GrahamH's photos with the keyword: 106

This day was to be a shunting training day. The carriages have been brought to a convenient place for coupling and uncoupling. However it was found that the brakes on 2 of the 4 cars weren't releasing and the initial investigation gave strange results. Oliver with Evan looking on is reporting to the driver and a trainee fireman that we haven't resolved anything and are wondering what to do next. The loco also had developed a problem with getting the required pressure in the main brake tank. Shortly after this I got into the cab and found a very quiet fire, see PiP, a dozen shovels soon got it going again. January 2025.

Thanks to the excessively wet summer we've been able to light up 106. On Saturday 18/01 a shunting and brake testing training day was scheduled. This photo shows some delighted visitors getting a quick guide to the loco with some children getting in the cab. 106 paused for them as it made its way from the shed to get the carriages we would be working with which were at the far end of the platform. January 2025.

This post is in answer to Peter P B's question about this photo, www.ipernity.com/doc/grahamh/52557052 . That is, what is happening in that other photo. Look at the PiPs here. Ash from the burnt coal accumulates in the smokebox. The mechanism highlighted here is a means to reduce a large build-up without having to open the smokebox door. Water from the boiler via the tap and pipe shown washes ash which is in the sump part of the ejector. Ash which is not in the sump can be moved into it using a pricker tool through the port halfway up the side of the smokebox in line with the sump. The pricker is moved around to get the ash to fall into the sump. (A pricker is a locomotive fire tool. It is usually a steel rod with one end bent to be a handle and the other end has 20-30 cm bent at 90 degrees. Its main purpose is to move fire around in the firebox.)

Loco 106 is leaving for a test run to Wyreema. Steve, on the right, is holding the points to access the Queensland Rail track and Oliver, in the centre, is holding the last points in DownsSteam's yard. This work, www.ipernity.com/doc/grahamh/52464788 , means we now need only one person on the ground for exit or entry. See PiP. January 2024.

DownsSteam's reason for being, C16 106 being stabled at the end of its working day. The water is from the extinguishing water sprayed on the ash in the ashpan as the fire is dropped. Steam is coming from the cylinder drain cocks to warm the cylinders prior to moving into the shed. June 2024.

Much horn blowing and waving from a Watco grain train going past DownsSteam's site on the Queensland Rail main line. Loco 106 responding with whistling as it moves from the shed to the platform for an afternoon crew training run. April 2024.

Loco 106 has just restarted after the points have been set for DownsSteam's sidings. Watch the main line move away to to the right as 106 slowly enters it's home track. February 2024. Happy Train Tuesday.

The train went into the yard at Drayton. loco 106 uncoupled then ran around, using the main line as the loop track. The PiP shows preparing to exit the yard for the runaround. Back in the yard, prior to coupling onto the carriages for the second test run, the ashpan was emptied as seen in the main photo. The ashpan is a hopper arrangement below the grate which catches the ash and embers which fall through the grate. The new one made by the DownsSteam restoration people has an air operated release so there is no need to go under the loco for this task. The photo shows the glowing coal on the ground beneath the loco being cooled by water from a hose. This is done where there are steel sleepers so there is no damage to the track. 28/08/23

At DownsSteam 106 is ready for its trial run departing at 10am to Brookstead with the gin (water tank wagon). Oliver and I were in early to light up and prepare. See PiP for another view. 106 and wagon in the platform with the largely restored 1037 behind it. 19/08/23

DownsSteam C16 106 returning to Toowoomba from Wyreema on the second run. See PiP for approach photo. 18/08/23

DownsSteam's C16 106 has arrived at Wyreema station on its second run. See PiP for more detail of the cab. 18/08/23.

106 arriving at Wyreema on the second of the two runs. 18/08/23. Mouse over to see PiP.

Neil, a heritage steam loco driver and fireman, watching as 106 returns to DownsSteam's site completing the first of two runs to Wyreema. 18/08/23. Friday again, 25/08/23 HFF. A very happy fence Friday to all. This loco went through the fence, via the gate, for 3 successful trial runs. DownsSteam people were waiting up to 23 years for this event.

106 approaching Karara Rd level crossing on its first return run to Toowoomba. 18/08/23.

106 standing at Wyreema station shorly before leaving on the return run to DownsSteam's site in the Toowoomba suburb of Drayton. 18/08/23.

Part of the crowd at Wyreema station shortly after arrival. Trainee fireman Oliver, in the green shirt, and I lit up 106. In the centre Andrew, the lead loco reconditioner and part of the crew is checking round 106. The two men at the right are Evan, a trainee fireman and Clyde, trainee railmotor driver. 18/08/23.

Out the gate, at last! 23 years in the making. Onto Queensland Rail tracks for the first test run to Wyreema and return, the next crossing loop. 18/08/2023.

C16 106 where Oliver and I prepared her for the first run out on the Queensland Rail tracks. We stared at 5am with departure at 10am, about an hour after this photo. 106 had been used two days earlier so raising pressure was quicker than from cold. 18/08/2023. Mouse-over to see the PiPs