January 2005#378
January 2005
#378
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.
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CONFIDENTIAL: Content details herein are for official Railway use only and are not to be used for other purposes.
Seasons Greetings to all our Volunteers and their families.
The State Government have recently appointed a new Board. The membership is made up of 4 Society Nominees who are:
The Government Appointees are:
For those who do not know Peter Hiscock, a summary of his CV is given here:
Peter has been a member of the Society since 1974. Peter was the Director (equivalent to CEO) of Sovereign Hill from 1980 to 2002. In that time Peter was instrumental in building up their research and self sufficiency. Peter oversaw the diversification of the business, taking it into accommodation, improving its catering and commercial activities, and developing the acclaimed Sound and Light Show - 'Blood on the Southern Cross'.
Peter has extensive Board experience having been a Board member of Tourism Victoria (4 years), with one year as Chair, 4 years as Chair of Ballarat Tourism Board, 13 years as a City Council nominee on the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Board, he is a Board member on the Museum of Victoria Board and he is in his third term as Deputy Chair of Heritage Victoria. Peter remains active as a consultant in providing Business Plans and advice in relation to Heritage sites.
Over the years the Railway and the Society have acquired many items like builder's plate's photographs and equipment and had many items donated. Whilst it is known where many items are there is no consolidated register.
It is important that a complete register be set up. That is not to say that all these items are going to be brought back to the railway. However, we do not want to get into disputes with executors or trustees about the ownership of railway property.
If you have anything that is owned by the railway in your possession, please write a letter to Ray Leivers, describing the item and if appropriate include serial numbers or distinguishing features that will preserve the railways ownership. Please sign and date the letter. I would appreciate it if responses could be received by the end of February 2005. It is critical that an accurate register is established.
Management and staff would like to wish all volunteers a happy and prosperous New Year. This is our busiest time and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the volunteers who have helped out and to their families for their support.
As the hot weather approaches, it is important that volunteers and staff maintain water intake. Water bottles will be available in a 'cool-boy' in the Belgrave Crew Room, in fridges in the 'First-aid room' at Lakeside, in the Menzies Creek Signal Room and at Gembrook. There will also be 3 litre containers from which water bottles can be refilled at these locations.
The annual Volunteer BBQ will be held this year on Saturday 19 March 2005 from 5.30 pm. It will be held in the Workshop Extension at Belgrave, which will provide a great under cover venue, with everyone accommodated in the one area and good lighting. All active volunteers and their immediate families are welcome. The Management team will be organising and serving food and drinks.
| Graeme Breydon ETRB Chairman chairman@pbr.org.au |
John Thompson PBPS President editor@pbr.org.au |
Russ Bowen, Acting CEO russ.bowen@pbr.org.au |
A few months ago the Board approved the installation of a new booking office ticketing system in Belgrave to replace the current TSM system. The selected system uses the same software and technology as the Point of Sale system in the Belgrave Shop, but has many additional features. For the past few months work has been progressing with members of the Passenger Operations Branch on the new system to ensure it meets the needs of the booking officers and of the railway. In December the system was installed in the Call Centre and it is currently being tested by senior Call Centre staff. All Call Centre staff will be trained over the next few weeks before it goes live in February.
More details will be made available in the next few issues of Monthly News, as we progress towards the introduction of the system into the booking office, expected to be in March 2005. Some Booking Officers have contributed to its design and all booking officers will be able to try the new system on a stand alone computer soon after six train running. Training for Booking Officers, Station Masters and Duty Managers is planned for February once the system is debugged.
Russ Bowen
Andrew Bligh, Nick Doensen, Adam Day, Melinda Caia, John Cheriton, John Frost, Roy Fraltinger, Craig Fitzsimons, Joan Horton, Ron Goodrick, Michael Georgiou, Robert Gilholme, Graeme Kidgell, Joan Mitchell, David Porter, Pru Murphy, Howard McTier, John Loftus, Noel MacPherson, Anni Haung, Luke O'Shannassy, David O'Brien, Callum O'Dell, John Millard, Sue Quitter, Jason Rothwell, Barry Rogers, Rosanna Stiliano, Peter Trenery, Lachlan Thomson, Ben Reid, Jeff Urand, Henry Winstone, Ashley Teague, Aiden Piper, Ashlee O'Connor, Chris Raggett, David Porter, John Uhr-Henry, Jodie Eyre, John Loftus, Luke Gellatly, Michael Georgio, Zec Murphy. Please come and collect your mail.
