Murrurundi Picnic Train Ride : August 27 2022

We have a completely different day planned. Taking a steam train ride from Singleton to Murrurundi in the Hunter Valley. I love trains but the real reason for going is my wife's brother drives grain trains on this line. We love his photos. We asked if he could meet for lunch in Murrurundi. Nope. He is working leaving Werris Creek heading our way from 2:30 am start. We might overlap

We are at the station in good time on a blue sky day

One coal train came by - he is a train behind and the lights stay red for our train. He will come by while we are on platform

Singleton Station is pretty dull

I caught the video as his train arrived of his sister waving and he blew the horn - not in the rules. A great way to start our day. We were soon on the way - get different views of the collieries as the rail line was cut to serve them. The road is a ways away. No photos as they were into the sun. About a 3 hour ride with a big pull up the last hill

Loco is oil fired steam engine R766 from Victoria

We have 4 hours in the town of Murrurundi which is a classic Aussie country town set in the middle of the Great Divide. This is horse country

White Hart Hotel - one of three in town. We might come back this way

Local grocery story in an 1872 building

Crossed the Pages River to the north side to find the markets. Originally there were two villages - Murrindindi to the north and Haydontown to the south

Old post office

Geraniums in front

Tin shack cottages still standing near the markets

Every shop front had a bicycle with a picnic basket and a sign - corn flowers for this one. We learned later about these. The State Government does not allow signage on the road side but bicycle are fine. The signs are on the bikes - all through town

Posing in the stocks. We could not get them to slide up both sides for a true in situ picture.

We had our lunch in the park behind the markets. The service rolls for the wars were mind boggling - a small village offered up over 200 soldiers for WWI.

Old Church in disrepair. The land either side is for sale. The church will stay.

Back over the Pages River looking east.

Spring blossomed

We had a beer in the pub and then walked to the south end of town. Chatted to an antique dealer that end and headed back for a coffee at the new co-op. Chatted with the lady there - full energy. Despite the for sale signs the town is thriving.

More blossoms on the way back to the station.

Mountain views across the valley

The train set up and aimed the right way for going home - but not on the right track.

Pansies in the station flower pots. Was a long wait as there was a delay in getting the top up water truck to the station. We had seen a super oversized load going south. So wide it used the whole road - guessing is the water truck was on the wrong side of that

We were a half hour late leaving. A few photos out the windows of the Great Divide

Train trip back was lively. We were in the bar buffet. A steady flow of people coming in for drinks - good humour, mostly. Trip back was a bit slow as there were trains coming toward us

The highlight of the day was seeing my wife's brother driving a train towards us. I loved the country town feel. Have sure missed doing that since 2019.

We did sit a lot of the day bit we did walk 10,000 steps in Murrurundi

Got back late - made a quick bbq dinner under the stars.

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Daily Activity, House Chores, Walking