Stock and Locos in Goulburn yard.

With the busy christmas season well and truly upon us we all seem so short of time.
however as busy as we are the rail yards are even more so. As contractors rush to move thousands of tons of goods all over the country before the public holidays take hold make it very expensive.
With the increased number of trains passing through Goulburn I have been taking the opportunity to photograph some of these. As well as the usual string of odd locos that linger around platform 3.



First up is the AK test cars. these former Brisbane limited passenger cars are a frequent visitor to Goulburn. Usually with different motive power every time. This time with one of the most well known class of diesels on the main south line the 81class. Along with one of CFCLA's CF44's just ahead.

 Now we move on to the Canberra rail heritage Christmas special this was a very interesting mix of a train. With 4403 hauling ex Aurora  (also ex countrylink) PHA2393  and RMS2360, along with former RUB  TDS2247, ex N set buffet RFN1739, the converted dance car BVS2166 and FS2021.

 

A PacNat wheat train rolling through.

The AK cars are back again this time working push/pull with CFCLA motive power of FL220 and EL53.  FL220 and HL203 having only just returned from working tour trains from Thirlmere the passed few months .this AK working went  down the Canberra line and back. Its interesting to note that use of an EL on the AK cars is a first. EL53 left FL220 at platform 3 the following day and headed to sydney with the AK's on its own.

 4403 returned with el53 to Goulburn the following day.

Every class of CFCLA's fleet are often found milling around the station. With CFCLA using the Gouburn locomotive workshops it provides an endless supply of  locomotives.
today with this being VL353 and GL110.

 Stray motive power of Chinese built BK locos 001 and 002. These locos were in Goulburn for signal testing and crew training. All of this done by Qube who have 10 of these type of  locomotives currently being built for them. A very interesting build of locomotive, being the only 4000+ horsepower locos with dual cab.

 With testing complete they were marshaled up with Qube loco 1440 for the return home.
The 14 class were imported MZ class locos from Denmark and have changed ownership in Australia several times.

And lastly the usual twin AN class working on the Sydney/Tarago garbage train.

Electric locomotives in Goulburn.

Back in the late 1940's when the mass electrification of Sydney's network was underway, plans were put in place to extend the electric network far beyond the city. While most of these plans were successful others not so much. The electrification to the Blue Mountains and Newcastle were accomplished. however the original plans to extend this network on the main south line sadly never was completed. The plans to have electrification done in three stages beyond Campbelltown, first Picton, then Moss Vale and finally Goulburn.  Sadly many factors and red tape saw the plans never come to pass.
With a growing number of ready to run NSW electric locomotives and stock becoming available it is making the modeling of inner sydney trains more possible. The recent release of Auscision's 86 class, with their 46 class not far behind along with the V-set's and Tangara set's at some stage are just some.
Southern Rail have their wonderful U-boats and gantry, the IDR castings kit for the 85 class, berg's Red Ratlers along with Casulas double deck cars. The Sydney suburban stock is becoming a strong market.
Personally I couldn't resist the growing range of HO scale electrics. I got the first taste of what rolls under the HO scale wires at the Liverpool show a few years back. The layout of the Electric car sheds had me fascinated. I then picked up one of Southern Rail's U-boats the same day. since then I have added to this. First with an 85 class kit from IDR this being the first loco kit I have ever done. Also my first attempt at airbrushing to paint it. While not perfect I do like how it came up. With Auscision releasing their 86 class I thought why not. Having visited Thirlmere not long before hand and seeing the 86 they had preserved. I took the opertunity to add to my heritage fleet ordering 8646. With its arrival last week and being very impressed I then proceeded to order another two 8642 in candy and their unannounced number 8601 in freight rail blue with Silverton logos as it is today. currently owned by Dorrigo and stored at Broadmeadow.
So what dose all this have to do with the Goulburn layout? While it is reasonable to adapt a real location to fit a model somethings can be a bit of a stretch. Now I have no intention of being completely unrealistic and putting overhead wires through Goulburn, but a small branch line off the Argyle station section with some overhead wires would be good giving my electric fleet somewhere to run. A fictitious station connecting the main south to a link in the Sydney electric network. this would allow quite a few number of operations, shunting and of course change in loco's to continue the train. None of this of course will begin until the entire layout is up and running to its full capacity.
so on to a few photos of the growing fleet of Argyle's electric stock.
So firstly my locos all my 86class lined up.

 Freight rail candy 8642.

 The now preserved Thirlmere owned 8646

 Dorrigo's own class leader 8601

My first electric acquisition the U-boat set

 My first Kit loco 8501 in the inspection line with the 86's

 Still looking good even when standing next to super detailed ready to run engines

 A line up of all current electric stock.

 Friday night saw the locos have their fist running session on the Goulburn club layout of Binabeen
8642 looking the part at the head of a local supplementary interurban train.

 Closely followed by the outer urban single deck u-boat

 It seemed that 86's were the flavor of the day. With another prominent member bringing his new locos out for a run too. 

Loco workings were quite interesting for that night.
although a question was raised how these loco's were managing with the lack of over head wires!

 Luckily when modeling all can be permitted in the name of fun.