April 2005#381
April 2005
#381
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 .
Thanks to those 28 people who made a submission on the draft paper 'Toward a Revised Volunteer Strategy'. I trust everyone who made a submission received an acknowledgement.
All submissions have been summarised and principles established as a basis to develop a final strategy. These principles have been agreed by the Board and discussed by those who attended and participated in good discussion at the Information Night on 16 March 2005.
Key outcomes will be a Set of Values to be developed and 'lived' on the railway, improved introduction for new volunteers (including a volunteers Manual), mentoring, training for a broader group of mentors, a policy for uniform and a budget to clear the backlog of orders and requests, clear and equitable policies on discounts and rewards, a Dispute Resolution process, and some improved facilities for volunteers.
The Strategy will be released in early May 2005, with an Action Plan, an accountable person identified for each action and a budget to ensure implementation can be timely.
In January, an appeal was made to people who are holding items that the Railway owns to come forward and register these items as owned by the Railway. This does not necessarily mean that these items have to be returned at this time. Thank you to the people who have responded.
Some items we know are owned by the railway are:
We again appeal to volunteers and members who may have in their safekeeping any artefacts, memorabilia or equipment owned by the railway to let Ray Leivers know in writing (Email is acceptable). This will avoid letters being written to those who we believe have items.
| Graeme Breydon ETRB Chairman chairman@pbr.org.au |
John Thompson PBPS President editor@pbr.org.au |
Ray Leivers, CEO ray.leivers@pbr.org.au |
It is with delight that we announce that Cadbury has now been signed as a silver sponsor and will be our confectionary supplier.
As you are all aware, the winter and flu season is once again upon us. As staff and volunteers are exposed to the public on a daily basis there is a small risk of picking up the flu.
As a service to both staff and volunteers, the Board is offering free flu vaccinations to hopefully provide some protection.
If you would like to receive this seasons vaccination Dr Steven Kaye will be attending at Belgrave Moondarra Belgrave on Thursday the 14 April 10 am to 11.30 am
Could you please advise Susan Ham by Monday 11th April either by return slip ( leave with SM Office Belgrave)or by leaving a message on e-mail sue.ham@pbr.org.au
Important! If you have an allergy to eggs or feathers, you may also have a reaction to the vaccine; we would advise checking with your local GP if you have any doubts.
All at Puffing Billy are saddened by the news on 23 March 2005 of the passing of Alan Bridge. A funeral will be after Easter and advice will be passed on as to time and place.
The next workday is Tuesday 12 April. Please wear suitable work clothes. The usual wholesome lunch will be provided. Please let John Conway (jfgconway@yahoo.com know if you are coming. We need you; come along and have a great day.
Anyone who has a heritage uniform, or any other items of uniform that they do not use any more or know where one is we would appreciate it being returned to the railway. Please advise Ray Leivers if you can help and we will arrange for it to be picked up.
'S' keys have also been issued to 'safeworkers' over the years. If any keys are no longer required could you please send them to Ray Leivers PO Box 451 Belgrave 3160.
Due to the suspension of rail services to Ararat, we have unfortunately had to postpone the visit to the Great Western Winery.
Instead, we are pleased to offer a visit to Puffing Billy's sister railway at Walhalla. Travelling by bus from Belgrave (connecting with the electric train from Melbourne at Pakenham station) we will first visit the Thomson River station for photo opportunities, a behind the scenes workshops tour and BBQ lunch followed by a train ride to Walhalla and return.
Following this, we will re-join the bus for a visit to Walhalla with time for a walk around this fine historic town before leaving for the return journey to Belgrave, calling at Pakenham station on the way.
This all inclusive day-out is brought to you for only $35 per person. Check for booking form with this copy of Monthly News and book early as seats will be limited!
