1210 and 1243 "Last Steam Train to Gosford", 23rd January, 1960.

Huge crowds greet the ceremonial last steam train, following electrification to Gosford in January, 1960. Organised by the Australian Railway Historical Society, the special was hauled by veterans 1210 and 1243, the Vintage Train locos. Green 3813 was chosen to haul the first Newcastle Flyer to hand over to electric traction. Shot by Arthur Birch and Phil Belbin.

[@susiejt]

My grandfather drove this train for years when a Driver at Dubbo. Someone found old Rosters yesterday that they once saved when a roof was being replaced at Dubbo Rosters Office. So excited. There it was my grandfather's name in 1948 driving 1243. I cried watching this. He retired as a Driver in 1954 & this was very moving to see. He loved trains. He was a driver before WW1, then took 20 yrs in Railways after WW1 to get back up to being a Driver (Loco cleaner then fireman, then driver for last 15yrs of his career). Thank you for the clip - awesome

[@BelbinVideo]

Wow, that's pretty amazing. Sounds like he had a remarkable career. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@jimmynswgr]

How do you manage to dig up such quality footage? Amazing.

[@TickholeProductions]

That is just pure magic, thanks for sharing

[@samuelfarris1949]

Locos 1210 and 1243 were already in the region of 80 years old when the event took place. 1210 is notably producing more smoke making up the climb to Gosford than 1243, and in other footage I've seen of 1210 in action, it clearly is smoking it up as though under tension from being driven hard. Considering it did manage to steam all the way to Melbourne for Aus' Steam 88 and did other big events in preservation besides this one showed that it pulled through despite hard-handling. 1243 seems to have come out of many decades of service with a contented spirit, and for a time after this led a very satisfactory period hauling special trains. Regarding the class 38s, not much to say there; during the Gosford layover, 3814 cautiously slips in and out of the station but noticeably pops off steam from its safety valve as its direct sister 3813 rolls by. Coincidence? (Also has anyone noticed the facial mask borne by the Gosford station employee at 1:28? Funny.) Regards, Samuel Farris.

[@TrainBloke38]

Another great video Belbin

[@simonf8902]

Plenty going there still.

[@david_fisher]

3813.
I think I'm going to cry.

[@susiejt]

I did - several times. My grandfather used to drive this train at Dubbo. He was in Railways 1919-1954. Wonderful to see this

[@lachlanjenkin6891]

i feel for you 3813 should have been preserved

[@MySteamChannel]

Excellent, Thanks so much!