There was a request for steam, right?
G'day ladies and gents,
I was playing around a bit today with Sandy Banks to Bongo Creek. I find it to be a great little route, so much fun! Runs great in TS2009!
Anyway, I made up a little story for us all. Its about NSWGR 5909, and how she working on this great route. Obviously a fictional story, but should sound real.
8th March 1972
The sun beat down on the dusty yard, and the tin roof groaned from the heat. I walked up to 5909, she was sitting in her shed. I clambered in, to see my fireman had already got her steamed up for todays work. I backed her onto the empty NODs in the yard for the last time, as this was the final time she was to pull the coal train. But 5909 was still rostered on for the stopping freight and shunting duties, and lets not forget her job banking for heavy trains up these steep grades. Here we are, slogging along through Mt Victoria.
We arrive at Bongo Creek, for the last time. The train is loaded, and we are seen here, stopped on the spur which runs next to the town. (what do you call it axe?) We use it as a run-around for the coal trains, works a treat.
We run around the train, and couple up to the other end of the consist. Now tender first, the signalman throws a few switches, and 5909's whistle pierces the sky, as we start on our trip back.
We get down about half way to Mt Victoria and I nod at my fireman. He smiles back, and I let her off the chain. She's going about 50mph in this picture, faster than she's been in a bloody long time! My arm is hanging out the window (on the left side, this is Australia!), I pat the side of the cab, 'Bout time we did this huh?'
We burst through Mt Victoria, passengers look up from the station, to see a weathered coal train blurring past. We're at about 55mph at this point, not slowing for the speed limits!
We slow a bit in Mt Victoria, the old girl's struggles a bit with 13 loaded NODs! We are going 48mph before hitting the next slope.
Here we are again, this time, going 60mph! Sandy River beckons ahead. I apply the brake.
Still going downhill, we hit 62mph before the brakes kick in! Thats pretty quick for this old bird.
We slow, and I shunt into the yard once more. We uncouple for the last time, and chug off to the shed...
I stop 5909, and say 'Coo! Wasn't that fun old girl!' I jump out, and check her over. I jump down to the sidebar, put my hand on the big nut that holds it on the wheel, and I could move it! No trouble at all! I tighten it up a bit, before the dispatcher comes. He doesn't look happy! Me and my fireman quickly nip off to the pub before he could catch us. Now she sits, waiting for the next crew, never to pull the coal train again...
That's it! The last steam coal train from Bongo Creek!
Cyas all later!
Mitch