Chasing Trains: On the New South Wales Main South Line - Travel Vlog

[@Taitset]

Nice one Will, I like this format!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks mate! I appreciate that!

[@brucewilliams8714]

In January 1988, an XPT driver got permission to run a Bicentennial special on the Culcairn to Corowa line for the celebrations there. As the XPT normally rested in Albury on a Sunday it was available. The Corowa line was to close that weekend, so on our return from Corowa the line was technically closing behind us. We used to do many kms chasing trains on that southern mainline, having driven up from northern Victoria, staying at the Loftus hotel in Junee, with its upstairs veranda giving a fabulous view of the station. A feature of a visit to the station was to go into the control room to see the electronic displays of the tracks and signals and the progress of trains. Happy memories, indeed.

[@WillJamesRailways]

That would have been a great thing to see! Thanks for sharing that with us Bruce!

[@danchee1045]

i have the pleasure of working with that driver who planned and ran the X out there that day, tomorrow.

[@goingforadds]

Hard to believe - but (essentially), the eastern seaboard is run from Junee. Small town - but such, prolific importance to the railway network.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Yeah a lot of traffic through there!

[@vrfan]

I can't remember the last time I went via the Hume to Goulburn. The Olympic Hwy and Burley Griffin Way is my 'normal' route, lol

[@WillJamesRailways]

It certainly a much better way to go!

[@wallybelp1]

Thank you for the time you spend filming these videos and putting them up for us to enjoy. Gary

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you so much for watching them!

[@robertfantasticsinginggreatson]

Loved the video good watching trains thank you great job

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Robert! Hopefully a type of video I can make more of!

[@gleneyers8113]

Yass was steam tramway put in to transport passengers from Yass Junction.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Ah awesome! Thanks you for that, still keen to pay it a proper visit next time and learn some more about it! Thanks for watching!

[@jimthomas2459]

Very good video, , thanks for the posting , ,

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you for watching Jim!

[@Gary-gr3ff]

Good video the trains were more interesting back in the 1960s and70s still some steam then used to watch old 5241 in the Albury yard when l was a kid

[@WillJamesRailways]

Ah what an amazing time that must have been Gary!

[@flamingfrancis]

The southern line was opened just before 1880 but the Spiral did not open for another 60 years. Northbound loads were heavily impacted until it opened. Until standardisation of the line to Melbourne we had to change trains at Albury.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks for that Frank!

[@simonf8902]

Culcairn was the junction for the Corowa branch line.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks for that Simon.

[@harukinzaphod]

I would have thought all of the 44 class locomotives would have been scrapped by now if not in preservation. Well it seems that there are around 8 in preservation and 3 in service with Qube Logistics. 4497 is the youngest of the lot has has just had its 55th birthday!!!!!!

[@WillJamesRailways]

It's a great thing to still be able to see!

[@simonf8902]

Yass is the end of a branch line from Yass Junction. Never on the mainline.

[@WillJamesRailways]

I'm very sorry for this mistake, I shouldn't have tried to do this on the fly whist travelling up there. I am planning on stopping/slowing the channel in 2023 to try and quash these kind of mistakes.

[@donotwantahandle1111]

Great video! Can't wait for the streamliners at Goulburn video.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks! Lots more to come from the week up there!

[@sunshineandwesterrn]

Excellent video Will; looked like a super day! Well worth getting up before dawn for.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Dan!

[@paulboger7377]

Yass Jct wasn’t connected to Canberra, that junction is near Goulburn.

[@WillJamesRailways]

I see! Please forgive my ignorance of NSWR! I’ll keep trying harder to prevent these mistakes in the future. The channel will be going to a different format in 2023 to hopefully quash the mistakes like these. I’m really sorry for letting people down with these kind of mistakes.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Very nice vlog. Don't really know much about Australian Railways apart from the XPT which in England have the Class 43 High Speed Trains which the XPT is based on the British Rail designed Intercity 125 High Speed Train, definably wouldn't mind watching some more of your videos and hit the subscribe button.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you!

[@jiordenmavric504]

Great video mate

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks mate!

