SAR Great Southern Division : BDR Report 22 Jun 23

T'was a Cold and Stormy Night........

On a cold & stormy night, the following braved the elements to conduct busies on the famous ( or is it the in-famous) Border Downs Railway.

Geoff as the Jack of all things but Master of none
Steve as the Ringmaster at the Downs whose words MUST be obeyed or else
And as servants / people who earn the valuable $( and accolades) for the Man, being Ray, Reg, Craig & the scribe.

The Downs busy......

Some nights, all goes well but this night, we were visited by the Wicked FU Fairy - no, the bridges on the lift ups at the door ( commonly known as The Ditch) worked OK as I installed them :-P

but the helix proved a problem or two with locos not pulling their weight;
trains coming uncoupled;
a new loco ( 900 class) derailing in many places;
I even ran a turnout the wrong way ( tsk, tsk)
mutterings ( that your Grandmother would not like to hear) was heard from Border Downs;
some short circuits:

then not busy

I even got told off for interrupting an important discussion between another driver & train Control !!

In fact things got so bad by the end of the night, someone had to take the blame & it was decided it was me so I was awarded the first inaugural The Johnny Award. Not sure what form the award will take when at the end of the year, the Boss will tally up those who received the fortnightly award, to determine who deserves to wear with pride, the Title for the year.

Craig got a crash course in shunting at Coonara - I think there were 4 bodies in the aisle at the same time.
I had shunting at Coonara & Donald & it was easy peasy.
Ray needs platform shoes so he can reach turnouts at Coonara - they would match his wearing apparel - shorts in this weather ???
I didn't hear Reg carry on but he showed us photos of his new train room concrete base - he hopes to be start to build the SAR Southern Division in August.
As normal, banter was given & received with the respect it deserved - it makes the night more enjoyable !

Now before the pictures for those who can't read ( or don't read), the next session is
Thursday July 6 - crew to be advised

Motive power at the Downs waiting to be unleashed into action

Gunzel 2

Empty poison train running through Coonara to Border Downs

I now know what train I will be on next session - perhaps I should takean emergency sickie !!

(Though I have suggested to the Boss , while it is at Border Downs perhaps the local crew can do that poisoning while all other workers are absent - saves me getting it the neck from the SM ;-) - it has to be filled anyway before I report for duty)