8220 had S300, it hit sheep down side GEX. Went to Dynon to be cleaned
"nah we can't clean it" said they. Okay, we'll go to WMB and clean it
there. "Nup, I'm blackbanning it" says OHS person (crew were going to
drive it, but was blackbanned against their wishes - and our wishes!).
Great, so the only loco we could get to lead it on 8217 was T371 - it
led to GEX, was swapped for X53 through to WMB. Was over 60 late,
crossed 8232 at Geelong. At WMB, turn X53, leave S300 there, use B76
second engine, detach X53 at GEX, B76 solo to Melb. 8237 had X52+S311
acc. X required by VLF at WMB (must be excess load on goods again).
Waurn Ponds ("the Ponderossa") had G527, down at 1058, up at 1240.
Up Ballast ex-WMB with T409+T374 up through GEX at 1332.
At 1245, very, very new and shiny (you could smell the fresh paint) N472
led N455 (Orange)+about 8 cars into GEX platform 2 on a test train.
Many techs checked loco and pass cars, ran around, departed at 1307.
Monday (21/12) Daylight XPT had failed at Albury, got going and due into
MSS at approx 2100 hrs. Busses to run down overnight, XPT set to remain
at MSS overnight, form Tuesday's daylight. Did this happen? Did the
southbound overnight (Monday night) come to Melb - that would leave 2
XPT sets in Melbourne Tuesday morning!
Cheers,
CH.
-- Craig Haber albatross@harnessnet.com.au http://www.harnessnet.com.au "It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys"