BELLBIRD JUNCTION - BELLBIRD - PELTON

2008 - 4816 48s33 - Leaving Pelton loader - Brad Peadon

Passing under the bridge that once carried trains to Kalingo and other collieries, the loaded train is within the Bellbird Cutting. A second track from Bellbird Colliery(former site near rear of train) once also fit in here.

4816 48s33 depart Pelton loader with a loaded coal train. 2009

5-4-2009 - PL5 48137 48134 PL2 up coal departs Pelton Colliery : Brad Peadon
Top two photos!

5-4-2009 - Pelton Unloader : Brad Peadon

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Trackwork at Neath!

Neath Colliery History - Newcastle Regional Museum
Neath Colliery, Neath Hotel and The Miners Lamp
Neath Hotel - Where The SMR Fans Occasionally Gather
Abermain #2 Colliery - Newcastle Regional Museum
Abermain #3 Shaft Colliery - Newcastle Regional Museum
SMR10's Historic Return To Neath - 5-8-2011 - Photos Brad Peadon

T387 T385 Climb Neath Bank - Nathan Chapple
EL55 52 64 62 Climb Neath Bank - Nathan Chapple

A selection of photos and other information on Neath (South Maitland Railway)

Approaching Neath station from Pelton end. May 29th 2008 - Photo: Brad Peadon

This new marking on the south side of the Kearsley Road crossing at Neath is believed to be the planned location of a new crossing loop at Neath. To be crew worked from ground frames, it would greatly help relieve the
bottleneck existing on the line at the moment.
It is believed no firm decision has yet been made by the company. While work had still not begun at the end of 2010;
28th May 2008 - Photo: Brad Peadon

4707 4811 4836 pass through Neath with a loaded coalie from Pelton
on June 19th 1988.
Photo: Brad Coulter

Same location but in the other direction and many years later. PL5 48143 48129 PL3 with empties headed through Neath. May 29th 2008. Photo: Brad Peadon

Two shots above show the creek crossing just south of Neath station. There was three individual bridges here. The current one in use, which was the former up line, the former down line which retains everything except the rails and,
just out of view, the former goods siding one.
The abutments of the goods siding bridge are still there but the rest is long gone.
A building of the new crossing loop will likely see the old
down bridge carry trains again.
29th May 2008 - Photo: Brad Peadon

Trackwork at Neath!

April 11th 2008 saw quite a bit of track work around Neath station and to the immediate south. Part of this saw the removal of all final traces of the short lived crossover to the Abermain line.
We thank Brad Peadon for contributing the following shots of the work taking place.
Brad's WEBSITE also carries significant SMR content.

Photos/Information/Diagrams, both historical and current day, are always needed for the website.
Please help us!

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Steam era shots of East Greta Junction.

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A selection of photos, diagrams and information about East Great Junction (South Maitland Railway).

Track diagram inside signalbox on May 29th 2008 - Photo: Brad Peadon

Lets go look for the treasure. 29-5-2008 - Photo: Brad Peadon

Crossing at East Greta Junction PL5 48143 48129 PL3 waitthe arrival of a loaded coal train from Austar with PL2 48134 48137 up front, before taking their rake of empties down to the pit.
29-5-2008 - Photo : Brad Peadon

Same train as above in a scene that has become very rare on Australian railways. A signalperson handing over the staff for the section ahead, the manned signalbox behind him ad the semephore signal beyond that. Even ALCo locomotives in coal traffic is becoming a rare event on a worldwide scale.
29-5-2008 - Photo: Brad Peadon

More photos/diagrams and information on the South Maitland Railway, past and present, is always required. Please help!