Steam Train to Sydney 16.06.97

Travelling on Steam trains for me then and still now, was a wonderful time.  Just to arrive at the Lake Cargelligo Railway Station ready for journey was exciting.  And to meet other fellow travellers, who were also anticipating the journey. Some mornings the train left at six o’clock for it was a fourteen hour trip to Sydney and in the winter there was frost all round. The sun was rising for another day of work on our farm.  Drops of water were falling from the roof as the sun melted the ice.  The sun on these mornings seems to make everything clean and somehow a little clearer and offered a new beginning for all.

I used to walk down to the engine which was impatiently waiting at the station and stand in awe of this enormous living, breathing, hissing thing and wonder about all manner of things.  I was aware that it contained great pressure and wanted to get going, and so did I.  As I walked back to the family I wished all the people would stop kissing and talking and let us go.  Mum and dad spoke in short controlled bursts about all sorts of things that weren’t important I guess they had very little to say but wanted to appear normal.

Finally the guard came out of the station masters office, leaned forward to look important as they appeared to have a secret from us, and spoke to the parcels officer. He then stepped into the guards van, leaned out and blew the whistle and waved a small coloured flag.  The sound of the whistle brought the people to reality they began to say last goodbyes and step back, the women using a handkerchiefs to dab their eyes and the men standing tall trying to seem unmoved but I could tell they were crying on the inside just like me.

The engine was at last allowed to move it shouted in joyous blasts of steam as we began to roll down past the goods shed then past the stockyards on past the grain silos across the road/rail crossing and more shouts of joyous steam from the engine we were on our way.

A few minutes along the track the travellers began to speak. Are you going down to see your mother? Or just off on a break to Temora with the family?  Etc.  This is the time the gentlemen ask if they can make the females and children a little more comfortable, may I put that case up for you and would you be more comfortable if you sat here my dear.  Then we all settle down and begin to look out over the country side.  We could do with a drop of rain, some would say and how are the lambs coming along?   Someone would tap me on the head and say you’re coming along well as if I was part of the farms produce. Mum would smile and say he is doing wonderfully out here in the dry climate, everybody knew my health problems.

At this time the smokers would stand, ask to be excused, and then slide the compartment door open and step into the aisle and walk to the end of the carriage to enjoy a smoke.

 I remember the smell of the leather seats and the strong wood panelling with shinning gloss and the photographs under glass on the walls showing the viewer all sorts of interesting views of the Australian country side and cities. Then above was the luggage racks made of fine lace wrought iron work and the water container with glasses in a special holder for the passenger’s thirsts.  The big windows which let in the light and the sunshine and allowed a little boy to look out and wonder what other people that lived in that house over there or over there were doing on this frosty morning.

We passed through Tullibigeal and many other small sidings then to Ungarie where we stopped and picked up some passengers from the Naradhan spur and loaded on coal and water for the trip to Wyalong. 

The morning was warming up and we began to take off clothing and finding places for them, here the gentlemen put down their reading matter and offered to help.  The train moved off with thankyou’s and smiles, your perfectly welcome’s and the engine in bursts, sent screams across the country side telling all who heard that it was on its way and your too late if you were trying to catch it. 

Black smoke flew passed our window and the smell of burning coal among the steam left a small boy with a memory that would live with him forever. 

Once again came the settling in for the new passengers, some recognition and greetings soon all settled down to the trip.  The smokers to the carriage end and children seeing the water suddenly needed a drink. It was a big move while the train was rocking to reach up for the water container and a glass then bring it down remove the cork on a string and pour a glass.  This was another opportunity for the gentlemen to offer, may I do that for you madam and he was thirsty wasn’t he. 

The glass and bottle returned now it was toilet time.  Mum says are you sure? Boy says yes mum I’m busting, so excuse me’s all-round mum slides open the door to the isle and we are on our way to the toilet. 

