Railway Digest Magazine July 2021 Back Issue

The Southern Steam Spectacular
During May this year, two Australian rail touring companies, Cruise Express and Railway Adventures, combined their formidable talents to operate a series of rail experiences in Victoria, including visits to destinations rarely visited by passenger trains, and featuring eight operating steam locomotives. Customers travelling enjoyed a variety of Victorian railway lines, ranging from lightly used grain lines to the main lines, and even a “Suburban Mystery Trip”. David Campbell, a member of the crew that helped make it all happen, wrote this full report.

Inland Rail: Narrabri-North Star reconstruction underway
The reconstruction of the next Inland Railway section – that from Narrabri to North Star in north west NSW – is now underway. This 184.5 kilometre section comprises the Narrabri Junction to Moree line, which hosts grain trains serving storage sites at Edgeroi, Bellata, Bellata - Penney’s Road, Gurley and Moree and the daily NSW TrainLink Moree Xplorer DMU service while the Moree - North branch sees irregular grain train services. John Hoyle reports.

Watco Western Australia 2021 Update
Phil Melling provides a snapshot of the interesting and varied operations currently undertaken by Watco in Western Australia.

Blayney Station becomes an arts and culture hub
Over the last three years Blayney railway station has undergone an extensive program of works that has brought back life to what was once one of the busiest junctions on the NSW Main Western rail line, with the reinvention of the waiting rooms, tea room and bar at the station into the Platform Arts Hub. Lawrance Ryan reports.