Railway Shootists

Hutt News, Volume XII, Issue 22, 17 November 1948, Page 6

Railway Shootists

TRAIN TO THE RANGE PETONE MEN’S INTEREST In the rifle team from the Petone Club that recently visited Australia were some railwaymen, and they were very interested in the New South Wales Railways. They took the opportunity to go through the workshops at Redfern, where they met fellow-workers and had an interesting visit. What impressed them were the gauge, height from the tracks and the spaciousness of the carriages, especially the electric trains.

During the team’s stay on the range at Liverpool one of the noticeable sounds that was so strange was the tiny “Peep’ ’of the train whistle, so much so that it seemed to warrant some investigation. During the. week’s shoot this train came right out to the gates of the camp, and it was a sight to watch the hundreds come off to participate in the shooting. On inquiry it was found that this spectacle was to be seen throughout the shooting season, even the engine-driver and fireman eventually abandoning the train and, with their rifles and gear, making for the ranges. It is a special train chartered by the Government and leaves the Sydney Station at mid-day to meander from the main line to stations en route to pick up shootists. As the train crew are active members of the Railway Rifle Club they take it in turns to get the train the 25 miles to the range. To give an idea of the extent of this sport in numbers the train brings approximately 300 and about an equal number come by the usual alternative transport. After the day’s shoot the liun>dreds that came can bo seen piling back on board discussing that “outer” or iiow their rifles are performing; then come the engine-driver and fireman, who place their gear away safely, clamber aboard, pour out black smoke from the funnel, and after n

while the engine gives a sigh; then with that girlish “Peep” on the whistle it slowly moves off on its evening stroll to Sydney, via Cabramatta, Yenora and other places with typical Australian names.