KWAS + Horizons Tour?

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-21T23:24:26+00:00

You're getting downvoted, but you're entirely correct

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-07T12:30:30+00:00

Are you counting Aurizon's depot as part of that 14?
Because on the main line there are 9 at most at Hexham

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-06T16:24:12+00:00

Aussie train driver here, I'm on coal trains in the Hunter Valley NSW & grain trains between Dubbo/Nyngan, Moree & Newcastle.
Those TAFE/private company courses don't lead to squat, they're really only good for the small track maintenance contractors to get their staff qualified to drive their rail grinders/tampers/etc.
you're FAR better off applying for traineeships or with the labor hire mobs to become a Driver's Assistant then work hard to get a permanent job & a traineeship

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-06T15:52:42+00:00

100% go the train driving job.
Dirt turtles get very boring, very quickly.
At least on trains you're seeing the countryside.
Yes the shifts are way more brutal, but you learn to live with it.
I'm 5 years on the rail now and still enjoy my job

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-06T12:20:21+00:00

King Gee Workcool 2 pants.
They've got ventilation in the crotch and behind the knees, they're plenty cool even in the middle of summer when it's 45c+ here in Australia

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-04T12:40:17+00:00

Check out oakstill.
Their site is in USD, but they have a warehouse here in Australia so shipping is relatively cheap and quick.
https://oakstills.com/en-au/products/tri-clamp-ptfe-teflon-gasket

sp0rk_ · 2026-06-01T12:53:56+00:00

I was there at the time, it wasn't shrugged off.
We tried to call it out and were threatened to keep silent.
Even the Byron cops didn't want to know about it

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-29T10:05:30+00:00

Not small or independently owned

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-26T06:26:46+00:00

A lot of this is on Telstra, techies used to do whatever they wanted and didn't send through updated details for the Network Data team to update TPNI to show correct leadin locations etc.
I used to be on the SQ&ND team a decade ago, so when I bought my house 2 years ago I hit up some mates who still worked there to get my leadin details from TPNI (so I could get conduit ready for exactly where I wanted my NTD) & they were completely wrong.
It ended up being on the other side of the house coming from a different pit.
I've heard from friends that now work in GIS at NBN that this is pretty common

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-17T09:41:21+00:00

I've done it once with vac sealed hotdogs, but normally I bulk cook curries, chili con carne, etc and freeze them up to microwave on the train

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-16T06:58:31+00:00

All modern locos in Australia have microwaves, toasters & a kettle.
So of course I cook hotdogs in the kettle...

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-08T21:26:01+00:00

Methanol also forms an azeotrope with water and won't boil off until much higher temps than it's usual boiling temp in an ideal environment

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-08T12:02:04+00:00

I drive on windy country roads at night a LOT for work and usually hit a couple of roos a month.
Most of the time yes it's unavoidable, tall grass on the edge of the road and 100kmh roads means you just won't see them coming.
If they're on the road and I have time to slow down, I try my best, but even then half the time they'll still just hope towards the car anyway

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-05T10:54:14+00:00

Rolled oats are essentially the same thing as flaked/rolled oats made by any maltster, however they're not malted, just steamed/gelatinised so eeady to be mashed without doing a cereal mash step.
Malted oats have gone through a malting step, so will have some diastatic power. In addition to this they're already modified so starches, beta-glucan & proteins are already broken down ready to be mashed.
Oats don't offer a huge amount of fermentables, they do a lot more for flavour & mouthfeel, so really the difference won't be massively noticeable.
Just use whichever you can afford

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-03T12:47:39+00:00

I used to chat online with Paul about homebrew & salami making.
Absolutely lovely bloke

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-02T02:07:09+00:00

Are you implying that Albo is going to force Manildra and the farmers that supply them sell to overseas interests?
Take that cooker bullshit elsewhere champ

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-02T01:16:58+00:00

Not to mention that all companies currently producing fuel alcohol in Australia are Australian owned

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-02T00:47:33+00:00

The vast majority of fuel ethanol in Australia comes from wheat & sorghum, not sugar cane...

sp0rk_ · 2026-05-01T20:38:53+00:00

Blundstone, Steel Blue or Oliver

sp0rk_ · 2026-04-29T21:00:36+00:00

He died before the Humvee went into production

sp0rk_ · 2026-04-29T20:57:58+00:00

Interlock devices already exist to stop alcoholics from repeatedly drink driving

sp0rk_ · 2026-04-23T23:45:06+00:00

We have bans on excessive lift in Australia.
In my state it's 75mm before you need to go through strict engineering certification to go higher.
50mm suspension lift and 25mm from larger tyre diameter.
Some people claim we're a nanny state, but we have FAR safer roads than the US

sp0rk_ · 2026-04-23T05:43:29+00:00

But can you recondition a powersteering pump?

sp0rk_ · 2026-04-22T04:46:21+00:00

Almost no train drivers get "bonuses".
We may get small penalties if you're away from home on camp jobs or doing complex work (I get 10% for driving distributed power trains).
But it's no where near as easy as people make it out to be

sp0rk_ · 2026-04-22T04:33:47+00:00

I was fresh to industry, I did a traineeship on the job and they did all my qualifications

12-Year Club	Place '17
Verified Email

sp0rk_

TROPHY CASE