July 2004#372
July 2004
#372
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 Puffing Billy Railway & the 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.
It is ahead of schedule! The workshop extension will be completed before the end of June and handed over to Alan Gardner and his team. The crane is going to make an enormous difference to our staff and volunteers as they will now be able to easily move heavy objects around the extension area, and be able to suspend them while they are fitting things. This will add to the efficiency and provide a much safer workplace.
Following a nasty incident where one of our drivers was affected by carbon dioxide build-up in the small pit, the pits in the running shed have been ventilated by drilling a hole through the wall. A ventilation consultant indicates that this will allow heavy gases to escape the pit. In order to prevent other problems in the shed it was recommended that we raise the iron cladding on the south side of the shed to create a draft. This has now been done.
The next step is to build an ash disposal 'bunker' at the front of the existing pit and take out the walls in the pits. This will make ash cleanout much easier and safer. The single large pit will make servicing easier.
It is pleasing that Unilever, who distribute Streets ice cream, Four 'n Twenty & Herbert Adams Pies have been signed up as a Silver sponsor. This results in the railway getting wholesale price discounts on product and a cash contribution.
A lot of the CEO's time in May, June and July will be spent chasing grants and sponsorships. To date applications have been made to Coca Cola Amatil, Toshiba and a $180,000 application to the Australian Tourist Development Program for a Luncheon Special Service Car, Food service equipment and completion of 1NB.
No report this month.
Thought about being a Roster Clerk but not sure how much work is involved? We propose to run a training course for Roster Clerks. Many of our existing Roster Clerks have done the job for several years and want a rest. Some rosters have many regular volunteers and require a few phone calls to fill in the gaps. There is no obligation to become a Roster Clerk if you do the course. Please let Sue Ham know if you are interested in training.
After three years Les Fenwick is looking to concentrate his contribution in other areas, so we are looking for experienced Head Conductors to take new recruits with you and train them in the art of Conducting. If you would like to participate please advise Ray Leivers? Les is happy to 'show you the ropes'. This is not restricted to one position, as we have several new volunteers interested in conducting.
If you have ordered your name badge and have not received it please look in the volunteers' letter box. (Ask the Stationmaster if you don't know where it is at Belgrave). Otherwise contact Sue Ham or Wilma Ratcliffe.
The first of these courses will be held on Wednesday 21st July, 2004 in the Belgrave Conference Room commencing at 9.00am. The duration of the course will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The course is available to anybody interested in understanding the Safeworking Operations of the railway.
The course is a compulsory pre-requisite for the Safeworking Course 2005, applications for which will close late November 2004.
Bookings this course will close Friday 16,sup>th July at 4.00pm. See Passenger Operations Training Program for further dates.
Space is limited to 12 applicants per course, so book early to reserve your spot, please contact Peter Walker in writing or by Email peter.walker@pbr.org.au
As in previous years, Puffing Billy will once again this year make available a limited number of subsidised Heritage Uniforms to currently active volunteers. Of the total cost of $693 for a three-piece uniform, Puffing Billy will bear the cost of the jacket and the waistcoat with the volunteer making a contribution of $132, this being the cost of the trousers. Applications will be considered in the following order : Safeworkers, Station Masters, Head Conductors and Conductors.
If you wish to apply for a subsidised uniform, please apply in writing, providing details of length of service, grade(s) currently rostered and number of rostered days per year at the Railway. Please send applications to the following address and please do not enclose money at this stage.
PBPS Heritage Uniforms
PO Box 69
Mitcham 3132
New stock of navy blue jumpers (long sleeved and sleeveless with the Puffing Billy logo embroidered on the left breast) is due to arrive around the time you read this announcement. These will be available in sizes 16-28.
If you wish to order one, please use the Uniform Order Form to be found in the Stationmaster's Office at Belgrave.
I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank Sue Ham, June Ilett, Carl & Venetia Barnard for their contribution and hard work over the ATR weekend, it was very much appreciated.
Anyone wishing to volunteer at Menzies Creek, please call April Williams
If you would like to apply for the position of Roster Clerk for Refreshment services, please contact June Ilett soon as possible.
50% off, selected items - will be crossed through with red pen.
A range of Socks, Sleeveless windcheater, selected tshirts, picnic sets and travelling rugs etc.
April Williams
Guards are reminded that they must ensure that the Up end Belgrave No.1 to 2 Road points (headshunt) are clipped with a point clip whenever a train is shunted over these points. This applies to any train or individual carriage that is sitting 'astride' the points.
