The Great Train Race

The 3526 and the 3265 (the engine I blipped yesterday) had a race from Maitland to about Warrabrook and then separated with one train going into Newcastle and the other going to Broadmeadow. They turned around and came back met just near Warrabrook and had another "race" back to Maitland. They were also racing a Tiger Moth. It wasn't really a race more of staggered sprints to allow the train fanatics to see the other train go past full steam. This probably isn't the best of the shots today but does show the other train holding back letting us go past. I was on the 3265. You can see the people from our train with cameras out the window and the same on the other train. Every overpass or vantage point on the way was full of trainspotters. It was nice to be in the train this time.

I got a bit excited and was out a bit too far until we were reminded to keep within the carriage. Not long after a very large coal train went past on the next track so you had to be careful to not get too excited and lean out too far. One of the lovely things was meeting two ladies and their brother who were in our cabin. They used to catch the steam train to school, only a short trip, but they said sometimes if the train broke down they wouldn't get to school until lunch time. Their brother worked for the railways for around 7 years from 1953 (I think that was what he said).

I think it is going to take me a week to get the coal out of my hair.