Railmaps
@railmaps.com.au
Publisher of rail maps & public transport timetables. Photographer, public transport advocate and enjoyer of irony and life’s little incongruities. Ethics matter more than politics.
It may come as a surprise to some Australian railfans that "The Overland" is a name that originated in the USA - probably brought here by SAR Chief Commissioner William Webb who came to Australia after a career in US Railroads.
The Original Whistle Stop has six of these drumheads on the wall.
December 16, 2025 at 1:23 AM
It may come as a surprise to some Australian railfans that "The Overland" is a name that originated in the USA - probably brought here by SAR Chief Commissioner William Webb who came to Australia after a career in US Railroads.
Reposted by Railmaps
The symbolism of Australians racing to donate blood to help the victims of the antisemitic terror attack in Sydney should not be underestimated.
This is a people saying: I give of my most inner self to help you, unknown friends. I give without credit. I recognise that humanity is one body.
#auspol
This is a people saying: I give of my most inner self to help you, unknown friends. I give without credit. I recognise that humanity is one body.
#auspol
December 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
The symbolism of Australians racing to donate blood to help the victims of the antisemitic terror attack in Sydney should not be underestimated.
This is a people saying: I give of my most inner self to help you, unknown friends. I give without credit. I recognise that humanity is one body.
#auspol
This is a people saying: I give of my most inner self to help you, unknown friends. I give without credit. I recognise that humanity is one body.
#auspol
Today's historic pic: Exactly forty years ago today was the first day of electric trains from Sydney to Wollongong and Port Kembla. On that first day, late 1950s-built Metrovick-motored 1500V DC 'U-Boat' Electric Multiple Unit set U10 sits at the terminus at Port Kembla, NSW, December 15, 1985.
December 15, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Today's historic pic: Exactly forty years ago today was the first day of electric trains from Sydney to Wollongong and Port Kembla. On that first day, late 1950s-built Metrovick-motored 1500V DC 'U-Boat' Electric Multiple Unit set U10 sits at the terminus at Port Kembla, NSW, December 15, 1985.
Do not do that.
It's a bad idea at any time, but today in particular, you really do not want to do that.
It's a bad idea at any time, but today in particular, you really do not want to do that.
Dear Bluesky liberals. Come back to Twitter. Please. PLEASE.
December 15, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Do not do that.
It's a bad idea at any time, but today in particular, you really do not want to do that.
It's a bad idea at any time, but today in particular, you really do not want to do that.
This was posted 4 hours ago.
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Why Sara and Issam still can't go to Cronulla beach 20 years after the riots
Australia's racial discrimination commissioner is warning that the factors that fomented the Cronulla riots are still in play today - and that a similar racial brawl could occur again.
www.sbs.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
This was posted 4 hours ago.
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Today's historic pic: Exactly 40 years ago today, the Canberra Monaro Express with PF901 at rear, crosses the Cooma Mail at Farrer Loop, between Bungendore and Queanbeyan, NSW, December 14 1985. Farrer Loop opened in 1953 to increase capacity for the Snowy Mountains scheme, and closed in about 1989.
December 14, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Today's historic pic: Exactly 40 years ago today, the Canberra Monaro Express with PF901 at rear, crosses the Cooma Mail at Farrer Loop, between Bungendore and Queanbeyan, NSW, December 14 1985. Farrer Loop opened in 1953 to increase capacity for the Snowy Mountains scheme, and closed in about 1989.
Reposted by Railmaps
HST at Newquay!
The atmosphere onboard is brilliant! Everyone just having a great time and enjoying themselves! Let’s do the last ever HST train journey in England!
The atmosphere onboard is brilliant! Everyone just having a great time and enjoying themselves! Let’s do the last ever HST train journey in England!
December 13, 2025 at 9:54 PM
HST at Newquay!
The atmosphere onboard is brilliant! Everyone just having a great time and enjoying themselves! Let’s do the last ever HST train journey in England!
The atmosphere onboard is brilliant! Everyone just having a great time and enjoying themselves! Let’s do the last ever HST train journey in England!
Today's historic pic: Grain silos tower in the background as a broad gauge BPL car attached to DERM 63RM on a rail enthusiasts Seymour to Mulwala day-tour sits at the station at Yarrawonga, Vic, March 14 1987. Yarrawonga is 260km from Melbourne on the Benalla to Oaklands line.
December 13, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Today's historic pic: Grain silos tower in the background as a broad gauge BPL car attached to DERM 63RM on a rail enthusiasts Seymour to Mulwala day-tour sits at the station at Yarrawonga, Vic, March 14 1987. Yarrawonga is 260km from Melbourne on the Benalla to Oaklands line.
I'm half an hour or so early to this, but happy 100th birthday Dick Van Dyke.
