Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Four trains racing

I am obliged to Elephant's Child for directing me to this clip of four steam trains competing against each other. I suspect some effort was made to keep them kind of together and make the race look competitive. In my opinion the green train should be the fastest, for no valid reason. If you think of  races where runners and swimmers launch themselves from starting blocks, that did not happen with the trains as the starting flag was dropped. 

The race is part of the New South Wales locality Hunter Valley's Steamfest. I've never been to the Hunter Valley and I am sure it is very nice. https://www.steamfest.com.au/

35 comments:


  1. A friend sent me that clip and I thought of you immediately. The Hunter Valley is lovely - perhaps you could go in April next year?

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    1. Maybe we will EC. I can't imagine how I can put that to R.

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  2. Oh I loved that clip. Great footage there of those steam trains really going for it.

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    1. JayCee, they are terrific to watch, not so much to ride in.

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  3. It is satisfying to see 4 steam trains moving at once

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  4. Looks very staged. I hope they had all passed their boiler inspections.

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    1. Tasker, yes quite staged. The rules for boilers are strictly observed by heritage train and trams organisations.

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  5. Reminds me of the Sydney "Great Ferry Boat Race" of 1984 which ended with one ferry sinking at Circular Quay. Fortunately the passengers and crew were able to disembark first. The event continues every Australia[/Invasion] Day but is nowadays called the "Ferrython."

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    1. MC, that sent me to some interesting information. The ferry bilge pump of the very old timber ferry was obstructed by a build up of rubbish. Waves had crashed over the ferry's bow and filled it with water, and the bilge pump couldn't do its job.

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  6. I think you and R need a little visit to the Hunter. Trains and good wine. What could be better?

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    1. Merlot, R wants to cruise on a ship or take long train trips across Australia. I don't. It will be hard to convince him but we've done road trips in the past.

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    2. Cruise - no. Indian Pacific is amazing.

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  7. How fun to stand on that overpass and have the trains race by beneath your feet!

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    1. Bob, R used to do that in his childhood years in the north of England.

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  8. I had no idea this was an annual thing, no idea it happened at all. It looks like a fun day with the band and the market and other stuff going on too.

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    1. River, I had no knowledge about it either. Maybe EC has set up a road trip for us.

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  9. Well that sure is something to see, loved it Andrew.

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  10. Not the type of music I usually associate with steam trains.

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    1. What music Kirk? Ok, I need to turn the sound on. I think the racy music is ok for the clip.

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  11. That would be exciting to watch.

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    1. It would be Marie. Do you remember steam trains? Stand on a bridge to be smoked?

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  12. That is amazing. One steam train is a sight to behold, but four . . . ?

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    1. JB, you can only be one place to see the event. Via good film making and drones, we can see so much more. It is quite an event.

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  13. I can't imagine seeing something like this. Amazing!

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  14. That is a lot going on at once. There are a few steam trains left that I want to go ride.

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    1. TP, there are rather a lot of interesting trains in your country, as I've learnt from YouTube.

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  15. Andrew you also might enjoy The Railway Men an amazing fact based documentary from India. Netflix.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. WWW, you are not the first person to mention The Railway Men. I believe it is quite compelling but alas I am a poor self funded retiree who can't afford Netflix. I will see it somewhere.

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