Bart Bear's Blog

Did you know that I am really able to be part of a train crew? Here I am at my post on the lookout window of the Zig-Zag Railway's steam engine. Lookout is a really important part of the train crew. We let the driver know if there are trees, cows or stray hikers on the line. The driver then has to decide if he runs them over or not. You can see that the driver has placed me where I can see everything on my side of the train and be close to him and the fireman. I love trains, 'specially steam engines.
Do you know that nobody has ever been attacked by a crab on a steam train? Other than ones the silly passanger took on the train themselves and let get loose.

Labels: Blue Mountains, crabs, New South Wales, train, Zig-Zag

We were at Clarence station ready to go for a ride on the Zig-Zag Railway. Dad had paid for the tickets. The carriages were all hitched up and ready to go. Passengers were gathering. All that was missing was the engine. This had to come from the engine sheds down at the Lithgow end of the line. I went for a snoop around the station to find a good spot to see it arrive. The best spot was on this post just off the side of the line. I sat there and the engine came right past me. Smoke and steam all over me!!! Then the driver let me climb on the engine (see one of the early posts for a picture). I really like trains and steam engines are the best of all.

Labels: New South Wales, train, Zig-Zag

Guess what. I can help drive trains. I think steam engines are the best. They breathe, hiss and puff just like a busy bear. This is the engine of the Zig-Zag Railway that runs from near Lithgow to Clarence in NSW. We were there in June 2004 and had a great trip on this historic track that used to take trains over the Blue Mountains. I got to climb on the engine, even in the driving cab. Mum roused on Dad for letting me get my fur sooty, but it was worth it, even the inevitable bath.

Labels: Blue Mountains, New South Wales, train, Zig-Zag