In the forties (during WW2) I was on the Spirit of Progress (blue and gold cheat lines) a number of times. As a five year old I thought "It doesn't get better than this" as we traversed north eastern Victoria to Melbourne or Albury.. Many more comments could be made but Ill leave it there.
@@mikevale3620 agree. One story I recall is in the Buffet Car of The Victorian leg, on the Spirit of Progress, at breakfast and a fat old farmer said to Mum and me. "Eat up little boy." I was too scared and young to tell him I was bilious from falling out of the top bunk while the Canberra Carriage was changed at to ther Sydney train at Goulburn resulting in my fall. So loud that the Conductor came to see if I was okay. Mum didn't realise I had concussion. People didn't seek help in the early forties.
@@letsseeif I racall my second ever hangover. My brother and I booked Roomettes on the Sydney bound 'Aurora around 1982. We already knocked off a bottle of Red with our 3 course evening meal. Then a mum and daughter settled opposite us and they were celebrating some milestone, so we split the cost of a bottle of bubbly. After that a port in the Lounge car and I rolled into bed and slept well. But in the morning...what a headache and having to get dressed quickly as Central station beckoned fast. Luckily I improved once in the fresh air, but those days are gone and of course, responsible serving of alcohol.
Ahhhh the memories. Catching the Spirit of Progress from Melbourne to Sydney and back in a seat , at night 'cos I couldn't afford a sleeper ! LoL 🤣 Let alone the majestic beauty of Ballarat train station, I have visited there several times on my way to the tram museum
Thanks for this. I rode the Southern Aurora in 1984 on a Nurail Fortnight First Class Rail travel within NSW. So I got off at Albury and returned on an XPT.. very early days of that, too. I loved the Spirit Of Progress having ridden it many times from Sydney to Spencer St as it was called then, to visit my sister in Melbourne.
@@Schony747 Yeah K wonder if anyone has video from those days or old VHS converted or?? Probably more like Super or Standard 8 or 16mm?? SOP was a lovely train. I was glad I got to ride the Southern Aurora, just once, before it shut down, as well.
Nice to see and hear S306 in action, and to think they were looking at scrapping it for parts when it sat abandoned with GM1 back in 2018 in Parkes NSW. Where did the name "Tantini" and "Kuldalai" come from on The Overland cars at 6.19 frame? Sound like Maori names. Nice work there Brenden, thank you.
No idea where the names came from to be honest. I think it was appropriate to see the N leading the consist as well as it was the last class to lead the Overland on BG.
A lovely little video thanks for the memories I rode the overland in the late sixties sleeper also rode the spirit and the aurora over the years all great trips.
Was a novelty to see 'Aurora and 'Overland cars on the one train at Ballarat station, but some of these cars, especially Kuldalai featured could do with some TLC.
How great that carriages from all three classic trains were represented.Personally, would have loved to see a Vinelander carriage in the mix if any still exist
A number if times I ran the 2nd division of the Overland from Ballarat to Melbourne with a number of Ballarat drivers, Cliffie Sampson, Noel 'Pinkie' Murray, Keith 'Scorcher' Mc Phan, Kevin, 'Bed Down' O'Brian. Always S class locos. Often too long, service one half, then pull forward to service the rear half. Pity their aren't any cars from the Vinelander, from back then.
I remember those days. Night Overland to Adelaide would have two stops. 2 minutes for the sit up passengers then the train would move forward for the sleepers.
I can rember being on the Overlander from Melbourne to Ararat, that was hauled bu 2 A2 Class steam locos that were re-watered at Ballarat then changed at Ararat
Those of course are not from the true Spirit of Progress she and the southern aurora don't fit on the same track! My main concern as to the worth of the standard gauge 'Spirit ' as an extension to her predecessor is the materials used to construct her! Is she built with corten steel?
I'm not 100% sure of the build material. It's safe to say most of the cars are original and come from some pretty famous trains such as the Aurora, Overland and Vinelander
In the forties (during WW2) I was on the Spirit of Progress (blue and gold cheat lines) a number of times. As a five year old I thought "It doesn't get better than this" as we traversed north eastern Victoria to Melbourne or Albury.. Many more comments could be made but Ill leave it there.
My Father has stories travelling in the 1960s and changing trains because of the break of gauge at Albury
Why leave it there? Once you're dead, your memories go with you.
@@mikevale3620 agree. One story I recall is in the Buffet Car of The Victorian leg, on the Spirit of Progress, at breakfast and a fat old farmer said to Mum and me. "Eat up little boy." I was too scared and young to tell him I was bilious from falling out of the top bunk while the Canberra Carriage was changed at to ther Sydney train at Goulburn resulting in my fall. So loud that the Conductor came to see if I was okay. Mum didn't realise I had concussion. People didn't seek help in the early forties.
@@letsseeif I racall my second ever hangover. My brother and I booked Roomettes on the Sydney bound 'Aurora around 1982. We already knocked off a bottle of Red with our 3 course evening meal. Then a mum and daughter settled opposite us and they were celebrating some milestone, so we split the cost of a bottle of bubbly. After that a port in the Lounge car and I rolled into bed and slept well. But in the morning...what a headache and having to get dressed quickly as Central station beckoned fast. Luckily I improved once in the fresh air, but those days are gone and of course, responsible serving of alcohol.
Ahhhh the memories. Catching the Spirit of Progress from Melbourne to Sydney and back in a seat , at night 'cos I couldn't afford a sleeper ! LoL 🤣
Let alone the majestic beauty of Ballarat train station, I have visited there several times on my way to the tram museum
Sleepers were a luxury back in the day and even today it's cheaper to fly than to have an overnight sleeper on the XPT.
Thanks for this. I rode the Southern Aurora in 1984 on a Nurail Fortnight First Class Rail travel within NSW. So I got off at Albury and returned on an XPT.. very early days of that, too. I loved the Spirit Of Progress having ridden it many times from Sydney to Spencer St as it was called then, to visit my sister in Melbourne.
My father has memories of the SOP as well. Back in his day, there was a break of gauge at Albury!
@@Schony747 Yeah K wonder if anyone has video from those days or old VHS converted or?? Probably more like Super or Standard 8 or 16mm?? SOP was a lovely train. I was glad I got to ride the Southern Aurora, just once, before it shut down, as well.
Nice to see and hear S306 in action, and to think they were looking at scrapping it for parts when it sat abandoned with GM1 back in 2018 in Parkes NSW. Where did the name "Tantini" and "Kuldalai" come from on The Overland cars at 6.19 frame? Sound like Maori names. Nice work there Brenden, thank you.
No idea where the names came from to be honest. I think it was appropriate to see the N leading the consist as well as it was the last class to lead the Overland on BG.
They are Aboriginal words related to sleeping and night time
A lovely little video thanks for the memories I rode the overland in the late sixties sleeper also rode the spirit and the aurora over the years all great trips.
My father is 80 and has the same memories
Was a novelty to see 'Aurora and 'Overland cars on the one train at Ballarat station, but some of these cars, especially Kuldalai featured could do with some TLC.
I suppose it comes down to funds and the volunteers to undertake the work.
How great that carriages from all three classic trains were represented.Personally, would have loved to see a Vinelander carriage in the mix if any still exist
There's still a Vinelander car with one of the operators unless it's been repainted back to The Overland livery
A number if times I ran the 2nd division of the Overland from Ballarat to Melbourne with a number of Ballarat drivers, Cliffie Sampson, Noel 'Pinkie' Murray, Keith 'Scorcher' Mc Phan, Kevin, 'Bed Down' O'Brian. Always S class locos. Often too long, service one half, then pull forward to service the rear half. Pity their aren't any cars from the Vinelander, from back then.
I remember those days. Night Overland to Adelaide would have two stops. 2 minutes for the sit up passengers then the train would move forward for the sleepers.
great video
Thanks 😀😀
@@Schony747 your welcome
I can rember being on the Overlander from Melbourne to Ararat, that was hauled bu 2 A2 Class steam locos that were re-watered at Ballarat then changed at Ararat
Long before my time. I remember the diesel era very well.
Ah, memories!
Good memories of The Overland for myself growing up as a kid
Schony747, please update the description as the location filmed is wrong?
It's Ballarat, for sure. I live here, and was a fireman on the old VR, back when.
@@kellyswoodyard yes I recognise the station
I was born in Ballarat so definitely know my home railway station
Those of course are not from the true Spirit of Progress she and the southern aurora don't fit on the same track! My main concern as to the worth of the standard gauge 'Spirit ' as an extension to her predecessor is the materials used to construct her! Is she built with corten steel?
I'm not 100% sure of the build material. It's safe to say most of the cars are original and come from some pretty famous trains such as the Aurora, Overland and Vinelander