[@popv2495]

Thank you Will you made a great video looked like so much fun. Am excited to see the upcoming vlog.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks mate!

[@leestevens7165]

I did not realise how much chasing was involved in chasing trains. Awesome video, interesting trains. Love it, thanks Will.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Ah it’s a huge process in a way! But it’s always a lot of fun!

[@OutimageNet]

Wish ARTC would look after the old Signal boxes a bit better :(

[@WillJamesRailways]

Agreed! Or give them to a local group to maintain them!

[@jwd8964]

Another great video Will! Great to see so many different trains

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you!

[@Planty3125]

Will, good video, the directions to Spiral lookout would be good.

[@Planty3125]

Will, found clear directions in Google Maps. Just do a search.

[@WillJamesRailways]

All good! Thanks for watching!

[@blunt.force.trauma77]

Love your shirt bro; malevolence are such a sick band. Cool video too lol

[@WillJamesRailways]

Ah good as! Yeah I’ve seen them the last couple of times they’ve been out here! Always a ripper show. Thank you for watching!

[@gregmusgrave6549]

I've just subscribed to your presentations and I thoroughly enjoyed my first video. Thank you and I look forward to future presentations.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you very much Greg!

[@FloydBromley]

A few questions answered: Culcairn: Pronounced Cull-care-n. Line speed on all main line railways in Australia: 115 km/h / 70 mph. Yass is the road junction for Canberra, but Goulburn is the rail junction.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Floyd! My lack of knowledge of NSW is very much on show here!

[@FloydBromley]

@@WillJamesRailways all good! We all start somewhere. I’ve just happened to go on a few nsw trips recently so I have some knowledge, but I’d call mine pretty limited still.

[@flamingfrancis]

That's the Scottish pronunciation...per the town there. Aussies tend to call it cul-can. And yes, Yass Junction station is heritage listed and used to be THE beehive of activity in that region with a number of tracks including one to Young (see vision of 3801 having issues with grip on that track). There used to be a small connecting (light) rail from the Junction into Yass, some four kilometers away.

[@AndrooH]

@@flamingfrancis Yass tramline was standard gauge heavy rail, not light rail. Young (Blayney-Demondrille line) branched off south of Harden (not near Yass).

[@PaulinesPastimes]

That was fun. Epic shots at dusk with the wind turbines in the distance. I loved the derelict signal box at Harden, so much character. I want a model of it, or to live in it....I'm not quite sure 😄

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you Pauline! Ah both would not doubt be the best! Haha

[@bigman4225]

G'day will, A Very nice video, I have always called it Cull Can. Unsure if thats the proper saying but that's how i've always said it! Cheers.

[@bigman4225]

Another Note: CM's being built in Yankee Land have their bells turn on Automatically with the Horn. That's why they're always on and why we always turn them off asap!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks! I seem to now be getting mixed messages on pronouncing it! But everyone knows where it is none the less! Thanks for watching!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Ahhhh I see! Thanks for that information, i didn't know!

[@bigman4225]

@@WillJamesRailways My Pleasure. Happy to shed light into the world most gunzels will never see ;)

[@Matthew_Scan]

They use that Cootamundra junction that goes west sometimes cause it’s flatter than going through the blue mountains or if the line is blocked

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks for that Matthew!

[@rossvanuatu2666]

Excellent footage, editing, and a very engaging video overall. Loving the coverage of NSW trains and can't wait to see more.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you Ross!

[@mels1811]

Wonderful video Will

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you!

[@stuartwinstanley21]

Fantastic footage there Will, but such a l-o-o-n-g day for you.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks you Stuart! But a lot of fun!

[@allan.armstrong]

I like the style of video. Different from your other stuff. I think you need to put captions on the train shots with location and train numbers (if you know them)

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Allan, I reckon i can certainly add that next time i do this kind of video!

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video Will. Interesting to see some of the trains in NSW. You got some good catches there. - Nicholas.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Nicholas!

[@allychat8496]

Thank you for sharing, this brings back good memories from when I lived in Wagga Wagga and used to chase trains around the area from Culcairn up to Cootamundra. We used to use the ARTC scheduling website to track some trains but it wasn’t always accurate. Not sure if it’s still a thing?

