On holiday in Aussie

A Queensland Rail electric multiple unit at Airport (Domestic) Station on the Airport Line. 14/10/14.

Recently I was lucky enough to spend some valuable rest and relaxation time with my family on the Sunshine Coast. Good quality family time was the priority so I wasn't able to sneak away for any train spotting Queensland Rail style. But I did manage to sneak a photo of the fantastic Airport Line linking Brisbane Airport with downtown Brisie (see above). It wasn't a great shot but I didn't get caught by my levely wife so it was a win.

While in Australia I was also able to visit the Workshops Muesum in Ipswich with my son and dad. This muesum is a joint venture between Queensland Muesum and Queensland Rail. The muesum covers the past, present and future of railways in Queensland. 

Queensland Rail signage wall. 15/10/14.

While I might be a little biased this is one of the best muesums I have been to. Lots of interactive displays and plenty of hands on stuff for the kids. Highlight for me would be the train simulator where you actually operate the locomotive from a real cab. This received top marks from my son who I had to prise out of it.

Train Simulator using the cab from QR 1700 class diesel locomotive 1710D. 15/10/14.

Next to 1710D was 1262, one of 17 1250 class diesel electric locomotives. This loco is now a static display with parts of its longhood removed to show its engine and other components. The engine also has cut away segments to show its internal workings as well. Very interesting stuff.

1250 Class locomotive 1262. 15/10/14.

The 1250 class diesels have been a favourite of mine ever since I saw on while surfing the net and it was great to see one for real. These would have been great to photograph when they operated on the North Coast Line.

My boy had a ball at the muesum and thats why theres not many photos. I was so busy chasing him around. Many thanks to the very kind and helpful staff at the muesum who made this a great day out. If you are heading to Queensland and you're thinking about something to do I would highly recommend you pay the Workshops Muesum a visit. 

Check out their website at http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/

And that was about it for my Australian adventure.

Three towns, three different locos

The great thing about my job is that I get the chance to travel through the lower South Island every now and again and last Friday was one of those days I got to hit the road. After finishing up my work in Invercargill I headed down to the local yard. This was my first visit to the yard at Invercargill and I was surprised at how full it was. Even though there were plenty of wagons around, loco's were light on the ground. A DSG was pottering around the yard and one of my favourites DFT 7023 was parked up in loco... well I think it was loco. Anyway before I could get any shots the rain, hail and sleet came in. With the weather getting worse it was time to head north.

My first stop was Edendale, home of one of Fonterra's largest milk processing sites. This area creates some serious tonnage for Kiwirail. So much so they've based a DSG and a loco compound in the Edendale yard.  

DSG 3033 resting at Edendale. Part of the Fonterra factory is seen in the background. 3/10/14.

With the rain settling in it was once again time to move on. As I headed north the weather started in improve. By Balclutha the rain had stopped and I was able to take a short detour to check out the yard. The yard was empty apart from DSC 2325 which was holding the fort. A DSC is based in Balclutha to work the Finegand freezing works which is just south of town. While I didn't check out Finegand I'm sure there were plenty of container flats ready for load out.

DSC 2325 all alone in Balclutha. 3/10/14.

By now the weather was packing in again so I cut my exploring short and headed home.

After sorting out some loose ends at work on Sunday I decided to shot down to the Dunedin Railway Station to have a quick look around. Being a Sunday it was pretty quiet but I did get a shot of one of Taieri Gorge Railways well maintained DJ locomotives. These beasts built by Mitsubishi and introduced to the New Zealand railways in the late 1960's dieselised the South Island.

DJ 1209 resting between runs on the Taieri Gorge. 5/10/14.

Being a born and bred North Islander I always enjoy seeing and hearing the DJ's working out of Dunedin to Pukerangi and Middlemarch on the former Otago Central Branch and Palmerston on the Main South Line. 

And thats about it.