Zig-Zag Railway - Sunday 27th August

[sheepie]

Hi all - you may have noticed on the calendar we have listed the Zig Zag Railway on the 26th August.

More detail on this one will follow in the next few days, and the date is to be confirmed, but pencil this one in now!

Rough timetable as follows:
9:30 - 10:30 meet for coffee at Windsor
10:30am - drive to ZigZag
Have a ride, take some piccies, have a picnic lunch, and see what happens throughout the rest of the day.

Let's know in this thread if interested, and later in the week we'll confirm details and start taking names.

Thanks!


EDIT: Updated day in Subject line to SUNDAY rather than Saturday

[losfp]

Hmmm.. I'll keep an eye on this one. Would only be able to attend if I can get to Homebush by about 6pm

[Onyx]

I'd LOVE to come... I even know of a short walking trail that offers views of well, bush... but if only it weren't on a Saturday. Sundays I could do, Sats unfortunately is a work day for me.

[losfp]

Sunday would be great for me (Footy on Sat night ), but of course understand that Sat would be the best option (so we don't have to worry about work the next day!)

Still, if there's enough demand for the Sunday.......

But don't worry about me, Leon - Confirm the date/time, and I will see if I can come along. Would love to.

[Oscar]

I'm interested in coming on this shoot. I've been on the ZigZag before. Just need to confirm dates as I (like most others) have a lot going on on the home front lately.

[sheepie]

Am going to try and contact them today, given the interest in moving this to Sunday, I'm likely to go that way. Sunday also has an advantage in that it doesn't clash with their 'wizard train'

It's no so much all the kids running around, it's more the mummy's complaining 'cause some "pervert" is taking a photo of "my baby" :shock:

[gstark]

That's all fine, Leon.

Please let me know so that I can alter the booking form, which is now linked from the front page Calendar section.

[Yi-P]

Sounds very interesting!!

I'll have to check whether I gonna be available that weekend, are you accepting late registrations? Its one day trip only right?

But, I may have problem with transport on how to get to meeting point again

[joet]

Sheepie,

Chryssine and myself can come if it's on Sunday

[MCWB]

Ah dammit I'll be in Adelaide that weekend. Sounds like a great idea for a meet!

[spada]

Hi Leon

Where is ZigZag railway ? I am interrest but do not know the location .How long to drive from Winsor .Thank

[losfp]

Fantastic - I reckon we are a 95% chance if moved to a Sunday

[pippin88]

I'm interested.

Shameless plug: Remember if you need somewhere to stay, check out Bunjaree Cottages. Bunjaree Cottages - 10% off for DSLRusers!

[sheepie]

OK folks - looking more likely to be the Sunday - will confirm tomorrow

Info on Zigzag Railway is here: http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au/

[Six]

+1 vote for sunday I should be up in the mountains anyway that day.

[losfp]

Any confirmation of this, Leon?

[sheepie]

OK Folks, have (finally) spoken with someone from ZigZag today, and they are going to try and get one of their volunteers to show us around a bit.

Confirming the day is now SUNDAY 27th AUGUST - not this coming weekend, but the following. Other (preliminary) details have not changed.

Will post directions, firm times, etc. in a couple more days. In the meantime, please register by following the link off the calendar on the front page!

Note that the railway ride is not free, costs and timetable on their website:
http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au

[losfp]

Done!

Sounds like a good day out, Leon.

[sheepie]

Registered so far:

Sheepie & Family
Losfp +1 (presumably J, but who knows? )
Joet +1 (bringing the cakes )
Oscar
Six
Pippin88
Onyx
Spada

So that makes 12 of us

Please register your interest by following the link on the calendar section of the front page.

Rough timetable as follows:
9:30 - 10:30 meet for coffee at Windsor
10:30am - drive to ZigZag
Have a ride, take some piccies, have a picnic lunch (more coffee), and see what happens throughout the rest of the day.

Cost will be dependant on whether you're going on the train at all - see http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au for details.

EDIT: 20th Aug - Updated numbers
EDIT: 26th Aug - Updated numbers

[pippin88]

Sheepie, can you give us an update on numbers?

