September 2003#362
September 2003
#362
There has been a change to this page. The back-Issues are now indexed on a separate page.
Please note: These pages are provided by me, Bill Russell as a service to the P.B.P.S. & E.T.R.B.
If you find a problem with them please contact me first. No other person has the ability to alter these pages.
If you want to be notified when Monthly News changes send me an e-mail. My e-mail address is bill.russell@optusnet.com.au
CONFIDENTIAL:
Content details herein are for official Railway use only and are not to be used for other purposes.
The design for providing improved shared facilities for the workshops and as a Running Shed have been complicated by a conflict between the need for a travelling crane and the provision of smoke stacks for lighting up locomotives. This and a prohibitive cost estimate have caused us to revisit some of the design elements. Some concept work is now being done on separating the Workshop extension and Running Shed. Hopefully some preliminary concepts will be prepared by the time you receive this edition of Monthly News.
We need additional volunteers to become Roster Clerks. Anyone who has contemplated becoming a Roster Clerk would be invited to attend a Roster Clerks Seminar. The role of Roster Clerk is critical to the railway. It is a job that volunteers do for a period of 1 or 2 years, then have a break. If you are interested in getting involved, please talk to those who have had the experience, then get in touch with either Ray Leivers or Deb Woodward to secure your place at the next Seminar.
Following very positive feedback relating to the last Information session, another session is scheduled for Wednesday 8th October at 7.30pm at the Masonic Hall in Belgrave. Ray Leivers will update the audience on the imp
| Graeme Breydon, ETRB Chairman chairman@pbr.org.au | John Thompson, PBPS President editor@pbr.org.au | Ray Leivers, CEO ray.leivers@pbr.org.au |
Would anyone have any 'circular tablecloths' that they would like to donate that would be suitable to use on tables at Gembrook Puffing Billy Station. We have three tables 1 metre in diameter and one table 1380mm in diameter. Enquiries: Merle Mathisen
Are you interested in gardening? Do you need exercise? Then enjoy the good company of fellow volunteers at Gembrook Puffing Billy Station every 1st and 3rd. Monday of the Month.
Work involves removing environmental weeds, ivy, blackberry, holly, onion weed etc, as well as planting, mulching, etc. Please note, working is at 'your own pace'. Meet at the Station at 10am for a 'cuppa' then work untill lunchtime. Please phone Merle Mathisen if you are coming for the first time.
Thanks to volunteer Keith Lierse, Puffing Billy now has a number of antique telephone receivers. Keith has been acquiring these hand pieces for many years culminating in him donating his large collection. They are now being stored at the Signals and Telegraph office pending the railway determining how they can be best put on public display.
The railway is running a competition to find a more descriptive name for the night train that reflects fun, experience, dancing, food and wine etc. The best suggestion wins a night train ticket for 4. Send your ideas to Ray Leivers at E-mail ray.leivers@pbr.org.au
Our most sincere condolences to Ted Godwin and his family on the sudden passing of his wife, Pat. We hope that his friends at Puffing Billy will be a support in this difficult time.
We also offer our thoughts to Wayne and Bronwyn Francis on the passing of Wayne's mother; Bronwyn's grandmother.
It is with great sadness to report the passing of D'arcy Morgan. His presence on the footplate will be greatly missed. Our most sincere condolences to D'arcy's family at this most difficult time.
Mel Elliott has had recent health problems and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Chris Bell has had a short stay in hospital and we also wish Chris a rapid return to the railway.
We have been advised that Museum stalwart, John Knight is about to undergo a stint in hospital. Best Wishes John for a speedy recovery.
On a happier note, we're all pleased to have Peter Priestly back on the railway after a period confined to hospital. Peter has a sore foot but otherwise assures us that he is feeling much better.
A speedy recovery wish to Stuart Fife who is recovering from a complicated broken leg, which happened during his holidays in February. Hope to see him back on the railway soon.
It is planned to hold an 'Introduction to Safeworking Course' on Monday 29th September commencing at 5.30pm sharp. This informative Course will cover Basic Safeworking, Track Awareness, Brief on Signals and Points and Working Timetable (WTT) and is especially designed for all anyone interested in Safeworking. It is also a pre-requisite for anyone interested in applying for the next Safeworking Course scheduled for early 2004. (More details will be published in November Monthly News).
A key component of the course is to give an understanding in the operation of the Railway and why it appears Guards/Signalman operate to a different timetable from the Public Timetable.
Training notes, including photographs, will be handed out during the course.
There is no commitment with this course to go on with further training, though if you are considering applying for the 2004 Safeworking Course will need to have completed this course.
