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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 15h

It's possible this is just an outback yarn, but I'd like it to be true. Allegedly, The Ghan train was given its name by Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler's great grandfather who was the driver of the first sleeping-car train to Alice Springs […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

The Maiden Voyage

After more than a decade of relentless effort, in 1891 the first train embarked on its maiden voyage. The railway line wouldn’t reach Alice Springs until 1929, and Darwin until 2001.

While officially named the Central Australian Railway, the line has been dubbed The Ghan, after the passenger train “The Afghan Express” which utilised the line. The story goes that the name is a taunt to officialdom because, when an expensive sleeping car was put on from Quorn to Oodnadatta in 1923, the first return journey had just one passenger – an Afghan. When the train pulled into the station, Engine Driver Ernie Smith and great-grandfather of current Federal Health Minister Mark Butler made the joking remark that, if he was the only passenger on the train, “We’ll have to call it the Afghan Express”.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 06/10/2026

Back On June 13 1987, I took these photos of diesel locomotive T334 in Ozride livery at Traralgon, Vic Garish isn't it? But what in heck was Ozride? Well, it wasn't a real railway at all. It was a bit obscure at the time, but rumours were the loco had been […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

Flat Top diesel loco T344 in bright pink Ozride livery

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 05/10/2026

Forty years ago today, I was in the central Victorian city of Bendigo. Here is VLine Melbourne to Swan Hill train number 8081, headed by X44 with a then-new N class loco assisting, heading north away from Bendigo station Exactly forty years ago today, October 5 1986 1 of 5

VLine Melbourne to Swan Hill train number 8081, headed by X44 with a then-new N class loco assisting, heads north away from Bendigo station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026

Forty years ago, I did another gunzel photo road trip - this time along the southern end of the broad gauge Bendigo line in Victoria. Here, B65 and X50 head VLine train no 8038 from Swan Hill to Melbourne through the now closed station at Sydenham Forty years ago today, October 4 1986. 1 of 8

B65 and X50 head VLine train 8038 from Swan Hill to Melbourne through the now closed station at Sydenham

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026

Exactly forty years ago today, September 28 1986, I visited the tramway museum at Bylands, Victoria. Here is Melbourne X1 class tram no 467 running on their section of track that then ran north for a few hundred metres from the site of the former Victorian Railways Bylands railway station.

A Melbourne X1 class tram in a rural location, on grassed track with a dual-bracket-arm overhead pole in front of the tram. The tram desto is 'Ordnance Fty'

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026

The Tim Traveller has made this great video summary of the European Tram Driver Championships held a week or two ago in Warsaw. The World Tram Driver Championships, originally planned for 2027 in Melbourne have now apparently been rescheduled to 2028 […]

mastodon.online

Original post on mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Forty years ago today, I went out chasing trains in central Victoria. Here's VLine Bacchus Marsh bound train no 8111, a P class diesel hauling a 3 car H set, running downhill through Bull Farm curves between Parwan and Bacchus Marsh Thursday September 25 1986 1 of 24

VLine Bacchus Marsh bound train no 8111, a P class diesel hauling a 3 car H set through Bull Farm curves between Parwan and Bacchus Marsh

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2026

It's Today! The 2026 European Tram Driver Championships are being held in Warsaw, Poland. There are 25 teams, and, just like Eurovision, Australia is participating, with a team from Melbourne. Watch it live on YouTube at 7PM AEST today. This will out-rate the footy […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 18/09/2026

Today, September 18th, is my mate Dave's birthday We met when I, as the new kid in town, was assigned the seat next to him in grade 6 Legally blind, he couldn't wear glasses. He read by holding books a centimetre from his face. He played every sport, and he really, really loved playing cricket […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 18/09/2026

RE: social.vivaldi.net/@sesivany/117290… If anyone knows how to reliably turn facts and truth into cash, speak up now, because that idea is sorely needed. A bit like the movie Monsters Inc where they were harvesting the screams of kids until they realised laughter was much […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 17/09/2026

Despite all the opprobrium they get, tramway overhead wires are actually difficult to feature in photos. But on a recent visit to Bendigo, I think I found a way. Here, headlights of oncoming cars at night reflect off the polished underside of the single […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