I can see if I can grab us a group rate or a look round an empty train or something (no promises).

[sheepie]

Sheepie, can you give us an update on numbers?

Done (see above)

I can see if I can grab us a group rate or a look round an empty train or something (no promises).

If you have a contact there, please feel free to do what you can. I spoke with someone there this last week who was going to see if he could find someone to show us around a bit, but if you can do better than that I'd appreciate it

[Onyx]

I'm in, in, in!!

Lookin' forward to the sunday drive along Bells Line of Road.

[feldy]

any chance of the convoy stopping off at one of the stations along the way, to pick up someone who's prepared to risk the Cityrail timetable?

-A

[losfp]

Losfp +1 (presumably J, but who knows? )

As if, Leon. Can you imagine the whining if she got left at home again?

We're both looking forward to it, should be a good day.

[sheepie]

As if, Leon. Can you imagine the whining if she got left at home again?

I'm staying away from that one, and I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when she reads this

any chance of the convoy stopping off at one of the stations along the way, to pick up someone who's prepared to risk the Cityrail timetable?

Hopefully someone can pick you up - we can't, as we'll probably have a full car. What station would you be looking at?

[pippin88]

Me and Six will be meeting up with you guys at the Zig Zag. Will already be in Wentworth Falls.

[Geoff]

Me and Six will be meeting up with you guys at the Zig Zag. .

So that will make seven of u right?

[thejay]

Leon: Yes it would be me that is the +1 associated with Des. I'm just too lazy to read anything so he replies. In replying he tries to make it as controversial as he can... hoping that I'll find it and react. Unfortunately 9/10 he has to send me the link so I'll read it!

[Onyx]

Feldy - set a time, a place and a self description; I'll be happy to pick ya up. My contact numba: zero four one one eight three six two four one.

[feldy]

Hi Onyx - thanks very much for that, however, have just checked out the cityrail website, and the train from the city goes to Zig Zag right before ending at Lithgow!

Am hoping that if I get there at around 11.30, it should fit pretty well with the convoy from Windsor - Sheepie, does that sound about right timing-wise?

-A

[pippin88]

"By Main Line Train to Zig Zag
Main line trains only stop at the short Zig Zag platform on request.
If travelling from Sydney (journey time approximately 3 hours) contact the guard before departure and get instructions. If travelling from Lithgow (journey time approximately 10 minutes) contact the guard before departure.This access is not suitable for wheelchairs due to steps from the main line platform. Further information about CityRail trains.
Bottom Points Station is a five minute walk uphill on a concrete path from the main line platform.
CityRail runs to a regular timetable, but if disrupted will be replaced by a bus service which only operates via Clarence Station."

From http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au/

[feldy]

that's pretty ironic - thought it would be a nice idea to take a train if you're going to visit a railway...

would be pretty funny if the only way you could get to Zig Zag was to take a train to Lithgow and drive one station back to ZZ!

A

[pippin88]

You can get them to stop, but make sure to ask the guard.

Also, from a quick glance at the timetable, I'm not sure if all the trains have the option, so best make sure!

[sheepie]

I'll update with meeting point and times tomorrow night, looking forard to a great day out

[pippin88]

Sheepie. The guy at the zig zag apologises, he lost your number.

The advice I got was to do as the site says:
"Those wanting to know more about the history and enjoy a Steam Train ride may combine the two services on Sundays.(This service will not be available on special event days - Check detail Timetable) Jan-Dec 2006
Travel down the escarpment on a Vintage Railmotor from Clarence Station and hear the live commentary on the railway's history and construction. There is a photo stop at No. 1 Viaduct to watch the Steam Train climb the steep grade to Top Points. The Railmotor continues to Bottom Points, stopping again for photos below No. 1 Viaduct as the Steam Train passes above. At Bottom Points there is a conducted tour of the locomotive repair depot.
The shop at Bottom Points is open for light refreshments while waiting for the Steam Train to take you back to Clarence."
For the best photo ops.

Was suggested that we may also be able to convince a guide to give us a better look around / more time than normal, but that's dependent on the guide etc.

Sorry I couldn't swing any special deal.

[sheepie]

OK Folks, it's a bit late but it's here: These are the final details for Sunday!

