The Flickr Oz Image Generatr

Trailing 2348D on an eastbound coal train through Dalby, was 2389. Her paint scheme is getting rather tatty which most probably indicates that traction is more important than appearance.

The bottom sculpture 'Fountain' became famous when the satirical magazine, OZ, staged a photo with its contributors pretending to relieve themselves in the copper water feature, which had been specially commissioned for the outside wall of a new building at 55 Hunter Street in the heart of Sydney's business district.

It's a sport to make fun of public art, but this was extremely provocative in 1963. The cover of OZ's No.6 edition said the P&O Building, opened by Australia's Prime Minister, had 'an attractive bronze urinal on the wall for the convenience of passers-by. This is no ordinary urinal. It has a continuous flushing system and basins handily set at different standing heights.' It continued, 'no need to pay immediately...just P&O'.

The government charged OZ editors Martin Sharp, Richard Neville and Richard Walsh with obscenity. International news coverage made the editors realise the charge was serious and on legal advice they changed their plea to guilty but were made an example of, and sentenced to three to six months' jail, with hard labour.

This went to bail and appeal. Interestingly, they were represented at the appeal by a crack legal team which included John Kerr (future Governor-General of Australia) and Neville Wran (future NSW Premier). Eventually, the charges were mostly overturned.

Tom Bass' sculpture is restored and reinstated at its original height at Macquarie Place, part of Sydney's Martin Place train station.

At the top is Douglas Annand's ‘Four Continents’, a large bronze relief originally commissioned for, and placed above the main entrance of the P&O Building on Hunter Street. Its elements were drawn from the company’s crest, which represented creatures from the four continents served by P&O's mail services. There's an Australian kangaroo, a British lion, a Chinese dragon and an Indian elephant. Both sculptures were recognised as important and removed before the building's 2017 demolition, allowing the new station to be built.

Watco's westbound WRA007 and WRA001 crossing the trestle at Yuleba. The Graincorp contract train was heading for Roma West to load export grain.

Termitte moud, Litchfield Nationalpark, Northern Territory, Australia

Termitte moud, Litchfield Nationalpark, Northern Territory, Australia

Aurizon's 2348D and a rather tatty 2389 lead a loaded export coal train east through Dalby Yard today. The train had loaded at the Cameby Downs Mine, Columboola.

Bush, Litchfield Nationalpark, Northern Territory, Australia

Bush, Litchfield Nationalpark, Northern Territory, Australia

Watco's WRA007 and WRA001 lead an empty grain train west around the curve at Eaglehawk Creek. The train is bound for loading at Roma West silos. Eaglehawk Creek is between Jackson and Yuleba on the western line.

Dusk, Fogg Dam, Northern Territory, Australia

Dusk, Fogg Dam, Northern Territory, Australia

Dusk, Fogg Dam, Northern Territory, Australia

Dusk, Fogg Dam, Northern Territory, Australia

Sunset, Fogg Dam, Northern Territory, Australia

Sunset, Fogg Dam, Northern Territory, Australia

AAR752 to Seoul Incheon pushing back just after midnight

After a night at the opera, we didn't realise the grand finale was still to come.

iPhone13 mini
10.38pm, 13th February 2025

Lightning, seen from Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Nightstorm, seen from Bicentenniel Park, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia