Echuca Day Trip 16/5

[Craig Haber <albatross@harnessnet.com.au>]

Howdy,

Quite enjoyed the day-trip to Echuca via just about everywhere on Sunday
16/5.  Passengers on the train included employees of WCR, VLP, FV and
probably some from other rail operators, plus a few gunzels (all the
usual suspects!) and others.  Myself and a number of VLP Connies settled
into the BCZ which was just the spot for a can or two... and a good
yarn.

Loco was X49, hauling PCJ, Victoria, BCZ, BS, ACZ.  Stuff of note on the
journey:
- Stopped to pick up passengers at Gheringhap - would be some time since
that's happened!
- Used Ballarat no. 2 platform
- G+T at Maryborough stabled on a wheatie
- 30km/h running Maryborough-Castlemaine.  A couple of ballast hoppers
were present at Moolart
- stop at Castlemaine no. 2 platform to WLC the Echuca motor
- stop at Bendigo no. 1 platform again WLC the Echuca motor....
- on arrival at Echuca, the hardened gunzels of course took photo's (and
it was quite photogenic, with X33&44 stabled side by side, and A85 also
present.  The 'motor' was docked up behind the pass and departed with a
reasonable load.  X49 was turned), while others got in the queue for the
spit-roast, leaving just enough for the photographers.  The footbridge
was a good place from which to eat - the wide siderails a good spot to
rest one's plate of roast meats and salads.
- on the up, used Bendigo no. 2 platform while the Swan Hill was sitting
in no. 1 - it had HEP problems and passengers were in the dark (D'oh!)
- point failure caused a minor delay at Sth Kensington

And the final observation:

- a number of passengers struggling to work the next morning (thank
goodness I was on late shift!!!).

Ahh yes, a good time was had by all!

A number of aus.rail'ers were present (c'mon guys, where are your
write-ups??)

Cheers,
CH.
--
Craig Haber
albatross@harnessnet.com.au
http://www.harnessnet.com.au
The early bird catches the worm - but the second mouse gets the cheese!