Ron Preston Collection

The following rare photos were kindly supplied to OTHR by Stephen Preston and were taken by his father, the late Ron Preston. Ron was well known in railway circles and is the author of many authoritative books and articles on the railways of NSW. He had a particular soft spot for the Oberon Tarana line and this is reflected in the numerous photos some of which are revealed here.
OTHR is very grateful to Steve for allowing us to share these images with you.
The copyright for these photos is retained by Stephen Preston. These photos may NOT be reproduced without express written permission from the copyright holder.

: This is the first of a group of photographs taken when Ron visited Oberon in 1955. The loco featured in this series is “1942″ and she is seen here heading up the hill between Carlwood and Hazelgrove with an S truck as a match between the loco and the HS composite carriage.

: Presumably some of the party spent time on foot exploring the line. I believe these photos were taken just south of Carlwood and show the check rail required on the sharper curves to make sure the train retained its footing if there was a de-rail.

: Presumably some of the party spent time on foot exploring the line. I believe these photos were taken just south of Carlwood and show the check rail required on the sharper curves to make sure the train retained its footing if there was a de-rail.

: Judging by the shadows, it is early morning at Oberon Station and the HS has been left at the platform ready for an 11.25 departure. The pine trees are very immature and later photos how giant they became. There was a platform seat, so that is one item we need to find.

: 1942 has been left stabled in the very primitive loco just NW of the station. Shorts and short sleeves indicate that it is summer. The little tipping skip that was used to dump the loco ash is visible.

: 1942 has been left stabled in the very primitive loco just NW of the station. Shorts and short sleeves indicate that it is summer. The little tipping skip that was used to dump the loco ash is visible in the previous photo.

: This photo was taken at Carlwood with the UP mixed heading north towards Tarana having just crossed the Carlwood Road. The HS composite carriage is still wearing tuscan and russet paint.

: The mixed has crossed the steel bridge over the Fish River with the township of Oberon some 1000ft higher and behind the loco. The leading S and K trucks possibly hold pit props for Broken Hill.

: The consist for this UP goods is taken from Ron’s notes: 1942 S, K, S, S, S, GSV, GSV, GSV, GSV, GSV, HS Up Goods. The train is now quite close to Tarana.

: Taken by Ron Preston when he and friends visited Oberon on 3rd August 1957. A down 36 class leads a pass. service out of Tarana past an HS carriage (adjacent to the carriage shed) waiting its turn for a run up to Oberon on the branch line.

: 3640 heads an up pass. from Tarana having possibly dropped some ash and topped up the water. Note the skip for disposal of the copious quatities of ash accumulating at Tarana.

: Standard goods loco 5456 heads a down goods with an interesting mix of wagons and freight. The extent of the ash buildup can be seen adjacent to the up line.

: The driver of 1942 wanders across to have a yarn with the driver of the 54 class standard goods loco on an up goods.

: Two standard goods locos make a 3 way cross with 1942 on the branch.

: .. followed by a shunting trip to pick up an S truck full of coal for Oberon loco.

: The down mixed for Oberon waits in the station at Tarana for the passengers for the branch line.

: … followed by a shunting trip to pick up an S truck full of coal for Oberon loco.

: The down mixed for Oberon waits in the station at Tarana for the passengers for the branch line.

: 5456 on the down goods (left) crosses an up goods behind anothe 54 class.

: There is quite a bit of activity in Tarana yard with 1942, having taken on water, ready to head out onto the branch and 2 goods trains working the main lines.

: Temporarily, all is quiet in Tarana yard.

: 1942 heads the small mixed on the branch and is crossing the Carlwood Rd at Carlwood.

: Moving past the Carlwood Rd.crossing .

: In the station platform at Oberon, 1942 has marshalled sawn timber from the local mill in 3 S trucks and a K. The HS composite car caters for any passengers and small freight.