#Hotham Valley Railway

[redrcs]

Dwellingup

Heavy locomotive at Pinjara. Dwellingup is a town nearby. I don't know if it's under restoration, but I hope so

[sodor-spirit]

((Well, here’s my OC for this AU of mine!))

Ariel the Western Aussie Spirit and the Mirage Caster.

🇦🇺 A Fire Spirit from the state of Western Australia who works on the Hotham Valley Railway, Ariel is known to her fellow spirits for her incredibly layered personality. She uses both She/Her and They/ Them pronouns interchangeably but hasn’t come out to everyone she knows.

🇦🇺 Her unique ability is creating mirages by heating the surrounding area (ground) around her. She can also use it to turn herself and others invisible but not very well due to her illusions’ ‘rippling’ effect.

🇦🇺. Most of the time she’s often very quiet with a somewhat shy demeanour who speaks with a very soft voice and likes to keep to herself, aside from giving small friendly smiles and a short wave. When she is in a good mood however, she’s quite carefree, more open and often playing pranks or telling jokes on both her fellow spirits and sometimes even unsuspecting humans using her unique power. In a bad mood however, she is extremely irritable and can be unintentionally rude at times, their usual soft tone becoming quite fierce, loud and a little hoarse.

🇦🇺 Her engine is a WAGR W class and her height is around 5’6 tall making them the tallest out of some of the female spirits on their heritage railway and more or less, up to some of the male spirits’ shoulders.

🇦🇺 Became close friends with the spirits on the Little Western during her time on Sodor, helping them out and even gained a small (but unrequited) crush on Duck. She also helped Oliver with his conflicted feelings for Thomas and his insecurities of being called a monster for his elemental type. They and Thomas also became good friends, playfully fighting with each other (both verbal and non-verbal) and keeping in contact through the Mail services and the human technology known as Social Media. Donald and Douglas also taught her their breath of fire technique to help her keep warm, during the cold and wet rainy winter season in her part of Australia.

🇦🇺 Addicted to music and will listen to anything regardless of the lyrics and language as long as the melody sounds nice to her. She enjoys singing along but very self-conscious over her singing voice.

🇦🇺 Her weapon is a razor sharp boomerang which she uses to channel her powers through, making them flaming boomerangs. She later taught Duck how to throw his axes similar to throwing a boomerang.

And... that all I got so far, I’ll updated this every now and then. Hope you all like them/her!

[airmanisr]

Grandma Jill and Jasper Weaver met a steam train 16 September 2018 by Paul Weaver Via Flickr: Yesterday Jill and I rode on the Hotham Valley Railway at Dwellingup as picnic guests of our grandchildren Jasper and Zoe and their parents Luke and Crystal. Jasper likes trains, but this was the first time he had been up close and personal with a real steam locomotive. They are wonderfully noisy devices which tend to blow their whistle without notice. My photo captured Jasper covering his ears in the company of Grandma Jill. fremantlebiz.livejournal.com/2018/09/17/

[currinstrains]

The WAGR W class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1951 and 1972.

The WAGR W class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1951 and 1972.

WAGR W class locomotive W934 at Woolshed Flat.  Pichi Richi Railway, South Australia

22

W920 on the Hotham Valley Railway in July 2005

from Trains, Railways and Transport Around the World https://ift.tt/3eReeO8 via IFTTT

[christopher-tie]

About to have a tea on the lovely dinner carriage 😊🤗☕️ (at Hotham Valley Railway) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ao7klHDfb/?igshid=1xa5fx5krjdfg

[shannrussell-blog1]

The summer months in Victoria’s High Country are recognisable by picturesque mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes which are unspoiled destinations ready for your next camping expedition.

No matter how you describe your adventurous spirit, the summer months in Victoria’s north-east provide the perfect platform for exploration, from a range of recreation trails to adrenalin injecting experiences.

Once the hype settles, there’s the chance to recharge at well-recognised cafes and restaurants, rehydrate amongst the craft breweries and wineries, or fill your camp cupboards at community markets stocked with local produce.

Ready to head for the hills? I’ve detailed a range of opportunities that’ll have you packing your bags to explore Victoria’s High Country before the next snowfall.

The high country is just as enjoyable in summer as it is in winter. 

Camping

Finding somewhere in the High Country to peg out the tent or brake the wheels on the camper is as easy as throwing meat on the barbie. Right across the region, you’ll find a range of options from commercial campgrounds, free-camps and campsites on public lands.

Irrespective of how you choose to camp, set up along the flowing Ovens, King or Kiewa rivers or within the areas of the valley lakes, Lake William Hovell, Lake Eildon or Lake Sambell.

From your home away from home, it then shouldn’t be hard to grab the boat, kayaks, tubes and fishing rods to get out onto the water.

Set up your camp near the water so you can make the most of the activities. 

Trails

Once you’re set up, the extensive network of off-road trails designed for people of all ages and abilities will excite most. Whether rail trails, bushwalking, mountain biking, horse riding or cycling, their abundance can’t be missed. Can’t decide whether to walk or ride? No worries… there’s also plenty of shared trails to allow for your group to share in the adventure.

