Global Steam
Steam in Australia: Victoria & New South Wales
Steam in Australia: Victoria & New South Wales
The “Victoria and New South Wales” DVD of the “Steam in Australia” set offers a rare view of railroading at the height of Australia’s steam era. Highlights include the powerful 6000 series Garratt locomotives (one is currently restored and operating at the Canberra Railway Museum).
The huge garratts take on the heavy job of hauling coal, often in the infamous brakeless 4-wheeled wooden coal hoppers designed in 1863. In New South Wales 30 Class passenger steam leaves from Sydney and works in the environs beyond. High-speed streamlined 38 Class Pacifics are featured pulling the “Newcastle Express.” 36 and 50 Class engines race up the Tickhole grade. Also see a holiday excursion train for school children meandering along the shore in South Geelong. In the richest gold mining town in Australia is another kind of gold for trolley enthusiasts: a fleet of 4-wheeled trolley cars built by J. G. Brill of Philadelphia, or manufactured from Brill designs, all at work in vibrant street and onboard scenes.
The wide variety of motive power includes switchers, express, passenger and freight engines, some nearing a hundred years in age and all in daily operations. This is Australian steam as it really was!
Filmed by Ken Macleay
44 minutes