XPT's and and Xplorer at Tarro (Australia)

[HM2701]

Went to Tarro (160km North of Sydney) to film some of Australias Fastest Trains. Tarro in the Hunter Valley region is considered to be a railfanning Mecca. Its easily accessible from Sydney by regular train services or the F3 Freeway. It has a wide variety of trains including coal trains, intermodal freighters, Local commuter services, XPT and Xplorer trains and the occasional tour train.
Trains typicaly come every 5 minutes on one of the 4 tracks at this location.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crR_4nT52oA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykoB65zzjGY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7NHqAE3dMs

 

[Aussie_Rail]

Tarro in the Hunter Valley region is considered to be a railfanning Mecca.

Great videos, although I wouldn't describe Tarro as being a railfanning 'Mecca' though, especially being so far from Sydney.

 

[HM2701]

Great videos, although I wouldn't describe Tarro as being a railfanning 'Mecca' though, especially being so far from Sydney.

Since when does railfanning Mecca need to be really close to Sydney. Perhaps its worth pointing out that Tarro is just outside Newcastle, which is the second largest city in NSW and 7th largest in the country. Newcastle has more people than Tasmania and more people than the ACT and NT combined. So if a railfanning Mecca must be close to a major city. I think Newcastle qualifies.
And whilst it may be some distance from Sydney its still easily accessible from Sydney. Hourly trains from Central station to Hamilton with connections on the Hunter Line to Tarro. Its also only 1hr 20 mins drive from Hornsby.

 

[Aussie_Rail]

Since when does railfanning Mecca need to be really close to Sydney.

Or even in New South Wales for that matter?

Perhaps its worth pointing out that Tarro is just outside Newcastle, which is the second largest city in NSW and 7th largest in the country. Newcastle has more people than Tasmania and more people than the ACT and NT combined.

A large population doesn't always warrant a reason for a location to be a 'railfanning Mecca', a 'Mecca' is interpereted individually, what I might consider as a 'Mecca', might be different from someone else etc.

And whilst it may be some distance from Sydney its still easily accessible from Sydney. Hourly trains from Central station to Hamilton with connections on the Hunter Line to Tarro. Its also only 1hr 20 mins drive from Hornsby.

That's still a good distance away for the average person to make their way to.

 

[Addington]

Since when does railfanning Mecca need to be really close to Sydney. Perhaps its worth pointing out that Tarro is just outside Newcastle, which is the second largest city in NSW and 7th largest in the country. Newcastle has more people than Tasmania and more people than the ACT and NT combined. So if a railfanning Mecca must be close to a major city. I think Newcastle qualifies.
And whilst it may be some distance from Sydney its still easily accessible from Sydney. Hourly trains from Central station to Hamilton with connections on the Hunter Line to Tarro. Its also only 1hr 20 mins drive from Hornsby.

I've videoed and photoed at Tarro a few times. It has the long straight at one end, the sweeping curve at the other, and there arent all that many passengers to worry about. You can also set yourself up on the side of the overbridge, and most likely wont see road traffic. Found it alot better than Hexham. East Maitland from overbridge on the Maitland side is also worth a visit.