It has been a while since I communicated and we have been busy with some new ventures.

There are two that stand out. Both will take some time to bring into life.

First, we have decided to produce one more NSW steam book. Titled “Smoke” production is well underway, although the finished product is due sometime in the second half of 2024. 

A sillouette on the South Maitland Railways enhanced by mid summer lighting. This was the last railway in NSW with regular steam trains operating. – My Photo

“Smoke” follows on from “Superheat” with another collection of superb steam loco shots from the early 1950s to the end of steam.

This time we have included some black and white masterpieces. It gives us access some rare and artistic images. It may well be the last of the series as we are all aging and exhausting our collections. Our commitment is only to produce first class publications, and this will be one of them.

Number 11 mixed makes its way from Blayney to Cowra. From “Superheat”

The second project was inspired by the recent demise of the once great Broadmeadow Loco Depot. Earmarked as a museum, politics have determined that what is left will be demolished and turned into a housing estate, a similar fate to the Rothbury museum.

Newcastle in the 1960s was Australia’s industrial heartland, The Steelworks spearheaded Australian industry, Broadmeadow mand Port Waratah locos were alive with steam engines, and ship building. Almost all of it is gone, and trains no longer even go to the magn ificent Newcastle Station.

3801 In May 1969 on the 100th Anniverary of the Newcastle Flyer. A rare occasion when the train was steam hauled from Sydney. Newcastle Station is a magnificent historical place, as is the surrounding architecture, much of it buried amngst modern hi rise buildings. My Photo

The moment arrived when we stopped at Moss Vale for water and I strode up to the cab. The crew invited me on board, and it was great being warmed by the fire of the 38. The fireman handed me the shovel and said he would teach me how to fire her. So I did, shoveling coal all the way to Goulburn. We would throw coal to the front corners, and drop some just inside the firebox doors, using the butterfly door pedal to minimise heat loss. Partly because my arm hadn’t been used for months. and partly becuase it was just hard work, by the end of the trip I thought my left arm was going to separated from my shoulder. Of course, it didn’t. A most memorable ride on the short south to Goulburn where we arrived arount 8 am.

Despite the sound and fury emerging from 3827 on 31 mixed, the bovine inhabitants of this trackside farm between Werai and Exeter chew on. We guess a lifetime’s exposure to steam has made them rather accustomed to the hullabaloo.

Col Gilbertson, 24 August 1968 – From “Superheat”

Funnily, I have no recollection of how I returned home, but it was a long time ago. 3811 became my favourite of the class. Later I had a short drive of 3811, and another occasion I rode in the cab on the Central West Express from Bathurst to Orange. It was the last 38 withdrawn on the south, taken out of service a day too early so show pony 3801 could haul the last steam hauled Southern Highlands Express.

I truly miss those days, but am grateful for being part of them.

John  Gaydon