going going going .........gone!

Driverless transport and driverless video capture!  Not a recent effort.

All aboard at Kempsey Station. Many of these passengers were taking the train to bypass the flooded Pacific Highway which has been closed at this point for about four days.
The highway is roughly in the distance under the flood.waters which cover the cow paddocks. A viaduct crossed the high and wide river just south of Kempsey station which is on higher ground where a flood free 'suburb' has developed.
Surely it is the preferred area of development but not for the the big duopoly supermarts who have just established themselves down on the banks of the river in the original settlement. The highway is planned to bypass Kempsey township all together.
This afternoon, the New England Highway was in good enough condition except for a few patches, and pot holes were under repair near Murrurundi or thereabouts, police cars were active and the pot holes were largly all patched up in the Singleton area.
Coffs to Dorrigo and Armidale was a wonderful run,  notwithstanding narrow hairpin bends on the long steep climb through rain forests, a big semi trailer or two, several high fast waterfalls splashing the road as they thundered down and the road, which is narrow, has a very low wall between car and a vast sheer drop at several points. Not to be missed. 

Sunday driving. Red Ranga working on the rail line at Newcastle station. Is this a sign that the rail line will be removed in the future when the current upgrade is finished?
Lower, the big intersection had troubles what with road/drain works and a collision.

Up in the Hunter valley, close to a coal mine, the train line reaches its limit and loops back while gradually filling up under a coal loader.
Perhaps the train driver uses psychic powers to control the operation because the loading drops out of view when the engine creeps forward around the loop!

CityRail is the environmentally friendly way to go. The sign boards are displayed by a 'flick of a switch'.

Not many of these signs remain on the railway stations and this set is at Newcastle station which is on the end of a branch line, the closure of which is under debate.

A group of Priscillas (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) took the Elvis Express to the festival in Parkes. Parody was in mind.....I think!
Broadly speaking demographics reveal that more men than women are found in country areas.

Last stop
All trains of thought
Shunt off.

Here is a full scale Hornby-style model railway.
Silver trains, on auto, run back and forth, almost on the shore line. All Change! Toot toot!
Heroic-the-tug-boat and Shortland-the-Stockton-Ferry exchange 'hello' while Harry-the-Cafe-on-wheels-tram-car joins in and animates the conversation in a landscape full of authentic detail against the backdrop of old-hilly-city fanned by salty-sea-breeze.
'I do want to look my best for the new CCTV,' Ms City-rail is heard to say.

The inner suburbs are served by a short branch line and Newcastle Station is on the end of the line, a hop step and jump from the best beach and within spitting distance of the Harbour. These features might be considered quaint.
The GPT Group propose to transform the city and suggest removal of the the railway line along the harbourside section and a bus transit service instead - all of which has merit.
All the same, it was always wondered by me if the roadway along the foreshore was ideal as it divides and hassels and uses up a lot of the narrow tract of land along the foreshore.
Photo below: at the end of the line.

Mind The Gap!
Look beneath a train door and most likely it will be seen that it was made in Newcastle. Local companies seek out contracts to build trains and use their long-standing expertise and create jobs as well.

Emu just turned up. Update: Realized this animal is probably a Cassowary not an emu. Cassowary: any of several large three toed flightless ratite birds of Australia, New Guinea and nearby islands, superficially resembling the ostrich but smaller. (Macquarie Dictionary)

Transparent trading? The markets were closing at the end of the days trading.

Mothers Day 2008.
Taking a city excursion on city rail, here part of the 'playgroup' is pictured. A faceless mother and co are full of life on a wonderful autumn Friday.

Engine 3801 at the Foreshore, Newcastle.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Drink Driving Targeted. Extra Police Patrols.
A message for the motorist. 35 years ago mobile random breath testing was introduced and has reduced the accident rate. Update: I made a mistake, it was 25 years ago.
Seen at roadside at Broadmeadow and outside where trains are built.

VIEW FROM ABOVE

ALL ABOARD

Stationmistress on the north coast railway line which accesses a string of delightful seaside towns:
Port (Macquarie), Woopi (as it is known), Coffs (Harbour), Nambucca Heads, Byron (Bay) to name a few, then, next, the so so, mad Gold Coast and then Brissie. Part of the journey will be by "Rail Coach" - a bus!

We are told this country has a skills shortage. While I don't know many of the visa requirements, employment is available for temporary residents.
As well, unskilled work on short term work contract is offered. Young tourists have opportunities and I believe their work visas have been extended. Teachers and Nurses are sought after - as everywhere. Our young professionals are recruited for the UK etc, perhaps this adds to an imbalance.

Steamfest

The railways around the Hunter were alive with steam power these last few days as part of Steamfest. There were excursions and stunts to see and to relive the past. Last thing was a race from Broadmeadow to Maitland. The train pictured is no longer on any regualr service but is 'getting traction' for the race.