Grafton Bridge XPT 2

Monday 7 December 2009 in 38 degree heat a 48 class trundles south across the bridge over the Clarence river at Grafton, northern NSW, with a short train of wheat wagons, which I then film shunting at Grafton City station. A few hours later I walk across the bridge to film the on-time Casino-bound XPT cross the bridge, then take a taxi back over the unique piece of engineering that is the double-decker Grafton bridge.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Australia
• NSW
• Grafton
• 48
• class
• XPT
• Clarence
• river
• bridge
• railway
• North
• Coast

[dgato98]

Those wagons 48125 is shunting are for conveying sugar instead of wheat. These wagons are normally attached to the Brisbane - Port Kembla steel service, and are detached at Newcastle to be run to Sydney as a separate train.

[horizonstaraus]

Is that a sugar loader -- the grey structure -- at the end of the station yard?

[locojoe2004]

Love the little alco shunting. I remember that the water used to be pretty clear this far up river, or has the rain made it a bit dirty looking?. Any way good vid

[horizonstaraus]

Thanks. Those 48 class never fail to entertain in the smoke and growl departments! Kids were swimming in the river (then perched on the bridge support, which made me nervous). Locals said it had not rained recently, at that date.

[pyrofella]

@JBofBrisbane Yes - it would have been quite a sight to see it being used - I traveled over it last Christmas on my way back from Queenland - My family had never seen the bridge before - even they were impressed... Cheers

[JBofBrisbane]

@pyrofella - Don't forget the opening bascule span for river traffic (no longer openable).

[MickMoye]

I grew up on the NSW North coast.

Nice quality *_*

What brand/model of camera did you use?

MM.

[pyrofella]

I love this bridge --- road traffic on top - trains underneath - amazing engineering - it's a big bridge!

Before the bridge was built, he trains used to be taken over the river by ferry.

Grafton is a nice place..

Thanks for posting