2012 Australian

[Gordon Lee]

I am fairly certain of the identity of this stamp, but the description in the Scott 2014 catalogue leaves me with an itty-bitty waft of doubt.
.

.
AUSTRALIA -- SCOTT  3661
.
The description of this stamp, from the 21 February 2012 five stamp set of Transportation in State Capitals, is "North Sydney-bound double-decker train, Sydney."  Obviously by looking at the destination plaque in the window of the train we can tell it is heading to North Sydney.  A good guess could be made for identifying the bridge in the background as the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.  However, and my poor eyesight might be the blame, I do not see a DOUBLE-DECKER train anywhere on this stamp.  Is this a case of sloppy stamp description by Scott publishers, or do I not know what a double-decker train looks like?
.
The only other choice that could halfway be the correct identification of this stamp would be number 3659, "Train in Perth."  Since I do not have another stamp from this set with a train (I do have the St. Kilda-bound tram (Scott 3660), but not the O-Bahn bus (Scott 3657) nor the Ferry in Sydney Harbour (Scott 3658)) this leaves just the two choices.
.
Therefore, all I am looking for is confirmation that this train, double-decker or not, is the right depiction of transportation in the State Capital of Sydney and not Perth.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

[kacyds]

Pops,

I found this on Ebay, although it doesn't show Scott numbers, it shows the complete set.

Hope this helps,
kacyds

[Gordon Lee]

Greetings Mr. kacyds
.
Thanks. I think the white, green and red train with "Perth" above the window goes ahead and solidifies my initial identification of Scott 3661. (Even though I would no longer know the difference in a Perth skyline from a Brisbane skyline.) By the way, these ebay stamps are the lick and stick version of the same set, perforated 14x14-3/4. Mine is from the cheaper (cv-wise) booklet self-adhesive 11-1/4 syncopated set.
.
Again, thank you Mr. kacyds.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

[john6625]

Hi Gordon Lee

The stamp you have shown is in fact the double decker Sydney train.  I remeber when I was a little younger, I caught an older version of these trains and was amazed at how there could possibly be a upper and lower level inside them, but there is!  The Perth trains are definately not double deckers.

This issue also was release with a heat sensitive coating over the train/ferry in a special pack.  This may or may not be in the Scott catalogue but here is an image of one for you.



If you hold your hand over them the black dissappears and reveals the whole image.  As it cools, the image dissappears again.

Finding these postally used I would think is nearly impossible.

If I can find a copy of the o-bahn I will get it in the mail for you.

Cheers
John

[Gordon Lee]

Greetings Mr. john6625
.
Well, looks sure are deceiving. Just by looking at the Sydney train one would be hard to figure out that it was a double-decker, except for really short people. There must not be much head room on either deck.
.
There was no mention in Scott about the heat sensitive coating. I find it fascinating that the Perth train and Sydney ferry (not the other train, tram and bus?) are in the dark. When I first looked at your image of the Perth train I thought of the mail that was systematically irradiated during the 2001 anthrax scare in the U.S. (done at selective post office facilities in New Jersey and for incoming White House and government mail). Electron beams, which kills anthrax spores also "blistered" stamps, and in some cases burned off certain colors on stamps. (I have a few of them in my collection.)
.
I agree that these (heat sensitive) stamps would be hard to find in the used condition. It is a good argument for mailing letters to oneself.
.
I will gladly accept the Adelaide O-Bahn if you find one.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

[Perfs14]

Aug 31, 2013 13:42:57 GMT -5 Gordon Lee said:

... I do not see a DOUBLE-DECKER train anywhere on this stamp.  Is this a case of sloppy stamp description by Scott publishers, or do I not know what a double-decker train looks like?
.

.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

here is a better view of a DD train for you:



And yes, when you are sitting in the bottom deck you have to be careful where you look as you pull-in into stations as the windows are almost below platform level...if you know what I mean!

[kacyds]

Thanks for the laugh Perfs14

[john6625]

Hi Gordon Lee

With regards to the heat sensitive issue, the whole set was done. Sorry but my post didn't make it clear. I will post up a scan later.

I have found the o-bahn stamp so if you pm me your postal address I will get it off to you.

Kind regards

John