Re: ATTN DAVID B RE 32'S IN TIBET

[Lambing Flat <"bullack(no spam)"@cia.com.au>]

The Morphetts wrote:

> Following several conversations today, it turns out that our friend at Lambing Flats IS
> correct - no NSWGR standard goods went to Tibet, but it does appear that a couple of CR
> locos are still in existence AND working on the main line to Mt Everest in 1999!

You are partially correct Graham, some ex CR locomotives did end up on a branch to Mt
Everest, but not under the ownership of the TNR.  The branchline in question is, in fact, a
branch of the Nepalese National system, and is built to a gauge of 3' 6", (give or take a
1/16th or two, as there has been no track maintenance since the early '50s).  The locos in
question were three members of the CR NM class 4-8-0s, the numbers of which I don't have
immediately to hand.  A "service" of sorts is believed to run approximately three times a
month, depending on the depth of the snow.  I understand that the train is known locally by
a phrase in the language of Nepal that roughly translates as "A last ditch conveyance for
mad Yetis".  Little is known about the rolling stock used, other than there is believed to
be some.  Intrepid photographer, Stephen Howard, projected a number of slides taken on his
1996 expedition to this amazing line at a recent first Friday night meeting, but since the
weather conditions were absolutely atrocious during his visit, little detail of the train
is visible, the scene being one of unrelieved white.

DPC James McInerney

STOP!  In The Name Of The Lore!

At http://www.cia.com.au/bullack/ , the "Lambing Flat" page.