To coincide with the Society's 50 th Birthday celebrations, the Social Committee - in conjunction with the PBPS - is organising a special commemorative film evening. To be held in the same location as the Society's inaugural meeting, the Scots Church Hall in Russell Street, Melbourne (close to the corner with Collins Street), the evening is planned to offer:
This event is open to all financial members of the PBPS and their guests and tickets are available at $10 per person using the booking form enclosed with this copy of Monthly News. Bookings are essential - please book early.
Following our visit to the Bellarine Peninsula Railway last year, we are planning to visit them again, this time on a Saturday evening in October (date to be confirmed) to travel on their enormously popular 'Blues Train'. The evening will include bus travel from Belgrave to Queenscliff and return, so come along and join us for an evening of fine food, live music and fun! Watch for further details soon - this will be a great event.
News just received - following extensive trials using the mixed gauge track in Emerald yard, it was announced that approval has been given for a third rail to be laid between Belgrave (Connex station) and Upper Ferntree Gully, permitting Puffing Billy trains to operate to and from UFTG station on certain dates during the Society's 50th Anniversary year. The Social Committee will be organising a series of special charter trains during the year, offering a unique opportunity to travel over the whole of the former line to Gembrook. Loco 12A is expected to be outshopped shortly complete with a purpose built, microprocessor based, in-cab signaling system permitting integrated operation with Connex trains over the electrified section of line.
Further exciting details are expected to be announced following a meeting of all interested parties which is scheduled to take place at Belgrave during the morning of Friday 1st April. Watch for further details & booking forms soon.
Jeff Goodwin
Thanks are expressed to Jean for looking after the Conductor Rosters and Ross Peterken for looking after the Conductor Training during my leave of absence during February - well done.
Congratulations to the following Trainees who have been qualified as Conductors during March: Robert Hillis, Brad Montgomery and Jono Coad.
Currently, the Roster Book has been held in the SM's Office at Belgrave whereby Conductors could identify dates/trains as their preference for working in the following month. This has worked very well however, lately the book has been stored in the Booking Office thereby making it less accessible.
Consequently, in future, blank roster sheets will be held in the back of the SM's copy of the Monthly News for ease of access. Copies of those forms previously held in the Roster Book such as Fare Tables will be held in the Crew Room.
There are quite a few vacancies for Friday trains, especially towards the end of the month (Easter & school holidays), if you are available to help out on these days (or any other days where shortages have been noted), please let me know.
Following the non-availability of the metal ticket punches in Australia, we have had to place an order with an American supplier. They are due to arrive in a few weeks' time and, when available, I shall advise you all via the Monthly News. They are issued free of charge on being appointed as a Conductor: free replacements will be made for fair wear and tear items however, replacements for lost or missing items will be charged (~$5).
Ron Kelly
Just a reminder that the next Branch meeting is scheduled for Sat 9 th April, at Kings Rd. Commencement time of 9.30 a.m.
Andrew Wheatland.
YES WE DO ACCEPT AMERICAN $ through all of our outlets. We only exchange $ for $. Treat the American dollars as if it were the same as the Australian dollar. The exchange rate is minimal at the moment and the American tourist is just happy for us to take their currency. Please, if you have any queries or are unsure what to do, call me on 9757 0782, I would be only too happy to explain it to you.
Huge reductions - Picnic baskets and picnic hampers - some baskets have been reduced from $400.00 to $100.00 or $200.00 to $50.00
Be quick, first in first served. Other designs to choose from.
The WINTER clothes range has arrived. This includes the beginnings of a baby range - lovely colours. New products are:- Water balls, figurines, opal jewellery, ladies caps, soft toys and magnets just to mention a few.
To stay open we need your help, even for a few hours a day.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to work at Menzies Creek, please call April Williams
It would be the same type of work as at Belgrave and Lakeside and would only involve selling to the public. No Baking or Meal Preparation involved.If you would like to apply for the position of Rostering Officer for Refreshment services, please contact June Ilett on 9802 9677 or 9757 0746 as soon as possible.
