Australian Coal trains at East Maitland, NSW.

[@flyboy2610]

"And Daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River, where Paradise lay?" "Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away." From the song 'Paradise' by John Prine. Thanks for sharing this, Gregg! I love those Australian coal hoppers! Most people don't realize just how big Australia really is. It's about the same size as the continental United States. It's one of the places I'd like to visit someday.

[@FishplateFilms]

That's a sad truth in a lot of ways! Time to stop burning the stuff for power and move on. I have camped in the Hunter Valley near some power stations , and at night the place rains with soot when they clean out the scrubbers on the stacks..stuff people don't see ! You're correct , we are the same size as the US but with not much in the middle..LOL A lot of driving looking at the same trees! Thank you for the support and for watching. Cheers Gregg.

[@kelvinredward3013]

Hi there Gregg, as I visited East Maitland in April this year, also as I Live in New Zealand 🇳🇿, along with your descriptions of Locomotives 🚂 and the Infurstruce of the Coal industry, Port and Stabling facilities, it was a Huge understanding of Dirty Coal Exports, and it is what it is.

[@richardredcastle7911]

The poor old G looked terribly underwhelming compared to the other classes....You can see why the coal industry's not going away too soon can't you. Nice footage Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Yes but they still work hard Richard and sound great! All this is export though we may use some for coking coal locally? Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@kelvinredward3013]

Thanks 👌 for the Information about the Locomotives, the Types, and the Manafactures, most Helpful, Greg...

[@FishplateFilms]

My pleasure Kelvin! Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers Gregg.

[@jimsmoter4510]

Enjoyed the video Gregg.. Thanks

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Jim! As usual, I appreciate the support. Gregg .

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Gregg, they sure do move a lot of coal. Enjoyed it very much.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks and you're welcome! All this coal is for export and it runs 24/7 from several mines . Cheers Gregg.

[@kevingain1144]

Like your style Gregg, informative and entertaining. Lovely balance.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Kevin! Glad you enjoy the videos and I appreciate the support. Cheers Gregg.

[@peterainsworth8466]

That's my home patch Gregg. Welcome to Maitland. It's a great spot for trains of all types. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Peter! I have been to Maitland a few times and always stay at Shenanigans . Last time I had to replace the front driveshaft on the Disco, and there is a big Landrover garage in town which got me a new one overnight. I changed it in the station carpark at Maitland ..LOL. I always enjoy my visits and hope to be back early next year? Cheers Gregg

[@peterainsworth8466]

Shenanigans is a good spot. Nice food. Nice info on the Morpeth line too (I used to live there too). I'll keep an eye out for amateur mechanics in carparks around town. Next time you can use my shed.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@peterainsworth8466 LOL...the time before I blew a fuel line but patched it up and made it home! I'll take you up on the shed next time! Yes I had some good meals there. Gregg.

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Working coal trains makes the locomotives filthy dirty. Guess they are too busy working trains to pause for the odd wash? Someone mentioned to me awhile back that the 90 class are being withdrawn from service? Great video, especially the intro on Maitland history. Gregg, some good captures.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Dave! SOme of these trains go through some very long tunnels, so that gets them covered in exhaust soot pretty quick! One of the tunnels requires the drivers to have oxygen bottles in the cab in case of passing out ! I haven't heard of the 90 class , but I'm not in the loop of news for down south? Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers Gregg,

[@TheTrainFreak]

Really cool catches and good explanation of everything that went by. Who knew so many different RR companies carrying coal would operate on the same mainline. Thanks for sharing!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks very much! There are several companies running coal which makes it more interesting and the mainline is operated by ARTC, who own and maintain the tracks. Glad you liked it. Gregg.

[@MrValhem265]

Excellent camera shots and informative video, my dad travelled around Musselbrook when he was young

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you RObbie! I've been to MB on my way out to Quirindi a bout 10 years ago. Cheers Gregg.

[@MrValhem265]

@@FishplateFilms sweet Gregg thanks mate...

[@Lancelot_Jago]

Awesome Gregg. Thank you! Not only is your modelling getting great, so are your trackside captures 👍🏻

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank Lance ! My scenery skills have along catch up though.LOL Gregg.

[@billtimmons7071]

Nice shooting and camera angles ... as usual. The coal hoppers ... I wonder if they hold more coal than in the States? They seem to have curved sides and are taller than the cars used in the states. I wonder if the car sides are "pinched" at the tops to reduce dust wastage? In the states they spray water to cut down the dust but wastage is a factor. I used to work fro EMD and I can hear the faint sound of 710 prime movers through the squealing flange noise :). To my rail friends down under, stay safe out there in these COVID times!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Bill! They hold around 100 tonnes , and are the biggest down here , apart from the iron ore mines in the Pilbara. The curved sides to help with cola dust but we don't spray them as far as I know? Thats neat that you worked for EMD Bill! Yes you hear a few 16/710's and there are a coupler of 16/645's as well. Thanks for the well wishes and same to you sir. Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

The hum is outside noise during the voiceovers, they were working on the road and this was as quiet as I get the room!

