Steam Times 2

Along the Track in New South Wales - The Western Line 1957 – 1977.

This is the second in a series of archived DVDs (with full sound!) looking at the railway trackside scene in Australia and some overseas countries at various times from the late 1950s to the 1970s.  The subject of the series is predominantly steam in normal, everyday service, before the final moves to full dieselisation and/or electrification. Steam Times 2 looks at the Western Line (and some of its Branch Lines) in NSW from 1957 to 1977.

The Programme is divided into Four Sections: The first looks at special workings in the Blue Mountains, with its very steep grades.  The second Section moves away from electrified track and looks at the picturesque and sinuous line from Lithgow to Bathurst including glimpses of the Oberon and Mudgee branches.

The third section looks at workings west of Bathurst.  There is quite a variety of scenery and traffic, with vigorous locomotive working predominating.  Included are scenes on the Blayney – Demondrille line, the Eugowra and Coonamble lines and, of course, what is now the main Western line, from Orange through to Parkes and west to Broken Hill.

The last section takes a nostalgic look at the Western Endeavour, the Sydney to Perth and return Steam special, which ran in August and September 1970.  This train has been covered by a number of video productions, but there are scenes in Steam Times 2 that have not appeared before.

The following classes are seen at work in Steam Times 2: 12, 17, ,19, 30T, 32, 36, 38, 44, 45, 450, 53, 59, 60, the Silver City Comet, and surprise appearances of B, EL, 47, X T and G!

There is no narration and no music in this production; the only sounds are of the trains and the countryside they run through.  Scenes are numbered briefly and there are comprehensive background notes provides.

Original footage taken on Standard 8 film.

Viewing Notes.