Hello my husband and I watched this last night and we loved it and found it very interesting to know what goes on behind the scenes and see all the challenges. Thankyou to Michael, John and the rest of the team for collaborating no matter what challenge is thrown at them. My thoughts are with Jim’s family on his sad passing a few years ago. He made a huge contribution to the train industry and his legacy lives on.
I was 17 in 1967 when I first went to Walhalla,there was no Railway there then just the old site,and camped there for two weeks,all mines were open then,Long Tunnel mine was very deep,with brick chimneys going to lower levels,closed off now I believe.
Well shot and edited, an event that must have been chaotic. You did capture the passion (and stress) of these people involved in a niche event. Great to see in depth reporting on local yet remote stories.
I lived in Rawson for a few years and Walhalla is a fantastic spot to visit. I’ve ridden my mountain bike along the old areas of where the trains used to run. Fantastic piece of history, great place 💯🫶🏾
I remember that vividly, I was only 6 and my grandfather, father and I rode on the last trip on the Sunday evening it was the trip that made my interest of narrow gauge railways even stronger, and now I'm only 12 months away from starting my road to being a driver Thanks for posting you should do another doco about the history of puffing billy Cheers Lucas
Most travelers on the Alamein line wouldn't know that the old station building at Hartwell is the original 1910 station from Wallhalla. Pity they couldn't put the Hartwell building on a truck and bring it home to Walhalla.
A remarkable feat. Congratulations to all concerned. I thought the bride got pretty short shrift, but she made the best of it. Not really her day after all. My great-grandfather was the police constable in Woods Point up the road around 1900.
Jim's LP at 33.53 is called "Steam on the 5ft 3". My Grandfather gave me a copy when I was about 7 years old, 58 years ago. Listened to it on my Dad's record player for ages. Still available on CD!
Unreal !! My great grandfather, George Jolly, is buried in Walhalla cemetery and I am old enough to remember the railway crossing down near the north end of Moore St in Motown. Quite a few years ago, my wife and I enjoyed a trip aboard the WGR diesel hauled train and I salute the volunteers for their dedication.
awesome vid guys thanks for the trip down memory lane as a kid l lived at moe and we day tripped to walhalla quite often, my older brother mark used to caretake the local cemetery l believe one of your staff slim summerville does work there l used to know slim as a kid from his family milk bar at moe always a happy fella cheers willow wilson
What an incredible story of determination and love for history. I just love the passion all these men and women have for these trains. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement.
If they had got this line built any time earlier in the previous 50 years the mines would have stayed economic for longer. You would have thought that initially there would have been enough money for the mine owners to do it.
The plates were changed temporarily because 9A was the first locomotive to pull the opening train to Walhalla in 1910 as shown in photos and a newspaper article back in 1910. Unfortunately 9A didn’t survive the scrappers and 7A was temporarily renumbered to represent its long gone brother.
As a great friend of Jim Rae and his wife Valda, I found this documentary amazing. Sadly now Jim has passed away, but we will always remember how much he loved his trains. Resting now on his final journey. We miss you Jim Rae.
Hi Rob. Thanks for this video. On a side note, please fix the spelling error in the description: ‘returned to it’s original’ should be ‘returned to its original’. Thanks again.
Hello my husband and I watched this last night and we loved it and found it very interesting to know what goes on behind the scenes and see all the challenges. Thankyou to Michael, John and the rest of the team for collaborating no matter what challenge is thrown at them. My thoughts are with Jim’s family on his sad passing a few years ago. He made a huge contribution to the train industry and his legacy lives on.
I was 17 in 1967 when I first went to Walhalla,there was no Railway there then just the old site,and camped there for two weeks,all mines were open then,Long Tunnel mine was very deep,with brick chimneys going to lower levels,closed off now I believe.
My first visit there was about that time and have been several times since however not for many years I live in Qld now.
Well shot and edited, an event that must have been chaotic. You did capture the passion (and stress) of these people involved in a niche event. Great to see in depth reporting on local yet remote stories.
I lived in Rawson for a few years and Walhalla is a fantastic spot to visit. I’ve ridden my mountain bike along the old areas of where the trains used to run. Fantastic piece of history, great place 💯🫶🏾
My Great grandfather was the bandmaster of the brass band which pkayed in the rotunda
The Clements Brothers Band. They were also miners there.
