Ride 'em cowboy! Definitely a revelation from last century when NSW grain trains ran on many pioneer engineered branch lines and managed to stay on the track most of the time. Bevan, you were certainly brave to capture some of those scenes from the outside of curves that I would have stood well clear of. The dancing bridge scene would put the fear of the Almighty into most observers. How nice it is to know that the Eltham trestle bridge in suburban Melbourne is regularly maintained for the frequent suburban electric traffic it endures. A local RUclipsr "Taitset" has an extraordinary video clip of the base timbers on this bridge responding to the traffic above. Thanks for posting this historic footage of 25 years ago.🙂🙂🙂
yeah when you see the bridge dancing around like it only means one thing: CLOSURE. obviously there'd been no hurry to maintain it or replace it. and it would cost millions to completely upgrade the weight restriction of the line seens the 48s were the lightest loco to run on it. The bridge is just south of Morrisseys road
That bridge scene at 10:32 had me sitting on the edge of my recliner in suspense! No chance in Hell a bridge in such a state of disrepair like that would pass inspection by Federal Railroad Administration safety inspectors here in America!
Coming from Canada, the proportions on those engines just feel “wrong”! Broad (?) gauge power built to narrow gauge clearance. Perfect for work on this line. Unless it was given a new lease on life shortly after this video, I’m guessing this operation is now a thing of the past? We used to have similar branch lines all over the Canadian prairies, almost all gone now. Good branch line action is hard to come by these days!
These are standard gauge rails but only light weight as most branch lines were. These engines by todays standards are only 'babies', the big boys could not run on there tracks and like Canada it seems that most of our lesser branch lines have gone.
They are similar to South Australia’s 830 class, which were exactly what you described. A loco that could operate on light weight track, but unlike NSW, SA had/has broad gauge (5ft 3in), narrow gauge (3ft 6in), and standard gauge. Most of our narrow gauge is standard gauge now, and only our metro lines are broad gauge, so they are really squat looking mainline locos now.
I like 48s, their a decent loco for a diesel. They have a pissweak horn compared to how they sounded in the 70s. This branch line is horrible two whole complete sleeper's gone, the little bridge had a little bent for such a short bridge but that's nothing compared to the bendy wooden bridge? I am deeply sorry for the swearing .
i assume this branch line has closed like so many throughout Australia and replaced by road transport ...the golden era of rail freight servicing rural Australia has long passed many decades ago
What a lovely railway line, wished it was still operational today.
That bridge scene is wild.
Great footage from back in the day of the Freightcorp 48's leading trains and the various types of grain wagons mixed in with each other.
Ride 'em cowboy! Definitely a revelation from last century when NSW grain trains ran on many pioneer engineered branch lines and managed to stay on the track most of the time. Bevan, you were certainly brave to capture some of those scenes from the outside of curves that I would have stood well clear of. The dancing bridge scene would put the fear of the Almighty into most observers. How nice it is to know that the Eltham trestle bridge in suburban Melbourne is regularly maintained for the frequent suburban electric traffic it endures. A local RUclipsr "Taitset" has an extraordinary video clip of the base timbers on this bridge responding to the traffic above. Thanks for posting this historic footage of 25 years ago.🙂🙂🙂
Good use of the camera's zoom makes the picture look like I was closer than I actually was.
First class video, very watchable! Thank you!
yeah when you see the bridge dancing around like it only means one thing: CLOSURE. obviously there'd been no hurry to maintain it or replace it. and it would cost millions to completely upgrade the weight restriction of the line seens the 48s were the lightest loco to run on it.
The bridge is just south of Morrisseys road
Good to see this again, bridge is now gone.
That bridge scene at 10:32 had me sitting on the edge of my recliner in suspense! No chance in Hell a bridge in such a state of disrepair like that would pass inspection by Federal Railroad Administration safety inspectors here in America!
Great video indeed
Crickey, I see what you mean about the Dancing Bridge,
You're not gonna mistake those numbers, are you?
Great video!
Awesome capture Like 👍🏻 And Greeting 🙋🏻 my friend from argentina 🇦🇷
Is that line still open or has it been closed?
Closed. The line is overgrown with trees now. Many bridges removed.
Coming from Canada, the proportions on those engines just feel “wrong”! Broad (?) gauge power built to narrow gauge clearance. Perfect for work on this line. Unless it was given a new lease on life shortly after this video, I’m guessing this operation is now a thing of the past? We used to have similar branch lines all over the Canadian prairies, almost all gone now. Good branch line action is hard to come by these days!
The 48's are actually on Standard Gauge as New South Wales has that gauge laid throughout.
These are standard gauge rails but only light weight as most branch lines were. These engines by todays standards are only 'babies', the big boys could not run on there tracks and like Canada it seems that most of our lesser branch lines have gone.
@@lindsayrandall5488 That and unlike The Canadian Railroads NSW has a restricted loading gauge of 13ft 9in
They are similar to South Australia’s 830 class, which were exactly what you described. A loco that could operate on light weight track, but unlike NSW, SA had/has broad gauge (5ft 3in), narrow gauge (3ft 6in), and standard gauge. Most of our narrow gauge is standard gauge now, and only our metro lines are broad gauge, so they are really squat looking mainline locos now.
This is built to pioneer rail standards.
that bridge didnt look safe to me, they need to strength it
I like 48s, their a decent loco for a diesel. They have a pissweak horn compared to how they sounded in the 70s. This branch line is horrible two whole complete sleeper's gone, the little bridge had a little bent for such a short bridge but that's nothing compared to the bendy wooden bridge? I am deeply sorry for the swearing .
You think this is bad? Just wait till you see brick locos going over the Oaklands line.....
i assume this branch line has closed like so many throughout Australia and replaced by road transport ...the golden era of rail freight servicing rural Australia has long passed many decades ago
Unfortunately.
For the international viewer, have a look at the strength ratings of seasoned Australian hardwood. 🦘🇦🇺
Whiteants on steroids? 🤣✅🇦🇺