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you very much for watching! It’s not a bad guide but never seems to be accurate!

[@roberthocking9138]

Great vid Will 👍

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Robert!

[@125sloth]

Will, Its called CulCAIRN, pronounced "CulKEN". for want of a better way to put it.haha. You would have upset the locals!!! There is also a disused branch line to Holbrook from Culcairn and there used to also be a branch line from Culcairn to Corowa, which had CPH rail motors and later, on the Holbrook line they ran goods and wheat trains with a guards van which had it's own passenger compartment. Of course trains stopped decades ago sadly, but they were so slow. And another informative video here as always. You may already know this but the section from Culcairn to Albury was the fastest in the trip from Sydney to and from Melbourne. The track was laid almost perfectly, and trains like the old Spirit of Progress could easily and safely exceed the posted speed limit of 70mph. When the XPT was introduced it was often tested on the secton from Culcairn to Albury, and could reach top permissable speed in that section easily. Back in the day when state run railways maintained the tracks, not contractors assigned to the ARTC, (Aust. Rail Track Coroporation).

[@WillJamesRailways]

I think I've upset quite a number of people once again over a mispronunciation. Thank you very much for that informative information! Seems there's so much to learn, at least for this Victorian!

[@125sloth]

@@WillJamesRailways I don't think the born and bred Culcairnians would be too concerned how you pronounce the place Will. Many of my relatives are from there or still there. They would just be glad that Culcairn gets a bit of coverage.The old Holbrook line from Culcairn was a classic. It wasnt always called Holbrook, it was called Germanton but after WW1 there was a big push to divorce itself from anything "German" sounding so they came up with Holbrook, after some guy who designed submarines or similar. I forget now. However the Holbrook line, which had CPH Tin Hare rail motors running on it, and later wheat trains with guards van at the rear that could hold 8 passengers, hauled by a NSW 48 class diesel, but I never saw one passenger, apart from my cousin from Culcairn and myself who travelled to Holbrook and back for the day during school holidays once. It was fun but ever so slow. Only 18 miles in the old school distance and it took over 2 hours one way!! No wonder nobody travelled in the wheat trains, you could drive the distance in around 20 mins

[@Nemesisrooster]

Really good vlog Will, enjoy the rest of your trip!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Steve! The trip was excellent! All the videos will come out over November!

[@MAte925]

Is the sct aussie owned ,?

[@kenfowler1980]

Great effort mate! Very cold at Goulburn at night!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Still warmer than Melbourne!

[@thex-wing]

An excellent video will

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you!

[@beagle7622]

In the late 70’s I was driving down the Olympic Way & the Intercapital Daylight passed me. He was absolutely flying, no real speed restrictions then. I couldn’t stay with him & my Speedo was reading 140km/hr.At the time I just couldn’t believe how fast he was going. I did catch him at Albury Station. This track is a national disgrace, it’s carrying huge amounts of freight on track built for the 1940’s .

[@WillJamesRailways]

What a great memory to have! Thanks for sharing!

[@douglasirons1350]

Great Video James. Can you tell me if there is an Australian Rail Atlas book showing freight and passenger lines? We have them in the UK. Many thanks. Cheers Doug

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you Douglas! (Although my name is Will) Honestly, not that I’ve seen in a long long time, there are however maps online, if that helps!

[@douglasirons1350]

@@WillJamesRailways Many thanks Will sorry getting your name wrong

[@JordysRailVideos]

Half past 11 in the arvo?

[@WillJamesRailways]

Ah happens when you get up at dumb AM!

[@JordysRailVideos]

@@WillJamesRailways happens at times

[@JordysRailVideos]

@@WillJamesRailways just gonna leave this (kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6uoZJWuq56gg80) here

[@SirRamone]

I thought there was a website that shows the locations of trains in NSW

[@WillJamesRailways]

I know there used to be, but i thought it got shut down!

[@markgeerin5928]

Good stuff James

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you Mark! *My name is also Will.

[@johnzubrickas5235]

Great video Will. What's the name of the layout at 21:00?

[@WillJamesRailways]

That’s at Bathurst Railway Museum! The video will probably come out during November!

