38 + 01

January 27 2026 marked 38 years since I first started work for the State Transport Authority, the entity which had replaced the Victorian Railways in 1983.

Mum, Dad and my sister had dropped me off the day earlier at the house I was boarding at in Newport. I don't remember what I did that afternoon, but probably rode my bike down to Champion Road, to watch the new to me trains go past (there's no overhead wires on the railway lines in Bendigo), and the Newport workshops to see where I had to go the next day.

It seems a lifetime ago, and to be honest, is quite a while!

I'm still working in the rail industry, in Signal Maintenance, although I've progressed from being an apprentice to Maintenance Manager, something I'd never anticipated happening.

To celebrate the occasion, I've added a new print to my shop, of New South Wales locomotive, 3801 - on 38 years and 1 day since I started.

Taken in Junee in 2021, the loco was fresh out of overhaul, and was running trips to Cootamundra and from Wagga to Uranquinty the weekend we were there.

After driving from Melbourne and booking into our accomodation, it was surprising to see the loco sitting near the station, under lights looking like the movie star that it is.

After dinner, I spent an hour - maybe two, photographing the loco and enjoying the atmosphere, a pleasant April night, with just the sound of the loco gently simmering under the stars.

While I took a few that evening that I really liked, this one is my favourite.

It's been published in magazines, including Steam Railway in the UK, and still gets comments when I share it with people.

Streamline Moderne is the title, I hope you like the photo as much as I do.

The print is available in two sizes, A2 which is suitable for ready made frames, and 20" x 30", larger for more impact, and custom framing.

Both sizes include a 50mm border all round, and are printed on Canson Platine phtographic rag, a high quality 310 gsm art paper.

These are limited edition prints, with only 30 of each size available.

Have a look at Streamline Moderne on the A Railway Life website here.

Thanks for reading,

Scott