Location: Sydney
1301 arrived in Port Lincoln today. It should feel right at home, being met by RSKs awaiting adaption for the gypsum train.
Where is the other end of the piggyback operation: Whyalla? Port Augusta, Port Pirie or somewhere else?
Port Lincoln notes
awsgc24
Minister for Railways
Location: Sydney
Where is the other end of the piggyback operation: Whyalla? Port Augusta, Port Pirie or somewhere else?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
Where is the other end of the piggyback operation: Whyalla? Port Augusta, Port Pirie or somewhere else?Whyalla. That's a Steel City Cranes truck.
awsgc24
Minister for Railways
Location: Sydney
Whyalla. That's a Steel City Cranes truck.
What kind of cranes or other machinery is used to load and unload the loco?
Is there a ramp to climb from ground level to the level of that flat top trailer?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
What kind of cranes or other machinery is used to load and unload the loco?Port Lincoln has a ramp, and in the photo the workshops people are adjusting the ramp rail height to match the rails on the truck trailer. When ready, a shunt loco will run up the ramp and draw 1301 off the truck. This ramp is used for pretty much all loco movements between Port Lincoln and Whyalla. Rollingstock transfers are generally done using the overhead crane inside the workshop, loading or unloading a normal flat-top semi-trailer.
Is there a ramp to climb from ground level to the level of that flat top trailer?
At Whyalla I believe cranes are brought in to load and unload locos.
Cheers,
Peter
awsgc24
Minister for Railways
Location: Sydney
Port Lincoln has a ramp, and in the photo the workshops people are adjusting the ramp rail height to match the rails on the truck trailer. When ready, a shunt loco will run up the ramp and draw 1301 off the truck. This ramp is used for pretty much all loco movements between Port Lincoln and Whyalla. Rollingstock transfers are generally done using the overhead crane inside the workshop, loading or unloading a normal flat-top semi-trailer.VR and SAR apparently used "Crocodile" well waggons to take narrow gauge locomotives from place to place. The well feature means that you cannot run the loco off the end of that waggon. How were these transfers done?
At Whyalla I believe cranes are brought in to load and unload locos.
The well waggon of course lowers the centre of gravity and reduces the height of the loading gauge in case there are any low tunnels, overbridges or signal bridges along the way.
There are a few mentions of Crocodiles waggons in the NLA newspaper archives here: BOGD Crocodile ; these are mostly to do with problems with break of gauge.
mrjones
Station Master
Peter how much work has been done to 1301, I thought it was to be a simple engine swap?
The RSK's have come up nice better than the dirty red they used to be.
It looks like Whyalla may need some more locos shortly as the Knob line is commissioned next week and the plan is to take 100 of the SG Wirrida wagons across to the NG and run them to the Knob and eventually the Baron, (after the loading area is extended or a loop put in) which would tie up 2 GWN's leaving a shortage of locos for the other rakes.
The RSK's have come up nice better than the dirty red they used to be.
It looks like Whyalla may need some more locos shortly as the Knob line is commissioned next week and the plan is to take 100 of the SG Wirrida wagons across to the NG and run them to the Knob and eventually the Baron, (after the loading area is extended or a loop put in) which would tie up 2 GWN's leaving a shortage of locos for the other rakes.
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
Peter how much work has been done to 1301, I thought it was to be a simple engine swap?As you're no doubt aware a 'simple' engine swap is often not that simple. I understand that there are some differences between the mounting of the starter on the ex-NJ block and the MK-rebuilt blocks. Looks like an overhaul and full repaint is also happening - 1301 will return in G&W 'corporate' yellow, matching the GWNs.
That's something to look forward to - Wirrida hoppers on n.g. and distributed power working of the GWNs!
SAR_enthusiast
Train Controller
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Does anyone know if the Pichi Richi Railway preservation society have looked into preserving one of the soon to be scrapped NG 830's # 842, 848, 865, or 871?