[@pkone7981]

Great video, who cares how you pronounce it we don’t watch the videos for that reason.. lol Question though.. how do you find out what trains are coming and what number service it is? I’d really like to get out and chase some.. maybe you should put on a tour Will!!!! Count me in..

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you very much! Having a good network of people helping, Facebook, etc. hahah maybe something I could do one day!

[@Mrc_kidd20]

hello Will so with the train tracker. where do you find a train tracker web site or page?

[@WillJamesRailways]

On Facebook and group messages!

[@jordankeeps]

Great video, enjoy watching these my opinion dont start talking untill the trains go past or just have a small writing at the bottom with the numbers :) did enjoy vlogs in between in each of the shots! The spiral into the tunnel thing was awesome to watch

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks Jordan! Thank you for the feedback on this! I’m just trying out something a bit different and that certainly helps!

[@Ben777Transport]

Why does this message say 3 weeks ago?

[@scottwalker5379]

I got a very interesting idea for you my friend why don't you go to abbots ripton England one-day where the abbots ripton rail disaster happened in 1786 it is one of the most famous rail disasters in the world wish your honest opinion what do you think about this idea

[@WillJamesRailways]

I mean if i could just pop over the UK I'm sure it would be great!

[@scottwalker5379]

You're saying you will go to abbots ripton England to do a video about the abbots ripton rail disaster and Investigation into the rail disaster yourself

[@WillJamesRailways]

@@scottwalker5379 Ah don't know about that! I don't have any plans on going back to the UK anytime soon, especially at current airline prices!

[@scottwalker5379]

I'm sorry I was just asking would you be interested in doing in investigation into the abbots ripton disaster I'm sorry

[@scottwalker5379]

I mean not now go back to the UK I mean go back in the future and then do an investigation into the abbots ripton rail disaster I mean don't go back to the UK right now I mean sometime in the future

[@hcrun]

It's pronounced "Cull-kairn", not "karn".

[@WillJamesRailways]

Seems to be a hot debate in the comments here about the pronunciation on that town! At least we all know where I was, regardless of the pronunciation.

[@Wog68]

How do you get info that what train with their technical details is approaching what station or spot? This is supposed to remain private to railways. This may not be good for public safety.

[@WillJamesRailways]

It’s readily available on the ARTC website, not sure why it would need to remain private, they’re just trains! The numbers also get published in Facebook groups like train tracker Vic/NSW. I mean there’s an ap for tracking planes, and boats. I feel that there’s not much issue knowing what train numbers are, and how it could be a public safety issue. Keen to hear your thoughts on this however. Thanks for watching the video!

[@Wog68]

@@WillJamesRailways Terrorism, misinformation and infowar, QANON and conspiracy theories are now motivating people to resort to violence, that is my concerns. Now we can’t live in fear forever but we have entered in an age where too much openness could increase risk. Train schedules are ok but time for passing a spot and technical details of trains could be an issue IMHO.

[@Wog68]

Now, I get it. You are working on model railways and your job is to chase trains and get video footage about trains.

[@WillJamesRailways]

I wish! I have a 9-5 in retail. I just like making videos and sharing them with everyone!

[@Wog68]

@@WillJamesRailways Then, this is like public service. Thank you. Railway videos made by Australians are well researched and informative then others.

[@simonf8902]

CULL CAIRN.

[@WillJamesRailways]

I can only try harder on future videos. Sorry.

[@DJ99777]

Cull-Can God Damn.

[@DJ99777]

Also I think it’s Kew-bee not Cube.

[@WillJamesRailways]

@@DJ99777 maybe this explains my confusion on pronouncing the name of no one can give a conclusive answer!

[@DJ99777]

@@WillJamesRailways you’re all over it poppet.

[@Matthew_Scan]

Sad they have taken most freight off rail and put it on the roads more trucks more congestion 🤯

[@WillJamesRailways]

I agree! A real step backwards.

[@incognitoburrito6577]

Definitely worth doing more of these videos, although maybe learn the pronunciations first (Culcairn is pronounced Cull-can). Keep up the good work!

[@WillJamesRailways]

I can certainly only try harder! Thanks.