100 years of Garratt locomotives. 16/8/09

16th August 2009

To celebrate 100 years since the invention of the Garratt locomotive, a special was run at Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Cockatoo and return, using Australia's only operating Garrett, G42. The G had been in storage for some months pending a major overhaul, and was brought back into service just for this day. It is not expected to run again until after the overhaul.

7A about to depart a very wet Belgrave with the Gembrook pass.	6A pauses on the ramp in between shunting at Belgrave.	G42 steams away at Belgrave loco depot.	G42 moves into 2 road to drop onto the consist at Belgrave. As this was the only day the Garratt was due to run for a long time, the opportunity was taken to train several Fireman in it's operation.
G42 with the special in 2 road, while 6A rests in between shunting duties at Belgrave.	G42 with the special in 2 road, while 6A rests in between shunting duties at Belgrave.	G42 hauls the consist out of 2 road at Belgrave.	G42 hauls the consist out of 2 road at Belgrave.
G42 hauls the consist out of 2 road at Belgrave.	6A shunting at Belgrave.	G42 in the platform at Belgrave ready to depart with the 100 years of Garratts special.	Headboard on G42 celebrating 100 years of Garratt locomotives.
A toolbox with 7A's numberplate on it, on G42.	Members of the crew cut a celebratory cake in front of G42 at Belgrave.	Engine unit of a South African Garratt at Menzies Creek.	G42 pauses at Menzies Creek.
G42 pauses at Menzies Creek.	G42 pauses at Menzies Creek.	A crowd of on-lookers surrounds G42 at Menzies Creek.	G42 storms up the final section of Emerald Bank. The Garratt put on an amazing show climbing the bank, easily the fastest I've seen.
G42 waits for a cross in 2 road at Emerald. The rain lasted most of the day.	G42 waiting for a cross at Emerald.	14A, recently painted into black livery, arrives into Emerald to cross the Garratt special.	14A's fireman lifts his hat to G42's crew as they cross at Emerald.
G42 in 2 road at Emerald.	Rain coming into out NBH.	G42 at Lakeside in pouring rain.	Standing under the shelter at Lakeside seemed like a good idea.
G42 between Lakeside and Wright, with rain pouring down.	G42 between Lakeside and Wright, with rain pouring down.	G42 cossing Wright Trestle (Bridge No.8) in the rain.	G42 in Wright forest.
G42 after arriving at Cockatoo with the 100 years of Garratt locomotives special.	G42 at Cockatoo with the 100 years of Garratt locomotives special.	G42 cuts off the train at Cockatoo.	G42 rests after cutting off the train at Cockatoo.
The consist at Cockatoo.	G42 running around at Cockatoo.	G42 running around at Cockatoo.	G42 running around at Cockatoo.
G42 running around at Cockatoo.	G42 about to move back onto the train at Cockatoo.	The loco crew remove the commemorative headboard from G42’s no.1 end at Cockatoo.	A member of the crew attaches the headboard to G42's no.2 end for the return journey at Cockatoo.
G42 about to move back onto the consist at Cockatoo.	G42 moving back onto the consist at Cockatoo.	G42 ready to depart Cockatoo in the rain. My camera was getting pretty wet by this stage!	A crew member climbs back into G42 at Cockatoo.