Always interesting running in late December, we had no idea what to expect... first train - 14A, recently converted back to coal burning, and 8A, just out of the workshops. They were working hard with the full two train consist, but then 14A continued to Emerald. For some reason, by Pinnock's Cutting, 14A was moving slower than walking pace and the drama of reaching Emerald without stalling was just mind boggling. Masterful driving.
The rest of our long day was with 7A and diesel DH5 on the Gembrook run with no less than 16 fully laden cars.