A single trolleywire weaves left and right above a tram track in a nighttime scene. The wire is bright - with the headlights of oncoming cars reflecting off the shiny underside highlighting it against the dark night sky.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 14/09/2026

On this day in 1985, I went down to Queanbeyan station to take some snaps of the northbound Cooma Mail. Here she is, formed by three candy carriages and a van hauled by Alco 4436, flat-end leading, calling at Queanbeyan station. Saturday September 14 1985. 1 of 4

The Cooma Mail formed by three candy carriages and a van hauled by Alco 4436, flat-end leading, calling at Queanbeyan station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 13/09/2026

A new passenger railway station opened today on the VLine route to Geelong at West Tarneit in Melbourne's western suburbs Railmaps timetable 321 has been updated railmaps.com.au/routedetails.php?Ta… There's also a new table 3029 for […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

Table 321 from railmaps.com.au showing VLine trains to Geelong and Waurn Ponds, now showing the new West Tarneit station.

Table 3029 from railmaps.com.au showing bus routes 182 and 186 to the new West Tarneit station.

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Reposted by Railmaps

Donald Clark 🇳🇿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @dsc.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

Karanga-a-Hape station buzzing. Saw some people with the same #GreaterAuckland tshirt (with the station names)

Outside Pitt st of Karanga-a-Hape station

Deep, big scale station exit. International vibes.

Marked boarding locations for those with wheels. Disabled access adjacent. Flat / level boarding.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

This weekend in southern hemisphere railway goodness belongs to Auckland. I'm sure we'll see plenty of photos tomorrow of the opening day of the city's new underground City Rail Link. But let's take a look back, to my first visit, when I spent a day in transit there on Sunday October 8 1989. 1/14

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 12/09/2026

The Chalet at Wattle Park, a location with significant links to Melbourne's tramway history, has been badly damaged by fire. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-12/watt…

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 11/09/2026

Cool, cool. Anthropic says it blocked possible attempts to use AI to develop bioweapons “Sophisticated attacks no longer require sophisticated attackers,” the new report says. Anthropic will probably want us to call them the heroes for finding and blocking these attempts […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 09/09/2026

Now that tunnelling has commenced, I went for a cheeky squiz this afternoon at the Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop site at Burwood. One of these trucks emerges every 7 minutes and dumps its spoil on that pile. Occasional twin-trailer trucks enter the site to be loaded by that digger to remove spoil.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 08/09/2026

Cross River Rail Authority reveals 'Esky Lid' flood barrier at Albert Street Station www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/cros…

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 08/09/2026

The two new, larger, Spirit of Tasmania ferries enter service late October. But the existing ferries will cease one week beforehand, and for a full week there will be no passenger services, apparently due to staff training. And, there'll be no more daytime crossings […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 04/09/2026

The Government of Canada has announced a C$4.7 billion investment for VIA Rail to acquire 313 new passenger rail cars designed and manufactured in Canada. Together with 45 new passenger locomotives, they will renew VIA Rail's long-distance, regional and remote services […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 02/09/2026

A short thread from a road trip today. There are some pleasant views from the top of the world's smallest mountain. And by world's smallest mountain, I'm not just using a cute turn of phrase. Mount Wycheproof is the world's smallest registered mountain. (Supplemental oxygen not required) 1 of 8

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 02/09/2026

Commonwealth solidarity in one photo. Australian Golden Wattle in front of a field of Canadian Oil Low Acidity. Of course a certain person who hates Canada so much probably prefers to call it rapeseed.

Golden wattle foreground, field of canola in the background.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 31/08/2026

43 years ago today, August 31 1983, I spent a day in Melbourne and I took some learner snaps of trains on my first camera, an Olympus XA2 Here's steam loco K153 and a Nyora-bound tour train approaching Flinders Street platform 1. Note the Port and St Kilda lines and a Tait set at far left. 1 of 22

As seen from a passenger platform, steam loco K153 and a heritage train approach us, whilst at far left, a red Tait set is just visible.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 30/08/2026

Forty years ago today, Saturday August 30, 1986, I spent much of the day at Melbourne Spencer Street station taking pics. Here's the 'Relief Melbourne Express', a rare running of a second division of the Melbourne Express just months after the Spirit and Aurora were combined into one train 1 of 12

