March 2003
#356
March 2003
#356
There has been a change to this page. The back-Issues are now indexed on a separate page.
Unfortunately the Net -mind service has been withdrawn by its operators. The matter is entirely beyond my control. If you want to be notified when Monthly News changes send me an e-mail. I will run an e-mail notification service for Monthly News. My e-mail address is bill.russell@optusnet.com.au
Bill Russell.
CONFIDENTIAL:
Officer & Roster Clerk content details herein are for official Railway use only and are not to be used for other purposes.
Despite two total fire bans, December patronage was only 3% below budget, but in January, traditionally our busiest month, seven TFBs resulted in total patronage being 9.5% below budget (and last year's actual). As most of our costs are fixed regardless of the numbers of passengers carried, the decrease in numbers will result in our profit dropping by over $30,000, with the possibility of more TFBs over the next few months.
As we were counting on our budgeted profit to meet our 50% matching requirement for the CSF grant it is vital that we make every effort to save costs and increase revenue for the rest of the year.
As CEO, I'm pleased to report that there has only been one fire ignition along the railway since the 21st of January. I believe the strategy put in place is working; thanks to the cooperative efforts of staff and volunteers of the workshops, drivers, coalman and firemen.
We need to be vigilant on this issue, as conditions are so bad at present.
The testing completed with various locomotives with Blair Athol coal and Clarence coal showed that with the current grids in the smoke boxes, that resilient sparks were significantly reduced using Clarence coal. The use of this coal will continue until new grids are fitted.
I would like to particularly thank the firemen. I have been made aware of the extra workload involved in using Clarence coal, and also that it takes some getting used to. I am conscious of the extra ash and cleaning of the grid.
In addition, we are running diesel trains to Gembrook, due to the extreme fire danger through the Wright Forest and on the Emerald Bank. This will continue until the fire danger index drops significantly.
The original works planned for the locomotive shed enclosure have now been completed including improvements to lighting and ventilation.
Planning is proceeding for the workshop extension, the Innes Road, Gembrook shed extension and the amenities block at Belgrave. Our internal consultation needs to be comprehensive to minimise variations during the conduct of construction works as any changes during construction are expensive.
These proposals were presented to a meeting of our Belgrave neighbours in late January. At that meeting it was agreed to:
I ask all to be considerate of our neighbours.
Preliminary planning is progressing for the following:
The reporting of incidents and defects is important for the continuous improvement of the railway. I see IDR's as a means of identifying things that need to be improved, not a criticism of the writer or other staff/volunteers, unless others are put at risk. In these cases it is critical that those involved learn from that experience. However, management is currently swamped with IDRs, having received 183 from the 1st of Jan to the 10th of Feb. I ask for your patience in getting actions completed.
I also seek your cooperation in two areas:
I am working with staff to get a more timely response to IDRs and particularly the fixing of defects.
Please note that this Monthly News encloses an invitation to the Annual Barbeque on Saturday 5th April 2003. Note that this year you will need tickets, issued as a result of your acceptance, to be served food and drinks.
After about two years as Manager of S&T, and having done an excellent job, Kevin Taig has announced that he is resigning. Kevin needs to spend more time on family issues and also intends to make time to pursue his ambition to complete the locomotive driver training. He will continue working at S&T and in his training role. On behalf of the Board, I would thank Kevin for his sterling effort at guiding S&T from a busy works program, to an organised maintenance program.
| Graeme Breydon, ETRB Chairman chairman@pbr.org.au | John Thompson, PBPS President editor@pbr.org.au | Ray Leivers, CEO ray.leivers@pbr.org.au |
Applications are invited for the paid position of Manager, Train Operations.
The position is a full-time position, and a three-year contract is offered. Anyone interested should contact Ray Leivers to obtain a Duty Statement. Written applications, responding to the Key Selection Criteria in the Duty Statement, close on Wednesday 26th of March 2003.
Congratulations to Dan O'Connor who has been appointed to both the Thomas Coordinator and the Great Train Race Coordinator positions for 2003.
"BROOKS run happy" has signed on as a major sponsor of the Great Train Race for the next 3 years. Visit www.runhappy.com.au to see their product range. Other major sponsors renewing for this year's race on the 4th of May include QANTAS, Croydon Travel, 3AW and Magic 693.
As usual, we need many extra people to prepare for the race (on Sat 3rd May) and to run the event (on Sunday 4th of May). If you can help in a railway operating role please call your usual roster officer, or call our volunteer manpower manager, Deb Woodward by e-mail woodward@net2000.com.au ) to volunteer for a race-related role. This year there will NOT be a staff briefing evening session, but a staff instruction document will be mailed out to all rostered volunteers.
