To Sandown and Abattoirs by Rail Motor

25 Minutes. There are 5 Sydney branch lines with passenger service which closed.
Royal National Park - Now Tram Museum line
Abattoirs - Vastly upgraded, as explained in this video
Ropes Creek - Disappeared. See separate video
Sandown and Warrick Farm Racecourse - disappeared with little trace.
Scenes in this video are a mix of Stabilised and Raw, whichever turned out the best.

[@imacgra1]

yet another set of scenes lost to the public without this posting. To some, industrial wasteland, to others such as myself, a valuable record of Sydney's industrial and railway past. Thanks for posting.

[@tressteleg1]

I took the view I would post it while I’m still alive. I have heaps taken overseas but my viewers are not much interested in overseas.

[@imacgra1]

tressteleg1 Overseas interests me, for one. From what you've posted thus far the standard is high and the choice of subject apart from the mainstream. Please post what you have.

[@tressteleg1]

Then I guess you have watched last night’s New York Subway? And 2 earlier on Stuttgart Trams, Porto Portugal and all 6 of Cuba 😄🤪 NY is going a lot better than expected. Seems I got a lot of stuff the NY locals missed!

[@adriankingston4338]

That was unreal !!! Grass covered track photo stops, unscheduled pickups, hahahaha pionts every half a mile lines going everyware, semaphore signals, factories, signal boxes, lever frames, staff instruments ...... how could u as a rail fan lot love this vidio !!! That was pure gold !

[@tressteleg1]

Adrian Kingston 😊👍

[@tonymeman6330]

Incredible footage! I worked at Sydney Olympic Park for years and always wondered where the old line was before it was redeveloped into what it is today. I used to walk around and try to work out where the old line was with 'no luck' until I saw your video! There is a lot of history in this video that you have captured! Thank you!

[@ALCOPRO]

Hey I know that bloke at 23.54 at Auburn Station......My Dad :) Was a great spot to watch trains back then. The talk about camera settings made me chuckle as I knew what you meant.....These days they just set them to Auto and not worry about how the shot will turn out. Wish we had that luxury! Great Vids mate!

[@tressteleg1]

Just a fleeting glimpse of your Dad. Its great when I bring back fond memories to guys through these videos. At the moment I have no more vintage Aussie Electric trains, but a friend may have something for us soon. Otherwise it will be some more steam (surprisingly not so popular) and overseas trams in days gone by.

[@murringo9]

It would have been a lonely job as Brickworks Box signalman. Loved the view of the fettlers shed near Parramatta Rd Box as well.

[@tressteleg1]

murringo9 Termites collapsed that box shortly after the line closed 😊

[@jamesfrench7299]

Amazing trip back to when Sydney's haunts were magical. 1984. Impressive!

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Can remember those Tin Hares whizzing past the Saleyards and Pippita early in the morning in the early 1980's. Nice memories.

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@bruce_just_]

18:21 always wondered what the story was with Pippita station and the industrial stations around Rosehill/Camellia. Only ever saw them up on the old incandescent indicator boards at Town Hall/Wynyard station platforms in the early-mid 1990s during final years of High School and then undergraduate studies at University going home to Parramatta station.Thanks for including the footage in your video.

[@tressteleg1]

There used to be a number of factories along the line and the railway would have been transport for their products. I think one had something to do with tyres. All gone now but the Sandown line is providing the right of way for access to the new Parramatta light rail depot.

[@robertcameron5007steelwheel]

I worked those jobs many times on the carlo abbs and sundown thanks for the memories

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@edwardtsoukalidis2071]

Was sent to Yanco on the June to Hay line. Travelled by rail motors to and from June for the first 4 or 5 years. The drivers were always friendly and up for a chat. When the motors got up to speed, it always felt as if they were about jump off the tracks. A great way to travel.

[@tressteleg1]

Agreed. A good lively ride on often indifferent track.