December 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I'm half an hour or so early to this, but happy 100th birthday Dick Van Dyke.
Soccer hooliganism in Britain has been largely consigned to history. But those young men grew older and maybe their anger metamorphasised from physical violence of youth into the nationalistic bitterness of middle age that infests their nation today.
"He was reputed to be the first person in the country to receive a football banning order when they were introduced, and spent several spells in prison in his younger days for football-related violence."
Well-known Bristol football fan died in tragic fall from lamppost
City fan Paul Lumber was a published author of books about the days of football casuals in the 1980s
www.bristolpost.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Soccer hooliganism in Britain has been largely consigned to history. But those young men grew older and maybe their anger metamorphasised from physical violence of youth into the nationalistic bitterness of middle age that infests their nation today.
Remembering that time The Ghan ran through the streets of Sydney last year.* I like the way the nameboard is framed by the umbrella in this shot.
(*not really. It was an all-over ad for The Ghan on a City & South-Eastern Suburbs tram.)
(*not really. It was an all-over ad for The Ghan on a City & South-Eastern Suburbs tram.)
December 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Remembering that time The Ghan ran through the streets of Sydney last year.* I like the way the nameboard is framed by the umbrella in this shot.
(*not really. It was an all-over ad for The Ghan on a City & South-Eastern Suburbs tram.)
(*not really. It was an all-over ad for The Ghan on a City & South-Eastern Suburbs tram.)
Today’s historic pic: Two 49 class diesel locos and the Lachlan Valley Railway "Gwabegar Weekender" tour train, whilst returning from Dubbo to Sydney via Narromine and Peak Hill, sit at the station at Parkes, NSW, on the Australia Day long weekend holiday, Monday, January 31 1983.
December 12, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Today’s historic pic: Two 49 class diesel locos and the Lachlan Valley Railway "Gwabegar Weekender" tour train, whilst returning from Dubbo to Sydney via Narromine and Peak Hill, sit at the station at Parkes, NSW, on the Australia Day long weekend holiday, Monday, January 31 1983.
Fascinating. Much of this could be Twiggy Forrest having a come to Jesus moment on hydrogen.
Australia leading the world for cancelled green hydrogen projects
December 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Fascinating. Much of this could be Twiggy Forrest having a come to Jesus moment on hydrogen.
The AAA knows that without change, Australians are just going to literally drive themselves to death.
In the 12 months to the end of October, 1361 people died on the nation’s roads. Compared to the same period last year, it was an increase of 88 or almost 7 per cent.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
In the 12 months to the end of October, 1361 people died on the nation’s roads. Compared to the same period last year, it was an increase of 88 or almost 7 per cent.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Drivers aged over 40 are pushing us towards record-high road tolls
The nation’s road and transport ministers hope to halve the road toll by 2030. But deaths and accidents are increasing, at a huge human and financial cost.
www.smh.com.au
December 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The AAA knows that without change, Australians are just going to literally drive themselves to death.
In the 12 months to the end of October, 1361 people died on the nation’s roads. Compared to the same period last year, it was an increase of 88 or almost 7 per cent.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
In the 12 months to the end of October, 1361 people died on the nation’s roads. Compared to the same period last year, it was an increase of 88 or almost 7 per cent.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Visiting the town of my birth today, and boy has it changed. Look at what they're suggesting the locals do now. Maybe it's my influence, or maybe it was ever thus and I was always going to be a gunzel.
December 11, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Visiting the town of my birth today, and boy has it changed. Look at what they're suggesting the locals do now. Maybe it's my influence, or maybe it was ever thus and I was always going to be a gunzel.
Today's historic pic: A70 and S310 with VLine Melbourne to Swan Hill train no 8081 at Bendigo, Vic, May 31, 1987. Bendigo is 162km north of Melbourne on broad gauge lines to Swan Hill and Echuca. Fire broke out on the up platform in 1965 hence the 1960s station building at right.
December 11, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Today's historic pic: A70 and S310 with VLine Melbourne to Swan Hill train no 8081 at Bendigo, Vic, May 31, 1987. Bendigo is 162km north of Melbourne on broad gauge lines to Swan Hill and Echuca. Fire broke out on the up platform in 1965 hence the 1960s station building at right.
Today's historic pic: Exactly 42 years ago today, two 44 class Alco 'World' model diesel locomotives, with 4440 at this end and either 4484 or 4494 at the far end, sit coupled back to back on a siding in the yard at Canberra railway station, Kingston, ACT, December 10, 1983.
December 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Today's historic pic: Exactly 42 years ago today, two 44 class Alco 'World' model diesel locomotives, with 4440 at this end and either 4484 or 4494 at the far end, sit coupled back to back on a siding in the yard at Canberra railway station, Kingston, ACT, December 10, 1983.