Anyone interested in ex Victorian Railways and Bayside Trains ties is asked to contact Karen Streeter . For a small contribution to G42 one of these ties could be yours.
Loss of fusible plug; Loco No. 861 - This investigation identified the need to prepare practice cards on glasses and test cocks, modify the Klinger gauge glasses, and replace test cocks with a second gauge glass. Some of this work has been completed and further work will continue. The incident also reinforced the need for drivers to take sufficient water not just to reach their destination but also to allow for a contingency.
Run-through of points at Lakeside - This investigation highlighted the need to review the role of guard and signalman. It also recognised the need for signalmen and drivers to be alert at all times as this is the third run through in eighteen months.
No report this month
As from 1st March, Guards Train Running Statements will be altered to show the docking times of both carriage sets and locomotives. These will then be used as a measure of our performance in providing trains for our customers. Carriages need to be docked at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the train and locomotives (or at least one if double heading) should be attached at least 15 - 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.
Please Note that with the altered docking times, Guards are required to be on duty no later than 9.30am. This is to ensure that the Guards are available to help shunt carriage sets if required.
During the current fire danger period, with diesels operating beyond Lakeside, we are sending out the diesel before the departure of the first train so that the first train is double headed with steam as far as Menzies Creek. The second steam loco then returns to Belgrave Light Engine. The diesel loco departs from Belgrave at 9.45am. Guards and Signalmen should be aware of this as it will mean that they need to be on duty earlier to assist. Fire Patrols are also affected by these extra movements and will need to contact their roster officer to enquire of the extra trips involved. The diesel loco may also swap trains at Lakeside on the 'Up' journey. This will be advised on an 'S' circular, so please check the notice board upon commencing duty.
During the period that Rob Emmerson is acting Manager of Train Operations Branch, Peter Walker is assisting by acting in the Operations Supervisor role as a volunteer. Peter will generally be found at the Operations Supervisors desk in the ground floor office or out on the platform assisting with shunting etc. Peter is also issuing all 'S' and 'A' circulars during this time.
Alison Crawford is now assisting in the Branch by looking after Floats and issue of Edmondson tickets
Rob Emmerson
Acting Manager, Train Operations
The plans for the new locomotive servicing facility are currently being finalised. We MUST get our heads around the servicing solution for the whole engineering plateau before work commences in the coming months. While the building designs have largely been completed, the fit-out detail is up for grabs. This includes size & depth of pits, ash cleaning and disposal, watering, oiling, sanding and coaling the locomotives.
Requirements and plans for the servicing facilities will shortly be on display in the loco crew room. In particular, the coaling solution remains unresolved. Anyone with a bright idea or an interest in helping to develop the long term solution is encouraged to contact Steve Strangward or Steve Holmes ASAP. Are you happy to remain with a tractor based solution or can we develop something better? Now's the time to speak up!
Steve Strangward and Steve Holmes
No second copy of the Ticket Sheet is required now as the original goes to Finance and the copy that goes in the cupboard is the print out of the ticket numbers. This replaces the second copy.
We are expecting a new Puffing Billy brochure to be delivered in the next few days and this has been designed to serve two purposes. One is as a motivational brochure to be distributed away from the railway and clearly show the range of products available at Puffing Billy and encourage people to experience any one of these. The other use is as an Exit brochure to be distributed to passengers as they leave the railway and by showing the range of products on offer at the railway encourage them to return and experience one of these other products. I'm sure many of you will remember the Gembrook brochure of a few years ago. This was produced prior to the opening to Gembrook and was distributed at all stations and also by Conductors to encourage our passengers to come back to the railway and travel on the new section between Lakeside and Gembrook. This was very effective and I'm sure the new brochure will be equally as effective. I urge all Conductors to carry a small bundle of the new brochures with them on the train and show them to passengers while travelling. On return to Belgrave the Conductors should collect a large bundle of the brochures from the "B & B" cupboard, just inside and to the right of the platform doors of the Belgrave Refreshment Rooms and move to the plateau area and hand the brochures to the passengers as they leave Belgrave. The Belgrave Station Master should also be aware that there will be changes to the brochure racks in front of the Booking Office to accommodate quantities of the new brochure.
Would all Station Masters ensure that the Suggestion Box is put out each morning and importantly, taken in each night and returned to the Crew Room which should then be locked. This will ensure that the Crew Room is not left open overnight.
Ticket clippers are available for purchase through Les Fenwick at a cost of $7-00. Connie Bags are also available for purchase through Jeff Goodwin at a cost of $20-00.
The Conducting Roster for the next Great Train Race event is being prepared and Conductors are invited to contact one of the Roster Clerks if you would like to be a part of the Conducting team for the day.
