Flying Scotsman + R 761 to Seymour Part 1

An upgraded version of this outing incorporating parts 1 and part 2 edited together is now on the YouTube 'reidgck' channel.
In 1988 - 1989, the Flying Scotsman Steam locomotive was shipped to Australia as part of the bi-centenary.
On November 11 1988, the Flying Scotsman and R761, hauled trains to Seymour and there was much parallel running on the way. The former was running on the standard 4ft 8-1/2inch gauge and the latter on the Victorian 5ft 3inch gauge.

After departure from Melbourne, both trains ran side by side until the Flying Scotsman crossed over the top of R761 on the overpass at North Melbourne. From here, for about 4 kilometres or so to Footscray, both trains followed different routes. The R class hauled train catches up at Middle Footscray and whistles and passes at speed.

Some scenes taken of the train on other days are included in this video, but they are inserted in correct sequence. All the video taken fom the trains, was taken on November 11 1988 as well as the footage at the photo stop which was about half way and is featured in part 2.

Shots added were of the Scotsman leaving Melbourne, the crossing of the Marybyrnong River bridge, and the two trains crossing the Maribyrnong River viaduct.

Before the viaduct shot, the R class drawn train is seen leaving the electrified suburban line at Albion and there are some scenes of it on the goods line to Jacana where another suburban line is joined.

At Jacana, the standard gauge crosses over the suburban lines on a bridge and from the carriage window, we witnessed a high viewpoint shot of R761 at work.

Other shots are of R761 being overtaken and of it overtaking us. until we arrive at the photo stop which is featured in part 2.
After the photostop, the video is fom the train drawn by R761 in order to capture the action shots of Flying Scotsman.

Also included, are shots of the ABC -- then Australian Broadcasting Commission's helicopter which added excitement by getting in on the action and filming the occasion. Both part 1 and part 2, each run 10 minutes.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Flying Scotsman
• Seymour
• abc
• helicopter
• maribyrnong river
• viaduct
• melbourne
• gauge
• bridge

[SP4449Warbaby]

Isn't the Victorian Railways R Class Hudsons 5 foot gauge? Sorry for the silly question, I get confused on Australian track gauges.

[reidgck]

@SP4449Warbaby The R class are 5ft 3inch gauge as is most of the Vivtorian rail system. Provision was made for R class and Js to be converted to standard 4ft 8 and a half inch gauge but they were all displaced by diesels. Much of the system is now standard gauge especially the wheat lines. I think they were converting or considering converting an R to standard gauge for special trips. Possibly R766.

[SP4449Warbaby]

@reidgck So all the R's are converted to 4 foot 8 and a half inches? Or is just the railroad converted?

[reidgck]

@SP4449Warbaby There are only about six Rs still existing out of the seventy made. They were all of 5ft 3in gauge but I heard not long ago that one was being gauge converted to 4ft 8 and a half for 'fan' trips. You could probably find out about it on google. The sydney line was converted to standard gauge between Melbourne and Albury in 1962; the line to Adelaide was converted not many years back via Geelong and Ararat and many wheat lines too. There is still plenty of 5ft 3in track left though.

[railfanatic844]

which one is the former and which one is the latter?

[reidgck]

@railfanatic844 -- Do you mean which is the former and latter loco or former and latter part?

There is a part 2 to the days outing. I would have them as a single show but due to a ten minute time restriction on posted videos at the time, I had to put the show in two ten minute lots. If it was a single video rather than in two parts, the title (which is what I think you are referring to) would be more clear. I changed trains at the photo stop and took part 2 of the Scotsman from R761's train.

[salemcripple]

sounds like that other loco has more of western style whistle. on it. I like it! Was never much one for the high pitched whistles that a lot of British locos have on them.

[SP4449Warbaby]

@reidgck Okay, thank you sir!