Sleeper Progress

[@paul1089]

Very nicely captured Mike. I wouldn't want to be standing too close to the track when that train goes past.

[@mikecondon9576]

Hi Paul, Thanks for your comments. The value of a long lens allows me to capture the shots. Of course, you would need to allow at least 12 or more metres from the track to ensure that you don't get hit by a flying sleeper. I was generally 20 or more metres away.

[@BronsonTheCat]

Mike Condon I did have concerns for you at Wallangarra that day.

[@anthonyhallatt518]

Very thoroughly done!

[@dishiedog]

Top quality Mike. Thanks!

[@mikecondon9576]

And thank you to you for your positive feedback.

[@taureanlea3777]

@@mikecondon9576 Wouldn't it be nice if Sleeper Progress were to go on DVD one day in the future? :)

[@taureanlea3777]

QRHuggies has just uploaded his video of the ballast train as shown in this video.

[@BronsonTheCat]

Good video! I'll upload mine eventually.

[@mikecondon9576]

Hi Paul, Thanks for your feedback and your support on the day. I hope you can find the time to get something together from the day. Your perspective is likely to be very different. It was also great to catch up after probably three years. I look forward to seeing you again. Mike

[@BronsonTheCat]

Mike Condon The footage is on the computer however I've got a two ballast train videos to upload from February first.

[@mikecondon9576]

I look forward to seeing your other material.

[@thestargateking]

I wonder if they would ever run a passenger train out to wallangara like they do Charleville, maybe it starts from Toowoomba station like how the inlander leaves from Townsville

[@mikecondon9576]

They "Queensland Rail" ran a train from about 1888 until 1972. It was discontinued due to declining patronage. The line is 197 kilometres in length and it takes around 5 and half hours or more to travel between Toowoomba and Wallangarra. This does not look promising given that governments of all persuasions show little interest in passenger rail. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the exciting prospects being developed by both Southern Downs Steam Railway and Downs Steam through their rail operating company, Great Divide Scenic Railway. Both are offering a lifeline to the railway line and both are developing great tour offerings. If they can continue to succeed there is great promise with these operators providing excellent tour services to give the public a chance to travel the rails.

[@mikecondon9576]

By the way did you like the production? Have you seen the other Wallangarra productions on my channel.

[@thestargateking]

Mike Condon they should at least do a Toowoomba train from Brisbane to boost the frequency, 2 a week doesn't seem enough for that town, plus the towns in between

[@thestargateking]

Mike Condon has the population of the area increased by much since the removal of the passenger train

[@thestargateking]

Mike Condon I liked it, I'm not sure if I've seen all of the others, I'll check them out

[@jackcapewell4373]

where about's this? cuz i saw a train like that not long ago in toowoomba i think it was heading up South

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello Buzz, The wagons sets were stored in Toowoomba yard for some time prior to the working of the train . The actual train operated down beyond Stanthorpe as the location super information identifies. So if there is a specific shot you would like to know about then please tell me.

[@petejones4808]

I loaded the train in Toowoomba. It currently is working out of Emerald until December when it is due for maintenance then work will begin again from Wallangarra back to Toowoomba after Easter 2018. Stockpiling of sleepers for the project has just begun.

[@Steven6M54]

1:24 why do you fade the train out?????

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello Steven, I am sorry but I am having trouble understanding your question. I am not sure what you mean by"why do fade the train out???" Are you talking about a particular point in the production or are you talking transitions between scenes? I am happy to explain something but can you give me more of an idea of the specifics of your request for details.

[@mikecondon9576]

Hello Steven, I have sent you a previous message with respect to your question. Do you still want to answer your question?

[@Steven6M54]

Hi Mike, you just cut the scene before the locos had even properly left the frame and I was confused as to why you did it.