Drivers arriving at Lakeside are also requested to allow a reasonable amount of time before cutting off & running around (or moving to No.1 Road to take water) so that the majority of passengers can depart from the platform prior to closing the passenger gates. This will also give passengers an opportunity to photograph the locomotive at the head of the train & facing towards Gembrook. Your assistance in this would be much appreciated.
Night Train Crews are also requested to ensure that they lock the large wooden gates (Gate 8) leading on to the Belgrave 'plateau' area when they depart after the Night Train.
Rob Emmerson
Ray O'Callaghan, like all our roster clerks, has done a great job but he has decided that it is time for someone else to take over. We are seeking a reliable and committed person to follow in his footsteps, although Ray will continue until September it is envisage that the new roster clerk will start working with Ray immediately.
Ray would like to express his sincere appreciation to all those who have so freely given of their time and support, and to say thank you to them all.
Any Drivers or Fireman who are yet to be endorsed on this locomotive, (this requires a day out on the Engine) should contact Graeme Daniel or Ray O'Callaghan.
Whilst on this subject I would like to thank Lance Adams and Cliff Simmons for putting the initial training classes together at very short notice. Also to all the loco and workshop staff who helped with the hands on training, thank you, it was a great team effort.
It is proposed to conduct an introductory class, for any volunteers interested in receiving practical & theory instructions, in Lighting Up, Locomotive Preparation, Westinghouse Brake and Engineworking.
The format for the day will be a very 'hands on' event starting at 6am, with the class attendees, under the supervision of suitable instructors, being responsible for the Lighting up and preparation of the days required steam locomotives. One additional locomotive will also be prepared, and retained for instructional purposes if available.
Reservations are required as we need to arrange the appropriate number of suitable instructors. Anyone interested should contact Fleur Barrell by email to fleur.barrell@pbr.org.au for more detail, and register by COB Friday 25 th June.
In response to a number of recent incidents I would like to remind all Guards of the following instructions. With reference to GI Appendix 2, 6.1 (part) "If the Guard has occasion to apply the Brake in an emergency, the cock must be opened (fully) and left open until the train has stopped."
More work has been carried out to improve the ventilation. 300mm ducts have been installed in the pits and the wall cladding has been lifted to allow for better air flow. A door has also been installed at the rear of the shed.
A proposal has been put forward to move the ash disposal pit to the front of the shed and open the existing pits into a full servicing pit, drawings are currently available to comment on. It is anticipated that the first stage, relocating the ash pit, will take place in late June.
I anticipate that design/concept drawings will be available in the next few months for discussion and comment.
A volunteer is required to fill the position of "Minute Secretary" for the Train Operations meetings. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 9.30pm at Belgrave offices. Anyone who is interested please contact Greg Hanslow by email to greg.hanslow@pbr.org.au.
Greg Hanslow
Not too many people used the blank proforma in the blue folder located in the SM's office for July: it was a bit late in being inserted in the folder but August's is already there. Please make use of it where particular destinations/times are desired by the Monthly News deadline, normally the 3rd Monday of the month.
There are several gaps for July's Roster, especially at weekends: if you can fill any of the gaps, please put your name down in the Conductor folder or the SM's copy of the Roster (when available).
Les Fenwick and I have spare square keys plus copies of the 2 booklets (Conductors Information (Timetables & Fares) and Conductors Note Book (History & Compilation of the PBR)) available: please contact either of us to obtain your copy. Note that M Keys are 'controlled' and are normally given out upon appointment to Head Conductor.
Ron Kelly
Most Branches have a volunteer Assistant Manager who get involved in decision making for their Branch. Passenger Operations seems to be split with a weekday group and a weekend group. As your Divisional Manager, I would like to have two Assistant Managers that cover these two groups. Your role would be to bring issues that need addressing to my attention and to be available to be consulted on issues. It would be an advantage if you could attend Passenger Operations Committee Meetings but that is not essential.
If you are interested in exploring this position further, please ring me.
Ray Leivers
The Committee have considered a paper on daily platform briefings and a Role statement for SM's as we work through the issues made by the volunteer representatives at the Committee. Next meeting we will consider issues that need to be addressed in reviewing our present timetable.