9:30ish Meet at Windsor - there's a park there where bands play and people have picnics. Ice Cream shop over the road, Pub over the other road, etc.

10am Start off to Zig Zag. This is a little earlier, as the timetable for the combined trip that Pippin posted has that leaving at 11:40 - the trip from Windsor should take about an hour (according to whereis.com.au, which I've found pretty reliable on times - in the country anyway).

11am arrive ZigZag, see what's there, get tickets, etc.

Basically play it by ear from there.

I'll PM my mobile number to those registered, but doubt there'll be coverage after Windsor. If you don't already know me, I'll be the dork in the Official Nikon Pro Vest(TM)

[Onyx]

9:30 Windsor meet - is there a more precise address? Or is it unmissable? I haven't been to Windsor in ages and can't recall what was there the last time I went.

Feldy - I've done the trek to Zig Zag via Citirail before... there's a short 15-20min walk from the citirail station to the historical Zig Zag Railway station, up a hill, around a corner and done the other side.... If you're doing that way, best of luck. If not, feel free to hit me up, I can accomodate you.

[stubbsy]

Have fun people. Looking forward to your pics.

[sheepie]

9:30 Windsor meet - is there a more precise address? Or is it unmissable? I haven't been to Windsor in ages and can't recall what was there the last time I went.

Any time I've been out there it's been pretty obvious where the park is - I can't be much more specific, there's always heaps of people around.
From memory, there's a carpark down around the bridge on the way out of town (to the west) - we'll probably park there and walk back to the park.

Just look out for the Ice Cream shop - we won't be far from there

[Geoff]

I expect lots of great photos on your return!! Enjoy ppls, and stay safe!

[sheepie]

OK - have just sent PM's to all those registered. If there's any others, the details are as follows:

The park at Windsor, as I remember it, is on the corner of George Street and The Terrace (about the middle of the map below):
http://sheepie.smugmug.com/photos/90672864-M.gif

At 10am, we'll head out the Bells Line of Road to Clarence (where ZigZag Railway is:
http://sheepie.smugmug.com/photos/90672863-M.gif

This should take about an hour, which gives us a bit of time to get organised before the 11:40am trip down as Pippin suggested (if you want to do that one). There's plenty of options of what to do when we get there, so for those that want to do something different you shouldn't have any trouble keeping amused

I'll have the CB on channel 18 or 19 while I'm in the car, so if you have the ability, try to contact me that way. I've sent my mobile number to all registered as well.

Looking forward to seeing you all there

[Glen]

Hope everyone has a great time, look forward to the results

[Onyx]

Wow, what a great meet. Thanks Sheepie for organising, thanks Chryssine for the nibblies, and thanks everyone for the great company!

It was a fantastic sunday drive, cost me about half a tank of petrol, but worth it.

I can't believe that was a whole day out - I guess it's true, time flies when you're having fun! (and waiting for coffee...)

[losfp]

(and waiting for coffee...)

I can't believe it takes THAT long to make a cup of Gloria Jeans coffee!!!

Great day out, just sorting through my photos now while dinner is cooking in the oven.... Hopefully post some up tonight

[sheepie]

Glad you guys enjoyed the day - we certainly did! Was a great day out.

Downloading my images now, but I'm totally stuffed so don't know how many I'll get through tonight! Will probably get a couple posted later this evening though

[joet]

Great day for Chryssine and me too

It was good to catch up with you guys ... thanks, Sheepie for organising, but you have to work on your map-reading skills

[Oscar]

Had a great time. Thanks to everyone for organising this. I'm too tired to work on photos tonight - something to do with a Sunday afternoon stroll in the bush. Need to work on my fitness to keep up with the younger ones.

[spada]

Had a great time. Thanks to everyone for organising this. I'm too tired to work on photos tonight - something to do with a Sunday afternoon stroll in the bush. Need to work on my fitness to keep up with the younger ones.

I am very tired and sleepy now , just can not keep up with Nick and Fedly and OnyX ( alot younger than me ), but at least we finish the walking , it is a great day out, great company.

Nick, Fedly and Oscar at highest point .


And the train