Car Stickers have finally arrived. If you would like a PB car sticker, please contact Wilma on or drop her an e-mail or call Sue. We can post it by snail mail or leave it in the pigeon holes behind the Station Master.
UK heritage railways have a new domain name - http://www.heritagerailways.com If you are interested in UK heritage railways this site is worth visiting as it lists and has links to all sorts of railways and rail related sites. There are also links to other sites around the world.
The Victorian Goldfields Railway expected to run their first passenger train from Maldon to Castlemaine on Sunday the 19 th of December. Well done.
The Gardeners of the Railway continue to work to improve the environment and the visual picture the railway corridor presents to our visitors. This October we were pleased to assist in Weedbusters' Week, an annual event organised by Parks, Victoria. Representatives from the Railway, the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Parks, Victoria, Friends of Sherbrooke Forest, local residents and others worked together to remove environmental weeds from bushland in the trestle bridge area.
The idea of Weedbusters' Week is to educate the public about the disastrous effects of environmental weeds and to show them just how easy permanent removal of these pests can be. All participants received a showbag with lots of info and a 'dabber', a very simple and very effective tool we weeders use to poison everything from blackberries to saplings. Our dabbers are those small, plastic shoe-cleaning bottles with the foam pad that is usually used to spread liquid shoe-polish on your shoes. We fill them with neat weedkiller (glyphosate with a bit of red food dye added) and 'cut and paint' the stem of whichever weed we want to get rid of. We cut or saw through the stem of the plant - ivy, blackberries, saplings of holly, sycamore maples, sweet pittosporum etc. about 5cm from ground level then paint the cut stump with our dabber. The cut top of the plant we leave to die and rot where it is. Both ends die very quickly. This is a really efficient and environmentally responsible way of weeding as it uses a minimal amount of poison, a minimal amount of effort - ivy on trees can be left to rot, big clumps of blackberry can also be left to die without ripping us to shreds or disturbing many of the little birds which are forced to nest in the canes and there is no soil disturbance because the roots remain in the ground.
We achieved a lot on the day and the Friends of the Trestle Bridge (Helen, Clayton and Vicki) are pleased to report that echidnas, wombats, wallabies and swamp rats are returning to the cleared areas to feed on the native vegetation that is now thriving because it isn't being smothered by weeds. Soon we will see many more birds and butterflies as the native grasses, ferns and ground-covers gradually return to their rightful place. They are also very pleased to welcome Steve McMillan to the weeding team as a direct result of Weedbusters' Week. Good to have John Shaw on the weed removal team and a special thanks to Doris Bevan and all the folk from Friends of Sherbrooke forest who drilled and filled the large weed trees. Thank you Barbara Setchell for an informative weed display on the day. Barbara has living examples of environmental weeds. Many people are very surprised to find out that seemingly innocuous garden plants like agapanthus, asparagus fern or banana passionfruit can wreak havoc if allowed to escape into bushland. Ivy, a magnificent plant in the northern hemisphere, has no natural predators here, so can grow unchecked. It grows so thickly over the ground that it smothers all other vegetation, reducing the amount of food available for native birds, insects and animals. Lyre-birds are forced into ever-decreasingly smaller pockets of forest because they cannot forage for the insects they eat in the ground litter through the thick ivy carpet. Ivy climbs huge gum trees, eventually causing them to fall over and kills magnificent old tree ferns by strangulation. Whether you like working in a formal setting like the colourful, old-fashioned Zig-Zag heritage garden or want to learn about restoring indigenous vegetation, there is a place for you in the Puffing Billy Weeds and Seeds Team.
