Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
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Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby morini » Mon Apr 08, 2013 1:15 pm
A group of us local Stanthorpe bike riders started racing the Warwick to Stanthorpe steam train as a bit of fun and it's now turned into a regular challenge. The Southern Downs Steam Railway run their old C17 steam engine up to Wallangarra a couple of times a year and the next visit is on April the 21st.
http://www.southerndownssteamrailway.co ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We race the train from a small township at the crest of the ranges called Dalveen which is roughly the mid way point between Warwick and Stanthorpe. It's a 20 km dash from there into Stanthorpe so it's more social than competitive. Half is undulating and the rest down hill. The train is expected to a pass through Dalveen at approximately 9:30 Sunday morning, give or take a few minutes due to the hard slog the train has to endure up the ranges.
If you wanted to do something different and it's a bit of fun then this might be worth considering. Even the train ride itself is a hoot.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby RonK » Mon Apr 08, 2013 1:46 pm
Maybe something the local community could use to promote the district.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby koen » Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:42 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby ldrcycles » Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:15 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby munga » Sat Apr 13, 2013 4:04 pm
i agree! fancy racing a train? get your ticket! come and see the men of steel take on the mighty blah blah blah...RonK wrote:This could be huge - like the Race The Rattler - or the Iron Horse Race.
Maybe something the local community could use to promote the district.
sounds like a top excuse to hit the hills for a weekend with the family.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby Pax » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:28 pm
April 21 won't work for me (Mrs Pax will be just out of hospital so I won't be abandoning her). When is the next opportunity??
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby morini » Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:21 pm
I'll try to get a few happy snaps on the day.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Apr 14, 2013 5:56 pm
*strokes chin and looks at 28" Healing and matching kit...
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby foo on patrol » Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:38 pm
Have you been out there Idry, because it is all up and down and quite a few long drags from Warwick.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:03 pm
You've got me really interested now mate, I like a challenge .
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby RonK » Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:14 pm
That would make quite similar to the 47 mile Iron Horse Race. Check out the details on the link I posted.foo on patrol wrote:Have you been out there Idry, because it is all up and down and quite a few long drags from Warwick.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby morini » Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:11 pm
Great idea though. It would make it a "real race" then because the 20 kms we're doing is more just for the fun of it. If some one wants to do it - go for it. Us old sooks will be waiting at the Dalveen Station which is right where you crest the ranges.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby Chillibones » Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:32 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby ldrcycles » Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:54 pm
Is Old Stanthorpe Rd sealed? I tried to check it out on Google Maps but my browser doesn't want to play atm.
How about the New England Highway? From the glimpse I was able to get before Internet Explorer had a tantrum it looks like it has a nice wide shoulder.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby morini » Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:11 am
The highway would be fine, apart from the trucks etc. Locals use it every now and then to drop down to Warwick and there used to be a pretty keen rider here who trained in Warwick so he'd ride down and back. Come to think of it one of the local doctors racked up 4000 clicks in January (down the Coast) and he uses all the roads around here in a 100 k radius. Anything's possible.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby morini » Mon Apr 15, 2013 2:53 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby ldrcycles » Mon Apr 15, 2013 4:12 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby koen » Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:30 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby koen » Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:34 pm
The trees in Stanthorpe are a lovely colour that you don't see round Brisbane. Its an easy 2.5hr drive to Dalveen so I am leaving at 6am with sister and new carbon tandem. We won't be that fast until the downhills.. Always nice to make new friends too. Looking forward to it
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby elantra » Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:54 am
This road was part of the route in the 2011 "Cycle Queensland" event, part of the leg from Stanthorpe to Killarney.morini wrote:Ok, The Old Stanthorpe Road from Warwick to Dalveen is about 1/3 dirt - 2/3 tarmac and the dirt is in the middle bit so you start and finish on the black stuff.
The dirt section was expected to be quite an issue for the 700+ participants.
Actually it was negotiated (quite a steep descent on gravel) without incident.
On the southern outskirts of Warwick there is a huge roundabout where one unlucky rider managed to go for a slide on the road and suffered minor injuries.
Looks like i am lucky enough to be up for this event on Sunday - nice weather would be a bonus. Please.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby morini » Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:44 pm
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby foo on patrol » Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:25 pm
Cause you're special!koen wrote:Why does this forum keep making me log in twice?
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby duds2u » Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:14 pm
Only rode a horse in those days.
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Re: Race the Darling Downs Dasher steam train
Postby ldrcycles » Tue Apr 16, 2013 9:39 pm
Anyone else keen on taking on the train from Warwick?
The Mercier I mentioned would be great for the job (especially with matching kit) but i'm wondering if something older would be good to match the train a little better. Probably wouldn't be keen on using the old Healing though, only one gear and a coaster brake is a bit more challenge than necessary!
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