Trains through the Avon Valley & Wheatbelt

At this point it's almost tradition, another mid-year trip with ‪@wa_rails‬ sees us spending a few days/nights in the township of Northam. With a population of 12000, it's a fair sized town that is home to Aurizon's Avon Yard. Northam is also the junction for two lines. The Southern Grain branches to York, Beverely and Brookton which later becomes the Great Southern Railway to Albany. The Northern Grain branches also originate at Avon, servicing Jennacubbine, Goomalling, Mclevie, Dowerin, Minnivale, Cadoux, Kalannie, Beacon, Koorda, Wyalkatchem, Bencubbin, Koorda, and Mukinbudin. Both railways used to have links to West Merredin and Southern Cross. Both of these branch lines are Narrow Gauge (3ft 6in).
We start off with 3K23 seen at Northam Racecourse, situated just after the Northern line breaks away from the Eastern Goldfields line, this service was an empty with CBH010 leading CBH003. Next we see Prospector railcar set 2 (WDA002/WDB012) with 3085 or PA01 to Kalgoorlie. A journey to Toodyay west sees P2510 & P2516 leading 3K14 off the Miling line and onto the Eastern Railway.
We then see 3PS1, a Sydney bound Aurizon TGE intermodal led by ACD's 6054 & 6046. 3S50 follows with SG locomotives CBH119 & CBH120 from Bodallin, transferring grain to Avon yard to be loaded onto K60 to Kwinana. At sunset that evening, a late running 3351 is led by VL358 & C503 in high notch past Seabrook crossing loop.
The following day, we see ACB4403 & ACD6051 with a very late 4PM1 from Forrestfield, Melbourne bound. 3-car Prospector 4085/PL01 has railcars WDA003, WDC021 & WDB013. Less than a minutes after seeing PL01 park up at the station, CBH004 & CBH003 work 4K45 Cadoux bound empty grain service from Avon Yard. A rare double header sulfur train is to follow with Q4009 and Q4017, Q4017 shows evidence of the last three owners and operators with the Westrail stripes, ARG logo, and Aurizon logo.
We then get a view of the locomotives stored at Avon Yard. The camera shows L3118, L3103, LZ3106, LZ3112, L3113, and LZ3105. However there are more behind the brush blocking the shot. Further to the right is L3116, L3115, LQ3121, and LZ3103. LZ3103 is in full Aurizon candy livery so it may be the next one to be reactivated and returned to service. In the district of Seabrook is the location for the shot of 4S58 from Cunderdin, being a very short 20 wagon load (picking up more wagons at Avon) it is led by CBH122 and newly refurbished CBH121. The following morning sees an early wake-up to chase 5K23, led by CBH005 & CBH008. It's seen at Northam Racecourse and then exactly half an hour later at Jennacubbine.
A trip to Cunderdin captures CBH122 & CBH121 preparing to run around after loading. The locomotives ran an early 5S55 service to the silos early in the morning and will run 5S58 back in the arvo. 5S58 is then captured at the entrance to Seabrook crossing loop, after stopping at Grass Valley for 15 minutes (presumabely a crew change) it is seen with CBH121 leading which displays the newly added LED lights and uncoordinated ditch lights to bring more attention to the trains prescence. A good fit for safety aspects however a few lost points on the aesthetics. The last train of the trip is captured at the old NG-side platform for Northam Station. FL220 leads VL358 and the consist of 5351 nickel service to Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter (Hampton Ballast Siding). FL220 has had a new horn fitted, of which being the old 422 party horn. Quite fitting for the loco in my opinion but I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.
Check out my Facebook for the photos captured and thank you for watching.
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[@WA_transport_films]

Great video keep up the good work

[@BelllasTrainVlogs]

You saw so many CBH!!
You stole all of them from meee :(
Awesome video :D

[@vsvnrg3263]

enjoyed. my favourite part was 8:06, the l class. c class without the makeup. i used to think of it as death row but now we know they are only in long term hibernation. they may all end up getting resurrected eventually. excepting extreme circumstances, no c will ever get chopped up.

[@rodneybeard4317]

there is 7 coming back from northam uncertain

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@rodneybeard4317 , you got any more info?

[@NPTV-qj8hy]

What date was this filmed?

[@wa_rails]

08/07/24 - 11/07/24

[@WA_transport_films]

Hey just saw are names are similar, because I don't really want people thinking I am to close to someone's name, do you want me to change it ???

[@watrainfilms8520]

@@WA_transport_films No, it should be alright to keep your name.

[@rodneybeard4317]

looked awful conditions for photos