There are measurable health benefits to you and the environment! You can work at your own pace with like-minded people in very pleasant surroundings from Belgrave to Gembrook. There is a quiet, shady area of Clematis Creek just near the station that is in need of a friend or two to restore it to its former beauty. Clematis Creek is a tributary of Monbulk Creek, home of Melbourne's largest platypus population and right on our doorstep. Don't feel disheartened by the apparent enormity of the task, remember that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Tuesday is generally gardening day, but we can be flexible.
If you would like to know more, please phone Merle on 5968 1011 for the Zig-Zag garden, Clematis Creek & Gembrook or Vicki on 9754 4505 (A.H.) for the Monbulk Creek Trestle bridge area. We look forward to welcoming more gardeners to our Weeds and Seeds Group next year. A happy enjoyable and weed-free Christmas to all.
Merle Mathisen and Vicki Boyle
We have some great last minute presents available in the Shop.
Please note the Belgrave shop is open every day for those last minute presents. Come and support the railway.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from all the refresh people.
April Williams
Once again the year has flown by and here we are again at six train running; operationally 2004 has gone very well thanks very much to the efforts of everyone.
A special thanks to the hard working & patient Roster Clerks: Allan Johnstone, Bob Cochrane, Barry Rogers, Graeme Daniel & Ray O'Callaghan. Also to Fleur Barrell who provides all these guys with support when times get tough and also to Grahame Gardner who helped us out with the December guards roster. To all those people who have been involved with training: Ray Williams, Peter Walker, Greg Michael, Andrew Wheatland, Rob Emmerson, John Shaw, Lance Adams, Cliff Simmons, Ian Newman, Geoff Tasker, Bob Evans, thank you.
To everyone who regularly attends the Footplate, Safeworking and Train Operations committee meetings, thanks for your efforts in 2004.
It is good to hear that Lyn Helsby and John Stephens are both on the mend after recent operations and illness, we hope to see you both back at Puff soon. To Errol Hermann and Henry Brohier look after those knees and we look forward to seeing you at the back of train again soon.
I would like to wish all Train Operations volunteers and staff a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your efforts and support during the year and I look forward to working with you all again in 2005.
Greg Hanslow
I would like to say a very big Thank you to all Volunteers and Staff who have helped me out this year. Particularly to those Guards and Firemen who have 'saved my bacon' many times when we've received late cancellations. I am in awe when people put their plans aside at the last minute to help out at Puffing Billy. I can't put into words the relief I feel when someone says "Yes, I can help", it really makes my day. Some Volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty, which is appreciated a lot.
Regardless of whether or not a Safeworker can assist with a cancellation, I appreciate always being treated with courtesy even after I have made contact several times a week via phone or e-mail, which must be intrusive.
I would also like to acknowledge the Roster Clerks for all of the tremendous effort that they contribute. You do an amazing job!
I look forward to 2005 with anticipation.
Fleur Barrell
Many thanks to both Fleur & Grahame Gardner who looked after the Guards' roster so well in my absence. Having survived India, I am now back on deck and ready to face all the turmoil of the busy season. I have attempted to roster people as per their written requests. However, in a few cases this has not been possible - usually due to more than one person wanting a particular train - so please study the roster carefully to confirm on which trains you will be working. There are a lot of vacancies during January, so please tell me ASAP if you are able to relieve 'Fred' of any of his huge workload.
Please read the starting times which appear at the end of the roster. Please note particularly that the Guard of 11/10-19/28 on the Blue Timetable is required to commence at 8.00 a.m. to assist with the ridiculous amount of shunting which appears to be associated with this seemingly unnecessarily complicated timetable.
May I thank all of you for your co-operation and assistance throughout the year, and in particular those people who have been willing to assist with the filling of immediate vacancies. It is by no means easy to get a Guard for "tomorrow morning", and to those of you who have been willing to step in at short notice, Thanks a lot. Enjoy Christmas and may 2005 be a good year for all.
Bob Cochrane
Jean is desperate for an SM to do 2 January 2005, and the afternoon of 9 January. A Booking Officer is also required for 9 January. If you can help, please ring Jean.
