The lash up as observed is GM's 47, 38, 37 and 46, marshalled in the pleasing arrangement of A-A-B-B. They
now have ASR logos on the nose, adding a small touch of colour to the AN green livery.
There were plenty of photographers in the area over the last few days to record these final workings, including a
veritable photoline at the main highway overbridge near the power station on Sunday. The ASR crews we spoke to wanted to know what on earth we intended to do with all the miles of exposed film!
Adelaide photographer Bob Grant has asked me to also post the following comments regarding the delivery of
the 81's and wagons next week. Given the necessity for a shutdown while the coal loader is converted, it is
possible that the initial run is for familiarisation/ crew training.
> In Mark's latest message about 81s on the coalie next week he infers that
> the first trains will be combined , fueled AND LOADED then return to Pt
> Augusta same day. We managed to get into Leigh Creek late on Sunday -far
> too late for any decent shots - all we got was a half glint on the balloon
> loop but no infrastructure in the shot - and we were told by the shift
> supervisor that the floor of the loader had to be lowered by 6 inches (or
> something) before they could run the NSW wagons under it. This would take 4
> days. So unless they get desperate and load by front end loaders or
> something I can't see a loaded train running for a few days.
Anyone contemplating going up there should also note that a large group of us tried to get into the mine
on the following day after Bob went in, and were told in no uncertain fashion that official visits must be
prearranged , between May and August only!
Cheers,
Paul Hogan
pghogan@bigpond.com