool by 1 Luxury Omibus, before returning per the 1705 up
Warrnambool, again with Chartered BK.  

The track to Coonawarra was in excelent condition, with extensive 60
km/h running.  The worst track was beyond Snuggery, while the track to
the border was 20 km/h only.  The Flashing Lights at Crossing don't
work, and the train is flagged at all protected and some unprotected
crossings.  They own 3 Redhens, 405, 355 and 428(I think).  the first 2
are in running condition, and 428 is undergoing restoration.  The fleet
is housed in the Mt Gambier Roundhouse.

Normal operation is on a Sunday, with one trip to Coonawarra & return. 
Last Sunday, the RTA group had 355, whilst the regular service was run
with 405.

Safeworking is by Train Order, obtained from the LCR Train Controller,
whose office appears to be his car!

Although they have a big task ahead of them (inherited track condition
helps) its better then seeing it all going to waste.

B