My Adventures
Train on Fire - H Set
10/09/2024
On my way home from university, the 14:39 train from North Wollongong to Central made a sudden stop at Wombarra (not a part of its assigned stops), just north of Thirroul. At the time, I was in the front carriage, so I could see the driver walk back and forth through the window and talking to the train guard in the middle of the train. We were then suddenly instructed that the train would be, essentially, turned off. The doors opened, the lights went off, and the hum of the motor ceased. Seconds later, we were informed that the train was on fire and we needed to collect our belongings and exit the train. Carriage ON5919, the second carriage of the 8 car train, had smoke billowing from the air vents above carriage doors 1 and 3. Unfortunately, an explaination for this incident was not given. It took 50 minutes for the next available train to arrive, which was delayed due to needing to use the other tracks and having to wait for southbound services to pass. My typical 1 hour and 10 minute commute turned into roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes, and I can only imagine the panic other commuters that needed to get to the airport must have felt.
Transport Heritage Expo 2024
05/10/2024
What a day!
I kicked off the morning by walking around the free Expo shows and listening to the live music. So many people there were dress in 1950's (maybe earlier, maybe later) style clothing and it was so cool to see! I didn't check everything out, like the walk through of some old trains and freight cab tour because the lines were really long, but it was still cool to walk up and down the platform! There were also some free bus trips in heritage buses, but I didn't have time to see those.
The first train ride I went on was the steam train! I went on the "Hunter" Locamotive 3265 and was sat in seat A28. My seat wasn't a window seat, but it was still a lovely experience. Fortunetly, I didn't get any soot in my eyes, but there was a lot on my dress by the end of the 1 hour trip.
Next, I went on the vintage electric Red Rattler, F1! It was supposed to be W3 (the first double decker train in the Sydney network), but it unfortunately failed some inspections and was not granted the ability to drive with passengers. It was still able to be parked at the platform and was available for walk-through tours. On the F1, I was seated in carriage 3426 which was one of the first carriages to cross the Harbour Bridge in 1932.
Finally, I went on a CHP railmotor that took us across freight train lines past the Sydney Airport! I was sat in car B, the oldest of the three cars available to be seated in (it was 101 years old). Once again, I wasn't in a window seat but this time it was because I arrived slightly late due to the Red Rattler being late. It was still an amazing experience with an almost 3 hour journey.