April Williams.
We have been able to cut the grass in the Museum to keep the site presentable. Other than that, no work has been done on the site. We have received two quotations to make safe two of the exhibits in the Museum and propose to accept one of these once the ETRB approves the work. This money about $7,000 will be taken from the proceeds of the sale of the Abt engine, which is held by the Society on behalf of the Museum. This will allow us to work in the Museum safely but will not allow us to open the Museum to the public. To do this we need to find $175,000 in capital funds to allow the asbestos to be stripped from all exhibits. The railway is seeking these funds.
This machine has been put up for disposal after the division followed the procedures set out in the Railway's Heritage Manual.
The weather has been so poor this summer that we have been unable to continue at our normal workdays to prepare this exhibit for painting. If there is anyone else on the railway who is will to help on a weekday to do this would they please contact me as time for painting in the open is drawing to a close this season.
We have been working assisting in the start of the Climax restoration in helping to do several tasks. The boiler has been sand blasted and when this was done, there was a large amount of sand in the confined spaces. This was all removed last workday and another item, which will accompany the boiler to the USA for rebuilding was also prepared and cleaned.
In addition, work has started on cleaning the detritus of the last decade from the engine's frame and motion to allow the next stage of working on the engine continue. We need additional hands to help in this work and I would be pleased if all lovers of the Climax who wish to see it in steam one day could contact me and help in this work on the first Saturday of the month at Belgrave. In the meantime, the Climax Committee is busy working to raise funds and prepare a Business plan for the engine's future operation.
John Frost
Bob Cochrane , 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 Bob will continue until May it is envisaged that the new roster clerk will start working with Bob immediately.
Support, both physically and emotionally, for our Roster Officers is provided by operations staff, and roster related telephone calls are reimbursed by the railway.
Anyone who is interested in this role should contact Bob directly, or Fleur, fleur.barrell@pbr.org.au).
The following dates have been organised for classes by Lance and Cliff for 2005, other dates will be announced at a later date:
| Drivers | Sunday February 13th, March TBA. |
| Firemen/Cleaners | Sunday April 10th, May 8th, June 5th. Note-May 8th is in the Belgrave Workshop meeting room. All sessions 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm |
| Cleaners introduction (practical day) | Sunday July 31st. 5.45am to 1pm Belgrave Loco Crew room Location - Belgrave Station meeting room |
To register your interest, contact Lance.
To book at one of the above classes contact Fleur Barrell fleur.barrell@pbr.org.au.
Below are listed the balance of the dates for firewood collection for 2005, anyone who is interested please contact Dave Conlan
Saturday 23rd April
Saturday 28 th May
Saturday 25 th June
Saturday 23 rd July
Saturday 27 th August
Saturday 24 th September
All of the Saturday trains will depart Belgrave at 8am and be approximately 3 to 4 hours duration.
Thursday 20 th October
Thursday 3 rd November
Thursday 24 th November
(stockpiling at Clematis)
Thursday 8 th December
(stockpiling for holidays)
Friday 27 th January 2006 (replenishment
All of the Thursday trains will depart Belgrave at 5.30pm and be approximately 3 to 4 hours duration.
Note: Rob Emmerson is on leave from 6th March until Monday 11th April. Please refer any train operation issues to myself, Fleur or Peter.
Greg Hanslow
Firstly, thanks to all those guards who have done extra shifts to help with our present staff shortage. There is now some light at the end of our non-existent tunnel (could we import a couple from Kalka-Simla ??? ).We still have a couple of bodies on the injured list , but the end of fire patrols and Thomas' return to Sodor have relieved the pressure.
School holidays occur during the first two weeks of April. We will be running to the normal weekday yellow timetable during this period. Partly due to this , and partly due to the general shortage of guards, I have not rostered signalmen at Menzies Creek for this period. However anybody who has the spare time and an appetite for scones and cream, is welcome to fill SIG MCK on any day during this period ( or at any time! ), provided of course that all guards' positions have been filled for that day. Please let myself or Fleur know if you wish to do this.
