April 2002
#345
April 2002
#345
Our calendar and timetables to April 2003 are now on our web site (www.puffingbilly.com.au) and arrangements are well advanced for production of the printed public brochure and WTT.
Major features of the new tables and calendar are:
A further update to the timetable (in web and printed forms) is scheduled for October 2003 to publicise services to 31st October 2003.
The manually controlled motor driven passenger crossing gates at Lakeside were commissioned shortly before Labour Day. Operating instructions are elsewhere in this newsletter. Primary responsibility for their operation lies with conductors and/or station/shop staff but all safeworkers also need to be familiar with the system (See safeworking circular A.08/2002). Note that staff supervision is still required to prevent passengers from trying to walk around the end of the gate on the platform side. Congratulations to the S&T and Buildings branches for a fine construction job!
Other recent improvements around the railway include:
In addition, exterior repainting of the Belgrave Station Building (for the first time since it opened, in 1990, is about to commence.
If something is broken along the Railway please don't assume we know about it, but fill out an Incident or Defect Report (IDR) and submit it to the SM. Supplies are available at all stations and in Guards kits - any staff member or volunteer can (and should) submit an IDR. If it turns out that we do already know about the problem then it has only cost a sheet of paper but not knowing can have a great cost!
If you have reserved your free tickets (RSVP date was 29th March) we look forward to seeing you art the Volunteers and Staff Barbeque on Saturday the 13th.
We still need help with the Great Train Race on Sunday 28th and with preparations the day prior (see inside for details).
John Thompson, PBPS President
Graeme Breydon, ETRB Chairman
gbreydon@vic.net.au
The Day Out with Thomas on Saturday 20th April has been cancelled. Sunday 21st will operated as scheduled. All rostered staff and Roster Clerks to note. The 4th and 5th of May Days Out has also been cancelled.
If the Fasttrack machine is unusable and you have to do a manual credit card docket, you MUST call the bank for authorisation as the bank no longer issues bard-card number bulletins.
The Roster Clerk for SMs has found it almost impossible to get people for Emerald - If you can help, on days where vacancies are shown on pages 23 or 24 please call Peter Kemp.
Push the "GATE CONTROLS - CLOSE" button for the gate that is to be closed first, then after a suitable time, push the "GATE CONTROLS - CLOSE" button for the other gate.
Once both gates have closed fully, the Warning Bell will stop, and the Healthy State lights will start operating.
Should it be required to open an individual gate, then pushing the applicable " GATE CONTROLS - OPEN" button will cause the bell to start and the selected gate to open.
The bell can then only be silenced by reclosing the gate (it will have to open fully first however) OR by pressing the " POWER CONTROLS - OFF" button which will cause the other gate to open.
If the gates have failed in the closed position and after resetting the motor control boards (as detailed in the EMERGENCY STOP procedures above), the gates still fail to open, then the following procedure is to be adopted:
A. Wheatland.
Promotional brochures, incorporating an entry form, are available from our stations, or can be mailed out by request. If you have access to a work or social club notice board please display one.
Staff and volunteers, can buy the 21st GTR commemorative T-shirt (available in S M L & XL) for $17 by lodging a race entry form - you don't have to register to actually run! Please send in your form (available from our stations or at www.puffingbilly.com.au) before 18th April to ease our pre-race processing workload. They'll be available for collection at the finish on-the-day or subsequently from Belgrave.
A briefing, for all rostered volunteers on the day, will be held on Wednesday 17th April from 7.45pm at the Masonic Hall, Bayview Rd Belgrave. We have a new finish layout this year (due to the bus turning circle), timetable adjustments and other changes you need to know before the big day so please make an effort to be there. The Race briefing will be followed by a brief update/open forum session on the railway generally.
If you have spare time, especially for data entry or other admin work, in the week before the race, please contact our coordinator Dan O'Connor.
On Saturday 27th we need hands to help build safety fencing, pitch tents, sort signs, and do other setup tasks. Join the Saturday W&W gang or come to Lakeside from 9.30am.
We still need lots of conductors and some other train-operating staff (contact your regular roster officer), plus people to fill special roles such as race marshals, level crossing protection supervisors, etc, mostly from 7.30am to Noon. If you can help in any capacity please call Deborah Woodward (This is a volunteer role for her too so please do not ring or email her at work on the railway).
