Re: Garratt Video on youtube

The tradition of sitting on the side sills of the excursion cars dates back to at least the time when this railway opened about 100 years ago. When the line was in danger of closing in the early 1950's and it seemed that everyone living in Melbourne wanted to take a last ride, it was not unusual for people to ride on the roofs of the cars or even hang onto the running boards on the sides. The trains looked like something in India!

The engine seen in the YouTube video, no. G42, did not operate on the Gembrook line until it was restored and put into service in 2004. It was one of two Beyer-Garratt locomotives used on anothr 30-inch gauge line in Victoria, Australia. The Gembrook line was served by a fleet of Baldwin-pattern 2-6-2T engines built in Victoria. Six of them still exist, with five in service, along with G42. They put on quite a show.