Elvis has left the Continent

[Miningman]

Something to break the winter blahs and January Blues

From Mike!

Many of him. On a train. Nice countryside. Seems Aussies do this every year.

 

https://www.australiatimes.online/2019/01/10/parkes-elvis-festival-presley-fans-look-all-shook-up-as-they-board-a-train-to-annual-festival/

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4m0kAHi2w

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcjzCZ7vCYU

 

[zardoz]

Did the "Mystery Train" eventually "Return to Sender" after the journey of "500 Miles", and were the passengers "All Shook UP"?

(1956, 1962, 1966, 1957 respectively)

[CShaveRR]

Was there a steam engine available for this?  And did the driver ask, Do you "Love me tender?"

[Miningman]

Well I dunno.. but they do it every year. Maybe M636C ( Peter) can tell us more. 

[Miningman]

Make sure you check out the third link... amazing really, Elvis as Elvis on a train a few weeks away from fame. Had to walk home, by himself. Never happened again. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/arts/music/alfred-wertheimer-early-photographer-of-elvis-presley-dies-at-84.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMN-1nSQv3U  

 

https://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1956-july-3.html  

[samfp1943]

Thanks, Miningman!  

   This link brought back some memories of the 1950's growing up in Memphis.  https://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1956-july-3.html

  After his discharge from the Army in Feb 1960, he returned [Mar '60] to Memphis Tn. His trip home was via the Sou Rwy's Tennessean; Elvis' party had been furnished a SR Business Car for the trip.  When it arrived at Buntyn Station, I was the only one there on the platform. 

Thanks, for the memories...

 

[blue streak 1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2CCLWPlTs 

On the link check out at 6:30 on; the points of the pocket track on both ends.  Apppears neither point is engaged.  Is that an Australian type derail? 

[M636C]

Miningman

Well I dunno.. but they do it every year. Maybe M636C ( Peter) can tell us more. 

 

In fact two trains are run.

 

The first is a standard "XPT" consist of two power cars each end of a set of eight cars. This is the only run with eight cars which is the maximum allowed. The XPT is based on the British HST trains, but built to larger clearances.

 

The second is a train of private cars called (normally) "the Blue Zephyr" (many of the cars are painted blue) but for this service carries the name "Blue Suede Express". The locomotives used this year were 42101 and 42103, EMD model AJ16C which was a European style J16 fitted with an F unit nose.

 

This should be the video link.

https://youtu.be/ySZEc5EWs2A

 

Peter

[Miningman]

Beautiful video and filming. Those guys know what they are doing. Gorgeous landscape and sweeping scenes. 

Those Elvis trains must be craz-ee and a lot of fun. Good on them. 

Thanks so much Peter ( M636C) and Blue Streak. 

[M636C]

There is a video of the return with 42101 leading...

https://youtu.be/eO96giacNHw

I remember seeing 42104 on trials in 1966 in the Indian Red scheme....

I only take still photos but I often find Bevan Wall taking his videos next to me at various locations.

Peter

[54light15]

Bluestreak- that would be a "catch point" which serves the same purpose as a clamp-on derail. It's common in Britain and I guess, Australia which makes sense. The locomotive reminds me of a 1962 Corvette, an older front end with a newer rear end. 

[BaltACD]

M636C

There is a video of the return with 42101 leading...

https://youtu.be/eO96giacNHw

I remember seeing 42104 on trials in 1966 in the Indian Red scheme....

I only take still photos but I often find Bevan Wall taking his videos next to me at various locations.

Peter

Are those locomotives configured with the 'bulldog' cab on one end and a 'box' cab on the other?

[Deggesty]

Going back, briefly, to the singer himself, when Elvis came through Bristol in November of 1955 on his way to Memphis via the Tennessean, he stepped off and, kissed a girl's hand. She told a reporter for the Herald Courier that she would never wash her hand. I wonder if it is caked with dirt now.