Trip to Newnes part 2

With the second part of my trip to Newnes, we left Mt Wolgan Sidings and headed North towards the town. As we drove in I could see the 3 wagons sitting just down the road a bit from the old Newnes pub. We parked the car and began to photograph them for a while. Unfortunately with all the excitement though, I forgot to take a photo of the actual pub building!

The sign on the way to Newnes reads NEWNES  Everything money can't buy

The cliffs around Newnes are an impressive sight.
It's a shame the pics don't do them justice

The 3 wagons just meters away from the pub

I'm not too sure what this 4 wheel wagon is, so if anyone knows could you please let me know??

A steel under frame of a S truck

A wooden under frame NSWGR S truck painted up like a John Fell & Co LTD
wagon

As we entered the old front bar, we met the owner who was very friendly and informative. He pulled out a map and took the time to give us an interesting history lesson about the area and pointed out the directions to the Old Shale Refinery, which was really helpful. There were a number of books for sale and historic pictures on display.

A HO scale representation of a Wolgan Valley loco and wagons in
Newnes pub

A few historic pics which are displayed in the front bar. Unfortunately ginger
beer is the only type of beer you can buy there these days.

Our next plan was to see the old Newnes platform. The owner told us to walk approximately 150 meters north from the pub until we could see some stepping stones in the water, which he had placed there for easier access across the river. You can also cross with a 4WD.

A pic of me crossing the Wolgan River. Thanks Rachel, not my best angle!

As we approached the Newnes station platform, we came across the Shay locomotive tender body, which was another thing I was hoping to see. It was upside down and rusted out but still very cool to see! The platform itself is still in good condition for its age.

The Newnes station platform

The camping ground at Newnes

A few Kangaroos in the camping grounds

And so our exploring through Newnes came to an end... It was definately a great place to visit and I would love to go back there again, as a few hours just wasn't long enough. I am sure there are alot more hidden treasures around the Valley that we didn't come across (including a wombat) however, we were farewelled by a big group of Roos which were sitting at the campground!

Stay tuned for my Old Shale Oil Refinery adventure!!
 
Till next time
 Mathew Hughes

Trip to Newnes part1

Well I've finally accomplished two goals of mine...

Firstly, this is my 200th post! Thank you  to everyone who has shown an interest in my blog!
Secondly, I had the privilege to go to Newnes, which I have always wanted to do.. A few reasons I wanted to go to there was to see the pub with no beer (now a store/museum), see the remains of the Shale Oil Refinery and to search and find the Dreadnought and other rail relics around the old Mount Wolgan Sidings.

Finding the Dreadnought was alot easier than expected. I walked along the dirt road that runs beside the Wolgan River and spotted it through the bush at approximately 2.5kms South of the Newnes. I had to cross the river over a big log and then took a short walk through the scrub to get to it. The Dreadnought is clearly visible unlike the other bits and pieces (scattered along the old railway line) which are a bit harder to spot due to overgrown vegetation..

A view of the Dreadnought from the banks of the Wolgan River 

The other interesting relic at Mount Wolgan is an ex NSWGR E close coupled flat wagon. While there is a little more of this wagon left (as it still has some timber left) the ravages of time have taken their toll on this
wagon as well.

Written on the axle is
TAYLOR'S BEST DOUBLE FAGGOTED
LEEDS           DEC     1873

Trip to Newnes part 2 coming soon!

Till next time
 Mathew Hughes

Wagons at Finniss

I  photographed all these wagons in SA at Finniss. You will have to excuse my
ignorance but I don't know the codes of the wagons sorry.

Till next time
 Mathew Hughes

National Railway Museum Port Adelaide SA pt2

Commonwealth Railways GM2

Y97 a narrow gauge loco dating back to 1890

409 a narrow gauge garratt 

And an unusual thing to see in South Australia a O-gauge
model of a South Maitland Railways 10 class 

523 a streamlined broad gauge steam loco 

Till next time
 Mathew Hughes

FIE001 at UGL Broadmeadow

FIE001 at UGL Broadmeadow photographed on 21/9/14

Till next time
 Mathew Hughes

National Railway Museum Port Adelaide SA

Hi All
In January my girlfriend Rachel and I went for a holiday to South Australia and one of the many highlights was the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. With many locos and pieces of rolling stock housed under three big sheds and more outside, it is quite impressive. There was so much there, I hope I didn't miss anything!
It was great to see the 500 class steam loco and the 930 class ALCO up close..
The facility was clean and well set up and it was really good to see how the South Aussies manage a train museum.  

504 the big 4-8-4 

                     1941 Chevrolet track inspection car MIC4

The suburban tank loco F255

Australian National Railways Budd car CB1

BHP loco number 4

G1 very reminiscent of NSWGR P6 or C32 class loco

ALCO unit 930 the class leader

752 sitting out back receiving some maintenance

Till next time
 Mathew Hughes

The Allmond train at McLaren vale SA

Till next time
 Mathew Hughes