[@carmenandthedevil2804]

Back in 75 I worked at Maitland as a Sig Elec apprentice. The Elec in Charge and myself used to go out to do maintenance on a Quadracycle. Always stayed at the Grand Junction Hotel across the street from the depot when I had the money. Otherwise, slept in the depot. Fine times. I mention this as I know your a Sig elec.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Carmen, thats cool that you worked there...much better times and more fun from what I hear from the older guys at work! I stay at Shenanigans when I visit and it's always a step back in time . I hope to get back down early next year if I can. Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@iusetano]

That was just great. I haven't seen that many coal trains in a while. Excellent video Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you, glad you liked it! I'm afraid coal trains just don't do it for me...guess I've seen to many? Cheers Gregg.

[@bw1227]

nice camera work, really appreciate your video

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks BW ! Glad you enjoy the videos and I appreciate the support. CHeers Gregg.

[@EOL76552]

I was a bit curious about Qubes locos being used as trailing on the SSR train.and was very interesting that it was behind the g class.

[@FishplateFilms]

I'm not up with all the workings down south! We did have a Qube depot up here in Brisbane, but it's now PN controlled. Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@dannyholt105]

Great catches there Gregg! Never a dull moment when you know where to look. Greay video my friend! Stay safe! Cheers, Danny

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Danny! Maitland is a busy place and I hope to get back there next year? Take care yourself sir. Gregg .

[@1BCamden]

great film quality, thanks for sharing

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Sir! Not my favourite type of train, but they are some of the biggest down here! Cheers Gregg.

[@trapdriver7006]

Great video I enjoyed watching it.👍🇬🇧

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Tony! Glad you enjoyed it . Cheers, Gregg.

[@unlockingsnow73]

Do you know where there's a list of the types of coal/grain/intermodel freight car each company uses. I'm new here but I want to start a model collection, but as you can see I'm jumping through hoops trying ti figure this out. The QR national coal freight cars appear different to the other ones both PN and Glencore use.

[@Walshy196]

very well shot and edited Greg

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you very much David! Glad you enjoy them . Gregg :-)

[@QRoutback]

Another Fishplate Films block buster, Cheers Glynn

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Glynn! A bit boring I find , but no mixed manifests down here! Glad you liked it . Gregg.

[@jbdixs]

Thanks Gregg love to see your track side videos do you think you could do one on the different Railroads and some of the Locos and cars (wagons) . I see so many different Names on the Locos would love to know who is who Thanks Again John.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks John! It is a bit complicated down here, as most of the interesting stuff is down south , a long way from home! I am hoping to head south again when all the covid stuff settles down , so I will try and get some more different roads, Unlike the US , most don't have a interesting story like yours and are corporate take overs..that being said , there are a couple of successs toris that are interesting, so I could do a story on them? Thanks for the suggestions. Cheers Gregg.

[@PaulAFulcher]

A very informative and well shot video Greg, top marks mate...best regards.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Paul! Appreciate the comments. Cheers Gregg.

[@AdamsTrainsVlogs]

Nice video but at 2:54 did you mean the TT Class locomotives as T Classes are branchline locos based in Victoria. Also whats with G511 leading a Qube logistics ore train?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Adam! I had to double check , but I did say "TT" , but it was a bit quick! I do have to slow down my speech when I narrate videos... but it wouldn't of surprised me if I did say T class..LOL. I've no idea about the Cube train? Being from Brisbane, it's all different to me. Cheers Gregg.

[@AdamsTrainsVlogs]

@@FishplateFilms No probs!

[@upsd402]

Great video, the map helped out. I heard that the eastern side of Australia is the nicest the rest is dry and basically a Desert. Love the variety of locomotives, it’s neat to see some of them with two cabs. So how many trains does this line see a day? Great video Gregg, can’t wait to see the video on tunnels portals, I need to build some myself. Cheers from Hot and muggy Nebraska. Terry.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Terry! Yes that is about right , the Red Center is pretty much right! There are still trees out there and some patches of green , but mostly sand and rock. The soil is a light red colour and against the green trees and desert grass it looks pretty cool. Maitland can get up to 100 trains a day , but most are coal so a bit boring after a while but still one of the busiests places down here! Still working on the portals Terry ..not happy yet with the design. Cheers, Gregg.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Great video Gregg, nice to see others places. You should do a video on the Railroad you work for. Bob

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you again Bob! The place I work is all electric passenger, bar a few coal trains that are all the same..boring as batsh%t Sir..LOL. I have to travel South at least 500 miles to see anything exciting...or come back to the States ...which won't be as soon as I had hoped! We do have Watco US , staring to haul grain on our narrow gauge lines up here, but they are slow getting started, but I will be out catching them as soon as they are running. Cheers mate. Gregg.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Yup, with all this crap....you might be awhile till you get back here.

