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the train, each of whom had received
identical letters. The four of us
travelled together, sharing the
discomfort of a hot passenger cabin on
a mixed goods train.
We took off our shirts and threw the
contents of the water carafes into the
ineffective fan and felt the drops
bounce back at us. With dust and soot
blowing in the windows we arrived in
Brewarrina looking like red Indians. We
had the intelligence to close ranks on
Geoff, a lesson that would stand me in
good stead.
On another visit to Brewarrina the
Darling River was in flood. Early next
morning there was a knock on the door
followed by, “If you want to catch the
train, it’s leaving two hours early in 30
minutes. It will be the last transport for
at least six weeks.” I caught it, and true
enough, the flood stopped all land
transport for almost two months.
Oberon was a unique location high
in the Great Dividing Range. The
branch line from Tarana to Oberon was
the steepest gradient in the rail system
and special low-geared tank locos were
required for the ascent.
Herb David who ran the local
electrical store was the exhibitor. I
would catch the seven o'clock school
bus from Bathurst in the frost and snow
then walk along Herb’s verandah to be
invited to breakfast. Having done the
deal, Herb would drive me to the
station to catch the 11.15 to Tarana
which connected with the Bathurst day
train to Lithgow and Sydney.
Before departure the guard came to
each passenger to ask who needed
lunch at the Tarana pub. He then
From top: An Oberon train at Tarana (the junction) showing the 1890s carvan. Between
phoned the bookings through.
each pair of cross compartments were two toilets, one for each compartment. The
toilet door was opened by folding up one seat. At Tarana there were 40 minutes in
which to have lunch and a beer. Menu
Great Western Hotel Cobar. A classic country pub and refuge for the tired salesman.
was always the same: corned beef,
Nick-named ‘Tin hares’ these 1920s rail motors provided a reliable service on branch cabbage and potato.
lines until the 1970s. This one was photographed on the Narrandera - Griffith line.
One afternoon I arrived in Oberon,
saw Herb and learned that a mail car
The week after the birth of our first from Bourke had broken down. I spent
went back to Tarana at night to meet a
son I was in Warren on business. I was the whole day on Nevertire station,
goods train into Lithgow. This 1928
the bearer of the news that there had watching the relief train go west to
Buick had a passenger window that
been an increase in film hire, so an Bourke and impatiently waiting for it to
would not close, so I froze as we drove
unsuccessful debate ensued. As we return to get me back to the civilisation
through walls of snow either side of the
thrust and parried Lionel was wrapping of Dubbo.
steep road.
a parcel for my son and handed it One week before Christmas a letter
across. It was a Royal Doulton plate, was received from Geoff New of One day I went to see Alan Tom,
still in my family, and probably of Brewarrina asking for quotes. The boss exhibitor at Manildra, Milthorpe and
considerable value. suggested I should go out there in Cudal, and famous for Tom's Touring
Talkies: six weeks on the road
On another visit, which was also my person, as this exhibitor had been
screening in impossibly small villages
birthday, I stepped off the mixed goods causing trouble. Before arriving at
in the west and north-west of NSW.
at Nevertire to be told that the train Byrock I noticed three competitors on
CINEMARECORD 2006 27