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Railway Digest June Blurb

Gold Coast rail expansion on track for Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is scheduled to be held on the Gold Coast between 4 and 15 April 2018. As with all major sporting events the efficient transport of spectators, officials and participants is seen as essential if the event is to be judged a success. John Hoyle reports on the work currently underway on both heavy and light rail networks to ensure that they are ready for the challenge.

The return of the A2
On Saturday 13 May, former Victorian Railways A2 Class 4-6-0 986, the same locomotive that powered the official last run of the class on 1 December 1963, made its official return to service with a run from Melbourne to Warragul and Traralgon and return. David Campbell gives a brief history of the A2 Class, and looks at why these versatile machines have long been a favourite of Victorian rail enthusiasts.

Taking Street Art to the Bush
Guido van Helten is one of Australia’s most popular street artists, with a passion to capture people interacting with their local environment. He also combines human imagery with industrial spaces like silos and in this case, railway wagons. Neville Pollard reports.

Impressions of Aubin Grove and the Opening Ceremony
Aubin Grove station, located between Cockburn Central and Kwinana Stations on the Mandurah Line (24.3 kilometres south of Perth) was opened on Sunday 23 April by the new Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan. RD’s man in Perth, David Whiteford, was on hand to witness the event.

Impressions of The Ghan
Running across Australia, from Adelaide to Darwin and return, The Ghan is an interesting train with an interesting history. Ron Brown took a recent journey on the train, and recorded his impressions.