The October Long Weekend is the time for the NSW Transport Heritage Expo based around Central Station. Last year, I enjoyed a steam train ride to Hurstville and back, and this year, I was keen on a heritage train ride along the freight line to Port Botany and back. This line is normally closed to the public and the spoil heritage train rides sell out quickly, so I made sure I booked early.
I only went along on the first day of the long weekend. Here are some of my photos –
Starting at Central, some of the old locomotives.
Rail Motors
My train was just pulling in to platform 1 –
It had a diesel locomotive at each end.
Now inside –
The train went from central along there western line to Strathfield and then Lidcombe, then it turned off along the line to Regents Park, but tried off before Birrong, and entered the freight line. This was very interesting.
This new Mariyung Train discovered with graffiti –
Now, we cross the Illawarra line near Sydenham. You can see a heritage train below being towed by steam locomotive.
Alexandria Canal
Then past the airport into the industrial area.
Now entering Port Botany –
This is as far as the train goes. It now reversed back.
Eastlakes
Going past the Airport –
And crossing the Illawarra line and Metro line –
Dulwich Hill Station –
Cooks River
And now, after Campsie, we return through the marshalling yards –
Here is a graveyard of old trains –
The Cooks River –
Rookwood –
And then back to Central.
I then had a look at the old steam trains.
This old train is on its way to Lavender Bay –
Outside – a heritage bus –
I met up with friend John and his son Sebastian. We were keen to see the Steam Train race from Central to Hurstville, so we caught the metro down to Sydenham. And then waited. Here come to two steam trains –
Unfortunately, as the two steam trains got close, a Tangara went past in the opposite direction!
But despite this, it had been a very interesting day.