Speaking of shared trails, it’s hard to pass up the opportunities along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail which extends for more than 100 kilometres, uncovering unique parts of the Ovens Valley. The sealed off-road trail, perfect for both walkers and riders, journeys from the flatlands around Wangaratta to the alpine town of Bright with side-routes to Beechworth, Milawa and Wandiligong.

The Rail Trail can be enjoyed by those on foot or bike.

Shared trails also provide a fantastic option to those with accessibility limitations. Whether it be a wheelchair, pram or just young kids, the Rail Trail from Bright to Porepunkah is 6km one way, offering a consistent downhill gradient that starts in beautiful Bright.

It’s a beautiful journey as you make your way along the old railway corridor, with Mount Buffalo revealing itself to the west before you arrive at the quaint surrounds of Porepunkah.

When it comes to bushwalking, there is something for everyone here. 

Trail running

Looking to up the pace and get your running legs going? There’s the challenge to test your endurance on the High Country’s 7 Peaks Run. Inclusive of twenty-one colour-coded trails covering more than 200 kilometres across Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Mount Buffalo, Dinner Plain, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Lake Mountain.

Mt Hotham to Mt Feathertop is not to be missed. 

Bushwalking

Prefer to slow the pace down and tackle a bushwalk instead? While almost impossible to narrow the choices down, it’s hard to pass up the superb trail which is 11km and 4hrs one way from Mt Hotham to the summit of Mt Feathertop. Reaching Victoria’s second highest mountain is absolutely worth the effort as it follows the sharp, craggy spine of the razorback above the treeline.

If epic bike trails get you going, the high country won’t disappoint. 

Mountain biking

Prefer the option to get on the wheels of a mountain bike? The abundance of trails will have you pumping for weeks. There is Mt Buller’s Australian Alpine Epic Trail which is the first trail in the southern hemisphere to be deemed officially ‘epic’ by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).

Alternatively, there are endless purpose-built trails, notably Hero Trail at Mystic Park in Bright, new long-distance trails in Yackandandah, a network of options in Mt Beauty, a flowy cross-country loop in Beechworth or gravity fed lines, such as Flowtown, at Falls Creek. With many extending up to 5km and beyond, consider booking a shuttle service to make the most of the opportunity. Once you’re pedalling, the options for all skills and experience levels have no boundaries.

But if all this physical activity is getting tiring, there is always the open highway… No better option than winding your way along Victoria’s Great Alpine Road, from Wangaratta right across to Metung on the jaw-droppingly beautiful Gippsland Lakes.

The 339-kilometre adventure along Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road takes you right up and close to Victoria’s diverse landscapes.

Take your bike with you so you can explore the trails. 

Adventure

Prefer to navigate an adventure that exposes a unique perspective of the beautiful High Country? The region has you covered here also. There’s an abundance of choices including dirt biking, kayaking, rock climbing, caving, paragliding, hang gliding, hot air ballooning and more.

While it is not a bad idea (often required) to seek a professional operator or at least pay the membership and hire fees, the cost is far outweighed by the awe-inspiring views, defying challenges, and adrenalin filled journeys.

Get your adrenalin pumping by adventuring in the high country.

4WD tracks

How can we talk about adventure and not mention the surplus of 4WD tracks on offer? Throughout the High Country are thousands of kilometres of 4WD tracks where many drivers earn stripes across the alpine ranges.

Best known for tracks including Wonnangatta, the Dargo High Plains, Blue Rag, Mount Stirling, while worth every metre, they’re also not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced.

The fresh local fare in the region will blow you away. 

Food & drink

Inevitably, there will come a time in the midst of your adventures that you’ll need to refuel with a filling feed and refreshing drink. Thankfully, throughout the High Country, a boutique café, picturesque winery, craft brewery, ice-creamery or home-style bakery isn’t far away.

What stands out is the friendliness of the hospitality on offer. The area is accommodating of families, with spaces to park your bikes, is kind on your wallet and saturated with country charm. The High Country immerses you in a range of delicious options.

Sample the local frothies at the Bright Brewery.

Some of the notable favourites are the Rail Trail Café, Bright Brewery, Beechworth Bakery, Porepunkah Pub, Kiewa Iced Coffee, King Valley Dairy, Brown Brothers Winery and the Bright & Beechworth Ice Creamery.

There is so much to see and visit that hasn’t even been shared, such as the nature of a region with extensive attractions and surprises every time you return. What can’t be ignored is the value of the ongoing growth of the High Country and it’s continued offering to ensure each visit never feels the same.

  Have you explored the snowy peaks of the High Country in winter?

The post Exploring the Victorian High Country in Summer appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[homefixfind]

Hotham Valley Railway training headquarters on fast track to completion

“They've supplied the paint, the painting supplies and staff up there painting ... “[Bunnings assistance] it's going to bring the house to almost completion as a ... “We do all the training in house, so we can take a person who may not ... from Google Alert - house painting http://ift.tt/2nmWCA8

[colourshade]

Pamika.

In a carriage of the Hotham Valley Railway steam train. Shot on Ilford Delta 100.

Kiev 60 / 80mm

[redrcs]

Relic of empire

Old Steam train boiler at Pinjara

Hotham Valley Railway. On my travels

[christopher-tie]

Excited to be riding on this steam train 😊🤗🚂 (at Hotham Valley Railway) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDTC9OAi9r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bapwvbm0yys3