Aurizon Intermodals with crew cars.

Australia is a big place...similar in size to the USA , but with not much in the middle in the way of towns! Since freight trains became mostly private companies in the late 90's , the previous government run railway camps and small towns , did not suit the new, profit driven and more efficient rail companies. Instead of train crews staying in small , remote camps, crew cars were built so that drivers and other staff, could eat, shower and sleep while their train continued on across the vast plains. While this may not be as restful as a motel bed , the crews can get back home quicker and into their own beds!

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. It is nice to see a touch of spring down under, fall is upon us, and then that dreaded season of snow, "Ohio"😭 Thanks for sharing Gregg. Enjoyed the video, Gary

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Gary! They are predicting a hot and dangerous summer this year? I guess snow is nice until you have to live in it ..LOL Gregg 🙂

[@avlisk]

We had the great pleasure of accommodations in a crew car back in 1989 from Perth to Adelaide. Our conductor, Ivan, on the Indian Pacific from Perth to Adelaide, learned that I was a rail fan, and offered us a space for free on the Ghan leg of the trip up to Alice with a compartment all our own. It was quite the upgrade from the coach seating we had booked. (Later, we also got to spend time in the cockpit of a Quantas jet flight from Brisbane to Sydney, IIRC, but that's another story for a different channel.)

[@FishplateFilms]

Wow ..luck you ! That was early on in their use I imagine? It would be interesting to chat with crews , and see how ell they rest while on the move? I sleep well on a train, so I reckon it would be ok once you're used to it.! Thanks for watching! Gregg.

[@avlisk]

It sure beat sitting up in coach all night. (Or the 24 hour bus ride back from Alice to Adelaide!) We even got to use the shower!@@FishplateFilms

[@steveweatherly1965]

My son would kill to have a vantage spot like you have Gregg 😃

[@FishplateFilms]

I'm very lucky to have found the land when I did Steve! Also it was a silent auction and you only got one chance to bid.....so the rail Gods were smiling on me that day..LOL. the next thing is to build a house that does the location justice...which I hope to start late next year? Thanks for watching! Gregg 🙂

[@arthurhouston3]

Looks like a nice spring day. We finally got some rain. For the year 2ft under normal. Se La USA Mississippi River is so low salt water is 80 miles up river from Gulf of Mx.

[@FishplateFilms]

It was a bit rainy some days Art, but it's like that in the Hills in winter. They are predicting a very hot and dangerous fire season....again! The planet is not happy .... many countries have recorded their hottest ever summers , and things aren't looking to get better anytime soon? They say if things don't improve with Lake Meed , then Vegas has 10 year left?? Hope you have some good rain soon. Cheers Gregg.

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

Those are some tight S curves! It’s amazing that the only thing that comes out of the arrangement is flange-squeal! I wonder the radius of those curves. EMD seems to have made impossible to derail locomotives( and they are hauling amazingly clean rolling stock as well)!

[@gibsonethirty2836]

G'Day Gregg. As always,thanks for sharing.........I still prefer the older livery for Aurizon with the dark speed stripe. Take care matey.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Gibs! Yes , I prefer the "One Rail" livery to the horrible Pineapple! The orange scheme was originally "CFLC" and reminds me of BNSF ...which I have a soft spot for 🙂. Thanks for watching SIr. Cheers Gregg.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

I can see why you like it there.....Peaceful place.....That SD40-2 in a box, must be a spare. Bob

[@FishplateFilms]

It is lovely Bob...but apart from the trains ,the people really sold it for me ! It's a very "community minded" vibe and reminds me of what a small town in the country is like...only 15mins from the city! They use the G class for switching in Adelaide and split the train in Melbourne , according to some local railfans. Thanks for watching Bob! Best wishes. Gregg.

[@Mustang00007]

Thanks mate. We see it at Bowden going by.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks for watching! Gregg .

[@upsd402]

Interesting how they have crew cars. So they have a crew of four? When having the crew cars included. So is Genesee and Wyoming no longer serving Australia. I noticed the black and orange has a new name on the hoods. Hopefully spring is much cooler than normal. We’re finally seeing some fall weather here. Great video Gregg, cheers from Terry in Nebraska.

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

It’s Great to See how it’s Done in the Outback 🎩🎩off to you and THANK YOU!

[@FishplateFilms]

Glad you enjoyed it! More of Adelaide Hills on the way and thanks for watching! Cheers Gregg.

[@Aussie_Transport5371]

G535 is out mid train so the train can split in half in Victoria to go to the docks In 2 sections as it is not big enough for the whole train

[@adriannettlefold9084]

I was going to ask if they had them back in the train due to bridges, you answered my question. Cheers. Looks like Aurizon is spending some money at last.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! I tried to look it up but only found it was used for route training in Perth at some time? It would be cool if they could DPU it on a longer train through the Hills! Cheers Gregg.

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@FishplateFilms , it might be used for shunting in adelaide too. the g was left in the train for the first trip to perth but it now gets left at adelaide.

[@Aussie_Transport5371]

@@FishplateFilms It is used as an Adelaide shunter as well, runs from DCN to Port Flat but it’s never been to Perth, the Perth route training was done by a GWA & CLP. The G always comes of in Adelaide.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@vsvnrg3263 Thank you Sir! Makes sense now , I wonder if it is "DPU' equipped? Would be cool to see it helping a train up the the grade to Lofty! Cheers Gregg.

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Thanks for the video, Gregg. Some vantage point you have their, though the rails on that centre track through the station look distinctly wonky when you're zoomed in! Forgive my ignorance (I'm from the UK where the longest straight track is probably measured in yards, not miles...), but how long does the train take between Adelaide and Perth? How many crews do they have? Seems a bit of a big crew car for just two crews working in rotation.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Andrew, the center track is only for MOW equipment or damaged cars/locos and is not used for mainline running. Its about 42 hrs for the Indian Pacific to do it , but thats with only a few stops , so freight would be longer than that. I don't know how different crews operate, but the crew cars have a kitchen , lounge and private rooms , so it all takes up room. Cheers Gregg.

[@smokeyjoe1034]

I was just curious, but what do the fumes from the rail weld smell like? Cheers Joe.

[@FishplateFilms]

Not healthy JOe! A bit like normal welding but with more chemicals. Gregg.

[@peterainsworth8466]

Was that Big Darryl Eastlake commenting at 2:27?

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...from the same era Peter! I was trying for Kenny Calendar , the old race caller . He used to say "park the peepers" or at least he did on the Twelfth man series! Gregg 🙂

[@peterainsworth8466]

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