Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Transport Tuesday

 This was an exciting arrival at South Yarra Station as I waited for a city bound train. 


Various manners of freight trains pass through South Yarra Station. I haven't seen enough of them to not get excited to see them, the engine at least that looks like engine that used to tow the country Gippsland train.
 

This curious train sits at I think Platform 4 at Spencer Street Station So Cross Station Southern Cross Station. I've seen it many times just sitting there and I guess it is spare train to replace a service when another train becomes unusable. It seems it was once one of our more luxurious Melbourne suburban trains knows as Harris trains or blue trains, appearing in the 1950s. They were much more comfortable and quieter than Red Rattlers but full of asbestos and most went into landfill but it seems this one was converted to be for service with asbestos removed and air con added, along with modern interiors. 

I wonder if my vague knowledge is correct. 

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16 comments:

  1. Elephant's ChildJanuary 10, 2023 at 5:46 AM

    Given your interest and knowledge of public transport I suspect your 'vague knowledge' IS correct. I wonder how they removed the asbestos - and how much it cost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 10, 2023 at 8:48 PM

      EC, I suppose the asbestos removal cost was minor to whatever else was spent on these trains to make suitable for the 21st century. I've not travelled on them but of course I did when I was young when they were in their older guise.

      Delete
  2. Yorkshire PuddingJanuary 10, 2023 at 6:13 AM

    Vague knowledge? You are the egghead of Melbourne transport knowledge - current and past. Do you have "Mastermind" on Aussie TV?
    "Andrew, you have two minutes on Public Transport in Melbourne, starting now!..."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 10, 2023 at 8:50 PM

      YP, we do have some quiz show like that. I am minor league. Many know much more but I concede I know more than the average person about Victoria's public transport and Australia's. I know a bit about English trains too and the absurd train fares.

      Delete
  3. roentareJanuary 10, 2023 at 7:11 AM

    You have spotted the interesting freight train! In Bendigo, I was told freight trains usually run around 1 am that seemed to be mistaken for ghost trains by the local at night

    ReplyDelete
  4. sparklingmerlotJanuary 10, 2023 at 9:30 AM

    I imagine you jumping up and down with excitement every time an interesting train passes through the station.
    Reminds of my eldest who was so excited when the level crossing gates came down at Ormond station that he turned and ran back towards them, tripped over his own feet and smashed his face into the ground shoving his front teeth back into the gums. He was two. He still has the mark on his adult front tooth where the baby tooth scratched it. Be careful in your excitement, Andrew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 10, 2023 at 9:02 PM

      Caro, my head might get excited but I visibly do not. Oh gosh, how bad for your number 1. Well, how bad for you who had to deal with it.

      Delete
  5. DebbyJanuary 10, 2023 at 2:13 PM

    Your definition of 'vague knowledge' and my definition of 'vague knowledge' are two completely different definitions!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 10, 2023 at 9:03 PM

      Perhaps Debby. I am not an expert but just someone who is interested.

      Delete
  6. RiverJanuary 10, 2023 at 4:09 PM

    I love those big old diesel engines! to me, all the new styles are just carriages with a motor in them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 10, 2023 at 9:05 PM

      River, I completely get what you are saying. The engines looked important with a don't ***k with me look. That has been lost.

      Delete
  7. Pradeep NairJanuary 10, 2023 at 5:48 PM

    Trains are always fascinating! There is something very alluring about them. May be the size and length. May be the way they magically run over the rails!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 10, 2023 at 9:06 PM

      Pradeep, surely you aren't provoking me by talking about size and length. Rail transport is very cool, and in my country, increasingly popular.

      Delete
  8. Steve ReedJanuary 11, 2023 at 4:49 AM

    Do they put asbestos in landfills? I don't know how it's disposed of, to be honest. I guess since it's a mineral returning it to the earth would make the most sense. "Red Rattlers" is a good name!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndrewJanuary 11, 2023 at 9:21 PM

      Steve, what else could they do with asbestos but bury it. It can't be processed into something useful and safe. I think all the non saved Harris cars went to the Clayton tip and were buried. Red Rattlers is a bit overused in Australia for old trains.

      Delete

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