October 2003#363
October 2003
#363
There has been a change to this page. The back-Issues are now indexed on a separate page.
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CONFIDENTIAL:
Content details herein are for official Railway use only and are not to be used for other purposes.
Last month we foreshadowed a re-think on the loco workshop / running shed project due to conflicting user requirements and escalating cost estimates. We have now revised the brief to design the Workshop extension. It will comprise a three-road extension, 22.5 metres long, with a ten-tonne travelling crane providing full coverage of this space. The floor will be concrete, level to rail height with a 50mm by 50mm flange gap. The southern annex will also be built to the length of the extension. The existing building will not be altered other than removal of the front pillars (subject to them not being load-bearing). A plan and specification will be prepared as soon as possible and tenders will be called toward the end of October, to define the cost of this part of the project. We hope that a tender will be finalised by 19 November so that the foundations and floor can be completed before Christmas, and the concrete can cure over the Christmas/New Year period.
Once Plans and Specifications for the Workshop extension are completed, the Engineers will design a new running shed, hopefully by Christmas. It has been determined that three tracks for a new running shed can be constructed off the road yet to be constructed north of the Workshops into the area currently occupied by the gang shed etc. As this construction is unlikely to be funded for some time some of the facilities in the existing running shed will be improved.
The down side of this altered scheme is that the amenities block will be displaced. However, it is a much more flexible building in terms of the sites it can be built on. Once the Running Shed plan is complete, the amenities block and the oil store can be relocated.
Since July we have experienced a spate of illegal activity at Belgrave including theft of PBR and private property from guards vans and surrounds, drug dealing/taking in PBR toilets and garden areas and attempts to divert carriages by throwing point levers during shunting.
The problems mostly occur during the period from the arrival of the last (day) train and into the evening. During this period each day please ensure that:
The railway provides free tea, coffee, chocolate etc for all staff and volunteers via a drink-making machine in the staff room mid-way along Belgrave platform.
Cleaning staff and refreshment services volunteers do ensure that the machine is properly filled and maintained but it is not their job to wash cups, empty the spill tray or wipe stains from benches. Nor is it their task to search Belgrave for cups that haven't been returned. Please help your workmates by doing your own clean-up.
Enclosed with this issue of MN is a slip asking about your availability for rostering over the forthcoming busy season. Please help the roster clerks by returning it in the enclosed SAE within the next couple of weeks.
Introduction of the new Code of practice for health assessments for rail safety workers was to have occurred from 29th September. However, the DOI has announced a new start date of 15th December for commercial operators and 1st March for the tourist and heritage train and tram sector. The new assessments vary for different classes of worker with most of our people requiring medical exams being 'category 2' (eg drivers, guards) with some in 'category 3' (eg museum drivers). No PBR jobs fall into 'category 1' requiring blood tests. However, a key change that does affect us is that authorised health professionals can be used. A government brochure giving more details of the new Code will be issued to all staff and volunteers soon.
Included with Monthly News is a copy of the operational procedures for Timetable 'C' which covers most weekends until Christmas as well as some public & school holidays. These procedures have been produced to assist you in operating the timetable in a safe & reliable manner and we ask that all operating staff take the time to read them. With the earlier departure at 10.00am, some staff (SM's, Guards, Head Conductors etc.) will need to start earlier than previous timetables.
| Graeme Breydon, ETRB Chairman chairman@pbr.org.au | John Thompson, PBPS President editor@pbr.org.au | Ray Leivers, CEO ray.leivers@pbr.org.au |
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 implementation of the Ten Year Plan, and other things that are happening on the railway. Graeme Breydon will present the updated PB Museum Collection Strategy, developed by the Strategic Planning Committee and Lineside Attractions Branch. It is intended that that the sessions will be interactive and there will also be plenty of time made available for you to raise and discuss issues. Everyone with an interest in the Railway is encouraged to attend.