Applications are to be made by e-mailto Peter on peter.walker@pbr.org.au for a copy. Copies of this form will also be placed in the Belgrave Station Masters office.
Peter Walker
Train Running Officer
A Stationmasters' Seminar will be held at 9.00am on Wednesday 24th September, 2003. This seminar is open to ALL Stationmasters to discuss current updates on the Railway, operation of Working Time Table "C" (Blue Time Table), Proposed CafT Carriage, and Summer Operations.
R.S.V.P. Monday 22nd September, 2003.
The course will be conducted on Saturday 27th September, 2003 commencing at 9.00am. Yes, it is Grand Final Day, but the course will be completed by lunch time so you have time to sit back and watch the match.
Vacancies are limited, so book early to ensure you have a place.
Enquires and to register, contact
Peter Walker
Training Officer Passenger Operations.
The time of year looms when Thomas wakes from his winter slumber to delight and enthral our younger patrons (and older ones too).
The Thomas dates for October are listed below. For each day, a Head Conductor and at least 2 Conductors are required, (dates are subject to change).
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Duties on the day will include:
Start time is around 9:00am and the day generally concludes around 4:00pm. Transport from Belgrave can be arranged if required. If you can spare a day, please let one of the Conductor Roster Clerks know.
A reminder to Conductors to take a ticket float and ticket book with them on all Conducting runs. Often passengers, even during the quieter 'B' or Orange timetable (2 train running), will still board at Menzies Creek and Emerald.
As a rule of thumb, apart from taking the float (and it's a good idea to check it has a good mix of notes and coins), it is useful to carry some of the following brochures in your Connie Bag to be handed out to passengers:
Take a few copies of the foreign language guides too.
If travelling to Gembrook, take along some Gembrook Guides as well and hand these out to Gembrook passengers before arrival at Gembrook.
A new version of the Emerald Lake Park Brochure is now available to be distributed to Lakeside bound passengers. Copies of the brochure are located in the Belgrave SM's office.
This useful guide provides a map, overview of the Park, places of interest, picnic & shelter locations and opening & closing times.
Some wise words overheard the other day on the Belgrave platform. "The only difference between the various volunteering and paid roles on Puffing Billy is our level of skill and knowledge, not our level of importance." We are all important in providing a safe and enjoyable day out for passengers."
We often take our overseas visitors for granted. Yet their patronage forms an important income component in keeping Puffing Billy running.
Visitors, particularly from non-English speaking countries, may not experience the unique railway experience offered by Puffing Billy in their country. As Conductors, it's good practice to ride with our overseas guests as they usually have a tour guide who can act as interpreter. You can have a grand time explaining the lore of the railway to a very curious and appreciative audience.
The other day, for example, a senior Conductor rode with a group from Taiwan and within minutes had the carriage laughing along; clearly demonstrating language (no interpreter was present it seems) is not a barrier to fun. When the train arrived at the Station of their departure the train had to be delayed for a few minutes, as the Conductor could not stop having his photograph taken with our clearly delighted guests.
The above Course has been re-scheduled to Monday 29th September 2003 commencing 5:30pm at the Belgrave Conference Room. The Course is open to ALL volunteers interested in learning more about Safeworking.
If you wish to attend, please collect an application form at the SM's Office at Belgrave or from Peter Walker, Train Running Officer by telephoning him during Office Hours by e-mail at peter.walker@pbr.org.au
Successful completion of the Introduction is a pre-requisite to be considered for a place in the 2004 Safeworking Course.
Quite a number of 'M' keys, which were attached to the Connie bags (located in the Belgrave SM's Office) are 'missing', presumably in action.
As Conductors are aware, the 'M' key enables access to certain non-safeworking areas of the railway, such as the battery cabinet at Belgrave, dual doors on the wheelchair carriages, toilets etc. The keys are numbered and audited.
When a Conductor qualifies as a Head Conductor (following completion of their training), a separate 'M' key is issued on loan to the Head Conductor (who signs for the key) whilst they continue as an active volunteer. The Connie bag 'M' keys are for the use of all Conductors rostered on for a particular day and are to be returned along with the Connie Bag to the Belgrave SM's office at day's completion. Accordingly, the 'M' keys once attached to the Connie Bags are needed back and we ask your help in doing so. Simply place the 'M' key in an envelope and place in the pigeon box in the Belgrave SM's Office under 'K' - no questions will be asked but we shall be grateful for their return.
Features of the new 'C' or Blue 4 train timetable to come into operation during the spring school holidays is the departure of a train from Belgrave at 10:00am (No: 9 Pass). In addition, empty carriages from 11 Pass will return from Menzies Creek (as 10 Pass) to Belgrave to form the 12.00 Noon departure (17 Pass.)
