G'day everyone,

Would anyone know where 8501 is currently stored please? It seems to me nobody really knows where on earth it is?

I have asked RailCorp and sadly they have no idea where it is, I have also sent an email to both SETS and ARHS and they have been so ignorant and never responded to my emails so I will ask here hoping someone can tell me where it is please

I am aware that 8507 is also preserved, however I am unable to get to Dorrigo, if there was a bus service running hourly from Coffs Harbour railway station it maybe possible to get to Dorrigo and return to Coffs Harbour to get the train back to Sydney but like I said there's no way for me to get to Dorrigo

If however, 8501 it's stored at either Werris Creek or Lithgow I have no problem going there but accessing either railway yard would be impossible for me as I am sure both RailCorp and the ARTC will say a clear NO

Sadly it's not at the Junee Roundhouse Museum as I have contacted them today, if it was I would surely go there next week some time

Anyway, if someone knows where Mr. 8501 is stored please let me know any help would always be appreciated or if you have a full side photo (the side with the 4 doors) which is is the side that no plan drawing exsist, this also would be grateful

Thanks in advance

8501,8507,8649 and 8650 were all stored out the back of Werris Creek loco last I knew 12 months ago.

This is a Pacific National site has nothing to do with ARTC or Railcorp.

Public access is not permitted.

There are plenty of books out there with pictures of 85 class such as M.Morahans Diesel and Electric Locomotives of the NSWGR Volume 2

Photo showing both sides of 85 class locos;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/50526008@N06/14849526335

Great loco, canned food anybody?
[img]http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c293/boyracer05/parts085.jpg[/img]

I was working in Coal Stage Signal box in the era these 85 class were introduced and they caused no end of trouble because at night time we couldnt tell from a distance, if it was an 80 class Diesel or the 85 class electric because parts of the yard were non electrified and putting an 85 down a dead road was not appreciated.
Different suggestions where made to light the front differently but as usual they were ignored.
This was pre Radio days so no communication was possible between the Crew and the Box.
I think from memory, we asked Mt Victoria to have a look and tell us what class the engine was when he rang it out.

Beyond that they were a good engine as far as I was concerned as they worked trains out of the Top Yard up the Zig Zag and didnt catch fire or break down or whatever which was all I was concerned about.

I was really pissed off to see that those non wired roads we could have used back then have been wired but there are no trains to use them now.

Gossip has it (as always) Coal Stage and Yard Box MAY go this year (2015) but to be controlled from where seems to change on a daily basis.

Gossip has it (as always) Coal Stage and Yard Box MAY go this year (2015) but to be controlled from where seems to change on a daily basis.

Hi. Can you please provide a google map reference for these signal boxes.

I was working in Coal Stage Signal box in the era these 85 class were introduced and they caused no end of trouble because at night time we couldnt tell from a distance, if it was an 80 class Diesel or the 85 class electric because parts of the yard were non electrified and putting an 85 down a dead road was not appreciated.
Different suggestions where made to light the front differently but as usual they were ignored.
This was pre Radio days so no communication was possible between the Crew and the Box.
I think from memory, we asked Mt Victoria to have a look and tell us what class the engine was when he rang it out.

Beyond that they were a good engine as far as I was concerned as they worked trains out of the Top Yard up the Zig Zag and didnt catch fire or break down or whatever which was all I was concerned about.

I was really pissed off to see that those non wired roads we could have used back then have been wired but there are no trains to use them now.

Gossip has it (as always) Coal Stage and Yard Box MAY go this year (2015) but to be controlled from where seems to change on a daily basis.

Didn't they end up putting an illuminated E above the loco numbers at either end to solve this problem?

Coalie and Yard box are to be remoted,but this will not happen until the up and down yards at Coal Stage are rebuilt, so it will be a toss up between them and Mt Victoria as to which is the last to go. Springwood and Katoomba will go first because once the up refuge at Katoomba is extended it will be suitable for remoting.Springwood is probably the easiest but who knows.

A special thanks to Spletsie, as he has provided an excellent photo of the side I was looking for Thanks heaps mate

Interesting story, Gordon I have no idea what to really say but an excellent read

Throughwestmail, As far as I am aware only "8501" was fitted with the "E" box light, however I could be wrong about this not 100% sure? But I will include an extra 8501 3d model with the "E" box light on the top of the cab in both Indian Red and Freight Corporation liveries

8504 had a small "E" indicator located in the middle of the cab below the windscreen.

John

Hi. Can you please provide a google map reference for these signal boxes.

Lithgow.  The Coal stage signal box is heritage listed.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4800108

Picture it its location

8504 had a small "E" indicator located in the middle of the cab below the windscreen.

John

Thanks very much for this interesting post, John

I never really thought no other 85s had the "E" indicator box other than 8501, and come to think of it I have a photo of 8504 I downloaded for private use and it clearly shows this indicator on the location you have said I think I never really took notice, however this is in the freight corporation livery was it also on 8504 when it was painted in the Indian Red livery? If anyone knows?

I have a photo of 8504 I downloaded for private use and it clearly shows this indicator on the location you have said I think I never really took notice, however this is in the freight corporation livery was it also on 8504 when it was painted in the Indian Red livery? If anyone knows?

Hi Cityrail-rulez - yes, 8504 did have the illuminated "E" when in Indian Red livery. It was added quite early on following the concerns mentioned by Gordon being raised with those "higher up". I don't have an exact date to hand, but it was certainly in place by the early 1980's.

Wow!!! what can I say but whoever wrote that heritage report doesnt know their Signal Box's.
For a start, Lithgow Coal stage is NOT on Gas Works lane NOR is it near Esk Bank (Old Station).
That is YARD BOX !!!.

