The Steam Train

Recently Coffs Harbour celebrated 100 years of the first train to arrive with various celebrations all weekend.  Included were Steam Train Travel, A flight in a DC3, or Visit a Pirate Ship, that had been hand built. Also Model Train  and Vintage Car displays. The whole weekend was very popular and very busy.

This is the view of the train from our veranda on its way to Bonville. You can here the whistle blowing as it comes up through the valley and the chugging of the engine. Sounds wonderful.

We decided to go on the train, to Coramba, Sunday afternoon, so my sister and mother joined us. This trip took us  through 5 tunnels, and under one bridge.

 

Waiting at the Station

Inside a Carriage.

Every time we went through the tunnels the windows had to be lowered, not an easy thing to do as they are heavy. The smoke otherwise comes in which is not very pleasant. Fireboxes of course are filled with coal, to keep the pressure of the steam up.

On the way to Coramba

Coramba unfortunately no longer has a station and we went into a siding to wait for the XPT to come through. This was an opportunity to fill up with water. The SES fire crew bought along a water tanker and many hands filled up the train tank.

 The Steam engine was then transferred to the back of the train, for the trip home.



It was a very enjoyable trip. My sister and I even managed to go to the little refreshment area just so we could walk through 2 carriages, bringing back coffee and cake. Laughing all the way as it was rocky, and smoky from the carriages who didn't close their windows.

 

Going under the Bridge.

It reminded us of when we were children we lived in Belgrave Victoria, right near the Puffing Billy, which is now quite a large tourist attraction. In those days we had access to look at it all the time.

On the way we saw many photographers taking pictures of this unique event. 

The End