Gosh, was it over fifty years ago i travelled behind this loco on that last train to Beech Forest. What great memories i have of that trip, the only downside was the freezing temperature on that very early morning departure. Great to see the loco is in service again and splendid video VRfan.
It has been a bit over 60 years now since that first ARHS "Kanyana" excursion to Beech Forest and Weeaproinah. After the closure of the Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave section. The Garrat was running in reverse that day. What a strange beast it was. But it was the syncopated and loud exhaust on the stretch near Wimba that stood out most. Like the Gembrook section of this railway I had thought that the engine was gone forever. Consigned to memory. Yet both have been returned from the dead. Magic.
The train was travelling on the Puffing Billy line between Belgrave and Gembrook to commemorate the closure of the VR Narrow Gauge line Colac - Beechforest - Crowes, where the loco pictured (G42) ran.
G42 was originally allocated to the Moe-Walhalla line until it closed in the early 50's. It was then transferred to Colac and joined G41 on the Beech Forest line.
There were 4 lines built by Victorian Railways. Colac to Beech Forest closed in the 60s. The Puffing Billy line (Belgrave to Gembrook) is the only remaining line.
Search UA-cam for Beechy line 1956 for more coverage of the actual line when in use. The Colac Beech Forest line lasted longest and hauled the most tonnage of the four Victorian Railways narrow gauge lines. Closed in 1962 in normal service.
Gosh, was it over fifty years ago i travelled behind this loco on that last train to Beech Forest. What great memories i have of that trip, the only downside was the freezing temperature on that very early morning departure. Great to see the loco is in service again and splendid video VRfan.
absolutely love that garratt to death, the things id do to be able to see one of those trips
It has been a bit over 60 years now since that first ARHS "Kanyana" excursion to Beech Forest and Weeaproinah. After the closure of the Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave section. The Garrat was running in reverse that day. What a strange beast it was. But it was the syncopated and loud exhaust on the stretch near Wimba that stood out most. Like the Gembrook section of this railway I had thought that the engine was gone forever. Consigned to memory. Yet both have been returned from the dead. Magic.
The train was travelling on the Puffing Billy line between Belgrave and Gembrook to commemorate the closure of the VR Narrow Gauge line Colac - Beechforest - Crowes, where the loco pictured (G42) ran.
Best run I've had with the G was when they did the Garratt anniversary tour a few years ago. The climb up Emerald bank was something rather special.
Not sure about the shed, but the G was the loco that was in it when the tree came down!
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Good to see this thing with a load behind it for once.
Puffing Billy-The Australian version of the Talyllyn Railway
Wanted: 3foot 6 inch gauge version of G class to operate between Lebrina and Denison Gorge Tasmania.
lovely stuff, thanks for that, cheers.
The G42 also ran on the Walhalla-Moe line
G42 was originally allocated to the Moe-Walhalla line until it closed in the early 50's. It was then transferred to Colac and joined G41 on the Beech Forest line.
i like the look of the red pilots (or should I say pilot XD) What's the status of Belgrave shed? Heard it got crushed by a tree
I hate to say this, but the video reminds me of POW trains inThailand.
Where was the train travelling?
I thought that puffing billy only had one set of track?
Where exactly is the Colac to Beech forest line?
There were 4 lines built by Victorian Railways. Colac to Beech Forest closed in the 60s. The Puffing Billy line (Belgrave to Gembrook) is the only remaining line.
Not true some of the Moe and Walhalla line still exists and is used as a tourist railway known as the Walhalla goldfields railway
Search UA-cam for Beechy line 1956 for more coverage of the actual line when in use. The Colac Beech Forest line lasted longest and hauled the most tonnage of the four Victorian Railways narrow gauge lines. Closed in 1962 in normal service.