Steam Near Gosford On The NSW Short North

[@PilotMcbride]

I can remember back in 1960 the “Silver Bullet” was due to makes its maiden passenger run to Sydney my father commuted to Sydney back then so it was decided that we go down to wave him off and see the new train. Well, surprise, surprise, it was late and we heard a whistle in the distance. We were on the south end of Woy Woy station waiting with dad so we crossed the platform and looked north. What did we see? One of the Gosford steam engines in front of the brand new electric set 😂😂😂. I can’t remember what class loco it was because I was quite young back then. Thanks for bring back the memories, great photos.

[@collinblack8474]

Awesome pictures of our past and awesome sound recordings.👍

[@evanwilliams9975]

This is a great collection of photos John. Thanks for sharing. Its amazing how much the townships of Gosford and Wyong have changed since the days of steam.

[@Stanb662000]

the shots of 5408 shunting at Gosford at 2:33 was taken in 1972 - 5408 acquired the "dubbo" on its sandboxes when she left there in August

[@adriankingston4338]

Stunning photos just stunning!!! A world now all but forgotten.

[@robertcameron5007steelwheel]

Thanks for the memories I worked there in the late 60 on all different steam

[@robertcameron2808]

Used to sign on at Enfield usually a 46 class then thru to Gosford change to steam for the trip to broadmeadow

[@Retaud21]

Enjoyed these photos and would like to thank you for sharing them.

[@Phil_K3n_Sebben]

Couple of those shots were in Wyong

[@mikenaisbitt9613]

great collection of photos enjoyed them

[@maxtivey32]

Some very nice shots there.

[@kentrobison588]

When I was 15 I hitchhiked to Gosford from Mona Vale in Sydney and got there in the middle of the night with my camera. Double garrats were about to leave on a goods train. The fireman on the second one asked me up and I rode it to Broadmeadow. The driver never looked at me. His head was half out the window the whole time. They were slim and looked about 30. It is hard to believe that they are old men now. Another time in 1968 I was at Awaba with a friend and the stationmaster let us sleep in the up waiting room. I had never heard of the long bank to the South. I could not sleep and I could hear this train coming and it seemed to go on and on. Then all was quiet. Suddenly, a 36 and a 59 came thundering by on the down side. The whole station shook. I could see the fire in the 36. They were supposed to be withdrawn by then but I read later hat there was a huge increase in traffic and four went North again.In 1965 I was staying with my family at Tuggerawong. I wanted to see how brave I was and stood close to the Wyong platform edge while a 36 came through with a freight. The driver blew the whistle at me. As it passed, a huge lump of coal flew off the edge of the tender and landed on the platform. Some old lady could have been hit.In the morning at Awaba, a coal train had quietly drifted into the power station branch line. The guard asked us into the van and told us to keep away from the dangerous sliding door. As we rolled down to the sidings, the guard climbed around the side and uncoupled the van. He put the hand brake on and the train went ahead. One of the firemen jumped off and switched the van into a siding so the garrats did not have to shunt it. He said it was against the rules. I was in a railway forum for a while but left after too many nasty arguments on other subjects. I googled Wangi power station once and got an entry from the forum with the photo of a coal train there. Someone commented that it did not have a van but I did not go back and explain it to them.Wangi was a dirty power station and I read that a lot of kids were sick from the dust. The building is still there but the lines seem to be gone on the Google Earth photos.I got to Georges Plains one night East of Bathurst and the banker was a 59 class in a short siding. The stationmaster asked me into the office where the crew and he were sitting in front of a coal fire. A 45 class arrived and I rode the banker to the top and they dropped me off at Tumulla box. The loco was not fired on the way. The driver overshot and he said the brakes were not working well. The signalman and his mate and I fell asleep but here were no more bankers. In the morning, we were woken up by the furious horn of a 45 class so the signalman jumped up to give them the road. I often wondered whether the banker went full power on the long flat first so as to not lose the train and the lead loco underpowered.. Thousands of questions will never be answered.I wanted a railway career but Dad said no. The men were all so friendly except the cranky man at the Down Relief Road one night at Cardiff when 3822 failed. He wanted me off the property but another man said "He's alright". I always felt comfortable with railway men instead of intimidated by thugs and bullies in public. I want to thank all the railwaymen for their kindness.

[@davidmason7765]

Thanks for sharing these. That shot near the end of X200 class shunting seems to have a 38 class tender as part of the load - do you happen to be able to share the story there?