Once again 3526 and 3642 are heading the train, but this time with no diesel back up and one extra coach added.
That was enough to motivate us to join the sheep on the freezing summit of Tumulla, well ahead of the train's departure from Bathurst. Through the still, but biting, air we could hear the locomotives from Perthville, through Georges Plain, then clearly getting as much pace as possible before hitting the bank. We watched as the smoke trail wound its way like thunder clouds, twisting back and forward above the mist. The 5'9" drivers on both locos would go out of synch as each curve swung the locos back and forth. This was steam at its utmost best.
We then did a very 'timid' chase and caught the train before Blayney and at Millthorpe on the down and Blayney and Tumulla on the return.