Train designations (as shown in the Roster) are:
| 9/16, 25/32 | Crew 1 | First departure from Belgrave at 10:00am Last arrival at Belgrave 4:52pm |
| 11/28 | Crew 2 | Second departure from Belgrave at 10:30am Last arrival at Belgrave 4:02pm |
| 11/10, 17/24 | Crew 3 | Second departure from Belgrave at 10:30am Last arrival at Belgrave 2:52pm |
Copies of crew movements' insert for Conducting Guides will be shortly made available at the Belgrave SM's office.
Most Friday and Saturday nights and most nights during December, Puffing Billy's Night Train departs Belgrave for the Nobelius Packing Shed with passengers in the NAL's (Lyell carriages) for a night of dining and dancing at the Packing Shed.
The volunteer Train Hosts, supported by PBR paid staff, Packing Shed Hosts, footplate crew and Guard plus Hallam Catering (who prepare the meals) look after passengers on the journey and at the Packing Shed. By their efforts they contribute to an enjoyable and unique railway experience.
For the hard working Night Train Host, the 'day' starts around 5pm and ends around midnight.
Conductors, with their 'On Rails' experience are ideally suited to Night Train Hosting. If you'd like to give it a go do not hesitate to contact the Night Train Roster Clerk, Henry Brohier. Training and uniform are provided.
Overnight accommodation at Moondarra (at no cost) can also be arranged if need be.
Cut off date for the September Roster will be Friday 12th September 2003. Conductors wishing to make any changes or additions to their normal roster please let one of the Roster Clerks know by this date.
No report this month.
No report this month.
John Conway
No report this month.
No report this month.
Design of the workshop extension has gone back to the drawing board due to the high estimated cost. A simpler design is likely to emerge shortly.
Our next Volunteer Work Day will be on Saturday 20th September between Nobelius and Lakeside where we will be doing further work on the Emerald to Lakeside section redevelopment. The usual sumptuous BBQ lunch will be provided. Please let Roster Officer Henry know if you can attend.
A contract has been arranged to extend the shed in Innes Rd Gembrook by 36 m (118 ft). This work is expected to start in September with completion taking only a few weeks.
For some years now we have been working on completion of our Permanent Way Manual. This is expected to be complete within a couple of weeks, thanks to Bill Russell's publishing skills and when it is finished we will be setting up a course for gangers. Details of the course will be announced shortly.
The Signalling upgrade proposals for Menzies Creek have been approved recently by both Management and the Board. There is a considerable amount of work required to advance this project and persons interested in volunteering their time and expertise are encouraged to contact the S&T branch.
Whilst our major efforts to date have been occurring on Mondays and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, we are able to accommodate other days if required.
The initial works will concentrate on re-assembly of the wooden bracket mast (Up Inner Homes) and the building of a new Up Outer Home signal.
The regular Signals Workday (Wig Wag) will be on Sat 13/9 and the Regular Telephone Workday will be Sat 27/9.
During the overseas sojourn of the Acting Manager (Andrew Wheatland) from Sept 15 to October 10, Mr. Ian Marks will act as the Branch Manager
It is extremely satisfying to report that this fund is now in the vicinity of $23,000. Whilst a commencement date is likely to be a few years away yet (due to other more urgent signalling works), your continued donations will ensure that work will proceed unhindered when the time comes. Thankyou to all who have donated to this fund and donations of $10.00 and over have recently been received from: L.M. Adams, A. Bailey, M.C. Batt, C.G. Bell, A.S. Bodey, A.J. Bridge, K. Bruce, N. R. Burgin, R.N. Cochran, B.M. Coleman, P. Cushing, R.G. Emmerson, S. Fife, I. Ford, L.R. Foun, H.J. Gration, I. Harper, F.A. Henderson, G. Hocking, E.B. Jochimsen, L. Kennedy, L. Ledwich, P.Leslie, J. Malcolm, J.G. Marr, A. McCooke, G. Michael, I.P. Newman, B.R. Provost, C.G. Rees, A. Rose, R. Rossiter, G.K. Stapley, B.N. Storey, P.N. Walker, J.A. Warwick, A.D. Wheatland, R.M. Whitehouse, W.H. Whitford, O. Wolf & R.M. Wotherspoon.
Andrew Wheatland.
No report this month.
John Frost is currently touring the U.K. and Europe, so during his absence please contact Bruce Paroissien or Graham Knight on any Museum-related matters.