Pressman
Spirit of the Vine
Location: Wherever the Tin Chook or Qantas takes me
Does anyone know if the Pichi Richi Railway preservation society have looked into preserving one of the soon to be scrapped NG 830's # 842, 848, 865, or 871?As reported on the previous page 865 and 871 are purely hulks. 842 and 848 have been stripped of usable parts so none would be of any value to PRR
BIG-BEAR
Chief Train Controller
Does anyone know if the Pichi Richi Railway preservation society have looked into preserving one of the soon to be scrapped NG 830's # 842, 848, 865, or 871?
Its been reported before that these loco's have been striped for parts . Which would mean that they are no good for the Pichi Richi Railway as they would like one that could run .
Steamtown might be interested in them . for a shell only version .
The 830 's at port Lincoln seem to be different than the 4 / 830 's at dry creek .
The 830's at port Lincoln all seemed to have bigger side windows installed and the 830's at dry creek seem to be more in original condition .
Pressman
Spirit of the Vine
Location: Wherever the Tin Chook or Qantas takes me
Its been reported before that these loco's have been striped for parts . Which would mean that they are no good for the Pichi Richi Railway as they would like one that could run .
Steamtown might be interested in them . for a shell only version .
The 830 's at port Lincoln seem to be different than the 4 / 830 's at dry creek .
The 830's at port Lincoln all seemed to have bigger side windows installed and the 830's at dry creek seem to be more in original condition .
I believe a couple of the 830's at Lincoln have spent their entire life on that system only.
From Comrails web site
Following locos issued to Port Lincoln from new
850 (30/3/1962)
851 (19/4/1962)
852, 853, 854 (all transferred to Tasmania)
871 (3/2/1966)
872 (7/3/1966)
873 (22/4/1966)
BIG-BEAR
Chief Train Controller
I believe a couple of the 830's at Lincoln have spent their entire life on that system only.
From Comrails web site
Following locos issued to Port Lincoln from new
850 (30/3/1962)
851 (19/4/1962)
852, 853, 854 (all transferred to Tasmania)
871 (3/2/1966)
872 (7/3/1966)
873 (22/4/1966)
Which leaves 850 , 851 , 873 still running around Port Lincoln . 871 to be scrapped .
853 , 854 , 855 already scrapped
852 , 872 running around interstate
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
Does anyone know if the Pichi Richi Railway preservation society have looked into preserving one of the soon to be scrapped NG 830's # 842, 848, 865, or 871?I don't know if any arrangements have been made for its future (and I mean that, I don't know!) but 846 has been sitting out the back of Port Lincoln workshops for months. Apparently it is complete and virtually operational, needing only a light overhaul and wheel turning or replacement. To me, that's the obvious candidate from the locos stored here to be of use to Pichi Richi.
mrjones
Station Master
Peter, any updates on 1301?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
Peter, any updates on 1301?Finally, something to report! Mechanical work on 1301 is complete, and it's currently being repainted into the latest GWA corporate colours. All being well (and we know how that usually turns out...) 1301 should head back to Whyalla on 14 September or thereabouts.
Cheers,
Peter
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
1301's repaint is complete, and its road test with 1604's engine is tomorrow. This was taken this morning (with permission) - the darker orange on the cab isn't a fancy graduated paint scheme, just the result of an indistinct shadow on an overcast day 
Pressman
Spirit of the Vine
Location: Wherever the Tin Chook or Qantas takes me
Nice picture peter, thanks for posting.
It appears that the cooling fan on the short hood is a new item.
I did a check on the photos in the Loco section of RP, and it doesn't appear on any other pics of the 1300's
It appears that the cooling fan on the short hood is a new item.
I did a check on the photos in the Loco section of RP, and it doesn't appear on any other pics of the 1300's
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
1301 finally got to stretch its legs on the main line today, although considerably delayed. A few glitches were corrected, except for the absence of a functioning headlight so it couldn't lead out on the track. 905 was meant to lead out to Coomunga and 1301 to lead back, but 850 was added as a portable headlight, much to the annoyance of the two photographers watching events. The photos show it in the workshop yard at Port Lincoln, and the trio arriving at Coomunga in scenery far removed from its usual haunts.