Before the New Year I shall be promulgating a discussion document (by post) to all Head Conductors (with a copy in the Belgrave Station Crew Room) associated with promoting Conductors to Head Conductors. As before when I issue such proposals, I am looking for a consensus of opinion so please look out for them and provide me with some feedback regarding the approach and principles involved.
My personal thanks to all Head Conductors and Conductors for their efforts over the past year and, more recently, those who have volunteered for additional shifts for the 6 Train running period (still more required so it's not too late!). Also, my gratitude is expressed for the on-going support and training of the newcomers/trainees to the conductor role. A Merry Christmas to you all and a Prosperous New Year.
(As Manager Passenger Operations I would extend my thanks and best wishes for the new year to all Booking Officers, Conductors, Head Conductors, SM's and passenger guides - Ray L)
A couple of weekends are short of both Conductors & Head Conductors. If any one is able to assist, please insert your names into the Roster sheet in the SM's Office at Belgrave.
Ron Kelly
The Climax is back in Belgrave. There will be a lot of investigative work to assess what has to done to get the locomotive back to its full running capability. This work will be done by Volunteers under the direction of Workshop Staff. We will have some very experienced volunteers as a gang from the Menzies Museum will be working on regular Saturday. The Wednesday Night group will also be starting up in February.
We thus need financial support to keep these willing workers going with tools and materials. Please use the Climax Clothing catalogue to keep yourself in clothes and mugs.
Ceramic mugs with your name can be ordered using the Climax Clothing form.
Boiler Tube Sponsorship is another great way to help. Only $100 buys you a truly unique piece of railway memorabilia.
Donations over $2 to the Climax Restoration fund are tax deductible.
On a social note: One of the Climax's elder supporters, Richard Sealey, was honoured recently with an 80 th birthday party. A mighty crowd of people were there to celebrate. Richard and Cynthia used to operate the BBQ when the Climax hauled the Commissioners' Inspection Trains.
John Conway,
The alarm system at Packing Shed has been upgraded.
Please note that if you intend entering the lower section of the building, you must enter your pin number in the keypad upstairs prior to opening the downstairs area. Similarly, when exiting the downstairs area you must re-activate the system upstairs prior to leaving.
Larry James
It will continue in 2005 on the first Saturday in the month excluding January.
Hugh Markwick
As at the time of writing the Fire Danger period has been declared in the Shire of Yarra Ranges but not in the Shire of Cardinia. It is likely that Fire Patrols will have started just before Christmas. There are still a number of vacancies for Fire Patrol drivers and assistants and if you can spare some time please call Terry or e-mail him at tblee@bigpond.com
Congratulations to Craig Fitzsimons, Graeme Kidgell, Kim Oldfield, Lachlan Thomson and Peter Trenery on recently qualifying as Trolley Drivers. Congratulations also to Peter Bruce and Garry Pallister who recently re-qualified.
Slashing of the line-side is about half finished and is expected to be completed by early January.
Landscaping around the Packing Shed and some signage is still under way. A concrete floor has been constructed under the shed to provide better storage conditions.
Trolley EBR26 is now back on the Railway and we are working towards having it operational by Christmas.
Our next Volunteer Work Day will be on Saturday 15th January. Work will be in the forest on the Down side of Menzies Creek and will involve replacing sleepers and repairing a number of minor track faults. The usual sumptuous BBQ lunch will be provided. Please let Roster Officer Terry know if you can attend
.John Shaw
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from all the S & T team.
Andrew Wheatland.
Thank you to Warren Stephenson for donating two dog spikes embossed with VR.
Hugh Markwick
The Workday will be on Tuesday 18 th January. Be at Belgrave at 9.00am, dressed to take account of the weather & the grotty work that we might be doing. Please ring me to let me know that you are coming. We will finish at Belgrave at about 3.00pm.
John Conway, jfgconway@yahoo.com
The Museum, although closed, received a major grass cut recently to ensure that it does not prove a hazard during the present fire season. Also, the gutters and drains were cleared to keep buildings and exhibits safe.