Graeme Breydon
Alan Gardner, Foreman Belgrave Workshops and Sharon Gius, Cleaning Executive proudly announce the arrival of a beautiful baby daughter, Stephanie Sharon Gardner. Stephanie surprised her mum and dad by arriving 5 weeks and 3 days ahead of schedule! Her birth weight was 1937gms and length a grand measure on anyone's ruler of 43cm. As of the 19/3 her planned arrival date, she is now a bouncing 2420gms and 45.6cm in length. A hearty congratulations from us all at Puffs and we look forward to seeing more of the newest addition to the Gardner family.
Peter Walker has not been seen around the railway in recent weeks because he has been in hospital as part of his ongoing treatment. It was recently reported that much cheek was being given to a fellow Traffic member by Peter over the phone so we hope his progress is running along smoothly and according to plan. All our very best wishes are with you Peter, please get well soon because you are very much missed.
We were saddened to hear that John Shaw's father passed away on Sunday 17th March after a recent illness. To John and his family we extend sincere sympathy and condolences on behalf of all the other members of the Puffing Billy 'family'.
John Thompson
To enhance the smooth operation of the transmission of ACRE messages please add to the Staff Ticket some additional information. This is to assist Safeworkers at the receiving station that the ticket has been sent the correct way and to ensure correct time of transmission of the message.
Please make an effort to call Grahame Gardner as soon as you know the days you are available to volunteer for Guard or Signalman duties. Grahame starts his rostering immediately after the closing date to Monthly News. Ie May rostering commenced on the 19th of April. If you help Grahame in this way he will be very grateful. His phone gives a ringing signal even though he may be engaged. His answering machine is on at all times when he is not on the phone himself trying to ring to fill rosters. Grahame is also on email so please send him a note if you can't raise him on the phone. See roster header for his details
The next seminar will be held Saturday 11 May 2002. Please call Deborah to book in. This already proved a great opportunity to talk though issues and to refresh, update and share skills. All participants will receive their personal copy of the new SM manual All Duty Managers and OIC's are also reminded to book in to attend
Thank you to those who have already participated at the last two seminars.
Pleas contact Reg Williams to arrange to attend this class on Saturday 27 April. There will be a class morning and afternoon.
The cleaning staff aim to do their major cleaning of the Lakeside/Gembrook set on this morning every week. They ask that the train staff be considerate and allow them to finish their work before preparation of the train begins. The SM is requested to consult with Bronwyn Leading Hand Cleaner, before allowing commencement of conductor duties. It is anticipated to complete cleaning by 9.30am.
Could volunteers working at Lakeside please count the number of the sandwiches left in the refrigerator each day and place a note inside the Float.
I would like to hear from any volunteers who would be interested in assisting at Belgrave on a Monday. I need two volunteers to Mondays from 1:30pm to close of Kiosk.
Thank you,
Sue Ham
Our second Trivia night will be held on Friday 10th May and will consist of our normal Night Train departing at 7.30pm.Savouries and drinks on the forward journey while at the Packing Shed antipasto and a hot carvery meal will be served. Our MC for the night Ted Horton will have a number of fun quiz games to be played and prizes will be won.On the return journey, dessert will be served together with tea or coffee, dinner chocolates, a glass of port and cheese and greens. Cost per person is only $69-00. Why not see if you can get a few friends together for a fun night.
As part of our Responsible Serving of Alcohol, we do not allow consumption of other alcoholic drinks on the return. Train Hosts need to be vigilant to check that any of our guests haven't taken a bottle of wine/beer with them from their table to the carriage for the return journey. If they have simply remind them that drinks are not served on the return and take the bottle from them. Our printed placemats clearly states the serving time of alcoholic drinks.
Of course, as part of RSA, staff is not allowed to consume alcoholic drinks with our patrons while on duty.
Larry James
Drunken behaviour and/or use of non prescribed drugs will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate eviction.
No unauthorised person (persons without door security code) is permitted on the premises without prior permission from house management. Immediate eviction
Door security code not to be disclosed to any person.
No smoking indoors
Your bedroom and bunk allocation will remain the same during your stay at Moondarra.
Garbage (trash or rubbish) to be removed daily from the inside the house and placed in the green bin under the house.
The general living area is to be kept clean at all times including the kitchen bench and sink.
Noise to be kept at a minimum when first person goes to bed.
