Wagon

Hidden in the heart of Oberon’s railway past, lies the Wagon. It’s not just one wagon, but a collection, a “rake,” as they say in railway terms. These wagons at the Oberon Railway Yard whisper stories of a bygone era, a time when the railway was the lifeblood of the region. The star of this assembly is the S-Truck, the workhorse of the NSW rail system for over seventy years. Thousands of these four-wheeled open wagons, built between 1907 and 1958, carried everything from bales of wool to bags of grain. Imagine a single wagon carrying 51 bales of wool or 188 bags of grain! The Oberon Railway Yard showcases several S-Trucks, each with its own unique history. S12815, built in 1907, boasts an all-steel construction, a testament to the evolving technology of the time. W1052, built in 1914, started with a wooden floor and sides before being modernized with a new underframe in 1948. Then there’s L987, the “mystery wagon,” its history still shrouded in the mists of time, waiting to be uncovered. Another S-Truck nicknamed “loco Parkes” also awaits further investigation to uncover its unique story. The Wagon collection also features specialized wagons, like the Bogie Ballast Plough Van (BBP) W1049. One of only sixteen ever built, this van provided comfortable living quarters for the ballasting crew, complete with a kitchen, living area, and even a shower and WC. Imagine the camaraderie and stories shared within those walls as the crew traveled across NSW, maintaining the vital railway lines. A stark contrast to the rugged BBP is the Refrigerated Van. These white, mansard-roofed wagons once carried perishable goods, their roofs dotted with hatches for loading ice. Two tons of ice, loaded by hand, kept the contents cool. Later, these vans were repurposed for general use, a testament to their adaptable design. And then there’s the iconic Arnotts Biscuit Van (ABV). These vans, converted from covered vans and strengthened with distinctive diagonal bracing, carried the sweet cargo of Arnott’s biscuits from their North Strathfield factory across NSW. These wagons are more than just relics; they are time capsules, each one holding a piece of Oberon’s railway heritage. They are a testament to the ingenuity, hard work, and dedication of those who built, maintained, and operated the railway. They offer a glimpse into a past where the rhythmic clatter of wheels and the hiss of steam engines filled the air.