After finishing a project early and with a Public Holiday here on Monday, I have booked some cheap flights to Sydney and intend to spend most of 5 days in NSW.

My last visit was in August 2010 and I have decided to hire a car and head to some of the major country sites for at least 2 days followed by Maitland and the Sydney locations.

My intention is to photograph the stored locos and local shunters.

Trent and co kindly helped me with ideas last time and can I please ask the locals to look over my itinerary and see if they think it is viable, worth tweaking or plain crazy

Land Saturday 2 March at 20.50. Pick up a hire car and drive out of Sydney to escape the ridiculous prices for a hotel room which I will only use for about 8 hours maximum.

Was thinking of starting Sunday in Parkes so a drive to Bathurst and crash at a motel seems a good first move (any recommendations in the area?).

Sunday morning, up and at em visit Kelso for GM3 at the Downer EDI location (easy to spot?).

Then off to Parkes ,via Orange & Minildra.

At Parkes, I have got the following noted that I will be hunting
48s32, 48s37, 4842, 8021, 8023, 8038, J102, J103 & X107


Then off to Dubbo (hopefully there by lunchtime or soon after), then onto Narrabri for 8032 & PL4.


Back SE to Gunnedah for Manildra Group's MM04, then either crash or onto on to Wherris Creek for the largest stored locos spot.

Locos targeted are:
8006, 8014, 8022, 8028, 8034, 4514, 4849, 4850, 4875, 4888, 4890, 4893, 48105, 48114, 48117, 48151, 8015, 8031, 8035, 8045 & 8047.

I think that will be enough for the day so need somewhere to crash either nearby (Gunnedah?) or on the way to Newcastle area (again any suggestions appreciated).


Monday morning, I intend to head to the Newcastle area.

I intend to spend a couple of days taking shots at Maitland and East Maitland stations so will book into a hotel there Monday & Tuesday nights.

I also intend to spend a day (Wednesday?) trying to get to all the Newcastle area stored locos:

Cardiff: Y134 at Downer EDI, 4851, 4853, L254 at PacNat ?
Kooragang Island No.2 Cripple Sidings: 48134, PL2, PL3, PL5, PL6 & PL7
Port Waratah: 48120, 48137 & 48143

Then on to Sydney for the night.

Any assistance on locations would be greatly appreciated.

Thursday, I intend to spend in Sydney either at Dulwich Hill or Marrackville until the afternoon rush hour starts.

Alternatively, I have these stored/ shunting locos still to see in the area:
Chullora: 7301, Helga 1429, 8017 & Xt106i
DELEC Yard: 4806
Enfield Yard: RT18 & RT43
Eveleigh: 4801 & 4805
Minto: 4483 & 4488

If anyone can give me some help on best observation points (and likelihood of seeing them), I would be grateful.

Fly back at 7pm to Perth.


Final Thought

If anyone is free to catch up for some gunzelling on this trip (late notice, I know), I would be happy to do so. Either on the country run, around Newcastle and Maitland or in Sydney.

My email is chrisdpom@yahoo.com if your interested.

Also organising a France, Belgium Holland trip on Friday 8th to Tuesday 12th June departing London on the morning of the 8th. Room for 7 in a people mover and 4 are already confirmed. Anyone over and interested drop me an email.

Cheers

Chris

Just a thought but you better check the weather and flood warnings as we are getting it by the bucket loads over here.

Just a thought but you better check the weather and flood warnings as we are getting it by the bucket loads over here.

Thanks OziBob,

I have noticed the same.

We had some rain here in Perth - about 15mm - I think it was in December while I was overseas.

Living on sand and limestone, even if it does rain, it just heads down to the aquifer.

Wierd place you lot live 8)

Just checked the BOM website and they say the weather should be clearing over the weekend.

Just got to watch out for any flood cut roads from these downpours.

Will bring my wet weather gear (lasts for decades over here).

Good news - your fire risk warning says "Low".

Ours has been High to Extreme since November and likely to stay that way until May when our winter rains arrive.

Thanks to Jim & Peter for their emails.

I have booked accom for Yetholme on the night of the 3rd, Gunnedah for the 4th, Maitland 5th, 6th & 7th and then driving to Sydney for my last day on the 8th (assuming I can get past Bathurst and then Parkes to Gunnedah).

May have to go the long way round if the floods don't ease.

Will send daily updates so you know where to send the water police for the rescue.

You shouldn't need accom on Sat night, there is a fabulous parade planned and unlike Perth, the city won't shut down at the strike of midnight...

On a more serious note, as a 'groper heading back west this w/end - I'd highly recommend chasing down the Newstan coalies if you spend anytime on the short north. Some excellent usage of heritage diesels are currently being utilised at both ends of the trains to the port. But be quick, the CEY's are taking over and it won't last forever

Happy spotting

Survived the trip (including the rain in Sydney on Thursday).

Got home Thursday night (late) and straight back to work.

Will try and post my comments and photos over the next week.

Cheers to all who helped with info.  8)  

PS: decided not to hang around for the party on Satuday night in Sydney - instead had a n "interesting" time driving over the mountain road from Penrith to past Lithgow. Would have been fantastic scenery during the day but low cloud, bucketing rain and lots of roadworks made it a challenging drive!!

Survived the trip (including the rain in Sydney on Thursday). Got home Thursday night (late) and straight back to work. Will try and post my comments and photos over the next week. Cheers to all who helped with info. 8) PS: decided not to hang around for the party on Satuday night in Sydney - instead had a n "interesting" time driving over the mountain road from Penrith to past Lithgow. Would have been fantastic scenery during the day but low cloud, bucketing rain and lots of roadworks made it a challenging drive!!

next time you should try the bells line of road instead.

much more entertaining and a constant speed limit with no roadworks.