Jim Powe Collection: The train chase

A popular activity for train enthusiasts even today is the train chase: travelling from one vantage point to another while following a train on its journey. In this valuable footage of a train chase from 60 years ago, Jim Powe is following 3803 on the Riverina Express just before steam was replaced by diesel locomotives on that train in 1964. It’s a record of railway history in transition. Powe observes the train departing Albury and at Culcairn on its journey to Sydney. A pacing shot shows the fireman hard at work on the footplate and the clip shows us how much the locomotive moves when at speed. We also see the train departing two recognisable Riverina landmarks at The Rock and crossing Wagga Wagga viaduct.