K-Class
Chief Train Controller
Location: Melbourne
Nice picture peter, thanks for posting.
It appears that the cooling fan on the short hood is a new item.
I did a check on the photos in the Loco section of RP, and it doesn't appear on any other pics of the 1300's
Looks to me that the cooling fan has been moved from the left hand side of the short end and been re-positioned on the front.
Does anyone know what the fan is cooling?
Matt
Pressman
Spirit of the Vine
Location: Wherever the Tin Chook or Qantas takes me
From pictures in the loco data base 1301 had a vent on the front hood (top right side) and a grill on the right side of the hoodNice picture peter, thanks for posting.
It appears that the cooling fan on the short hood is a new item.
I did a check on the photos in the Loco section of RP, and it doesn't appear on any other pics of the 1300's
Looks to me that the cooling fan has been moved from the left hand side of the short end and been re-positioned on the front.
Does anyone know what the fan is cooling?
Matt
as do the others in the class.
At a guess the nose probably houses some electrical and electronic controls etc. and they have decided force air ventilation is better than natural ventilation.
Alco_Haulic
Chief Commissioner
Location: Eating out...
IIRC, it's the cab air conditioner.Nice picture peter, thanks for posting.
It appears that the cooling fan on the short hood is a new item.
I did a check on the photos in the Loco section of RP, and it doesn't appear on any other pics of the 1300's
Looks to me that the cooling fan has been moved from the left hand side of the short end and been re-positioned on the front.
Does anyone know what the fan is cooling?
Matt
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
A few snippets:
After a couple of false starts over the last year or so, track maintenance on the Port Lincoln Division was finally taken in-house by GWA on 1 October, replacing Transfield Services as contractor.
'Daylight saving' grain train working is now in effect, with the empty train leaving Port Lincoln in the mornings (usually around 9:30am) and returning in darkness. This is to reduce the risk of heat-related derailments under loaded trains.
Since the seven ex-Whyalla hoppers were added to the gypsum train, difficulties have been experienced at times lifting a full load up the grade out of Kevin. Doubling the grade has occurred on at least one occasion. To avoid this, four locos are now used on the train when available.
After a couple of false starts over the last year or so, track maintenance on the Port Lincoln Division was finally taken in-house by GWA on 1 October, replacing Transfield Services as contractor.
'Daylight saving' grain train working is now in effect, with the empty train leaving Port Lincoln in the mornings (usually around 9:30am) and returning in darkness. This is to reduce the risk of heat-related derailments under loaded trains.
Since the seven ex-Whyalla hoppers were added to the gypsum train, difficulties have been experienced at times lifting a full load up the grade out of Kevin. Doubling the grade has occurred on at least one occasion. To avoid this, four locos are now used on the train when available.
Guard Class 2
Chief Commissioner
Location: Elizabeth,South Australia
Any idea on the total consist/load they are lifting out of Kevin now, Peter?
rwatts
Junior Train Controller
Location: Adelaide SA
After a couple of false starts over the last year or so, track maintenance on the Port Lincoln Division was finally taken in-house by GWA on 1 October, replacing Transfield Services as contractor.
ATSB report into the 23 October 2014 derailment of the gypsum train between Penong Junction and Thevenard has been completed ...
It was evident from the ATSB’s investigation that defect monitoring and reporting was not being conducted as specified in the relevant Code of Practice. As such, awareness of the rail condition and deterioration was reduced and remedial maintenance actions were not being planned or implemented.Full report at Derailment of train 5DD2 at Ceduna, South Australia on 23 October 2014
The ATSB also found that Genesee & Wyoming Australia’s maintenance oversight had been limited, allowing the track to deteriorate to a point where trains could not be run safely.
Richard.
Gayspie
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Adelaide, SA
I understand the track between penong junction and wudinna is in poor condition and is only used for locomotive transfers at low speed. i was wondering how old are the sleepers in this section and how long has it been since major trackwork was undertaken there?
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