I remember that vividly, I was only 6 and my grandfather, father and I rode on the last trip on the Sunday evening it was the trip that made my interest of narrow gauge railways even stronger, and now I'm only 12 months away from starting my road to being a driver
Thanks for posting you should do another doco about the history of puffing billy
Cheers Lucas
Most travelers on the Alamein line wouldn't know that the old station building at Hartwell is the original 1910 station from Wallhalla. Pity they couldn't put the Hartwell building on a truck and bring it home to Walhalla.
They will probably demolish it one day and take it to the tip.A brand new plastic one in its place
I think Willison was the Orbost station building.
Thank you so much for uploading they don't make documentaries like this no more
A remarkable feat. Congratulations to all concerned.
I thought the bride got pretty short shrift, but she made the best of it. Not really her day after all.
My great-grandfather was the police constable in Woods Point up the road around 1900.
Jim's LP at 33.53 is called "Steam on the 5ft 3". My Grandfather gave me a copy when I was about 7 years old, 58 years ago. Listened to it on my Dad's record player for ages. Still available on CD!
Still have a 33 1/3 record of Steam on the 5"3"
I've grown up back my country with steam, and every time see them bring back memories of a young boy. Memories wich will never fade away.
Is it still running today 2023?
Such a beautiful documentary. Thank you for sharing it.
Unreal !! My great grandfather, George Jolly, is buried in Walhalla cemetery and I am old enough to remember the railway crossing down near the north end of Moore St in Motown. Quite a few years ago, my wife and I enjoyed a trip aboard the WGR diesel hauled train and I salute the volunteers for their dedication.
Excellent!
Chúc bạn luôn thành công nhé 😊
Maby one day it will happen again.
awesome vid guys thanks for the trip down memory lane as a kid l lived at moe and we day tripped to walhalla quite often, my older brother mark used to caretake the local cemetery l believe one of your staff slim summerville does work there l used to know slim as a kid from his family milk bar at moe always a happy fella cheers willow wilson
What an incredible story of determination and love for history. I just love the passion all these men and women have for these trains. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement.
this really did bring a tear to my eye. what a amazing story.
What a great story. Shame about the weather, but great to see what an be achieved when you set your mind to it!!
Thanks for sharing!
A very well done documentary. Well done to everyone involved.
11/10! Grazie Mille.
Sitting here reading the comments and seeing a picture of me sitting in the cab of UP 4014 Big Boy. Both locomotives are wonderful.
A great video! A fitting complement to the book “Rails to Old Walhalla” by Nick Anchen.
They should make a huge series cause this railway is absolutely amazing!
Well done, all.
Thank-you!
fantastic video, great production.
What a wonderful doco, well done to all involved.
Back in 1960-61, I lived in Windsor house.
as a former puffing billy volenteer i recognise quite a few faces from this
I wish they would rebuild the Walhalla line back into Moe and connect it onto the main line to Melbourne. That would be incredible.
Would have to put an extensive detour, or a big bridge for the line. The Moondarra Reservoir was built over the railway alignment after it was closed.
Also; can't. Different width of track
Good news, walhalla are actually thinking of extending to erica and there about 250,000 dollars away from finishing it!
If they had kept these lines open we would not have the traffic problem now
If they had got this line built any time earlier in the previous 50 years the mines would have stayed economic for longer. You would have thought that initially there would have been enough money for the mine owners to do it.
I was upset , i only found out about this a week after it happened. Wish there was more NA's around so WGR could have their own.
Some nice footage here. I improved it by editing Michael Leaney out of the vid - much better now.
why did they change the 7A plate to 9A? Did 9A make the last trip on the line before it was closed?
The plates were changed temporarily because 9A was the first locomotive to pull the opening train to Walhalla in 1910 as shown in photos and a newspaper article back in 1910. Unfortunately 9A didn’t survive the scrappers and 7A was temporarily renumbered to represent its long gone brother.
As a great friend of Jim Rae and his wife Valda, I found this documentary amazing. Sadly now Jim has passed away, but we will always remember how much he loved his trains. Resting now on his final journey. We miss you Jim Rae.
@@steamier7755 Thanks for that explanation, I was very puzzled about that as the 9A was black and the 7A was a reddish tan clour.
Anyone know what the intro music is?
When will this happen again?
why do we have commentary mentioning 7A when many opics show 9A ???
See the explanation in comments by @steamier7755
Hi Rob. Thanks for this video. On a side note, please fix the spelling error in the description: ‘returned to it’s original’ should be ‘returned to its original’. Thanks again.
we have been on that train.
Anyone notice who the narrator is?
My guess is Mark Mitchell.
Confirmed at 0:18 , it was Mark Mitchell. Pleased with my guess.