The floor of the isle was covered with a black rubber substance and some cigarette ash another smell to remember.   The toilet was a small room at the end of the carriage and consisted of a wooden seat over a hole that a boy could see the rails and gravel speeding away under him and the noise was wonderful like a hypnotic music there was a hand basin and mirror the window was painted white for obvious reasons.  When one was finished one pressed with ones foot a shinny brass button set into the floor this released water which flooded onto the track. 

Back to ones seat and enjoy the sun and the gentle rocking of the carriage and dozing till Wyalong and lunch.  We had eaten all the sandwiches we had brought.

Arriving at Wyalong was very exciting as it was lunch time and time to say goodbye to our old train as it was destined to return from whence it came with passengers and goods along the way back to Lake Cargelligo.

The dinning room on the station was wonderful particularly if you are a young boy from Lake Cargelligo. There were big doors to walk through and tables for 4 with soft seats. The clatter of crockery and the clink of cutlery were part of the sounds and a smiling lady who came to see what we would like for lunch.

Milk shakes, cold and sweet yes that would be good and warm sandwiches on bought bread and jam in little round plates. Yes Wyalong was very important on the list of things to see and do for a young chap travelling to Sydney those days.

All with full tummies we again boarded the new better faster train  next stop Temora, now that is a big town and with double railway tracks and an  even better  bigger dining room.

With new people joining the train each time one could notice new things like some men had moustaches and some with tiny beards and the ladies were really painted around the face and neck. The conversations were quieter and about things I had no idea so soon fell asleep.

Our next major stop was Cootamundra with 4 railway lines at the station very important. The people who worked at the station were dressed beautifully in their uniforms and spoke very genteel with some men lifting their caps as they spoke. One does not see that from where one has just come.

Well to wait for the really big train from Albury to Sydney was well worth it. About an hour it took and allowed boys to meet other boys and tell tall stories, annoy girls who absolutely enjoyed being the centre of attention. Afternoon tea was ready for the people who had arrived from many places other than where we came from. People looking at watches remarking I think it might be on time or it will be late as usual.

Finally the Riverina Express blew the steam whistle as it came through the cutting south of Cootamundra and excitement grew. People kissing their loved ones don’t forget to write and yes I will mum, Dads kissing mums and the kids with I will give you phone call next Monday, say hello to your mum for me. And so until the guard calls all aboard then the whistle then the steam and finally the guards flag and the enormous train under the great load begins very slowly at first then gathers speed until we can barely see  the town through the smoke and steam back through a beautiful sunset.

Soon it will be getting dark and sleep will take over and deliver dreams of all things wonderful.

The carriages on this train are sound proof so the experience of the train is some what diminished and the gentle lights in the carriage barely hold back the dark so it is nice to sleep.

A gentle bump and I am awake, where are we mum? We just left Goulburn love go back to sleep. Mum was reading a book and really liked to read in silence, so I just sat staring out the window but all I could see was the reflection of the people in the carriage with me. Then I found if I held my hand over the top of my head and blocked the light I could see outside. Out in the dark was full of wondrous things either they were there I thought they were but none the less wondrous. Finally sleep.

The next time I awoke we were at Strathfield. There were people everywhere some running some walking quickly all in a hurry to get to somewhere. We waited at Strathfield some time. I asked mum why and a gentleman who sat across from me all the time said we were waiting for a train from the North Shore who had the right of way.

He kindly explained to a young person all about the running of trains in a big city like Sydney. I could see it was nothing like Lake Cargelligo. Trains went when the felt like it or I thought so. He smiled at Mum and said oh to be young again how simple things were then.

The train lurched then stopped then started again and we were off to Central Station, we would be there about 9pm.

Having arrived at Central was only part of the journey, we had to collect our luggage and set of to the metropolitan platforms to catch an electric train to Arncliffe.

Finally a boy and his mum were met by a favourite uncle and were never so happy to be driven to Avon and our home for the next 2 weeks. Of course we would have to do it all over again and already I was beginning to plan.