Locomotion

The ride on  the train was rather slow going, it felt as though we were gong no faster than walking speed. In truth we topped out a around the 20km/h mark, so not all too speedy. The track winds itself through the hills, along cliff sides and over rickety little bridges. There are some beautifully serene views of the hillsides and f the sun playing in the trees and grass. It was surprisingly green along the whole area.

The volunteers who staff the train are all wonderful people, who clearly do it for the love of steam. They are kind, helpful and keen. This became apparent when just after departure, the Head Conductor, who was in the same car as myself, came up to me and asked me if I had been on before. On my answer of “no”, he invited me to the front lip of the car, from where there was great, over 180 degree views of the train crossing the first and grandest of the bridges.

The car I was in was at first filled mostly by a group of train enhusiasts with a wide range of SLR cameras around their necks. They got off at a station that was not marked as a stop, which just goes to show that the staff are willing to accommodate requests. After that the car was empty, apart from myself, the conductor and a Filipino couple. The air up in the hills is refreshing and it was nice to just bask in it (and the soot of the train, seeing as I was so close to the engines).

Halfway through the trip, most people got off. The station is called Lakeside, and used to be the terminus for the line until 1998, when the line to Gembrook was reopened. The front locomotive also left us at this time, as did most of the back carriages. In fact, only 8 passengers continued for the last 11km of the trip. According to the train crew, it was a sad thing, and I am inclined to agree.

Arriving at Gembrook I discovered that I had misread the schedule of the train, and instead of departing within an hour, I had well over three to spend in the little town. I spent the time wondering around, trying to find anything of interest. I failed, because about the most interesting thing I found was a beer bottle buried in the track I was walking along. I tried my best to kick it out, but that sucker was in good and firm.

I had lunch at the local fish & chip shop, opting for a burger and two Dim Sim, seeing as seafood is not the type of thing to get from a shop where I may well be the days only customer. I was extremely disappointed, so much in fact, that I am willing to declare that the plastic bag wrapped, store bought, microwaveable hamburgers sold in Finland are better than the burger I had. The Dim Sim were alright, but I shared half of one with a local dog.

After eating I went back to the station and had a talk with some of the crew. The fireman of the engine was from England, who spent Summers here, and Summers there (note the hemispherical difference) driving steam locos at both ends. The others were all local, and especially the station staff were extremely friendly once more. I bought a rather nice shirt for a discounted $19.90, which is nothing.

When the handful of passengers, including myself, were boarding the train back to Belgrave, the train Guard came up to me and said that I was invited the cab, to drive the train. I was extremely taken by the offer, and obviously couldn’t refuse. So, from Cockatoo to Lakeside, over bridges and along cliff faces, in the heat of the fire and the clanks and jolts of metal on metal, I was fireman’s mate. Apparently it is not something they do all too often. I got myself a hat and a mug for it, lest I forget.