[@gibsonethirty2836]

G'Day Gregg Thanks for that matey, always nice to see a diverse range of loco's an stock. I tell you what though, if I had brought back equipment to the Depot in the same condition as some of those coal trains are in, my old ASM would have ripped me a new one and then the Teco Officer would have had me charged! Have they never heard of a wash point! I think I could get enough coal dust off them loco's to fuel my slow combustion heater for a year! :D Thanks Matey!

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Gibs, It's not up to the crew to service the power down here, and it doesn't help that they paint them in the worst yellow ever invented..LOL .The PN trains stay a bit cleaner , but there are a few tunnels and one that is that long that drivers have to carry oxygen in case of breakdowns, so that gets the trailing units covered in soot. I don't know where the service depot is for the Hunter line, but they may have to travel a distance to get there? I'm glad you liked the video and thank you for watching. Gregg :-)

[@stevesmith1512]

Alot of the black is diesel exhaust from the Bylong and Ardglen tunnels. Also some of the load points have a slurry running out of the bin as the loccos pass under them.

[@philmartinez2227]

Hey Gregg, those Pacific loco's really look long. do you know the length of them compared to ..let say the ES44 gevo's over here

[@peterainsworth8466]

Phil they are about the same length - around 22.5m (73/74 feet in your language). Not as high as US locos though due to lower loading gauge. About half a metre or so (approx).

[@aidenteszke9000]

You need some balls to film at East Maitland station, always plenty of Eshays around there haha. Great video Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL Only in daylight hours Aiden! I've never had any issues at Maitland ...so far! Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@KCSM_1200]

Question: Is the rail you use on the carbon line a 60kg/m rail or a 68kg/m rail?

[@FishplateFilms]

I'm pretty sure the rail is 68 or maybe heavier? They run 30 tonne axle loads , so I assume it's the heavier rail. I did check when I was there, but can't remember now? Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Well filmed, Gregg! Looks like a spot I'll have to hit if I ever make it down there. How frequent do trains pass there? Great variety of motive power.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Trav! Trains run through Maitland 24/7 and you can get up to 100 a day sometimes! It is a great spot and a nice little town ....if you like coal trains..LOL. Gregg :-)

[@beckhamstocks-gh2xl]

You should do a train video at Tulara station 🙏

[@FishplateFilms]

I need to get back to Maitland one day, its a good place for train action! I'll keep that in mind and thanks for watching! Gregg.

[@beckhamstocks-gh2xl]

@@FishplateFilms your welcome men 👍

[@beckhamstocks-gh2xl]

@@FishplateFilms You should do one in Singelton station to please 🤘I live in Singelton I’m a transporter to we mainly see cold trains and passenger trains at head up to scone and Newcastle we only see freight trains every now and then do you know where I can see a freight train because I would love to record one ☝️ thank you 😊

[@beckhamstocks-gh2xl]

@@FishplateFilms yeah Maitland is a good spot to see trains

[@beckhamstocks-gh2xl]

@@FishplateFilms another KZbinr that records trains told me that you can see freight trains at Maitland any other spots

[@neilforbes416]

You've got a bit of a hum on your microphone here. Perhaps it hums 'cause it forgot the song lyric! LOL

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...actually it was my hard drives being picked up by my voice over mic.....it was picking up the vibrations! Thanks for watching.

[@neilforbes416]

@@FishplateFilms I hope they were "Good Vibrations" as per the Beach Boys song! LOL

[@neilforbes416]

@@FishplateFilms But seriously, I'd suggest that if your voiceover microphone is on a desk-stand, perhaps place some foam rubber under the stand. My hard-drives are on a separate desk, away from the table on which my voiceover microphone sits, so I don't have the same problem. But if I did encounter the problem, I'd affix some foam rubber to the base of my microphone stand.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@neilforbes416 It is Neil , and in a sound deadened box, but I had cleaned the desk and had the mic on the table ....and didn't notice until after the edit . Amazing what the mic picks up!

[@neilforbes416]

@@FishplateFilms Yeah, the microphone picks up sounds not just from your voice or other noises, but mechanically through the body of the mic, and whatever it's attached to.

[@KCSM_1200]

Me interesa mucho las locomotoras australianas

[@mrg6103]

They need British Rail MBA MegaBoxes & Class 66’s.