Reviving the Rattler

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/979203482631651328

[red dragin]

The Brown Bomber C17 974 is meant to be making another attempt for Gympie on Wednesday. Due at Gympie at 4.44pm from Mayne based on the Rattlers Facebook page.

[red dragin]

This should work.

The Brown Bomber through the old Telegraph Rd Crossing, Carseldine at 12.04pm today. I was videoing and taking stills with my phone so the timing was off.



*edit - cropped the image to reduce size and wasted space*

[red dragin]

[ozbob]

  thanks!

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/991574444375130113

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/992282100408532992

[ghostryder]

A few shots from the transfer of C-17 974 From Brisbane to Gympie

North of Dakabin
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/41815771032/in/dateposted/

Beerburrum
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/40959916365/in/photostream/

Barrs Road Glasshouse Mountains
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/41858686131/in/dateposted/

Landsborough
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/41858678561/in/dateposted/

Nambour
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/27989938688/in/dateposted/

Leaving Nambour
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/26977708377/in/dateposted/

On the road to Gympie
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/40051649860/in/dateposted/

Almost At Gympie
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/41858632291/in/photostream/

Gympie
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/41858621331/in/dateposted/

Gympie
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashmos_pics/26990297367/in/dateposted/

[ozbob]

^ Thanks as always ghostryder.  Marvellous photographs!   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/992962276347932672

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1025293317502722048

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1044768842960920577

[red dragin]

3hr return trip. $55 for adults. ($100 opening day).

Running Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays.

[Stillwater]

Only as far as Amamoor and back.  Still, good to see it running again.  There won't be another government bail-out.  Seems to be self-sustaining now, financially.  Gympie station attracts lots of people, even without the trains running.

[red dragin]

I think 3hrs is long enough, people have such short attention spans these days.

The real test will be in a few years when the gloss has worn off and something major needs fixing.

The screw ups with the grant amount eventually required has made it more difficult for other groups to attract funding. I for one hope it's successful and it helps other groups show that heritage rail can be a good investment in attracting tourists.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/bruceatkinson17/status/1044801457185333254

[BrizCommuter]

Good to see this back!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1046097280233877508

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/bruceatkinson17/status/1048395675103199234

[locojoe67]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/WINNews_SCoast/status/1090886880420220929

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Truck crashes onto train tracks in early morning drama

HEAVY duty towing machinery was called in early this morning after a truck crashed off a bridge and onto a popular railway line.

The truck crashed onto the rail line which is used by the historic Mary Valley Rattler about 2am.

The crash happened at a bridge on Dawn Road, The Dawn, just south of Gympie.

Clayton's Towing was called to bring in heavy lifting equipment, including a crane and megatow, to get the light truck off the rail line.

Firefighters were on the scene for nearly five hours while the truck was cleared, before railway inspectors moved in to assess the line for any damage.

Paramedics weren't required to take the driver to hospital.

A Mary Valley Rattler employee said the train was operating as normal today despite the early-morning incident, with the Rattler departing as-planned about 20 minutes ago.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1136239292487913472

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1143725755798413312

[ozbob]

Spirit of the Mary Valley!

NAME ALERT! Our 'Name our Loco' comp had a multitude of entrants, with many great name possibilities - we sure had a difficult time choosing. But today at our Double Steam Day celebration, Mayor Mick Curran announced C17 967's new name...

Spirit of the Mary Valley! pic.twitter.com/KfCjhGQRLq

— Mary Valley Rattler (@MVRattler) August 31, 2019

[Stillwater]

They're celebrating the first anniversary of the Rattler's return to the rails.

https://www.noosanews.com.au/news/all-aboard-a-birthday-train-that-will-provide-ratt/3845403

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1184661372337979392

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1191168367643594753

[BrizCommuter]

Does anyone know about the status of this line re-opening to Imbil?

[red dragin]

After the amount of money already sunk into the railway by council and the state government, I doubt it will go further.

Well north of $17 mil last I heard (and that was a while ago).

Most people don't want the longer journey times either. Kids get bored easily.

[locojoe67]

Steam was scheduled to restart this weekend just gone.

Meanwhile, English electric 1632 did extra duties over the school hols.



https://thevalleyrattler.tumblr.com/

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/jess_ross_news/status/1349547890234908673

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QldGovernor/status/1493793872073617408

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/1524131086141640704

[Stillwater]

The Rattler will feature on SBS television tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm. Show will cover The Rattler and the Tilt Train to Cairns. Grab your popcorn and watch.

[ozbob]

RM 76 was an 100HP AEC Rail Motor built 1934 Ipswich Railway Workshops
Most converted ~ 1942 to 102 horsepower Gardner diesel engine.