[@warrenmckinnon4504]

WOW........First time watching this vid, My first job was as an apprentice fitter and machinist at the Homebush Abattoirs MMIB (Metropolitan Meat Industry Board) from 1975 to 1979 and I rode on those rail motors every day, until I had my license anyway. I used to get on at Auburn and you had a better chance to get a seat going there in the morning. I can remember the tracks past crossing Parramatta Rd having empty beer cans strewn either side of the tracks and it was like riding out in the country. There were some characters on those train rides in the morning that's for sure. Boy I could relate some stories about that and working at the Abattoirs too

[@tressteleg1]

Thanks for your memories. I’m pleased it brought back some happy ones.

[@warrenmckinnon4504]

@@tressteleg1 Thanks again for posting that great vid and thanks for your reply. I 've been thinking back to some great memories and thinking of my old work colleagues and were they are now👍

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍 Unfortunately some of your older workmates, and the odd younger one, is probably no longer with us.

[@warrenmckinnon4504]

@@tressteleg1 too true, I'd imagine a lot of the tradesman I worked with would be long gone by now, even the guys I did my apprenticeship would have had issues by now too. Unfortunately I have never been in contact with anyone from those years

[@tressteleg1]

Unless you have a particularly good reason for staying in touch with old workmates, most people simply move on.

[@andrewduffin9216]

Lol you can tell it's the 1980's when the drivers is smoking a ciggy...

[@scottyerkes1867]

The rail motor car was the workhorse of many lightly used rail lines.😀

[@tressteleg1]

And a lot of fun too, bouncing along second-rate track.

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@tressteleg1 Oh yes!!😀

[@ozrail1]

Thank you very much for the memories.

[@tressteleg1]

+Ian Ives Glad you liked it. While I prefer electric, I certainly have a soft spot for these CPH.

[@Sobriquet71]

Tar! Thank you very much!

[@tressteleg1]

😊

[@robertthomson1587]

Absolutely fascinating footage. It seems like another long, lost world.

[@tressteleg1]

Unfortunately railways have become less and less interesting as the years go on. Just about all the interesting old stuff has gone now. Modern trains are just boxes warbling electronic noises.

[@paulmurray8766]

awesome vid realy enjoyed watching this thank you

[@axle2327]

It is funny listening to the conversations. Sitting in meal rooms now listening to conversations with the "old hands", the conversations are the same yet "modernised". An appreciation for the trains, a photo opportunity and a good old bet on the races.

[@tressteleg1]

Sounds like you may be a present-day driver. It should not come as a great surprise that today’s railwaymen chitchat about their trains just like railwaymen have always done. But as you say, equipment has changed (and become less interesting in my opinion.)

[@marcconyard5024]

I heard the unmistakable sound of Arthur Statharkis in the background!

[@tressteleg1]

Yes he certainly was on that run to Abattoirs which you probably realise was a regular service, not a fan tour, no matter what it looks like 😊

[@pierre3536]

Not Being A Sydney person, this rail motor used to run into the Homebush Abattior prior to it being abandoned in the 1990s.I worked at the abattior in the 1980's when this motor would pull into Homebush to let the workers off. The site was cleared for the forthcoming 2000 Olympic Games & the stadium for the games was built , I think it is now called Olympia Park.Correct me if i am wrong.Pierre

[@tressteleg1]

Right Pierre except the closure date according to an Internet check was 9.11.84. How time gets away!

[@pierre3536]

tressteleg1 Thank you sir for your reply , yes time does slip away . Now that you have a date it may have been in that year, i was there mid.year of 1984 , & the Abattoir was still operating, but also quite a lot of buildings had been removed.there was a name that this train was known by the butchers, but i daren't repeat it! thanks again Pierre

[@OldAussieAds]

Olympic Park *

[@Brianrockrailfan]

Awesome video liked 👍

[@tressteleg1]

Castle Rock RAIL FAN Trains a bit different from what you would expect 😊. Not electric but a lot of fun.

[@mrhominoid]

I drove this as a kid with dad at Richmond nsw 1973,4,5

[@tressteleg1]

You are very lucky! I drove a lot of different trains unofficial in the past, but never a ‘tin hare’ ☹️

[@brucewilliams8714]

Apart from the historical value, I congratulate you on an aspect ratio conversion that respects the original 4:3. Wonderful viewing. Many thanks.

