CPH Rail Motors Nos. 1 and 7 were rostered as train No. NR70 to run this tour and tabled to depart Paterson at 0740 hours. Owing to the late running of SF01, Freight Corp Empty Coal Train to Craven, entering the south end of Paterson Loop to cross 6BM4, our Rail Motors were unable to leave The Depot. We normally shunt the Motors from the Goods Siding to the Loop and wait for the Up Loop Starting Signal to display its Bright Green light to signal the beginning of our journey. When the Up train 6BM4 had passed through Paterson on the Main Line, SF01 departed from the Loop and was despatched on its journey to Craven. After the crossing of the two long trains at Paterson and 6BM4 having cleared the Paterson - Mindaribba section our Rail Motors departed for Broadmeadow, in light rain, as Empty cars at 0808 hours - 28 minutes late. A good run was made over the single line CTC sections from Paterson to Maitland and this run continued on the double line section between Maitland and Hanbury Junction where the first of many signal checks slowed our train as we followed 6BM4 to Broadmeadow. An extensive delay of 10 minutes was incurred at signal "B272", which prevented our train from entering Broadmeadow platform due to 6BM4 occupying the overlap track for this signal. NR70 eventually arrived at Broadmeadow platform 34 minutes late. The eager passengers quickly joined the Rail Motors in readiness for departure. When our driver Norm Faulds changed ends our Rail Motors became a down train with a new run number, NR71, as we were to travel in the Down direction towards Muswellbrook. After receiving the All-Right bell signal the Rail Motors departed Broadmeadow and commenced the journey to Denman and the Rosemount winery. After passing through Woodville Junction and Islington Junction our train travelled on the Down Main Line towards Maitland. Some of our passengers began conversations while others enjoyed identifying railway stations such as Waratah, Sandgate, Hexham, Tarro and Thornton as we passed through the inner Newcastle suburban area. The line through this area is quadrupled. There are two pairs of double track known as the Up and Down Main lines and the Up and Down Coal Roads. As Maintenance work was being carried out on the Up and Down Coal Roads between Thornton and Maitland these lines were closed to Coal Traffic. On approaching signal "THN5" at Thornton our train was brought to a stand in obedience to a red light being exhibited in that signal. A 2 minute delay was experienced at this signal as an Up Coal Train travelling from Maitland was crossed from the Up Main to the Up Coal Road in front of us. When signal "THN5" displayed a Green light our Motors recommenced their journey and our passengers returned to their pastime of cheery conversation and identification of more outer Newcastle suburban stations such as Victoria Street, East Maitland and High Street. On arrival at Maitland the junction station for the Main Northern and North Coast Lines our train was now running 33 minutes late. Upon entering the station our driver, Norm Faulds, saw the eager faces of eight intending passengers waiting on the platform. After the eight new passengers had joined the train, Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher gave the All-Right Bell signal to Driver Faulds who sounded one short blast on the horn and opened the throttle - - - at last we were on our way! As we are now running 33 minutes later than tabled a clear path existed in front of us ensuring a good run all the way Muswellbrook. After departing Maitland our train is now travelling on the Main Northern Line which runs through the Hunter River Valley. The Rail Motors are making good time as we head into the Upper Hunter Region and pass through places such as Lochinvar, Greta, Branxton, Belford, Whittingham and Singleton. This area is home to the Balloon Loops and Coal Loaders of the Hunter Valley and many large Coal Trains can be seen passing through as empties returning for loads and loaded trains conveying export coal to Kooragang Island and Port Waratah unloaders. We pass the site of a recent major derailment at Newdell Junction, the junction for balloon loops and coal loaders at Ravensworth Washery Loop, Hunter Valley No. 1, Newdell, Liddell and Hunter Valley No. 2. The Rail Motors are humming along at a steady pace and we are now running 30 minutes later than tabled. Our train has regained 3 minutes. As we proceed past Drayton Junction, a junction for another balloon loop and coal loader, we continue on to Antiene where we enter a short single line section to Grasstree. At Grasstree we return to the familiar double line which is now controlled by bi-directional signalling and head for St. Heliers where we return to another short section of single line which takes us onto Muswellbrook, the junction for the Main Northern and Ulan Branch Lines. On arrival at Muswellbrook there is only enough time allowed for safeworking duties. The train is to be despatched onto the Ulan Branch Line but before this can happen the Electric Train Staff for the Muswellbrook - Sandy Hollow section must be obtained from the Staff Instrument. The Electric Train Staff is handed to driver Faulds who now has the authority to enter and occupy the single line section. The driver sounds one short blast on the horn and at 1112 hours opens the throttle and the motors move forward onto the branch line and travel towards Sandy Hollow. While travelling along the branch line the sun, lights up the surrounding countryside as if giving its stamp of approval to a perfect outing. As the train nears the Rosemount Winery the passengers begin to show excitement at the opportunity to sample the fine wines that are produced in this renowned grape growing area.