Please note the following dates in your diaries. Now details will be announced each month.
| Conductor Training | |||
| Saturday 18 th September | 9.00am till Noon. | ||
| Saturday 20 th November | 9.00am till Noon | ||
| Wednesday 24 th November | 9.00am till Noon. | ||
| Stationmasters' Seminar | |||
| Wednesday 10 th November | 9.00am till 3.00pm | ||
| Saturday 13 th November | 9.00am till 3.00pm | ||
| Introduction to Safeworking | |||
| Wednesday 21 st.July | 9.00am till 12.30pm. | ||
| Monday 23 rd August | 5.30pm till 8.30pm | ||
| Wednesday 15 th September | 9.00am till Noon. | ||
| Saturday 27 th November | 9.00am till Noon. | ||
Peter Walker
Training Officer.
No report this month.
No report this month.
No report this month.
No report this month.
No report this month.
Progress has been very rapid in the last month and the contractor now expects to have completed the building in early July. Some further fit-out will be needed in the future.
Howard McTier has undertaken to progress the engineering work on construction of the new depot in Stanley Street. We hope to make a start on constructon in October or November.
Work has concentrated in the Lakeside to Gembrook section with the addition of ballast and tamping. At the time of writing the upgrade had progressed to well beyond Bridge No 8. in the Wright's Forest area.
Procurement of materials is under way for the platform improvements at the Packing Shed. Work should commence in early July.
Design and costing work is under way to provide for kitchen facilities for the Packing Shed under the building. This will get rid of the need to cart equipment onto the verandah and for the 'outdoor cooking' to be done there. A 'dumb waiter' is planned to get food etc. from downstairs up to the main level.
Road-rail vehicle NRR 1 is having a minor upgrade to its rear rail wheel assembly.
NK3's hydraulic transmission is currently being replaced and is expected back on the Railway in August.
Still no sign of EBR 26.
Work commenced last month to shift the footbridge from Fitzroy to Moorooduc. The Fitzroy site has now been cleared and work has started at Moorooduc. A substantial increase in the quantity of timber to be replaced has resulted from inspection of the bridge after it was dismantled. Volunteers who wish to assist in the bridgework should call John Shaw (after 7 th July).
Our next Volunteer Work Day will be on Saturday 17 th July. Work will continue on refurbishing track between Selby and Monbulk Creek bridge commencing about 200 yards beyond the bridge. The usual sumptuous BBQ lunch will be provided. Please let Roster Officer Henry know if you can attend
.John Shaw
Just a reminder that there are only a few days left to make a tax deductible donation prior to June 30 th this year. The fund is expected to exceed $32,000 by the end of June end and the design work is progressing, albeit slowly.
Mid June saw the final relocation of the functional levers in the Signal Frame in preparation for the final layout. Both levers 1 & 14 are now spare in preparation for the future installation of Outer Home Signals. From now on, all levers brought into service will be additions, not relocations. We thank you for your patience and understanding during the relocation phase and ask that you continue to exercise due care with the altered lever functions. Considerable progress on other preparatory work has been made recently and anyone with an interest in this project is encouraged to contact the S&C depot. The main work days are Mon/Tue and Sat/Sun of most weeks. We can accommodate all levels of skill and your input will materially assist in the speedy realization of this project.
The regular Saturday work days for July will be held on the 10 th and the 24 th. Please meet at the Depot at 10.00 a.m.
The computer network at Belgrave has been relocated to the new room above the stairwell and the original cabinet transferred to Emerald to provide a clean environment for the computer equipment.
The new systems being installed will provide a railway wide network which will provide a new data transfer medium and greatly enhance the reliability of the existing telephone systems. New equipment is currently being delivered to replace our 40 year old telephone carrier network.
The Security Control Room can now be contacted by dialling "400".
Other new numbers include Shane (Security Response) "401" and Henry Brohier (W&W Roster Officer)"422".
A large tree demolished the phone line at pole 70 during May and we are taking the opportunity to replace one pole and alter the alignment of the phone line. This project has seen 2 poles and 3 stays put into place and the wire will be restrung when the weather conditions are suitable.
Another tree brought all 4 wires down on the Up side of Nobelius on Sun June 13 th. This was repaired the following day just before a very heavy hailstorm hit the area.
Work has been proceeding both onsite and at the depot for the new electrical supply at Belgrave. The main conduit down the bank (to the lower carpark) was installed mid June, the foundation poured and the cabinets are fast approaching installation.