[@tressteleg1]

To me, 4:3 is only logical. When taking the video or movie, I was relying on the top and bottom of the viewfinder in choosing angles etc. If I put the videos in 16:9, it slices off the top and bottom which were often part of the original video. As well as that, the reduced number of pixels is spread over a greater area so you lose sharpness when gaining wide-angle. Not my way of doing things. 😊

[@dougborrett3566]

Some of that track has not seen the weed spray train for a while.

[@daniellefko6527]

Trains back in the 1980's sure gave way Pippta is a closed station now and days new trains is a way we travel.

[@tramwayjohn]

I rode a CPH to these lines but I am not sure what year the tour was! A long time ago, that's for sure.

[@railoperationsofaustralia9027]

Went on these as a kid out to Richmond.

[@ceciltagg]

CPH OR tin hares as we use to call them there is something honest about them, Wholesome, healthy and good for you to drive, I knew a bloke that use to drive them he had 8 children, So they must be good and proper for you, Just what we need.

[@tressteleg1]

Generally I prefer electric traction, but there certainly was something very special about the Tin Hares! It’s good that many have been preserved in working order.

[@sydneyrailbuff]

Great job! Can I use this footage for a video about the Sandown line? I'll credit you

[@tressteleg1]

Yes that all sounds fine to me. Let me know when you have completed it.

[@nuzzoification]

17:20 crossing Parramatta road and onto Pippita station. Cool..

[@tressteleg1]

All history now ☹️

[@nuzzoification]

@@tressteleg1 yeah it’s pretty sad. Like various other cool things Sydney has lost.

[@tressteleg1]

@@nuzzoification I am working on a video to publishing a week or two and it’s almost certain that trams accessing the depot on the Parramatta light rail run along the alignment of the former Sandown rail line. I think that will also be used by the trams when and if it gets extended to Olympic Park.

[@philiprufus4427]

UK Lost the lot in the sixties. Looks to have been some great stuff in Aus though.@@nuzzoification

[@riverhuntingdon6659]

Funny old cars these, I think they're "CPH" railcars ? I was once told they were originally petrol with Leyland engines, and were converted to GM diesels, presumably from scrapped tanks, to be more economical. Never did like the 2-stroke motors, we had a fleet of binwagons where I live that had those, also from GM. They were badged as "Commer" and the rubbish part was made by Glover, Webb, and Liversedge. It used an auger to chew up and compact the rubbish. As with so many things, they've become extinct. Pity really, the workaday things all disappear before you realise it !

[@tressteleg1]

+River Huntingdon These CPH NSW rail cars were always called and lettered 'Rail Motors'. The Diesel engines were GM 6-71 type but my history book makes no mention of ex army tanks. They were also fitted with torque converters instead of gear boxes and thus were able to run in multiple unit. The Belgian Vicinal AR and ART class certain had old taken motors. A friend drives them at ASVi

[@Thebibs]

"Rev the fuck out of it, Dennis"

[@ProudToBeGreek]

Ahh yes it is, i recognized it. What do you mean the smell was horrendous? Its an abattoir..lol

[@locos8]

why the railmotor name is CPH ?

[@darylcheshire1618]

I dimly recall some classes of rail motors were anagrams of “CPH”, like HCP which was a larger rail motor which ran to Harden from Cowra, number 38 I think. I think there was a PCH too.

[@griffinrails]

What street did you cross at 12:25?

[@tressteleg1]

There are no streets shown in the area in my old Sydney street directory so it must have been a private road within the state abattoirs. Even so, it would be now swallowed up by the present Olympic Park and surrounds. Incidentally the present Olympic Park train line more or less follows the old abattoirs line.

[@griffinrails]

@@tressteleg1 So where was the station at the time? Was Olympic Park station built on top of it?

[@tressteleg1]

Sorry I have no idea where the station was. It is not shown on my street map, just the tracks. It was a loop line but passenger trains went only part way round then came back. I believe that the present line only roughly follows the alignment of the old and trying to compare the two eras is really quite impossible and irrelevant.

