International Railroad Discussion > This Weeks Downunder Shots & Video

Hi all,

Some more shots from this week. All were taken in South Australia.

1. 3DA2 from Darwin to Adelaide waits on the branch line as it is called at Tarcoola as the sun has nearly set on 5/15/19. Tarcoola is the junction for the line to Darwin in the Northern Territory from the Transcontinental main line to Perth in Western Australia.

2. The sun has now gone as Pacific National steel train from Perth to Melbourne, 3PM4 with solo GE powered NR47 overtakes 3DA2 at Tarcoola on 5/15/19.

3. Due to the failure of both GE powered, Goninan built NR's (model Cv40-9i), EMD power came to the rescue. Here we see NR46, NR22 both offline leading G537, G542, XR558 and 8175 as it climbs the 2.2% grade around the sweeping curve at Callington with a very late running Pacific National service 4MA5 on 5/16/19. XR558 and 8175 were added to the train at Kaniva in Victoria while G537 and G542 were added at Tailem Bend.

G537 and G542 still wear the livery of their former owner Freight Australia which was owned by Rail America before being sold to PN. They were both built for V/Line in 1989 by Clyde Engineering-EMD and are a model JT26C-2SS. They have a 16-645E3C, AR11 alternator, D87 traction motors and EMD Super Series wheel slip control. Basically an SD40-2 with SD50 electrics.
XR558 was built by Pacific National at their Dynon workshops in 2005. They are a GT26C-3 with 16-645E3C, AR10 alternator, D77 traction motors and Wabtec QES3 control system. 8175 was built for the SRA of NSW in 1985 by Clyde Engineering-EMD, model JT26C-2SS. It has a 16-645E3B, AR16 alternator and EMD Super Series control system.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/19 06:45 by AussieGWAdriver.

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Next lot.

1. A shot of GT26C-3, XR558 a not so common visitor to SA anymore.

2. 4MA5 rolls downgrade through Balhannah in a gloom of shadows.

3. Heading down the 2.2% grade at Petwood under heavy dynamics, NR66, NR50, G542 and G537 lead Pacific National service 3PM6 on 5/17/19. The two G class will be detached at Tailem Bend and were being used as banker units over the Adelaide Hills from Adelaide due to the heavy grades.

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And lastly, some video from the last two days.

The first scene is 12,000hp worth of EMD's making light work of 4MA5 as it climbs the 2.2% grade at Callington. The second scene is of 4MA5 coming down into Balhannah under dynamic brakes. The last scene is of 3PM6 under heavy dynamics coming down the 2.2% grade at Petwood.

Enjoy,
Justin

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The droaning of those EMD engines is sweet music as they fight uphill.  Thanks for the video.

Thanks for all your posts.I love them.

Uncle Joe
Seffner,Fl.USA

Thanks everyone.

Another quick video that I took on Saturday night of loaded Pacific National grain train 7AK6 with four Clyde-EMD JT26C-2SS locomotives, BL26, G520, G526 and G537 hauling the 46 wagon train up and down the 2.2% grades in the Adelaide Hills. I got stuffed up by an Adelaide Metro DMU in the first scene then the next two were just for the noise.

Cheers,
Justin

 

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Awesome sounds.  Reminds me of the good old days on Donner or in the Feather River Canyon.  You're making me want to go to Australia for some train watching (train spotting?). 
You should talk to the Australian Board of Tourism.  You're bringing folks into your country with your videos.

Some pretty wild stuff !!! Thank you for sharing !!!! :):):)