Washing machine, drier, vacuum, etc., not to be used after 10.00pm (2200hrs).
If you need to leave early, (prior to your rostered departure day (dd) the roster officer must be notified so that beds may be re-booked.
Candles are only to be used when there is no power.
Susan Ham
Manager, Human Resources.
No report this month.
This project was completed last month and appears to be meeting expectations. The completion of the associated fencing works have rendered a substantial improvement to both the amenity and aesthetics of the area. Our thanks to all associated with this project.
The final key switch control for Signal L 1379 was installed last month. A reminder to all operators that to operate Signal L 1379, it is no longer necessary to unlock the push button boxes. The push button controls are only required for manual operation of the lights when moves are being made along No. 3 road, Up moves out of Belgrave East Loop or for trolley movements. For any move which can be signalled, then the appropriate signal must be utilised.
The bi-monthly S&T Branch meeting will be held at Kings Rd, Emerald on Saturday April 13. This meeting will commence at 9.30 a.m. SHARP. The volunteer bar-b-que is on this same afternoon and members are reminded that bookings are required. Some depot work will be undertaken between the meeting and the bar-b-que. (This being the regular Signals work day)
Also Sat 27th - Aerial Lines Day - Commence at the Depot at 10.00 a.m.
With the completion of works at Lakeside, it is hoped to recommence work on this project in the near future.
Andrew Wheatland
The Railway's Heritage Committee meets regularly to discuss various aspects of Puffing Billy's restoration and presentation. The group currently has a vacancy for an interested volunteer to perform the functions of SECRETARY to the Committee.
He or she should be willing to attend monthly meetings (currently at Belgrave, at 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month), participate in discussions, record and circulate Minutes, prepare inter-divisional memos and recommendations to Management and make follow up contact with involved parties re 'action' items.
Members or volunteers interested in this opportunity to under take an important role for the Railway should contact John Thompson.
Work on preparation of the HSM continues at a slower than desirable rate asa result of other demands on the time of the few people working on it. However, the Preliminary pages (Section 0) and Sections 1-4 have now been 'fine-tuned' as a result of feedback received after circulation of their draft versions last year. sections 0-4 have been submitted to Management and will now go to the Board for adoption as Policy.
Currently, Sections 5-9 are being prepared in draft form for circulation among the various divisions and branches in the near future.
All members of staff and active volunteers should take the opportunity to read this draft and to make any suggestions, comments etc. they may feel appropriate before the 'fine-tuned' version is submitted for adoption as Policy.
Donations to our archives collection continue to come in from a variety of sources. In recent times, significant donations of PBPS, ETRB and PBR documents, photographs and other items have been received from Phil A'Vard, John Hearsch and Lon Wymond, some material dating from the earliest years of the Society. Thank you to all donors of early PB items of archival value. No doubt there will be much more to come when a few of our other 'greybeards' clean out their filing cabinets, drawers and cupbords!
A major contribution to our photographic collection was received several months ago from the family of the late Ted Downs. Ted was a railway enthusiast and historian, and will be remembered as the author of 'SPEED LIMIT 20' published by the ARHS in 1963. His own photographs and those by other rail enthusiasts included in his collection are a priceless addition to our archives.
The Ted Downs Collections offers an opportunity for us to publish a series of pictorial books featuring the Victorian narrow gauge branch lines in the years of their regular operation. The first of these, 'A DAY IN THE LIFE OF G42' was produced last November. It has received favourable reviews and is selling well, with proceeds going to the G42 fund. This is a limited production run and, when sold out, the book is certain to become a collectors item. Books to follow in the series are now in preparation, focusing on each of the Victorian narrow gauge branch lines.
John Thompson
Manager, Heritage & Archives
Yes folks this year is the 40th year since we reopened the railway for traffic between Belgrave and Menzies Creek. For many of us it seems just yesterday since we had the band playing in the Coal Stage at Belgrave and having the dignitaries of the day helping us to open the line to traffic.
We are going to celebrate the re-opening with some pomp and circumstance at Menzies creek on Sunday 7th July starting at 10.30am. Details of the celebrations will be in the next Issue of Monthly News. When you think about it, we will have been responsible for running Puffing Billy for over 47 years now, the Society being formed on the 8th June 1955. In just over 3 years time we will have been responsible for running the train longer than the old Victorian Railways.