Coal stage is as shown on the Google shot and if anyone can see either Gas Works lane beside it or any part of the Old Station, needs new glasses.
The current position of Coal stage is NOT its original one as it was moved I think from the UP side of where part of the NEW yard is today and it was and is FALLING DOWN!!
The South Easten corner had tilted towrds the Down Main so far it was in danger of being struck by a passing train.
The foundation was of large hand hewn timbers stood directly on the ground and as such were literally white anted away.
Circa 1980/83, a concrete base using old bolts, channel iron, rail and sleeper plates for reo was poured and when it set, a steel frame was made to support the Interlocking frame which in turn held the Box up.

Having worked both and today driving past Yard Box, I know where they are.

Yard Box is most definitely the oldest of the two and I believe still where it was when it came into use well over a 100 years ago.

Whilst far from my area of expertise, I did just happen upon this photo on Flickr. Credit to the original Photographer/uploader Dermis50 :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dermis50/14847074594/in/photostream/

Clearly shows the 'E' symbol on 8501 as well as both sides of the loco from close-up.

Again not my photo and full credit goes to the author, just happened upon it whilst googling photos of 4201 (HO scale project).

Cheers,

Thanks everyone for all your help

I have made some notes based on the information I have read and the information everyone here has provided,
if I have made any mistakes please let me know as I need this information within the NSW 85 Class 3d models
readme file for historical use

8501 - 8510 (SRA ownership)

Earlier Colours:

Dark Indian Red, black undergear, dark gray roof and yellow chrome paint and trimmings with L7 logo (White & Gray)

Dark Indian Red was painted on the roof (not sure which road numbers, maybe only 8506 to 8510 had this roof colour) ?

Earlier Modifications:

8501 & 8504 fitted with "E" indicators

"8501 - Fitted to the top of the drivers side cab"

"8504 - Fitted to the front of the cab in the middle under the hand railings"

---------------------------------------------------------

8501 - 8510 (Freight Corporation onwership)

Later Colours:

Blue and Yellow Freight Corporation livery, blue roof, added FC logo decels, undergear weathered to grimmy brown colour?

Later Modifications:

Fitted with a new battery box undergear (86 Class type), air compressor gear remained unmodified

All road numbers scrapped except 8501 & 8507 are preserved in Freight Corporation livery?

8501-8510 SRA Ownership were delivered in "all over" Indian red with chrome/yellow lining and black under gear, 85's never had grey roofs. AFAIK the L7 logo was only in white.

John

The reason I never commented on the illuminated 'E' on the 85 class was because that was introduced after I transferred back to Wallerawang East box and I never worked in the electrified area until I left the Railway in 1994.

8501-8510 SRA Ownership were delivered in "all over" Indian red with chrome/yellow lining and black under gear, 85's never had grey roofs. AFAIK the L7 logo was only in white.

John

G'day John,

I am sure the 85s has a dark gray'ish roof, see this photo
http://www.railroadpictures.info/eidb/bildanzeige/bildanzeige.php?Param=1 12387 1
Even the L7 logo tells me that it was white (top) gray (bottom)... It's either that or I am going colour blind

Clicking on the link above didn't take me back to the page, so I have added the photo below

Hi again City-rulez. The 85 class were all definitely delivered in all- over Indian Red with black undergear. The dark grey you see on the roof in your photo is simply accumulated grime and dirt. This always happened very quickly on the roof of electric locomotives since added to general dirt and grime you had a rapid accumulation of a copper and carbon mixture from the effect of the pantograph contacts rubbing along the contact wire all the time the loco was moving. If you search for photos of new 85 class, the Indian Red roof is plain to see.

With regard to the L7 logo, it is all white. What you are interpreting as grey is an optical illusion arising from the lower half not being "solid" white but instead a series of closely spaced thin white strips with a thin bit of the body colour visible between each one (mixed with a bit of general grime again!).

I hope this helps

Hi again City-rulez. The 85 class were all definitely delivered in all- over Indian Red with black undergear. The dark grey you see on the roof in your photo is simply accumulated grime and dirt. This always happened very quickly on the roof of electric locomotives since added to general dirt and grime you had a rapid accumulation of a copper and carbon mixture from the effect of the pantograph contacts rubbing along the contact wire all the time the loco was moving. If you search for photos of new 85 class, the Indian Red roof is plain to see.

With regard to the L7 logo, it is all white. What you are interpreting as grey is an optical illusion arising from the lower half not being "solid" white but instead a series of closely spaced thin white strips with a thin bit of the body colour visible between each one (mixed with a bit of general grime again!).

I hope this helps

Excellent, now that makes sence Thanks heaps

I guess I'd be asking too much here lol but does anyone know the colour codes for
Indian Red and the chrome yellow? Preferably RGB numbers, please

Would I be wrong in guessing that 8501 is standing in number 2 electric siding/sand road just up from Coal Stage Lithgow?

Would I be wrong in guessing that 8501 is standing in number 2 electric siding/sand road just up from Coal Stage Lithgow?

I hate to say this Gordon, but yes the loco standing on No. 2 electric siding is in fact a 48 class
Earlier on I thought that 8501 was standing on the turntable are and still can be seen in Google Earth, but they are both 86 classes I am 100% sure of it "8609" & "8622" these were transfered from Eveleigh

Here is a photo I took back in 2007 of "8609" & "8644" at Eveleigh
I have no idea where "8644" is now stored, but "8622" was stored on the other side
of the shed at Eveleigh when I took this photo

Strange that DELEC fitters didn't want them in DELEC because they were a Lithgow only engine and when stabled at Enfield were all put in 1 up reception siding in the yard.