SWTTs and STNs

dasher · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: SWTTs and STNs

Evening gents...

I am sitting here putting the finishing touches etc as I prepare to leave on my first real rail expedition in a couple of years. Over the next week I plan on doing a good ol' bit of RA-ing around western NSW (Griffith, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Moree), but while I was planning this extravaganza it hit upon me: I should really try and do some ol' fashioned gunzelling.

Now I am not a gunzel. I think I have ever only taken 2 photos that included rolling stock that was not being used as a museum display. As a newb, I want to try and get the most out of this break and have managed to hunt down the SWTTs from the ARTC website to try and give me a heads up. Now my question is this... are the SWTT that same as the STNs I see posted on RP?

Ideally I would look up the STNs myself, but alas I cannot as they are not accessible to Joe Public. That being said will the SWTTs I have be sufficient, or do I really need to beg, borrow or steal to get my hands on the STNs for the real Good Oil?

Anyway, I know that I have left this question a bit late, but I am asking so I am even more prepared for my next expedition whenever that may be.

It goes without saying that pics will be posted when I return.

Stick that one up your arse! in advance lads.

(I love what the swear filter is gonna to to that last line Smile

)
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TheLoadedDog · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

Admin Note:

If anybody could help Br. dasher here, please do so via PM or email. Also, as a bribe (because my links are out of date), please CC me as well Shit-eating grin

.

I don't want any links appearing on here. You won't get in shit for it, but they'll be removed, defeating the purpose. This includes disabled links.

Thanks gentlemen.

- TLD
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dasher · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

Stick that one up your arse! Dawg, but my main motive here wasn't to get the STN link. I just want to know if the SWTTs will cut the mustard.
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biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

STNs are great for what they are - Special Train Notices. I find them mighty helpful should an unusual movement be going on to get an idea of when and where to see it, should I so desire. That said, by the time I find out someone's usually posted the details already.

STNs also cover alot of movements we might not consider so special, including all the trackwork stuff (redirections, etc). Often they will be appropriately vague to be more flexible also, such as saying the motive power on a works train will be two suitable locomotives - no idea which operator or what type of locos.

All that said, it's worth skimming through the headings to see if anything catches your eye in the area you are headed. A PM may just be headed your way ... smile

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Bigged · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:33 am Post subject:

One thing 30 years on the loco has taught me is the WTT or what ever it is called in other states is just a guide when it comes to freight trains. Rodney Dangerfield

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Bwana · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:32 am Post subject:

No need to go into cloak and dagger mode here - you've found the ARTC site where the SWTTs are. Very close by you'll find Train Alteration Advice (I think it stands for - TAAs anyway). That is the ARTC equivalent of STNs (Special Train Notices), which is the Railcorp term for the same thing. The areas mentioned are ARTC areas, so you won't need to find any STNs at all, and if you've found SWTTs, TAAs should be just as easy.

Enjoy your trip - I look forward to seeing pics from places often neglected. Take Ed's advice too - it's nothing for a freight to travel an hour early or a few hours late, so arrive early and get ready for a long wait.
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dasher · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject:

Well lads, I have just pulled into Moree and it has been fucketing (I.e. fucking bucketing) down all day since leaving Bourke this morning. As a result pretty much nothing got done today. I am on a public computer, so I will save uploading pics until later.

A big We are not worthy

for all the wise words you have all posted here, and to those to PM'ed me. I owe you more than a couple of Beer!

Bigged and Bwana I can now full appreciate your words. Three times I rock up at least fifteen minutes earlier than the posted time at Blayney, Matakana and Narrabri. I wait for 1/2 an hour at Blayney and even a full hour at Matakana (have a look on a map to see the madness involved in that on a 30C plus day) and nothin'... I will stop there, or this will need get moved to a more appropriate forum.
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biqua · Diamond Bollocks Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 575

No wuckins ... I'm hoping to hit the road for a week or so maybe around Feb (was thinking a Junee, Parkes, Ardglen sort of route but not specifics yet), so look forward to seeing the results of your extravaganza. Just dropped the car off today to get the aircon fixed in preperation (figure I'll need it to work more than 5 minutes in country NSW during summer).

Makes sense that ARTC have their own notices ...
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