Vacancies still exist for the Thomas days indicated above. If you'd like to join the friendly band of Conductors helping on the day do not hesitate to contact the Roster Clerks.
Thank you to the Conductors who have kindly given their time to help.
An appreciation is extended to the Conductors who attended the courses held on the 8th February. A number of thoughtful and constructive suggestions and ideas came out of the training which are now in the process of being considered at operational levels. Additional courses will be held throughout the year and notice of same will appear in the Monthly News.
To the Conductors who have been accepted into the 2003 Safeworking course. Well deserved and well done.
A familiar face to many from Conductor ranks, usually with the Thursday crews, has been seen helping at the Museum on Wednesdays. Keith has not been well of recent times but is fighting back with his usual good humour and happy disposition. If you get the chance, pop in and say hello to Keith, he'd welcome the chance for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
Often passengers will ask Conductors about the flora and fauna they are seeing as Puff chugs along. A useful publication titled "Sherbrooke Forest - its flora & history" produced by members of the 'Friends of Sherbrooke Forest' (a not for profit group of dedicated volunteers who work with Rangers from Parks Victoria to help preserve and protect the forest), is a good starting point.
Copies of this book can be purchased at the Belgrave Refreshment Rooms, The Mount Dandenong Tourist Information building (located near Upper Ferntree Gully Station) and local bookshops.
Also, do not hesitate to ask other volunteers and staff. Many live locally and a have wealth of knowledge built up over a number of years.
During recent weeks, the assistance offered by Signalmen rostered on at Menzies Creek and Lakeside toward Conductors has been very helpful. By informing Conductors of train arrivals and departures and the reasons for train delays. This not insignificant example of teamwork enables Conductors to keep passengers fully informed of train movements. So, thanks to all.
No report this month.
In the January edition of Monthly News we mentioned about recent vandalism on our First Class NAL carriages. We have re-instated the wood chocks for further security. At the end of either a Lunch or Night Train, would all Train Hosts please ensure that each window has a wood chock placed between the window frame and the carriage wall? This will ensure that unauthorised persons cannot open windows from the outside.
If you find any wood chocks missing, please report these either by IDR or on the Catered Trains Report for follow up.
Would Train Hosts please remember to introduce themselves to their guests in the carriage and basically explain the format for our night trains? On the return to Belgrave, we also need to thank our passengers for travelling and to remind them of our near neighbours so that the noise level can be kept to a minimum.
If any Train Hosts are unsure of what to say, please check their printed train information as a suggested wording is attached to it.
Larry James
No report this month.
No report this month.
Hugh Markwick
No report this month.
The trackside phone circuits between Belgrave and Menzies Creek now split at Selby Aura Rd.
A second phone has been added in the Selby Aura Rd Level Crossing Phone Box. Phone 749 is connected to the circuit from Belgrave and 759 is connected to the circuit from Menzies Creek.
Signals Work Day; Sat March the 8th
Telephone Work Day; Sat March the 22nd
Both days commence at the depot at 10 am please.
Andrew Wheatland.
Work continues on gathering material for the collection, so if anyone has any suitable records or memorabilia we would be pleased to hear from you.
Thank you to John Ireland for donating photographs, Peter Medlin for providing copies of articles re VR narrow gauge, and Don Marshall for provision of historical material and photographs.
Hugh Markwick
Preparations for the NHMA rally, which will be held at Heyfield from 8 to 10 March 2003, have been going on apace. This is a major event in the Historic Machinery world and we taking the Malcolm Moore 2" gauge engine, the TACL and possibly a 2'6" gauge NKS trolley with us down to Heyfield. The trolley is some doubt as it has suddenly been pressed into use on the railway and we may not be able to restore it back into exhibition standard in the short time that is available before loading. We expect to run the Malcolm Moore engine on a short demonstration track, which will be built for our use. If you are in East Gippsland over the Labour day weekend put this event on your calendar as it is one of the few times it will be held in Victoria.
There will be over 1000 stationary engines on site as well as 20 steam rollers/ traction engines, other veteran, and classic vehicles on display. Over 3,000 exhibitors will be on site; a good time is assured.
This natty little engine has been given a total tone up including repainting and some minor mechanical repairs to allow us to take it to Heyfield. The unit looks very smart in its green livery and mechanically is in good order.
The next running day is scheduled for Saturday the 1st of March 2003 but as the running track will be blocked by the loaded units for Heyfield, we may need to transfer the running day to Saturday the 5th April. If you are intending to come up to the Museum especially for the running day, I suggest you ring the Manager in the week before the 1st of March.
Please note that the Museum is open for a short time every day that the Luncheon train runs at 12.30 pm. Wait there is more. In addition, the Museum is also open with a curator present each Wednesday as well as every Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday. So come, visit your Museum, and see your collection.
