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NSW - working turntables in country locations

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      NOHAB Station Staff

    Location: Glenwood NSW
    Hi guys

    Are there any locations within a relatively sensible distance from Sydney that have operating turntables?

    By relatively sensible I am proposing a four-hour trip on a steam shuttle.

    Many thanks for your knowledge shared, as I have no clue.
    Posted: 16 Jul 2017 22:31

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      gordon_s1942 Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Tablelands of NSW
    I think the nearest one to Sydney is at Valley Heights and is in the old depot run by the local Rail Museum group.
    I believe the Turntable is still functioning in what was the Loco Depot at Lithgow but who runs the depot now I dont have a clue so getting access to it could be difficult.
    The best place to see it is from the Look Out, part way down Scenic Hill if the greenery hasnt grown too much.
    Goulburn has one apparently, also run by the local Rail Museum group.
    Going on the TV show, Railroad Australia, there could be one at Parkes also.
    Posted: 17 Jul 2017 12:32
      apw5910 Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Location: Location.
    Use a triangle, or a coal loader balloon loop. Or run Syd-Moss Vale-'gong-Syd and not worry about turning the loco at all.

    Or go the other way if you only want to take three carriages.
    Posted: 17 Jul 2017 12:49
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Richmond Vic
    There is a turntable at Gosford, and if you want scenery, the run along the shore of Mullet Creek is just superb.
    Posted: 17 Jul 2017 14:23
      NOHAB Station Staff

    Location: Glenwood NSW
    Guys

    Thank you so much for this information. I really appreciate it.
    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 13:25
      gordon_s1942 Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Tablelands of NSW
    I didnt include Triangles as the query was for Turntables but I think the one for the coal loader at Wallerawang/Lidsdale is still in use.
    There were two but they removed the one from the Station that ran behind the then Public School, now a Motel, more than 20 years ago.
    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 15:27
      apw5910 Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Location: Location.
    One obvious one we've all missed is Thirlmere. And it would be about two hours there from Sydney, turn and two hours back. And it's home to the only two operating main line accredited steam locos in NSW atm. What do you have in mind?
    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 16:06
      c3526blue Deputy Commissioner

    Location: in the cuckoos nest
    Hi,

    Use of a turntable involves some planning to get access and the length of the 'table is important too.  Depending on the size of loco too, the turntable must be long enough to turn the loco.  For instance you cannot turn a 36 class on a 60ft turntable.  The following locations still exist and can be used if access is arranged.

    Location              Length
    Gosford               75ft
    Sulphide Jct         75ft
    Broadmeadow     75ft, 105ft *
    Valley Heights      60ft
    Lithgow                90ft #
    Thirlmere             105ft
    Goulburn              90ft
    Wollongong           60ft (status doubtful)
    Kiama                   60ft
    Bomaderry            60ft
    * Currently closed by THNSW
    # Listed as closed

    Of course there are no such constraints on triangles or balloon loops.

    Source of information - Railnet.   http://www.nswrail.net/infrastructure/turntable.php

    Happy turning,

    John
    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 18:49
      NOHAB Station Staff

    Location: Glenwood NSW
    One obvious one we've all missed is Thirlmere. And it would be about two hours there from Sydney, turn and two hours back. And it's home to the only two operating main line accredited steam locos in NSW atm. What do you have in mind?
    apw5910
    Sorry, I should have said not Thirlmere. I have an idea, which I am floating with the Steamfest organisers at present.

    So it cannot be Thirlmere, as a number of photography events have already taken place there. I actually did a presentation at this year's event Very Happy

    Thanks heaps everyone for your comments. Smile
    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 18:51
      apw5910 Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Location: Location.
    For instance you cannot turn a 36 class on a 60ft turntable.
    c3526blue
    You can, but you have to get the balance just right. Real pita, though.
    Posted: 18 Jul 2017 19:34
      gordon_s1942 Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Tablelands of NSW
    There was a project to reinstal the Turntable in the Old Yard at Lithgow but as far as I know, except for cleaning the pit out and maybe collecting all the needed parts for it, its gone no further.
    From what I have seen of it going past in the Train and based on its age, I think it is only around 60 feet in diameter.
    Posted: 19 Jul 2017 11:57
      c3526blue Deputy Commissioner

    Location: in the cuckoos nest
    For instance you cannot turn a 36 class on a 60ft turntable.
    You can, but you have to get the balance just right. Real pita, though.
    apw5910
    Yes you can do it, just as you can turn a D59 on one also (if you are patient enough).  I helped turn 3642 on the Queanbeyan turntable after it jammed halfway around.  But it is not a practical operation in either case.

    Happy turning,

    John
    Posted: 19 Jul 2017 20:06
      Shed_Rat Train Controller

    Location: 'A' Shop - Swindon Works
    There was a project to reinstal the Turntable in the Old Yard at Lithgow but as far as I know, except for cleaning the pit out and maybe collecting all the needed parts for it, its gone no further.
    From what I have seen of it going past in the Train and based on its age, I think it is only around 60 feet in diameter.
    gordon_s1942
    The dismantled 60ft turntable at Esbank (Lithgow) is the 60ft turntable formerly at Wollongong.
    Posted: 02 Aug 2017 12:41
      cityrail-rulez Chief Train Controller

    The only working turntables in NSW are that I know of are

    Eveleigh
    Gosford (during special steam shuttles)
    Broadmeadow
    Thirlmere
    Goulburn
    Junee
    Valley Heights
    Lithgow
    Werris Creek
    Posted: 19 Aug 2017 21:02
      djf01 Chief Commissioner

    The only working turntables in NSW are that I know of are

    Eveleigh
    Gosford (during special steam shuttles)
    Broadmeadow
    Thirlmere
    Goulburn
    Junee
    Valley Heights
    Lithgow
    Werris Creek
    cityrail-rulez
    +Kiama

    Not sure about Waterfall
    Posted: 29 Aug 2017 11:28
      WimmeraJack Station Staff

    Looking at Google maps, the turntable at Waterfall has no connection to the system.

    John.
    Posted: 29 Aug 2017 12:57
      cityrail-rulez Chief Train Controller

    The only working turntables in NSW are that I know of are

    Eveleigh
    Gosford (during special steam shuttles)
    Broadmeadow
    Thirlmere
    Goulburn
    Junee
    Valley Heights
    Lithgow
    Werris Creek
    +Kiama

    Not sure about Waterfall
    djf01

    I don't think that Kiama's turntable would be in use, maybe the track connecting to it would be to temporarily store Endeavour railcar's (2 car set) pretty much the same as Bomaderry's turntable track is used to store (2 or 4? car set) Endeavour Railcar's overnight
    Posted: 03 Sep 2017 17:55

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