Seen from the rear, a passenger train formed predominantly of VR blue and gold aircon carriages, but with one NSW Candy liveried car second from rear, stands at the old platform 1 at Melbourne Spencer Street station.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 30/08/2026

Jordies isn't always my thing, but his analysis of the USA and Canada, their people and cities based on his recent visit is both entertaining and actually insightful. "There are three types of American: Americans Murcans Memes" youtu.be/umbS3ZNtajc

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026

The small, western Victorian town of Great Western is best known for its sparkling wines. Great Western sparkling is unrelated to the American champagne brand, although the 1860s gold rush influx of Californians may have been an influence. But that's not what's interesting to me. 1 of 12

The small General Store fronting the main highway through Great Western

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 21/08/2026

My new map of Australian Railways through history is coming along nicely. Here's the legend showing the display standards I am using. I'll share some screen caps when it gets nearer to completion.

Screencap of the Legend of my under-development map of all Australian Railways, showing lines of different colours to distinguish track gauges, with different styles of line casing to illustrate current operational status. Also shows different station circles and naming to distinguish stations open and closed to passenger trains, and two types of background line shading to distinguish DC and AC electrification. There's also notation to show the opening and closing dates of sections of railway, as well as the dates of cessation of passenger trains on each gauge that a section of railway has operated.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 20/08/2026

The day is still young, but I have already learned two things. 1. That "Flat Chat" is apparently an Australian term. 2. The Cambridge Dictionary supports its definition with a quote from someone who is probably a gunzel, and who knows, could even be someone we know.

From the Cambridge Dictionary:

flat chat

adverb Australian English informal
uk /ˈflæt ˌtʃæt/ us /ˈflæt ˌtʃæt/

at the maximum speed, level, rate, etc. that is possible:

His mate ran into town flat chat to fetch a doctor.
It was a boiling hot day and the aircon was running flat chat.

Due to the lack of people, we are pretty much free to go flat chat around these mountains within our own limits and limits of the car.
Initially the gadget charges flat chat then gradually eases off as the battery becomes charged.

There's nothing I like better than being on a train going flat chat across Victoria.

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Reposted by Railmaps

Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/08/2026

For Traveller, I write about Los Angeles' marvellous Union Station - "the last of the great railway stations" brimming over with architectural pizzazz. #USA #train #trains #rail #history #architecture […]

aus.social

Original post on aus.social

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 16/08/2026

Expansion of Myki and full fare contactless tap & go across the outer VLine train network in Victoria has started, with the Bendigo to Echuca line coming on line from today. One long distance line will be added each week until the Albury line on Sep 27 […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

From today, passengers will now be able to tap on with a bank card, phone or smartwatch at every station through to Echuca.

The rest of the regional V/Line network will progressively switch on in the coming weeks, including every station on the:

23 August: Swan Hill Line
30 August: Shepparton Line
6 September: Ararat and Maryborough lines
13 September: Warrnambool Line
20 September: Bairnsdale Line
27 September: Albury Line, with Benalla and Euroa stations to be added on 22 November following station upgrade works.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 08/08/2026

My updated Brisbane and Gold Coast rail map is now online at railmaps.com.au/brisbane.htm This updated map shows the Gold Coast Light Rail stage 3 extension from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads which opens tomorrow, and it shows the new L1 route […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

Gold Coast section of Brisbane and Gold Coast rail map from railmaps.com.au showing extension of Gold Coast Light Rail to Burleigh Heads.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 07/08/2026

New Aug 23 VLine timetables are now online at Railmaps Nine daily Melbourne-Shepparton trains each weekday with some crosses at Murch East railmaps.com.au/routedetails.php?Ta… MEL-SHEP 06:17-08:52 07:23-10:11 09:25-12:11 11:36-14:11 13:36-16:22 15:33-18:12 17:03-19:44 19 […]

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 07/08/2026

Gold Coast Light Rail extension to Burleigh Heads will open to passengers early Sunday morning. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-07/qld-…

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 06/08/2026

Victorian train timetables change from Sunday 23 August, with Sandringham and Werribee/Laverton/Williamstown routes through-routed, and extra trains on many suburban lines. But not yet the full frequency boost which is coming next year. Plus this introduces the long-awaited boost to 9 daily […]

mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 03/08/2026

Forty years ago today, I arrived in Melbourne after travelling south overnight from Sydney on the last ever run of the Southern Aurora. These pics were taken from the Aurora as we crossed the North Melbourne flyover on the last leg into Spencer Street. 40 years ago today, August 3 1986 1 of 9

Taken through and open door on the left hand side of an airconditioned train, we are looking forward towards the locomotive as we cross a rail over rail flyover with city highrise buildings in the background.