John Frost
The electric 46 Class locomotives of the NSW Railways entered service in 1954 and this book is a pictorial of all 40 locomotives in the class. Also included are details of dates in service, builders numbers and current status. Available from Belgrave Shop or G42 for $ 39.95. (plus postage if applicable)
Selling pre loved books, magazines and memorabilia. Located behind the Emerald carshops in the Thomson building near the playground, our next openings are Saturday the 1st of March, and Saturday the 5th April, 2003 between 1pm and 3pm. Other times can be made by phoning Bruce West or Peter Medlin to arrange a suitable time.
We would like to thank Ian Ford & Doug Parbury for their recent donation of books and magazines to the G42 Shop at Emerald.
The collection box figure for December was $ 238.35. Thank you very much to all the volunteers and staff who have ensured that the RED G42 collection boxes were put out.
With work on the boiler continuing, your donation is needed more than ever before if we are to see G42's restoration completed in 2004.
The following donations of $10.00 or over have been received. All donations whether small or large are greatly appreciated and will help complete G42's restoration. Thank you to those who have been and continue to be regular donors towards the restoration of G42: ALCOA, T.W. Penn, P. Priestly, AP Wymond.
Bruce West
This years BBQ will be held at Emerald on Saturday the 5th of April starting at 4.30 pm. You can either catch the 4.00 pm Pass. from Belgrave or you can go direct to Emerald. There will be no parking available in the Emerald station yard on the Carshops side. A special train will leave Emerald at 9.15 pm to transfer guests to Belgrave.
If you wish to attend please fill out the enclosed form and return it by 14th March. Tickets will be issued as requested to the address on the form. Please note you will need to be able to produce your ticket when obtaining food or drinks. Admittance is open to volunteers, staff and immediate family.
Hugh Markwick
The following Social Committee events are currently being planned for the remainder of the year:
By train from Spencer Street to Ballarat with bus connection to visit the golden attractions of Sovereign Hill, or simply spend the day enjoying the sights and attractions of Ballarat.
Travel behind an 'R' class from Spencer Street to Warrnambool and spend the day enjoying the best that Warrnambool has to offer.
What is now becoming a regular feature of the Social Committee's calendar, the popular winter film night will once again be held at the Daimler Chrysler theatrette in Mulgrave. Enjoy film & slides of vintage trains in a contemporary ambience surrounded by the latest in luxury cars.
Book early - this event sold out quickly last time! An rare opportunity to travel from Emerald to Gembrook and return with the unique combination of loco. 861 and two NBD carriages. With dinner in the Ranges Hotel and photo and listening stops en route, this evening offers a seldom found opportunity to become familiar with the outer section of Puffing Billy's line.
Subject to availability, we offer a rare chance to travel from Spencer Street in a DERM. Destination to be confirmed, but we will be heading towards Castlemaine. Book early to avoid disappointment.
With limited capacity, this event sold out quickly last time around. Enjoy stunning views of Melbourne, lunch in Portarlington and wonderful company, both human and dolphin. A day out not to be missed.
What better way to see out the year. By train from Belgrave we will enjoy dinner and see in the New Year at the Packing Shed. Last time around this event was immensely popular and we intend to make this year's event at least as good.
Jeff Goodwin,
Social Committee Convenor
| Train kilometres for the month | 4,723 | 5,237 | Loco kilometres - steam | 3,977 | 5,475 | Loco kilometres - diesel | 945 | 35 | NA locomotive days for month | 78 | 110 | Carriage kilometres | 42,431 | 46,538 | Carriage Days for month | 923 | 1,009 | Highest kms operated - loco | 1,056 | 1,297 | Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,767 | 1,844 | Highest kms operated - wagon | 6 | 0 | On-time running (OT - 5") | 32% | 59% | Scheduled trips run (one way) | 289 | 312 | Revenue trips (one way) | 295 | n/a | Non-revenue trips (one way) | 8 | n/a |
There were 7 days of total fire ban during January this year compared to none during January 2002. As a result, steam locomotive kilometres were down for the month and diesel kilometres were up considerably. DH59 covered 702 kilometres for the month far exceeding the previous record of 513kms in November 2001.
The high diesel distance was also due to the decision to run diesels only beyond Lakeside from Wednesday the 22nd of January until further notice. Six return trips operated to Gembrook this way during the end of the month.
There were no instances of diesels having to be substituted for steam due to the mechanical unavailability of a steam locomotive.
Thanks to Guards for the care taken in recording the details I had mentioned previously. There were few omissions or errors and it helped me a lot. The idea of printing the scheduled times and trip numbers on blank sheets was a winner also.
Bob Wilson