A temporary supply has been provided for commissioning purposes in the new workshop extension. This will eventually form the feed back into the existing workshop when the new supply becomes available.
Andrew Wheatland.
No report this month.
Hugh Markwick
The walls are erected now and the next task is to ensure that that the roof goes on to allow us to start to fit out the shed. The shed is a two bay shed now rather than the single bay at Bylands and Kilmore. Those of you with long memories of the gang shed at Menzies Creek, which was designed by Lon Wymond in the 1960's, will recall that the shed that we built at the end of the platform was also a two bay shed.
A study as to whether we can dual gauge the demonstration line running into the Museum has been carried out and it gives promise that such work is feasible. The next stage is determining where the new exhibition shed is located is underway and present thinking is that it can be located immediately to the front of the existing top shed.
Work is continuing on the boiler and the cab has had a coat of primer applied to it.
The next running day is scheduled for Saturday 4 th of September 2004.
The Museum is now closed during the week. However, arrangements can be made for parties to see over the Museum on weekdays provide adequate notice is given. Please contact the Belgrave Office in the first instance if a party wishes to visit the Museum on weekdays.
John Frost
No report this month.
As in previous years, this very popular event will be held at the Daimler Chrysler premises in Lexia Place, Mulgrave. We will look at film and video covering a wide range of subjects, locations and dates, in a contemporary ambience, surrounded by some of the world's latest and finest motoring technology. Cheese and wine will be served during the interval.
Places are limited and we cannot guarantee ticket sales on the night, so please return your booking form without delay.
For further details please ring Jeff Goodwin (evenings)
A visit to the ARHS Railway Museum at Williamstown followed by a tour of Melbourne heritage tram fleet at the historic Hawthorn tram depot.
Look for the booking form with the August's Monthly News.
This is an all-inclusive weekend away, travelling Saturday morning from Melbourne by train to Warrnambool; coach to Mount Gambier where we will take a ride on the Limestone Coast Railway's "Red Hen" train to Tantacola for a BBQ dinner at the local pub before returning by train to our motel in Mount Gambier. On Sunday morning we will travel over the other half of the Limestone Coast Railway from Mount Gambier to Kalangadoo before taking the bus to Portland where we will ride the "cable" tram along the seafront. From Portland we continue by bus to Warrnambool before taking the train back to Melbourne, arriving Spencer Street at 8.20 p.m.
The cost of this weekend away is expected to be around $150 per person, based on twin share accommodation, excluding meals and drinks.
To determine the level of support for this event, please send a (refundable) deposit of $50 per person to
:PBPS Mount Gambier Weekend
PO Box 69
Mitcham 3132 (Cheques payable to PBPS please)
If the event proceeds, your deposit will be put towards your travel costs. Should the event not go ahead, your deposit cheque will be refunded.
Please send your deposit payments to arrive not later than Friday 23 rd July.
For further details please ring Jeff Goodwin
Including a visit to the Mornington Peninsula & Bellarine Peninsula Railways for rides on their trains.
Back by popular demand. Following numerous requests from members and volunteers who enjoyed last year's event, we are organising another New Year's Eve Train. The format will be similar to last year; train from Belgrave to Nobelius Siding, buffet dinner with dessert, tea and coffee in a convivial atmosphere at the Packing Shed before we return to Belgrave, stopping along the way for champagne and cake at Menzies Creek at midnight. Tickets are expected to be around $35 per person.
Further details & booking forms to follow nearer the time.
| MAY | 2004 | 2003 |
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,058 | 3,297 |
| Loco kilometres - steam | 2,968 | 3,447 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 212 | 274 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 53 | 74 |
| G 42 days for month | 18 | n/a |
| Carriage kilometres | 24,851 | 21,680 |
| Carriage Days for month | 766 | 699 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,089 | 1,258 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,481 | 1,522 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 56 | 47 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 84% | 47% |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 152 | 146 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 167 | 173 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 12 | 10 |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 83%* | n/a |
*Where recorded. 12% not recorded. (27% not recorded last month.) Getting better.
G42 hauled the Great Train Race train this year. The train was made up of 18 vehicles for 143 tons. I believe this is the heaviest train that has been run on the Puffing Billy Railway (by two tons!)
My records show the previous record was on 18 November 1996 when 7A and 14A hauled 18 vehicles for 141 tons between Belgrave and Emerald on train No 11.
As usual, I welcome a correction if someone else has better data!
Bob Wilson