Taken through and open door on the right hand side of an airconditioned train, we are looking forward towards the locomotive as we cross a rail over rail flyover with city highrise buildings in the background

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 02/08/2026

The Southern Aurora left Sydney and Melbourne for the last time exactly 40 years ago tonight. But the name lives on in The Ghan and Indian Pacific Aurora & Australis suites. I rode that last Southern Aurora, but this new video is as near as I'll ever likely get to today's Aurora. I wonder if […]

mastodon.online

Original post on mastodon.online

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 02/08/2026

Later that evening, as it approached 8pm, it neared time to board the last ever southbound Southern Aurora. It was a sad but festive occasion, and there was no objection to people going down off the end of the platforms to take photos like these – and many of […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

A night shot of candy liveried 8152 at the head of the last ever southbound Southern Aurora sitting before departure in platform 1 at Sydney Central station with the clocktower in the background.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 02/08/2026

Forty years ago today, I arrived in Sydney after travelling overnight from Brisbane on the Brisbane Limited Express. After arriving at Central terminal, I headed back to Redfern where I got this shot of 4428 in a ridiculously immaculate Candy paintjob. 40 years ago today, August 2 1986 1 of 15

Alco diesel loco 4428 in absolutely pristine gleaming Candy paint job sits in the early morning sun behind platform 1 at Redfern.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 01/08/2026

Forty years ago today was the final day of my 1986 Sunshine Rail Pass. I travelled south from Gladstone on the overnight Capricornian train, and spent the day in and around Brisbane. EMU55 and an SX set hauled by diesel 2413 sit at Brisbane Central station […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

EMU55 and an SX set hauled by diesel 2413 sit at Brisbane Central station

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 31/07/2026

Forty years ago today, on my 1986 Queensland Sunshine Rail Pass, I arrived in Gladstone after having travelled south from Cairns on The Sunlander. Here’s my train, hauled by EMD loco 1512, about to pass beneath Young Street just after departing Gladstone […] [Original post on mastodon.online]

The Sunlander train in a railway yard with partly installed overhead electrification as seen from an overbridge.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 29/07/2026

Forty years ago today, I was in Cairns on my Sunshine Rail pass journey. Here’s the Brisbane-bound Queenslander, the once-weekly up-market version of The Sunlander, departing Cairns station swinging southwest onto the side-of-road track along Spence Street. 40 years ago today, July 29 1986 1 of 6

Beneath an overcast sky, diesel locomotive 2420 in Queensland Rail light blue and cream livery, at the head of a passenger train and with its headlight shining straight at us, swings around a hard right hand curve out of a railway station yard and across a level crossing manned by a crossing guard in shorts and very fetching two-tone cardigan, holding out a small red flag to warn oncoming road traffic of the train.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/07/2026

Forty years ago today I was on a Sunshine Rail Pass trip around Queensland. That day, I rode a regular passenger train that was withdrawn just two years later, and on a now closed line. But first, here’s the 1950s Cairns station as seen from my hotel room! 40 years ago today, July 28 1986 1 of 13

A three-storey, 1950s style brick railway station building as seen from streetside. An analogue clock is mounted at the top of the building and the letting CAIRNS RAILWAY STATION is spelled out across the fascia.

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 28/07/2026

From 10am today, eligible seniors and pensioners travelling on public transport in Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter, Lower North Coast, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Illawarra and Southern Highlands regions of NSW can connect their concession online and choose to tap on and tap off Opal […]

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Railmaps @railmaps.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2026

Gee! What do we see here? It's one of Melbourne's new G class trams, filmed in action at the new Maidstone Depot. The first of these beauties is expected to enter service very soon, and will progressively replace the 1980s-era Z class trams on routes initially in the western suburbs.

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