The boiler has been inspected by the boiler inspector and while it is possible to restore the boiler for operation, the work needed on the firebox is so great & will take such a long time to complete that the decision has been taken to sell the engine. This unit, which is complete with all fittings, will be put up for sale by tender or exchange.
The Climax engine has been moved from Emerald to the Belgrave Workshops. This movement is the first step in determining what work needs to be done to the engine to return it to service. In an endeavour to help provide additional help to speed up this work, the Lineside Attractions Division has offered its services to the Workshops Division and to the Climax Committee to assist in this work and try to shorten the time taken in restoring this unique engine.
We will work on the engine on the 1st Saturday of the month under the direction of the Workshop Division.
Late last year one of the Division's members spotted a possible source of funding for scaffolding from the Commonwealth Government who was seeking applications for Volunteer Small Equipment Grants. The PBPS agreed to the Division making an application and we were successful in being granted the application in full. The scaffolding has been ordered and delivered. It is a set of lightweight demountable scaffolding and will be most useful in allowing us to safely continue the maintenance of exhibits and buildings at the Museum.
John Frost
No report this month.
With tickets at $35 per person, this has to be Melbourne's best value for money New Year's Eve party!
Travelling by train from Belgrave to Nobelius Siding (G42 has been requested as train engine), we will partake of a buffet dinner with dessert, tea and coffee in a convivial atmosphere at the Packing Shed before returning to Belgrave, stopping en-route for champagne and cake at Menzies Creek at midnight.
As we went to press there were only 5 tickets remaining for this event. Don't miss out - ring Jeff Goodwin for last minute availability of seats.
The return of another popular event. Again, we will use one of our 'Little Engines' (861 has been requested) to travel over the outer stretch of Puffing Billy's line to Gembrook and take dinner in The Fernery. With photo and listening stops en-route & dessert served during the return journey, this is an evening definitely not to be missed. Seats are limited, so book early.
Another attempt to organize a weekend away. Flying by DC-3 from Essendon to Devonport and traveling by train to Wynyard during Saturday and visiting Launceston on Sunday morning before returning during the afternoon. Cost is expected to be around $550.00 per person. This event will be limited to 28 participants, so register early. If you wish to participate, this is your last opportunity to register your interest. Please ring Jeff Goodwin (9873 0420, evenings).
An opportunity to travel over the recently re-opened line to Bairnsdale. Further details nearer the date.
As a part of the Society's 50th Birthday celebrations, the Social Committee is organising a special film evening. Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the actual date of the Society's founding, the evening will present film & slides of the time. Watch for further details.
By train to Ararat and then by bus to the Great Western Winery. Further details nearer the date.
Further details nearer the date.
Jeff Goodwin
| November | 2004 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,949 | 4,179 |
| Loco kilometres - steam | 4,094 | 4,194 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 185 | 348 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 61 | 91 |
| G 42 days for month | 26 | n/a |
| Carriage kilometres - | 37,753 | 35,043 |
| Carriage Days for month | 942 | 867 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,292 | 1,556 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,572 | 1,505 |
| Highest kms operated- wagon | 43 | 72 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 84% | 58% |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 229 | 234 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 265 | 262 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 16 | 15 |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 78% | 81% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 58% | n/a |
On Wednesday 17 th of November G42 ran an 18 car special train to Gembrook and return for the Country Fire Authority brigades.
Two days later D21 made a trip from Emerald to Belgrave towing the Climax loco and wagon 151NQR. The Climax has been transferred to Belgrave for restoration evaluation work to be undertaken.
Once again my grateful thanks are extended to all guards (and enginemen on works trains) who have helped me with my statistical tasks over 2004, particularly when that very important little bit of extra information is supplied for things out of the ordinary. (The occasional greetings on the rear of sheets are good fun & welcomed too!)
Careful recording of loco details on the front of Train Running Statements and rolling stock details on the rear over the forthcoming busy period will be particularly appreciated by me.
Bob Wilson