The trackwork encompassing Fish River, environs & approaches ( including the branch ) was energised for the first time & all points were commissioned following a couple of half days of testing & adjustment.
Our daughter Sophie was awarded the honour & ran the first train off the branch & duly arrived at Fish River Station amid much fanfare & without incident!!!
Well this is not strictly true... I invited the girls to be present just after dinner to witness the running of the first official train & after much explaining on my part that it would be more interesting than Funniest Home Videos....they accepted.
A pre celebration Banquet of home made pizzas was enjoyed & just before 1900hrs the crowd gathered in the train room for the opening speeches & arrival of the first train.
I had gone up to the train room earlier in the afternoon, assembled & shunted the first train to the end of the branch & checked that the road was set for a faultless arrival....Or so i thought...
Brand new 4202 & rake of tuscan coaches was chosen for the event & all was ready...
Right on 1900hrs...Sophie took the 42 to notch 3 & it bellowed into life....the train burst out of the tunnel & approached the truss bridge nearing the junction at Fish River.....
Horn blaring, headlight big and bright & the 42 chanting as it slowed for the points to join the main line all was perfect.....then.....she stopped dead....
The double slip was not set for the road....whoops...rather embarassing!!!
Before i could even fathom what had happened, Sophie had set the road & also cleared another opposing point at Henderson's siding....then reversed the train for another try.
And the rest is history as the first official train arrived safely at Fish River platform at 1905hrs.
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| Sunday 1st April 2012...First day of normal traffic... |
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