This year we successfully displayed and operated the TACL, together with trolleys NKS5, NKS8 & 'Corporal' in '3 Road' of Emerald yard. Thanks to all who organised this different publicity event, and to Adam Black in particular who drove D21 for the TACL transfer to and from Emerald. It is interesting to reflect on how many years have passed since two NKS trolleys operated together on the main line. Certainly it was before having to stop at level crossings to operate the flashing lights.
The engine was recently started following a deal of restoration work, which is progressing well.
On Saturday 9th August, the Museum welcomed guests on the Peter Mac / Qantas special train. Lots of kids (young and old) visited, chatting amongst themselves with Museum volunteers and train staff answering questions. The kids seemed to be enjoying themselves amongst the exhibits. The TACL was operating and it attracted quite a deal of attention chugging away quietly to itself, with the occasional carefully supervised movement. Thanks to all involved who made this a special day to all the guests.
Our next quarterly steam running day is Saturday 6th September.
Its under 4 months until Christmas, and that means it's soon time for the Santa Specials. If you're a Head Conductor, Conductor, Guard etc, and would like to work on one of the Santa Specials, now is the time to talk to your Roster Officer.
Steam Media have just released their latest video, 'The Year In Steam 2002'. It is available from Belgrave Shop at $44.95. Relive the railway events of 2002 in the usual fine quality produced video.
This book has been released and is available in Belgrave Shop for $35.95. Stocks of 'A Day In The Life Of G42', "Focus On ..... Walhalla Line", "Focus On ...... Whitfield Line" are still selling well so get your copy now as there are no planned reprints.
Train Hobby books are still available from Belgrave Shop for $30.00 each or direct from G42 Sales for $33.00 each posted anywhere in Australia. If you are looking for a particular book please write to PBPS - G42 Train Hobby Books, P.O. Box 451, Belgrave 3160.
Selling pre-loved books, magazines and memorabilia. Located behind the Emerald car shops in the Thomson building near the playground, our next openings are Saturday 6th September, 2003 and Saturday 4th October, 2003 between 1pm and 3pm. Other times can be made by phoning Bruce West or Peter Medlin to arrange a suitable time. Thank you to those who obtained books in the last month and have helped G42s restoration by doing so.
The G42 Shop was open for the annual Emerald Winterfest on Sunday 27th July with some good bargains had. Thank you to Bruce Pariosseen for organising our shop to be open. Thank you to Peter Medlin, Chris Raggett and Ken Walker who assisted on the day.
We would like to thank Ray Marsh and a belated thank you to Jim Leppitt for their donation of items to the G42 Shop at Emerald.
Some of the Committee have been on leave recently and we welcome back Barry and Doreen Rogers from their jaunt to Western Australia.
Bruce has been carrying out judging the Tidy Towns of Victoria for Keep Australia Beautiful, traveling the 'West' of the State, apparently he was seen looking at the 'Narrow Gauge' at Pinaroo. Must have been a little home sick for PB eh!!
The collection box figure for July was $ 8.95. 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. Donors names have been held over until the October edition.
Bruce West
The following events are planned for the remainder of 2003 :
Book early - this event sold out quickly last time! A rare opportunity to travel from Emerald to Gembrook & 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. For last minute enquiries contact Greg Little or John Conway.
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. Booking form is enclosed with this edition of Monthly News.
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 memorable.
As mentioned previously, here is a summary of events planned for 2004. Further details will follow soon.
Sunday 29th February :
By train from Spencer Street to Maldon with a DERM
April :
Staff & Volunteers' BBQ (Date to be advised)
Sunday 30th May :
By train from Spencer Street to Bendigo behind an R Class.
Saturday 7th August:
Our very popular annual film night Saturday
11th September :
Meander through the museums : Williamstown (train) & Hawthorn (tram)
15th - 17th October:
Weekend trip to sample the delights of Tasmania
Saturday 20th November :
Around the Bay in many ways
If you have any questions regarding these events, or is you have your own suggestions for future events, please contacty Jeff Goodwin.
| JULY | 2003 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,251 | 3,339 |
| Loco kilometres - -steam | 3,407 | 3,547 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 101 | 51 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 80 | 83 |
| Carriage kilometres | 27,358 | 25,747 |
| Carriage Days for month | 723 | 759 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,254 | 1,471 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,477 | 1,320 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 66 | 35 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 36% | 77% |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 174 | 178 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 191 | 194 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 14 | 5 |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 82% | n/a |
I have added a new statistic above that covers the docking of a locomotive on its train at the platform at Belgrave by a nominated time. This is important for our customers so that they have time before departure if they want to look at and photograph the loco, or locos, that are to haul their train.
There are a small number of guards that are not showing this time on their Train Running Sheets. The information is valuable for us to monitor as one of several means to help us ensure that our customers can maximise their enjoyment with us.
Bob Wilson