The Picnic train heads down the Main South

Back in March, The Picnic train, with 5917 in charge, and assisted by 4903 on the rear headed south through Goulburn to Junee for a weekend of shuttle trips.

The beginnings of The Picnic Train as an organisation commenced in 1973 when 10 teenagers pooled together $3000 to buy 5917 from the New South Wales Government Railways, and save it from scrapping, the history tab on their website tells the full story.

Since 2018, using the name The Picnic Train, day trips to Kiama, Dungog and other destinations are run frequently. Passengers are encouraged to bring a picnic, the compartments being fitted with tables to make sharing a meal with friends a part of the travel experience.

As there was tickets available from Goulburn to Junee on what would have otherwise been an empty cars move, a contingent of mostly Victorian railfans headed north on the Wednesday XPT, to travel on the train the following day.

I wasn't one of that group, as I couldn't swing the Wednesday off work, and, I wanted to photograph the train, as well as travel, so decided to drive up.

My plan was to intercept the train at Yass Junction, and chase it to Junee where it was scheduled to arrive mid afternoon, then relax with the troops for the evening.

I'm not very familiar with the Main South line from Yass Junction through to Cootamundra, so as part of my preparation, I downloaded the gradients and curves diagrams for the section of the railway. I also reached out to a few friends for some advice on locations to shoot, and spent time following the line and roads on Google Earth to get a feel of some spots.

Videos on Youtube were super helpful, particularly Greg Travers and his Busses, Trams and Trains Youtube channel although I did get distracted and did some 'research' on some of Greg's other videos nowhere near where I was headed!

Armed with a list of places, some sketchy map details in my head, and a bit of hope in my heart (hope is always the best strategy) departed Melbourne bright and early Thursday morning.

A great run up the Hume gave me plenty of time to scope out my first shot, as well as explore for second and third options, (train speed and traffic pending) then head into town to grab some lunch before going back to my chosen location.

I knew from messages from the travellers on board they had departed on time, but hadn't heard a lot after that. I let one of the guys know where I was, so they could give me some running updates. News came back it had started out well, but, there seemed like there was some issues, as they were loosing time.

Not good for the crew who once they arrived at Junee had a big few days of shuttle trips ahead of them, but then also had to bring the train back to Goulburn on Monday.

That's the thing about operating steam, it's not a matter of just getting off the train at the end of the journey.  There's the fire to attend to, ash pan to clean, and any minor repairs to attend to, before getting up early in the morning to prepare again.

For entirely selfish reasons though, slower running was going to help me out, and hopefully allow me to get more than the couple of shots I expected.

After talking to another enthusiast for a bit, the train made an appearance, half an hour late, looking good, but not setting a cracking pace.

I took the shot I was after, crossing the Bango Ck. Bridge, then was off in pursuit.

Crossing the lovely three arched bridge over Bango Creek, just south of Yass Junction station.

Even in my slow off the mark Landcruiser, it didn't take long to catch and pass the train, which was lucky, as I overshot my next location near Goondah, and had to find a safe place to turn back.

I've still got no idea what I did here, I slipped and fell getting near the edge of the cutting, and can only think I bumped something, as there was no photos on the camera to show for my efforts!

An overpass near Binalong was next, followed by Galong railway station, and then Linden Rd. not far out of Cunningar.

Swinging through Galong, it’s great to see so much infrastructure still in place in NSW, years after it would have had a regular train service.

This spot was already crowded when I arrived, with good reason. It's at the top of a long climb, with a lovely mountain range backdrop, and there was perfect lighting for the train. There was no way I was going to squeeze in on the bridge, but a quick look around the edge of the parapet revealed a cast iron water pipe bolted to the bridge. It was about 300mm in diameter, offset from the bridge by a similar amount, and a couple of metres below the top of the wall.

It was easy to shimmy out on the pipe and lean comfortably back against the wall, and check I wasn't going to get in anyone else's shot  or video - I was the latecomer after all.

The train looked, and sounded great as it approached, and a few pleasantries were exchanged with the mates in the front compartment when they saw me in my unusual vantage point.

Linden Rd. Cunningar. A picture perfect spot from every perspective!

Harden was next, with a stop scheduled for the train to take water, and oil around the engine.

The train was scheduled to arrive here at 3:25, and depart at 3:55, but was nearer 4:30 when it pulled in.

The thirsty passengers also needed to top up their supplies, and as it was warm day, I caught up with a couple of them for a refreshing beer in the pub beside the station, before they headed back to the train with more takeaways.