At 1137 hours driver Faulds brings the train to a stand in the Muswellbrook - Sandy Hollow section along side the Rosemount Winery. Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher organises the train crew to place the portable steps alongside the Rail Motors to allow the passengers to disembark. The passengers now proceed to the Railway Boundary Fence and enter the Rosemount Winery grounds. After all passengers have alighted and left Railway Property the portable steps are placed in the Guard's compartment and the Motors depart for Sandy Hollow.
Loaded Coal Train 7EN2 headed by locomotives 8124 and NR119 departed Kerrabee at 1220 hours and while After the despatch of 7EN2 to Muswellbrook the train crew off NR71 packed up the B.B.Q. and other equipment after their lunch in readiness for their departure to Rosemount Winery. Driver Faulds returns to the Rail Motor and readies it for departure. As the train will now be travelling in the Up direction the Rail Motors become Train No. NR72. After receiving advice that train No. 7EN2 had arrived at Muswellbrook and is clear of the section, Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher withdraws the Electric Train Staff for the Sandy Hollow - Muswellbrook section from the staff intrument and hands it to Driver Faulds. At 1345 hours driver Faulds sounds one short blast on the horn and draws his train forward onto the Main line. After Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher has restored the Safeworking equipment to normal and has rejoined his train, NR72 departs as empty cars to Rosemount Winery. On arrival at Rosemount Winery at 1355 hours the train crew place the portable steps alongside the Rail Motors to allow the passengers to rejoin the train.
With dark clouds rapidly approaching, heralding the threat of a downpour, some of the passengers decided to seek shelter in the train. As the rain did not evenuate the shelter seeking passengers returned to the Winery to indulge in more merriment. As departure time neared the passengers made their way back to the Rail Motors standing in the section. With all passengers on board with their 'contraband' purchased at the Rosemount Winery (train crew very envious of their purchases) train No. NR72 departed on time at 1440 hours. Arriving in the Loop at Muswellbrook at 1525 hours, 10 minutes earlier than tabled, a request was made to North West Control Broadmeadow to shunt the Motors to the platform on the Main Line. After a 10 minute stop was made the Motors were advanced from the platform on the Main line to the Up Starting signal, to stand and wait the arrival of train No. 4523 to Werris Creek. This train travelled via the Loop and continued onto Aberdeen after crossing the Motors. When Muswellbrook's Up Starting Signal was cleared, NR72 departed and proceeded to Maitland. On Arrival at Maitland at 1659 hours eight happy and contented passengers alighted from the train with their 'contraband cargo'. NR72 then continued towards Broadmeadow via the Up Coal Road and was crossed to the Up Main Line at Thornton after passing three coal trains held back on the Up Main Line. The Train Controller arranged this working to ensure that NR72 remained on time or to run earlier than tabled to Broadmeadow. After coming to a stand at Platform 3 roadmeadow at 1730 hours, 10 minutes earlier than tabled, our happy passengers alighted with their 'booty', surprisingly still intact. Driver Faulds changed ends and our Rail Motors were issued with a new run number, NR73, as we were to travel in the Down direction towards Paterson. Upon receiving the All-Right bell signal from Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher the Rail Motors departed Broadmeadow as empty cars for the journey back to The Depot at Paterson where the Motors will be stabled after completing another successful tour. !!!SPECIAL THANKS!!!A special thanks to the Train Controllers and Area Controllers at Broadmeadow Control Centrewho operated the following control panels :- North West A board, North West B board, North Coast A board, and were responsible for guaranteeing a clear path to avoid delays to our train on both the forward and return journeys. Well Done Fellas!Many Thanks to our train crew for endeavouring to make this journey as comfortable and safe as possible for our passengers. TRMS News October, 2000.
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At 1159 hours our train NR71 arrives 7 minutes later than tabled at Sandy Hollow and is placed in the crossing loop. Driver Faulds then hands the Electric Train Staff to Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher who places it in the Electric Staff Instrument. While Driver Faulds secures the Rail Motors, Travelling Fitter Angel sets up a B.B.Q. for our car attendant, Sue Angel, who prepares lunch for the hungry crew. After enjoying a hearty meal the crew shower many thanks on Sue for her culinery expertise. 
travelling through the Kerrabee - Sandy Hollow section, the driver radioed ahead requesting that the Sandy Hollow - Muswellbrook Electric Train Staff be withdrawn from the Electric Staff Instrument to avoid delay to this train. Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher off NR71 standing in the loop at Sandy Hollow received instructions to withdraw the Sandy Hollow - Muswellbrook token from the instrument and have it ready to be issued to 7EN2. As 7EN2 passes through this station at 1255 hours Safeworking Supervisor Kitcher exchanges the Electric Train Staffs for the Kerrabee - Sandy Hollow and Sandy Hollow - Muswellbrook sections with the driver. He then restores the Kerrabee - Sandy Hollow token to that section's instrument in readiness for the next train.