Security Response are now monitoring all alarms along the railway. Their number is placed on all alarm keypads and strategic phones around the railway. If you have a question pertaining to your pin code etc please contact Deb Lyons
Jon Newton is producing two new videos for the railway, one on the restoration of G42 and the other on the story of our railway and its history, rebuilding & preservation. Jon is looking for all kinds of video, film and/or photographs of G42 in or out of service, and also the re-opening of the railway to Lakeside as well as any film which dates from 1975 or earlier. If you have any appropriate video, film or photographs Jon is very keen to hear from you. Jon Newton
PBR Wheelchairs are not to leave the station environs. The purpose of these wheelchairs is to assist our less able passengers boarding & de-training only.
No report this month.
Any engine cleaners or fireman who missed the drivers classes with Lance Adams now has the opportunity of 'catching up'. Jon Newton has filmed all the drivers classes to date and is offering copies of each class for $20 per video. Each class runs for four hours, and Lance can supply you with the notes from these classes if you wish. The next class (No. 5) is on Sunday the 28th of September, and this too will be recorded and made available. If you would like copies of drivers classes 1-5, call Jon Newton. Note: These videos are available to trainee Drivers & Firemen only.
To Stephen Backway on completing his Safeworking training. Stephen now joins his Conducting colleagues, Peter Marshall and Terry Lee in having finalised their Guard/Signalman training. Congratulations also to staff member's Simon Kilner and Adam Taylor who have also recently qualified as Safeworkers.
If you are the Head Conductor or solo Conductor on the last train of the day, here's a list of things you need to do apart from assisting passengers:
At present there is a shortage of Conductors helping on Weekends and a call is made to readers of Monthly News for your help.
Weekends are a busy time when many patrons travel on the railway for picnics at Lakeside or Gembrook or to experience a unique heritage railway in operation with Puffing Billy being the star attraction. The attendance of Conductors provides an invaluable service not only for passengers, particularly the younger ones, but also as a part of the Train crew.
If you have once been a Conductor an invitation is extended to have you back, you will be made most welcome. If you are a current Weekday Conductor why not give a Weekend run a try on occasion? If you can help please contact one of the Conductor Roster Clerks.
A word of appreciation for the hard working effort of the Weekend Conductors. Thank you all for your contribution, often under trying circumstances.
Could Conductors please check their kits to see if they have railway ticket clippers engraved 'PBR1'? If so please return it to the Belgrave SM next time you are undertaking a Conducting run.
You own ticket clipper can be purchased for $7 from Les Fenwick
Sunday 12th October. If Conductors wish to make any changes to their usual Conducting days could you please let one of the Roster Clerks know by that date.
No report this month.
No report this month.
No report this month.
Work continues on fitting new tyres to rolling stock wheel sets.
1 Hydraulic shaping machine with copy attachment.
1 Horizontal production milling machine.
1 Sheridan lathe 13" swing
All enquiries to Alan Gardner at Belgrave Workshops
Hugh Markwick
Design of the workshop extension is nearing completion with construction due to commence in late November. Features will include a floor level with the top of the rails and a 10 tonne travelling crane covering the major part of extension.
It has been decided to build an improved locomotive running depot in the area of the current gang shed. This part of the project is currently at the stage of finalising the user requirements.
A trolley drivers' course is planned for November. If you are a qualified safe-worker or close to completing safeworking training you are eligible. To be considered please apply in writing to Dan O'Connor c/- Belgrave station. If you want to find out what driving a trolley (or the Road Rail vehicle) is like, please contact Henry Brohier (his number is in contacts) & he can arrange for you to go out on a run with a qualified driver. We encourage potential trolley drivers to go out on a few runs before attending the formal course.
Our track gang has been working hard to re-build the Emerald to Lakeside section and work is approaching the Home signal at Lakeside. You are welcome to join them any weekend.
Our next Volunteer Work Day will be on Saturday 18th October between Nobelius & 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.
Our November work day will involve re-building the Emerald Main Road level crossing on 15th November. Please put it in your diary as we will a good sized gang to do this job without disrupting traffic too much.
Our Signal Supervisor Andrew Wheatland is enjoying a few weeks break travelling overseas.