Not really having an idea when the train would actually be leaving, I headed six km out of town to Demondrille, once a massive steam servicing site, and junction for the railway to Blaney and Cowra.

Two southbound freights were given a run before the 59, with my camera telling me it was 6:30 when I photographed it.

Now hours late, the 59 swings into the curve approaching Demondrille as it climbs out of Harden.

It was March, so long days meant there was still plenty of light around!

I picked a small red dirt road randomly for my next shot as it looked pretty, before cutting to Wallendbeen for a shot near the station, and then on the road out of town.

A farm shed, rolling golden hills, gum trees and a train in lengthening shadows, what’s not to love in NSW.

South of Wallendbeen the original single track railway takes a much shorter, steeper route than the current double track line which twists and winds on a much easier gradient, it's a part of the Main South that absolutely fascinates me!

Through Wallendbeen station - the little town is very pretty with old buildings, and a double story pub set into the hillside.

Morrison's Hill sees the dirt road built on the old formation, while the line winds around to the west before rejoining the road pretty much all the way into Cootamundra.

Despite appearances, this is the ‘modern’ dual track route through Morrison’s hill and Jindalee with easier grades than the original single track line.

The light was starting to soften and add some golden hues as the shadows grew longer.

Pacing the train near Jindalee. The crew seem relaxed - they were probably starting to feel the long hot day on the footplate!

I paced the train for a while, enjoying the sight in the golden light, before leaving the train so I didn't get caught up in town.

Under Dirnaseer Rd, and still climbing hard out of the Cootamundra valley.

South of Coota, Dirnaseer Rd. over bridge provides a good vantage point for the trains as they climb out of the valley, and then for several kilometres as they wind towards Frampton.

Tonight didn't disappoint, although I got a shock driving into the setting sun towards the bridge when last minute I saw a duck, and ducklings walking along the road in my direction of travel - I swerved, and checking on the way back, I hadn't caused any casualties thankfully.

Back out on the main road, the line is off in the distance, with one level crossing before it plunges downgrade to Bethungra.

The sunset was really starting to put on a show by now, with the first of other planets and stars starting to make themselves visible overhead.

Near the crossing, on the other side of the line there was a paddock being ploughed, kicking up dust and adding to the glow, not a shot I had intended to take, but when the opportunity presented, I certainly had a good go at trying to get something out of it.

Catching the last rays of the sun, with a dusty paddock adding to the atmosphere the 59 is about to commence the descent into Bethungra.

Once down the hill into Bethungra, the train blocked me at the crossing as it continued into the twilight. I grabbed what I thought was my last shot, and watched the glow from the firebox reflect off the exhaust as the train continued on its way.

Through Bethungra, and into an amazing sunset.

Once across the line, and back beside the train again, it was window down, and settle into the gentle rhythm of the loco and glow of the firebox lighting up the crew.

There wasn't another car in sight, the last glow of the sun was in the sky, and the stars were starting to really tun it on - it was a magical experience.

I pulled over, grabbed the camera, and dialled up the settings to try and get a panning shot or two - what was there to loose!

The theory of a panning shot is keeping the subject and camera at the same relative speed and focus point, reasonably simple if you discard low light, road bumps, and trees between you and your subject. The low speed of both the train and the car certainly helped, although there were far more misses than hits. I've captured a couple of treasured memories, they probably won't resonate with others like they do with me, but they're a reminder of that time I chased 5917 into the twilight.

Panning into the twilight, it’s a grainy memory I’ll treasure.

Despite really enjoying the experience, I eventually decided I better go check in to my motel room before they closed up for the night. Dinner was at least safely locked in thanks to some earlier phone calls by the on train travellers to the Junee Ex Services club.

Check in was super quick and easy, so I was back at the station well before the train which made it in at ten past nine, well past the 5:32 it was scheduled for.

Made it! Almost four hours late, and after a long hot day on the footplate, I felt for the crew and volunteers who still had to shunt the train out, and attend to the engine and cars before they could get a feed and retire.

A super long day for the crew and volunteers who still had to put the train to bed!

For me, I'd driven six and a half hours to get to Yass Junction, chased the train for 165km, getting photos 14 times ( I expected maybe three or four), roughly every 11 km over seven hours, I didn't need much rocking to sleep!

I’ll continue this little adventure in my next post, there’s still Junee and Wagga shuttles to cover!

Please comment below, or email directly if you want to share any memories of this, or other trips.