[@griffinrails]

@@tressteleg1 Ok, thanks anyways

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

@@griffinrails No Olympic Park station wasn't built on top of it. Basically, the part where the rail line crosses Parramatta Rd and the motorway is basically the same alignment, as is the way it veers to the right and runs along side Sarah Durack Avenue. The difference is the new line veers to the left to form a balloon loop and olympic park station is located on that balloon loop. The former line didn't veer to the left so soon, it continued to go further and more or less follow alongside (or close to it) with Bennelong Parkway and skirted around the Brickpit (now Brickpit Park) - if you look at the Google map photographic view you'll see an orange path partially around the brickpit, that's more or less where a section of the rail line was. The brickworks building you see in the video was where you see the orange path cross over Marjorie Jackson Parkway, the line continued to skirt around the brick pit and actually slightly went out and crossed over Marjorie Jackson Pkwy and Kevin Coombs Avenue at a diagonal (both of which didn't exist, neither did Australia Ave), then more or less came curved down into where Hawkesbury Street is now. So the abattoirs station/line would have been more or less parallel with Hawkesbury Street and probably Clarence Avenue passes through part of it's location (cross wise). I visited the brickpit last year and there is absolutely no trace left of the line or Abattoirs station. There is however a very small section of the former Brickworks factory building. There is a gravel/dirt path which partially skirts the brickpit which is probably more or less where the former rail line was. The brickpit was to be the site of the tennis stadium, however because they discovered rare/endangered small birds and frogs, they preserved the brickpit as a sanctuary and built the tennis stadium at its current location.

[@gunrunner-1873]

One can tell from the state of the infrastructure that time is running out, all replaced with a concrete jungle. The Olympics were far more important. (sigh)......

[@tressteleg1]

It’s likely that quality track was never of importance on the line. It was built just to get the product in and out, with only workers there expected to ride the passengers service. And with Olympics, the site was probably earmarked years before closure.

[@pavels470]

I'm pretty sure that is the quay centre at 19:59

[@tressteleg1]

What is quay centre???

[@pavels470]

@@tressteleg1 Quaycentre is a sports stadium/venue at Olympic Park. It opened in 1984. I was watching your movie and I thought I knew that building from somewhere ( I work at Olympic Park often) It took me a bit to work out as they must of repainted it and it was 84 !

[@tressteleg1]

@@pavels470 Apart from the pool which I visited pre-olympics, i have never been there.

[@captainjamescook2978]

Did you ever come across a driver called Ronald Shone. He was my dad.

[@tressteleg1]

Marty McFly Unfortunately not. I only knew 2 Eveleigh drivers.

[@captainjamescook2978]

tressteleg1 ok thanks

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Time waits for no one , no favours has he .

[@tressteleg1]

😊👍

[@ProudToBeGreek]

Which abattoirs are we talking about here? Homebush? Now Sydney Olympic Park? More info please!

[@tressteleg1]

Yes. The Olympic Park complex Is on the site of Sydney’s former Homebush abattoirs. The current railway line is more or less on the site of the previous railway through there. The smell was absolutely ghastly and if you have never been to an abattoir, you could not imagine it.

[@bumerangsydney]

Where was Pippita?

[@tressteleg1]

A Google search will tell you that Pippita was on the Abattoirs line. The present Olympic Park line more or less follows the old Abattoirs line.

[@JohnSmith-sh1cu]

Have a look at Google maps. It was located between Parramatta Rd and the triangle junction behind the Flemington Maintenance Center. Basically have a look at Google maps and you'll find a Pippita Street running off Birnie Avenue, Flemington. Where Pippita St ends is basically where the Pippita platform was, although between the 2 tracks. There is absolutely no trace of it there now.

[@geoffreyscott5701]

Behind the old Dairy Farmers

[@jamesnolan4412]

Pippita was behind the old Dairy Farmers now Parmalat , taking the workers from Lidcombe to the factory. It was accessible by a street that use to lead from Bernie Ave and is now privately owned by Parmalat and if course the old station was demolished.

[@imadeyoureadthis1500]

33°51′32″S 151°03′42″E

[@jobrowne561]

Typical rail motor - tachos not working