NR 27 is bringing the Indian Pacific into Pacific National's KEWDALE Freight Terminal. Sat 8/4/2023.

The opening scene is of Watco"s shunting engine ( switching loco) T 376, waiting for clearance to return back to Forrestfield railway yard. After shifting some Sadliers Transport van wagons across from SCT Freight Terminal
Then panning around, to get NR 27 at the front of 5AP8 Indian Pacific passenger train from Adelaide and Sydney, with 27 carriages.
Sat 8 April 2023. Approx 3.15 - 3.20pm.
Due to the Midland and Airport Lines, shut down for the month of April, part of the new Bayswater Station trackworks re -alignment project. The Indian Pacific, was tabled to arrive and depart from PacNat's Freight Terminal in Kewdale.
Passengers were then bussed to and from from East Perth Terminal.
The next day, Sunday 9 April 2023. The Indian Pacific, tabled 10.00am, duly departed Kewdale Freight Terminal, after passengers arrived from East Perth Terminal via bus transport.
Unfortunately, the I/P passenger train was turned back to Perth at Avon Yard. There was a narrow gauge train derailment, just on the eastern approach to Avon Yard. Where two loaded grain wagons, came off the rails, blocking all access for east west trains They were fouling both std and ng points.
The Indian Pacific passenger train arrived back into Kewdale Freight Terminal, some few hours later. With all passengers remaining overnight on board. Until leaving again, 6am on the Monday morning. When the two wagons, were lifted clear off the tracks.
Passengers, on board were kept fed and entertained by train staff during the late afternoon and overnight stop over.
Some unlucky late passengers, arrived at the East Perth Terminal. And missed the buses to take them to Kewdale, that morning.
Arrangements were made, to take them by bus to Northam Station. Avon Yard is just on the western outskirts of the town. And they'll easily hop onto the Indian Pacific at Northam.
Note, travelling by rail through the Avon Valley, through Toodyay and Avon Yard. Is more circuitous. Than via the more direct, Great Eastern Highway, to Northam.
Those unlucky late arriving passengers, waiting at Northam station, ended up returning back towards Perth, to board the Indian Pacific at PN's Kewdale Freight Terminal. Of course, a small article appeared in the local newspaper, of their, quoted disapproval of being stuck on a bus for 12 hours!
General consensus from passengers on the train, is that "they had a ball." Being looked after by the, on board train staff.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Fantastic capture, always great to see some more Watco owned power! (Dave).

[@westernaustraliatrainscene5689]

Oh yeah. You guys have Watco pratically on your doorstep! Thanks for watching, Dave. I'll try to publish more of our Watco trains

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@westernaustraliatrainscene5689 yep! That would be cool!

[@westernaustraliatrainscene5689]

@@StormySkyRailProductions Request received!☺

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Little T376 is a long way from home (VIC) and a rather tired and unkempt NR27 is an insult to the Indian Pacific. Aurizon should put in for the Journey Beyond contract when it comes up next...Hasn't been a good 12 months for the Indian Pacific, floods and major Blue Mountains derailment in NSW plus other issues in WA and SA along the way. Good work WATS

[@westernaustraliatrainscene5689]

Yeah thanks Dave. Yeah Journey Beyond Rail management, should be able to have some say, in PacNat not putting washed clean locos on front of their passenger trains! Yep, ex tired Victoria Railway used locomotives, we've got them, here in WA!☺
And what's that? Aurizon taking on the Journey Beyond Rail contract I'd like to see that! Get those GWB class locos over here in Perth! Yeah tough year for the Indian Pacific.

[@rodneybeard4317]

why would aurizon want some boring passenger train they would want something to keep them making money

[@westernaustraliatrainscene5689]

@@rodneybeard4317 I would think Dave would be hinting of a change in rail haul contract for Journey Beyond Rail passenger trains, may be a good change. But just have to wait and see, which rail provider is awarded the new contract. Aurizon is getting bigger with their Australia wide operations. Guess hauling pasaenger trains, may never be on their busy freight / bulk minerals agenda?