Special Passenger Trains

 Passenger trains that are not on the normal timetable.

Over the last few weeks, I have been scanning a lot of my slides.  A number of them were of tour trains in the Wagga area.   What I present below are those that I have managed to experience, and does not represent a full list of trains.  All my pictures, unless attributed

Easter 1983.  Lachlan Valley Railway

3026 heads to the turntable

On the turntable
Taking water

Another angle of taking water

Crossing Lake Albert road.  The points in the foreground are for the Tooths siding

At Ladysmith – G Hogan picture

Passing the airfield at Forest Hill.  Ken Lewis photo

Ken Lewis photo
Ken Lewis captured 3026 on the Wagga Viaduct 





Easter 1986?  Lachlan Valley Railway

3026 taking water, whilst 5367 looks on.  This picture was posted on facebook, by Adam.  3026 has been repainted.

Another angle.

Heading towards Forest Hill, and Ladysmith, 3026 and train passes in front of Rocky Hill

Easter 1988  -RTM

Taking water.

Taking Water

Wet platform, and a big crowd greet 3801.

Flood Train late 1980s
Before the high level Gobbagombalin road bridge was built in the 1990s, Murrumbidgee river floods could isolate the main town, from the industrial suburb of Bomen.  NSW railways would provide a “flood train” that operated as a commuter service across the 5 km long murrumbidgee viaduct.  On one occassion, I took the train.
125th Railway Anniversary liveried 4836 with  3 carriages awaits departure at Wagga Railway Station
Arrival at Bomen

LRV tour train – October 5, 1997
As part of the 50th Anniversary of the Junee Roundhouse, Lachlan Valley ran a train to Wagga.  5367 makes a welcome return.
  

Standard goods, 5397 makes a fine sight as it reverses back to the carriages

The railway water tank was out of use, so the local volunteer fire brigade did the honours of filling the tender

Departure back to Junee

North of Junee, 5367 returning home after the 50th Roundhouse celebration.  (think this is at Marinna?)

5367 rests quietly on the Junee roundhouse approach road

What made the 50th anniversary of the Junee Roundhouse so special?  Here is a teaser picture, showing local daredevil, Lawrence Legend successfully jumping 3 locomotives.  Oct 6, 1997.  

2015 October 6,  6029 visit
I moved to Junee in 2015, and Junee roundhouse became the focus of many tour trains.  Digital photography now, rather than scanning slides.  6029 ran a couple of shuttle trips over 2 days.  To Bomen, and return, and to Uranquinty and return
 
AD6029 being prepared just outside the Junee roundhouse.

On the way to Uranquinty.  The bridge in the background indicates the location of the former Urana Street level crossing

Near the Fernleigh Road level crossing.  The train was moving quite quickly

Conclusion
Special trains are something that one should consider for adding spice to an operating session.   And, they offer an excuse to run equipment that would normally not be seen.
Revisiting my slide collection, and scanning has provided me with additional views of infrastructure that I will use to recreate scenes more accurately.  And they rekindle great memories.   I have only just started this process in earnest, and more discoveries are to come.
I hope my little excursion into the past has been worth the wait.  I apologise for the lengthy delay between this blog post, and my previous one.  
Until next time, construct a model, or two

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