SAR 520 and VR R766 on Barossa Steam Excursion with the World's Best Photostop

[@justahillbilly7777]

That photo-runby is what dreams are made of.

[@jbcprolightning]

Great video!! Makes me shed a tear that we cant see these beasts winding through the Barossa country side anymore and through the historic but now neglected stations along the line.

[@trw1089]

Yes, completely agree, such a shame that the line wasn’t retained

[@danefilander2757]

I absolutely enjoyed the video of the trains with a double header combo.

[@polly3213]

Was at Mt lofty when R766 stalled in the passing track on route from Victoria.. Knowing how steep the Mt Lofty section was they split the train with 520 at Balhanna.. 520 got over ok but R 766 had to slow into the passing track to pass the overland express. Started slipping almost immediately. I stood next to her and watched the sparks fly from her driving wheels for some 20 minutes . Reversed completely back at one stage. The driver that night was incredible . When they finally got over the summit there were cheers from the carriages!

[@trw1089]

I’ll never forget standing on the platform at Mt Lofty watching R766 struggling to make it over that bit of the hill. The exhaust with each beat was amazing. I actually have video of it somewhere, must dig that out.

[@trw1089]

If you have a look towards the end of the video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/npmZnqBtnL-sbq8 it has R766 struggling over the top at Mt Lofty (not Stirling as captioned in the video).

[@trw1089]

@chrismurty1er Thanks for that - That R class amazed me on the trip, the first time I can remember being deafened by a loco when not being in the cab.

[@dj17q]

Great stuff, I was on that train as well. The photo stop around the much loved horseshoe curve at Lyndoch was probably the highlight of the day. Matter of fact the entire return run was. Both locos performed brilliantly under drizzle condition later on that day. Hope you have some more to show n tell....we just dont get to see much of 'em broad gauge giants. For the jolly green giant loco 520, she will be sadly missed by all who loved her....heres hoping for her magnificent return one day.

[@JCowper76]

Fantastic stuff ... always wantedto see a 520 in full flight!

[@7822welshsteam]

Nice one! I've been looking for footage of that green thing and found this by chance. They sounded great together, too.

[@MattOatenVR]

Great Shots!

[@ostlandr]

Starting at 4:54 is what us Steam Locomotive fans dream about at night.

[@7822welshsteam]

Absolutely!

[@sarp5340]

Awesome

[@jimcrawford5039]

Maybe one day R766 can revisit Keswick now she is SG.

[@dj17q]

Hopefully. Steamranger just made plans to get someone to do some engineering work on 520's tender. But it'll be years and years til we see her in action again. Here's hoping for a speedy and trouble free recovery.

[@gabrielacostescu1364]

0:50 this one is a Noor Jehan-like Australian locomotive

[@andreialex0909]

steam trains are my favorite. What I don't like about them is the speed. To slow

[@trw1089]

You probably need to watch search for Bittern 90mph on here if you think steam locos are slow...

[@manchesteralan3013]

520 and 766 doubleheader

[@TheDeputation]

is #520 gonna be restored again?

[@sarp5340]

Soon It Just Needs A New Boiler

[@trw1089]

Thanks, but the material needed a fair bit of work to get it presentable, so don't be down on your stuff. What is amazing is that at the time you think this is nothing super special and it will happen again, but it is food for thought when you look back and realize how much has changed and won't happen again. Thanks also for the comments on the website, it is badly in need of an update...

[@Tetley02]

Too much black smoke from the 520.

[@rogerwillsher6145]

Pardon my bias but Victorian steam locos have infinitely better sounding whistles than those of SA. R766 although nice sounding is not as good as the evocative haunting whistle of R761. Roger Willsher

[@trw1089]

Completely agree Roger. R761’s whistle is magnificent!

[@stuartmargach9822]

The VR whistles are fantastic, very haunting, especially when you here them at night. But nothing beats the whistle on 520, that warble is magnificent! Either way, they both sound better than the screeching whistles on most NSW locos.