The first of our regular steaming took place on Saturday 16th March. We had not steamed either of the engines since early last year and this time we raised steam in No 9. We were able to find a minor item that needed rectification before the next steaming. This will be on the weekend of 1/2 June 2002.
One of the things that we would rather not have to deal with is the unreliable state of the plastic water main serving the Museum. We have now had three breaks in the main recently. Each time we have had to turn off the entire water service into the Museum to locate the burst. We believe that the cause is the age of the main and the fact that it has to deal with mains pressure. It was originally put in before a piped water supply was available at Menzies creek. It was installed to provide an emergency water supply for train engines from the large concrete tank in the Museum and was designed to operate on the low gravity pressure from the tank.
John Frost
To be drawn at the Volunteer BBQ 13 April 2002.
Ashley Grieves has once again generously donated 2 beautifully framed photographs to be raffled for G42 fundraising. 1st prize is a photo of 6A crossing Selby trestle bridge triple heading with 7A and 14A Gembrook. This was the first run for 6A on the 20 December 2001. 2nd prize is heritage special photo, of a mixed train crossing the Selby trestle bridge.
If you would like to purchase a $2.00 ticket see Ashley as he is often around the railway and is always at Thomas Days in Emerald. The last chance will be at the BBQ so bring plenty of small change to spend up big on Ashley's raffle.
The next G42 Meeting will be on Wednesday 1st May, 2002 at Belgrave commencing at 7.00pm
"Dynon To Delec - The Standard Gauge 1962-1982" a 96 page all colour book now available. This is the latest in the Train Hobby Railscene Australia series Vol. 15. Priced at $49.95 including postage anywhere in Australia. To get your copy write to G42 Sales PO Box 451 Belgrave 3160. Make your cheque out to PBPS G42 Account or pay by credit card and including your printed name and address.
Still available but selling fast - Steam Locomotive Depots Of New South Wales, Part 1; Steam Locomotive Depots Of Victoria, Part 1 and Flat Top (1st Series) T Classes, plus others. All at $29.00 each. Available from Belgrave Shop or direct from G42. Mail Orders welcome. Remember we can mail anywhere in Australia for $4.00 extra per book. Write to G42 Sales PO Box 451, Belgrave, 3160 with your requirements.
This book is selling well, buy one now before they are gone. There were only a limited number printed and there won't be a re-run.
Selling pre loved books, magazines and memorabilia. Located behind the Emerald carshops in the Thomson building near the playground, our next opening is Saturday 6th April, 2002 and Saturday 4th May between 1pm and 3pm. Other times can be made by phoning Bruce West or Peter Medlin to arrange a suitable time.
Thank you to Bob Wilson for his recent donation to the G42 Shop.
The collection box figure for February, 2002 was $404.85. Thank you very much to all the volunteers and staff who have ensured that the RED G42 collection boxes were put out.
Just released in time for Easter, a new photographer profile book by Ron Lennard "American Interlude - 1955" at just $29.00. It is available from Belgrave Shop or direct from G42 Sales.
Also due for release in mid April "More of Metropolitan Melbourne Trams and Streetscapes" at $29.00 it will be available from Belgrave Shop and G42 Sales.
Bruce West
No report this month.
| FEBRUARY | ||
|---|---|---|
| | 2002 | 2001 |
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,832 | 3,581 |
| Loco kilometres - steam | 4,217 | 3552 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 81 | 394 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 86 | 76 |
| Carriage kilometres | 31,422 | 27,748 |
| Carriage Days for month | 750 | 678 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,317 | 1148 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,605 | 1483 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 74 | 35 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 69% | 29% |
| Scheduled trips run | 212 | 207 |
Following on from my thanks to Guards last month for the help given me during the 6 train running period, there is one thing that could be done which could well save the amount of writing undertaken now on Guard's Running Statements.
It would help me considerably if all guards could show loco numbers in the 'Ref' column (beside the 'Actual Time' column) for departures from Belgrave, Lakeside (both directions) and Gembrook. This would help me get a better understanding of loco changes that are so often not shown en route. If there isn't a loco swap at Lakeside, then it reinforces the fact of loco through running to destination. In the event of a loco change or drop off at another station, then that should be shown also, eg double heading to Menzies Creek, then one loco beyond.
This simple step would obviate the need to show such information elsewhere in the amount of detail that some guards have gone to, to help me. It only need be done on 6 train days.
Bob Wilson