Woy Woy in the age of steam
Back in the 50s many local residents were already commuting but their mode of transport was rather different.
The age of steam was still with us, and to witness the Newcastle Flyer come though Woy Woy, pulled along by a 38 engine, was certainly an awesome sight.
At night, when more coal was being shovelled into the firebox, a red glow would illuminate steam from the engine, reminiscent of a living, breathing monster.
Commuters soon got to know everyone in the carriage.
You shared magazines, played cards and people smoked like chimneys.
Passengers actually talked to each other, unlike today when they are either on their mobiles, plugged into their iPods, or looking at movies or games on their laptops.
At Christmas time, some of the commuters even decorated the carriages.
Upon arrival at Hawkesbury River, one of the local oyster farmers would be walking briskly along the platform selling fresh bottled oysters for "two bob".
If it was raining, the engine would occasionally have a problem with the wheels slipping on the rails in the climb south of the station.
Another engine, already steamed up, would come up behind the train and help push it up the hill.
You could forget wearing a white shirt or frock to work because by the time the train emerged from the Woy Woy tunnel, your Persil whites would have turned a nice shade of grey from all the ash and soot.
Occasionally, a train with box carriages would arrive at Woy Woy Station instead of the usual "rattler".
These were pre-war carriages affectionately called "boxies".
Each carriage contained individual compartments.
These were really comfortable with buttoned upholstery, carafes of water with glasses and beautiful luggage racks which were later highly valued by collectors.
Framed photos of the Hawkesbury adorned each compartment and pull-down blinds ensured absolute privacy.
Approaching Central station, one would observe numerous billboards indicating how many miles to "Griffiths Teas".
Goodness knows what these signs meant as no-one ever offered me a cup of tea upon arrival at Central.
Who can forget that wonderful cake shop in the middle of the concourse at Central? Everything was baked in the basement below the shop and their pies and sausage rolls were reputed to be the best in the state.
However, for me the apple pie with lashings of cream was sheer bliss, although lamingtons the size of house bricks came a close second.
Woy Woy Station boasted a parcel office lorded over for a time by a very genial Dave Egan. Most supplies and parcels for local businesses and the general public were sent by train and then distributed by Bob's Taxi Truck, for a reasonable fee.
Both Bob, who is now 90 years of age, and his adored wife Heather, aged 88 years, still live in Ettalong.
Coming back to Woy Woy, you were usually greeted by a bunch of young boys eagerly offering to carry your bags up the stairs and down the other side.
This was much appreciated, particularly by older people for whom the stairs were a struggle.
The romance and drama of steam came to an end on January 12, 1960, when electric trains finally arrived at Woy Woy.
Commuters were able to book seats, but train travel was never the same again.
Letter, 12 Feb 2009
Fred Landman, Daley's Point