Observant volunteers who have been passing the S&T Depot at Emerald by train will have noticed that we now have the sliding door installed in the 'track' side of the depot building. Already this has been put to good use enabling us to transfer the base of the wooden mast for Menzies Creek out onto the NQR for final painting and assembly prior to transfer to Menzies Creek a little later in the year. Work has been continuing over the last few weeks painting various bits and pieces ready for the new signal mast.
(Compiled by Rob Emmerson in Andrew's absence.)
Sections 5 to 8 are being reviewed.
We received a donation of copies of Narrow Gauge, assorted booklets and photographs from the estate of the late Norm Houston.
Work has commenced sorting items, classifying them and entering them on the computer.
Hugh Markwick
John Knight is out of hospital and recovering well. Thanks to all who have offered their best wishes to John, we hope to see him back at Menzies Creek soon.
By the time this issue of Monthly News is distributed, John Frost will have returned from his overseas holiday.
Work continues on building the base to support the trolley shed obtained some time ago from the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria at Bylands.
As part of the restoration work underway, attention is now turning to the Cabin area.
This historic trolley is currently being refurbished. One or two discoveries by Stan Gunn, who is reconditioning the engine, have explained why it has been so sluggish (and it is not the extra weight of the steel underframe compared to NKS5).
On Saturday 6th September we successfully operated a variety of exhibits, including steam locomotive Hudswell Clarke No. 9, the TACL, the Malcolm Moore and NKS 5. Our next quarterly steam running day is Saturday 6th December.
It is just under 2 months until Christmas and that means it will soon be time for the Santa Specials. If you are 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' latest video, "The Year in Steam - 2002" is available from Belgrave Shop at $44.95. Relive the railway events of 2002 in the usual fine quality produced video.
Look out for "Victorian Railways T Class (2nd Series)" & the "New South Wales 35 Class" due for release in October. Train Hobby books are 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 4th October, 2003 and Saturday 1st November between 1pm and 3pm. Other times can be organised by phoning Bruce West or Peter Medlin to arrange a suitable time. Thank you to those who purchased items in the last month and have helped G42s restoration by doing so.
We would like to thank John Dare for the donation of items to the G42 Shop at Emerald.
The collection box figure for August is $78.00. 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 now needed more than ever before.
N.S. Atherden, C.G. Bell, S. Bennett, I.F. Bryant, J. Burrows, T.F. Buxton, D. Campbell, B. Chipperfield, J.W. Chitty, R.H. Church, R.N. Cochran, A. Collier, K. Cox, S. Cox, A.F. Coxon, J.E. Donahue, D. DeBondi, P. Farrell, G. Finster, E.R. Godwin, Mrs J. Gordon, A.A. Grigg, P.J. Hastie, G. Hocking, P.N. Homon, J. Hoy, I.D. Hunter, J.V. Ilett, E.B. Jochimsen, C. Leigh, A.A. Marsden, Rev. R.S. McUtchen, G. Michell, I.T. Naylor, P. Neve, P.R. Norton, R. Ogilvie, D. O'Neill, D.G. Parbury, H.D. Paroissien, J. Parker, I.A. Peach, L. Perrin, J.R. Prideaux, C.G. Rees, M. Rickard, W. Schneider, D. Stevenson, P.A. Sutherland, K.W. Taig, G.K. Theobold, D. Thompson, J.E. Thompson, W.A. Williams, Dr. P.M. Willis,
Thank you to those who have continued to appear over the years of fundraising. Your continued support is helping to achieve its goal.
Bruce West
No report this month.
| AUGUST | 2003 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Train kilometres for the month | 2,960 | 2,889 |
| Loco kilometres - steam | 3,079 | 2,906 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 63 | 103 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 74 | 71 |
| Carriage kilometres | 22,353 | 20,491 |
| Carriage Days for month | 705 | 665 |
| Highest kms operated loco | 1,191 | 1,228 |
| Highest kms operated pass vehicle | 1,435 | 1,411 |
| Highest kms operated wagon | 13 | 32 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 41% | 79% |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 154 | 151 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 170 | 161 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 8 | 14 |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 90% | n/a |
Bob Wilson