Reposted by Railmaps
Bluesky has also asked the @australia.theguardian.com account to put in its age, and is even more restrictive.
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
December 9, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Bluesky has also asked the @australia.theguardian.com account to put in its age, and is even more restrictive.
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
Guardian Australia can't use @bsky.app, though 3rd party posts are still going through.
I won't put GdnAus's 2013 launch as birth date in case it nukes the account. Maybe I'll try 1821
A but of a cockup on the latest official Melbourne tram map which shows Swanston Street trams terminating at State Library station rather than at Melbourne University.
edge.sitecorecloud.io/stategovernc...
edge.sitecorecloud.io/stategovernc...
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 AM
A but of a cockup on the latest official Melbourne tram map which shows Swanston Street trams terminating at State Library station rather than at Melbourne University.
edge.sitecorecloud.io/stategovernc...
edge.sitecorecloud.io/stategovernc...
Today's historic pic: Exactly 36 years ago today, Ballarat tram no 27 runs a BTPS heritage trip in Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree, Vic, December 9 1989. No 27 was Melbourne M class 116 and came to Ballarat in 1930. She has run on this heritage tramway since closure of Ballarat's network in 1971.
December 9, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Today's historic pic: Exactly 36 years ago today, Ballarat tram no 27 runs a BTPS heritage trip in Wendouree Parade, Lake Wendouree, Vic, December 9 1989. No 27 was Melbourne M class 116 and came to Ballarat in 1930. She has run on this heritage tramway since closure of Ballarat's network in 1971.
I'm confused. The NSW Government has granted approval for the Narrabri to North Star section, and "In the coming months, Inland Rail will work with Arcadis to refine the design of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project"
But, will anything actually happen?
www.railexpress.com.au/inland-rail-...
But, will anything actually happen?
www.railexpress.com.au/inland-rail-...
Inland Rail gets green light for next phase
The New South Wales Government has granted approval for the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section of Inland Rail.
www.railexpress.com.au
December 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I'm confused. The NSW Government has granted approval for the Narrabri to North Star section, and "In the coming months, Inland Rail will work with Arcadis to refine the design of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 project"
But, will anything actually happen?
www.railexpress.com.au/inland-rail-...
But, will anything actually happen?
www.railexpress.com.au/inland-rail-...
It's striking.
It's colourful.
But is it a good train livery?
I'm not sure.
It's colourful.
But is it a good train livery?
I'm not sure.
Tomorrow the new blue, red & white GBR livery & brand will be launched. The new design will be displayed on digital displays at a number of major stations. The DfT says the livery will appear across already publicly owned train operators from spring 2026, with the roll-out being gradual. 📷DfT
December 8, 2025 at 11:32 PM
It's striking.
It's colourful.
But is it a good train livery?
I'm not sure.
It's colourful.
But is it a good train livery?
I'm not sure.
Though the tech supplier is different, this fare system upgrade in the San Francisco Bay Area this week seems similar to the transition Victoria's public transport network will be making next year. Let's hope Transport Vic watch closely and learn so they can avoid whatever problems SF encounter.
Bay Area transit farecard upgrade, which includes transfer discounts, starts this Wednesday 12/8! Cards will be upgraded in batches over the next 8-12 weeks.
To transition your card faster, starting 12/8, log onto www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/ and request an upgrade. mtc.ca.gov/news/next-ge...
To transition your card faster, starting 12/8, log onto www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/ and request an upgrade. mtc.ca.gov/news/next-ge...
Next Generation Clipper to Set Sail in December
mtc.ca.gov
December 8, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Though the tech supplier is different, this fare system upgrade in the San Francisco Bay Area this week seems similar to the transition Victoria's public transport network will be making next year. Let's hope Transport Vic watch closely and learn so they can avoid whatever problems SF encounter.
Reposted by Railmaps
The future is building a humanoid robot at great cost to replace hiring a guy to hand out water bottles, then hiring a guy to remote control the robot handing out water bottles.
can't stop watching this clip of a tesla Optimus teleoperator taking his headset off before properly logging out the robot
December 8, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The future is building a humanoid robot at great cost to replace hiring a guy to hand out water bottles, then hiring a guy to remote control the robot handing out water bottles.
I log all page calls to railmaps.com.au website, and it's amusing to see what people search for in the journey planner. Some of these are real human users and some are search engine bots. Bingbot is particularly weird.
I thought I'd share a few of the more offbeat ones from just the past hour:
I thought I'd share a few of the more offbeat ones from just the past hour:
December 8, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I log all page calls to railmaps.com.au website, and it's amusing to see what people search for in the journey planner. Some of these are real human users and some are search engine bots. Bingbot is particularly weird.
I thought I'd share a few of the more offbeat ones from just the past hour:
I thought I'd share a few of the more offbeat ones from just the past hour: