AFAIK, this was the last Signal Point race ever held, and I wasn't there.
I find the duality of Research and Preserved forums quite confusing, and I didn't want to start a new thread, so I picked this one as the closest to an existing thread for this item.
This was a snippet from my 'This was news' section in Oct.07 RNV, which went to the printer on Tuesday.
From 10 years ago:
* Over Fri.19-Mon.22.9.97, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre ran a Mildura tour with J515 & GM36, coinciding with a Signal Point paddleboat race. PV Rothbury won (it had won every event since the inaugural one, in 1988); PS Oscar W was second; PV Avoca was third.
As I look at at this item, I can only guess that PS Industry wasn't there. I have published before that it has the reputation of being the fastest steamer on the river.
J515 was a light-lines 2-8-0 steam loco, built for Victorian Railways in the early 1950s by Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, UK.
GM36 was a Co-Co mainline diesel, built for Commonwealth Railways in the late 1950s or early 1960s, by Clyde Engineering (the Australian licensee for GM-EMD). The 16-cylinder diesel engine used in this type appeared in some marine applications (tugs and/or car ferries on the USA side of Lake Michigan, or the other great lakes.
In looking ahead for other great river events to attend, Michael has alerted us to the changed plans for the 2008 Oscar W centenary voyage: only Goolwa - Mildura, not to Echuca.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria
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