[@mikecondon9576]

Hi Steven, I am not exactly sure where you are specifically talking about but I am going to try answer your question. Firstly, screen time is valuable and viewers need to be engaged and moved through a story with some pace. This especially so on internet platforms. So showing a whole train passing is not great use of screen time. Secondly, I come from a production background it is my training and intuition that creates a style that I think works best. So if you are looking at the early scenes of the train heading south towards Wallangarra, I want to take the viewer there fairly quickly but them some hint of the journey. You will notice that I chose dissolves to transition the scenes. After all, this is a very unusual train and the prime purpose and interesting aspect of the train is the operations that it carries out, delivering sleepers, hence the title: Sleeper Progress. My coverage of the operations are in some ways more interesting on important as the operation of the loco/s. I am using the shots to construct a visual narrative.. Taking people on a journey. There is also some continuity transitions whereby the locomotives and train are viewed from varying angles to take the viewer forward by showing a close up or different perspective. I think I am answering your question but I am not sure. However, keep these things in mind when you are viewing my productions. They are more like movies that you might watch. Have a look at a movie that features a train and see how they cover the scene. The other thing I do not approach either the shooting or post production like a train enthusiast would. They often allow long, complete passing of a train followed by another similar angle with the same treatment. Take a good look at what I do in all of my productions on this channel or on DVD and you will see a similar approach. I hope this explains something but if I have not covered your question, please feel free to write another message.

[@mikecondon9576]

Hi Steven, I am not exactly sure where you are specifically talking about but I am going to try answer your question. Firstly, screen time is valuable and viewers need to be engaged and moved through a story with some pace. This especially so on internet platforms. So showing a whole train passing is not great use of screen time. Secondly, I come from a production background it is my training and intuition that creates a style that I think works best. So if you are looking at the early scenes of the train heading south towards Wallangarra, I want to take the viewer there fairly quickly but them some hint of the journey. You will notice that I chose dissolves to transition the scenes. After all, this is a very unusual train and the prime purpose and interesting aspect of the train is the operations that it carries out, delivering sleepers, hence the title: Sleeper Progress. My coverage of the operations are in some ways more interesting on important as the operation of the loco/s. I am using the shots to construct a visual narrative.. Taking people on a journey. There is also some continuity transitions whereby the locomotives and train are viewed from varying angles to take the viewer forward by showing a close up or different perspective. I think I am answering your question but I am not sure. However, keep these things in mind when you are viewing my productions. They are more like movies that you might watch. Have a look at a movie that features a train and see how they cover the scene. The other thing I do not approach either the shooting or post production like a train enthusiast would. They often allow long, complete passing of a train followed by another similar angle with the same treatment. Take a good look at what I do in all of my productions on this channel or on DVD and you will see a similar approach. I hope this explains something but if I have not covered your question, please feel free to write another message.

[@H3avyHaul3r]

why the hell are QR wasting $s on a rarely used line when the Western & SW lines are goat tracks carting genuine revenue trains.....geesus

[@mikecondon9576]

That's a perspective but I understand that the line attracts funding from a complex agreement outside QR's domain. In other words, it is more a case of QR contracting to complete the work and being compensated accordingly. The exact nature of this arrangement is a bit of an unknown. Should other lines be upgraded, absolutely. Every rail line upgraded and functional can improve the transport operations of Australia. Closing lines does little to help improve Australia.

[@H3avyHaul3r]

the western main is in something of a 3rd world state with multiple TSRs

[@mikecondon9576]

Yes, as I said, above Should other lines be upgraded, absolutely. Every rail line upgraded and functional can improve the transport operations of Australia. Closing lines does little to help improve Australia. Our rail network remains largely a 19th century creation that has never been modernised to standards that match the road network. We have become captive to rail companies that have little interest in anything that is not a bulk commodity. If they had a genuine interest in the rail network, we would have a track to places like Charleville and beyond full of freight, cattle and grain trains with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres or more to outrun the trucks. Copy and paste any other line let alone an Inland Rail line linking Brisbane and Melbourne. I wouldn't hold my breathe on the media being remotely interested. If they were they would have vigorously opposed every rail closure since the 1950's, That totals hundreds across Australia. The newspapers would have three or four words in the maximum font on the front page for weeks at a time, the Shock Jocks would have been screeching for months at a time and TV news and current affairs would be running campaigns complete with viewer polls. Every politician from all persuasions would have been on the grill plate. Of course none of this will ever happen.There are no votes in freight lines or long distance passenger services. As for waste, billions are wasted every year on various government and corporate operations with the media hardly batting an eyelid. Indeed , the media wastes huge sums on unsustainable operations in the name of competition. But more importantly, did you like the production?

[@petejones4808]

I believe the military has something to do with it in case they ever need to use it. Wallangarra and Jennings has some military stuff that’s kinda important so I guess it makes sense from that perspective.