Rail 2015

The Westlander train with loco 2500 about to depart Oakey, next stop Toowoomba. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train at the former Cranley Station location. January 2015.

Loco 1733 and a match-truck going to Toowoomba station prior to taking the failed Westlander back to the Willowburn yards. January 2015.

Always maintain your situational awareness when on or about the track. January 2015. Edit: This is both humorous, and a serious reminder, to those who sometimes are 'on and about the track' for any reason. I have a perspective on this gained from my first main line cabride back in the late 60s. The train was an express passenger extra run for the start of school holidays. A crew of track workers were working on the track and had no warning of their presence. We came round a curve in a cutting at 65mph. About a dozen men were using picks, shovels and bars and beyond them three at a motorised trike on the track talking. The second driver was immediately using the horn. Men, tools and the trike all moved for their lives to the drain, and there were no thumps. Both drivers were upset and angered by the carelessness of the track workers. www.ipernity.com/doc/grahamh/24207605/in/album/468883

Loco 1733 and a match-truck taking the failed Westlander back to the Willowburn yards. January 2015.

The failed Westlander standing in Willowburn yards. January 2015.

The loco maintenance area at Willowburn yards, Toowoomba. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train approaching Oakey on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train approaching Oakey on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train arriving at Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train with loco 2500 arriving at Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train with loco 2500 arriving at Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train with loco 2500 arriving at Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train with loco 2500 arriving at Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. A passenger has got off the train, looks around then sits on a seat outside the station waiting for someone. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train with loco 2500 leaving Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. Toowoomba will be the next stop. January 2015.

The Brisbane bound Westlander train with loco 2500 leaving Oakey station on its run from Charleville to Brisbane early on a dull Saturday morning. Toowoomba will be the next stop. January 2015.

The Westlander train with loco 2500 approaching the out-of-use Willowburn station at the Western approach to Toowoomba. January 2015.

The Westlander train with loco 2500 at the out-of-use Willowburn station at the Western approach to Toowoomba. January 2015.