The Brit From Oz 8T5

27/08/2026

After a couple of weeks away from the trackside doing non-rail things, I decided to venture out again on the afternoon of 26/08/2026.
I was greeted by a trio of westbound trains, captured at work at Locksley, Melrose and Brewongle.
The Black Caviar - MRL - QL combo aside, there's nothing too remarkable about these three, but even so, not bad for my first shots for two weeks, even moreso because they were all taken within (nearly) forty-five minutes of each other!

Enjoy!
- Duck

11/08/2026

An important message for Rail Safety Week (10-16/08/26) from my friends at A-Z.

It is Rail Safety Week again for 2026.

Always remember to stay safe around railway tracks, when out and about railway at stations always remember to stay behind the yellow line and never enter the danger zone or restricted areas.

Also take care around level crossings. Never rush to the other side, saving a few minutes instead waiting for the train to pass is not worth the risk.

For more information visit https://tracksafefoundation.com.au/event/rail-safety-week/

10/08/2026

On 1st & 2nd August 2026, steam locomotive 3801, the "Queen Of All The Fleet", operated Transport Heritage NSW's "Blue Mountains Flyer" round trip from Sydney to Katoomba and the Zig Zag Railway, including a trip to Lidsdale to turn around. Heritage diesel 4501 assists throughout.

In this film, we follow the famous engine from Faulconbridge to Lidsdale and back to Woodford on 01/08/2026, featuring film both from me and Wellsworth Studios for a total of ten appearances. There's also a few trains from other operators (including another steamer from ZZR), a few bits of history and even some music to enjoy as well.

Enjoy!
- Duck

On 1st & 2nd August 2026, the "Queen Of All The Fleet" steam locomo...

05/08/2026

"Feeling a little blue, which isn't so hot when you're red!"
The Candy XPT is back on the Great Western! Although, it's slightly more blue than usual...
After a lengthy period in the North Coast/ Melbourne rotation, the SRA c.1982 livery XPT set was rostered to WT27/8 "Central West XPT" to/from Dubbo on 05/08/2026(+), allowing me to capture more shots of this immaculately presented train.

The consist on this occasion is XP2006 "City Of Grafton", XL2237, XBR2151, XF2202, XF2212, XFH2108 & XP2009 "City Of Sydney". Economy carriage XF2222 was in for maintenance on this occasion, so the CountryLink II livery XF2202 took its place, presenting us with a mixed livery set.

These views show the red, white and slightly blue train at various locations around Bathurst and Blayney on 05/08/2026. It's great to have it back again!
- Duck

Lighting tweaks on a few of these photographs provided by the Z component of A -To- Z Photography.

+The candy set had been rostered to WT27/8 the day prior on 04/08, albeit with the blue XP2011 standing in for XP2009, which would have given us an even more mixed train. I mention this simply because if I don't, someone else will.

03/08/2026

"Pacific To The Peak"
Everyone else is posting their photos of 3801 on Transport Heritage NSW's "Blue Mountains Flyer" on 01-02/08/2026, so here's mine!
The Queen Of All The Fleet storms over the Blue Mountains on its way to Katoomba and Zig Zag as 6S61, and then back to Sydney as 6S62, on Saturday 1st August 2026, seen in these shots at a few spots en route.

Another great day out with friends from Bathurst Trainspotting and A -To- Z Photography capturing a locomotive that has been much missed and we're all glad is back. As you might expect, 3801 will be appearing in another video very soon as well.
Enjoy!
- Duck

28/07/2026

On Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th July 2026, steam locomotive 3801 made its triumphant return to public operations after a couple of years out of service, with a number of Transport Heritage NSW shuttles between Penrith and Valley Heights in the lower Blue Mountains.

In this film, the "Queen Of All The Fleet, the Railways' Pride & Joy" works those shuttles on 25/07, captured at numerous places between Emu Heights and Warrimoo. There's also some potted history of our locations and some other trains along the way, in my first new video for two months.

Welcome back 3801!
- Duck

On Saturday 25th July 2026, steam locomotive 3801 operated four her...

27/07/2026

On Saturday 25th July 2026, steam locomotive 3801 returned to public runs for the first time since 2023, with a number of Transport Heritage NSW shuttles between Penrith and Valley Heights in the lower Blue Mountains.

Such an occasion more than meant a trip over from Bathurst to see the famous engine, so go there I did! These shots show the "Queen Of All The Fleet" at various spots between Emu Heights and Warrimoo across 25/07/2026, with individual captions revealing more as always.

Of course, a video was also filmed during this trip and (for once) will be coming out tomorrow. For now, enjoy the photos!
Welcome back 3801!
- Duck

23/07/2026

A trio of trains east of Bathurst on two occasions over the past eight days: 15/07/2026 and 23/07/2026. We've got empty grains, shuttle passenger services and even a cement transfer (never too common on the Great Western) at Raglan and Brewongle!
More information in individual captions.

Hi all! This is my first post for a month!
I had to take a bit of a hiatus from trains photos and videos across June and July, owing to work/ volunteering commitments and burnout catching up with me. Nevertheless, last week, I started heading out again, so I'll be capturing more stuff soon!
Videos will keep coming (it's been nearly two months since GWC6: InterCity XPT) when they're ready; I'll be getting back into editing them shortly, after they too had to take a backseat for what's mentioned above. There's certainly no shortage of them waiting to come and I know you'll like them when they do!

For now, enjoy these photos!
- Duck

30/06/2026

Today, we wake up to the sad news of the passing of Bernie Baker. If there was ever a legend amongst NSW Rail workers, it would be Bernie.
A top bloke to everyone who knew him and more besides (sadly I didn’t get to meet him, but plenty did).
Here’s B61, the locomotive that bears his name and the livery of the “Streamliners” events he got off the ground, romping through Perthville on 27/07/2019, as part of the “Central West Streamliners” tour, in honour of the great man and the legendary legacy he leaves.

Goodbye Bernie, and thank you.

22/06/2026

"Last Stand"
After a lengthy period laid up at Flemington Maintenance Centre, Chopper "Intercity" sets V44, V45 & V46 made their way back to Lithgow today for long-term storage. The twelve-carriage consist is captured passing through Bell at 16:02 on 22/06/2026, under the headcode W021.

This is likely to be the last (or one of the last) times a V set will be seen on the network outside of heritage operations. Reflecting this, the board on the rear cab reads "The Last Ones 22.6.26".