Another reminder that next month's roster will be the last that I prepare. So far Greg has been underwhelmed with applicants - we can't even interest Don English's dog in the position ! SOMEBODY has to do it ! Please think hard and if you are even remotely interested please talk to Greg or myself as to what is involved. I will NOT be extending my tenure. Come mid-April and the preparation of the May roster I will be leaving the roster books on Greg's desk. Time for someone to put their hand up!
Bob Cochrane
Stage 2 of the Climax restoration project has been given the green flag. This stage will see the boiler being sent to the Chelatchie Boiler Works, Washington State, USA. Here the work will include:
Linc and Joan Reed-Nickerson at Chelatchie are very keen supporters of our Climax project. They both worked on the engine whilst they were here at Christmas time. The Chelatchie Boiler Works has a fine reputation for repairing many boilers in the USA. There could well be 1 Climax locomotive, a Shea, 2 Heislers and a Willamette geared locomotive plus the boiler from Climax 1694 at Chelatchie simultaneously. You can see pictures of these locomotives at www.mrsr.com Thanks very much to Joan and Linc for your generous offer to do all the refurbishment free of charge.
Stage 3 of the project will proceed subject to availability of funds and Volunteer labour. The funding will be raised by the committee and from donors. Stage 3 will involve repair, renovation and rebuilding of various parts of the frame and body of the locomotive. The first Saturday of each month is the designated workday. See John Frost's report in Lineside Attractions.
The Climax Website ( http://climax.puffingbilly.com.au) is up and running. Thanks to Frank Stamford and Darren Baker for setting up the page and getting it going. You will be able to learn more about the Climax restoration project there, including updates on the work with photos. You can visit the site directly or get in from a sleeper on the Puffing Billy front page.
John Conway,
jfgconway@yahoo.com
Due to the intervention of a holiday there are no statistics this month.
We have a copy of the 1970 version of this New South Wales book for sale at $80.00. Condition - very good. To be sold at the G 42 shop on Saturday 2nd April on a first come, first serve basis. Full payment due at time of purchase.
The VR K Class steam locomotive book, has arrived and is selling well.
Expected titles due to arrive in April are:- Photographer Profile - Neville Gee and 3rd Series T class (low nose).
All the above mentioned Train Hobby books are or will be available from Belgrave Shop at $30.00 each or $33.00 each posted anywhere in Australia. If you are looking for a particular Train Hobby book that is not listed and it is not on the shelf in Belgrave Shop, subject to availability, we will try and get it in for you. Write to G42 Sales PO Box 451 Belgrave, 3160.
Please note: The proceeds of the sale of Train Hobby books go towards G42's maintenance, any members discount or special offers do not apply.
Selling pre loved books, magazines, videos, DVD's and memorabilia. Located behind the Emerald car shops in the Thomson building near the playground. Our next openings will be Saturday 2nd April, 2005 and Saturday 7th May, 2005 between 1pm and 3pm. Other times can be made by phoning Peter on 9758 5387 to arrange a suitable time.
We would like to thank Chas Bevan, Weston Langford and Bruce West for their recent donation of books, magazines and videos.
The collection box figure for January was $69.55 and February was $7.65. Thank you very much to all the volunteers and staff who have ensured that the RED G42 collection boxes were put out.
Now that Fire Patrols for the Season have concluded, I would to extend to
all Volunteers who generously donated their time to participate as Fire Patrollers, an appreciation of their fantastic effort. In particular, I would like to thank the Volunteers who missed out on a run due to cancellations; your effort is equally valued.
Also a thank you to John Shaw, Tom Kilner, Jason Bell and Simon Kilner and the gang at Way & Works for their encouragement, good humour and readiness to share knowledge during the Fire Season and for their ability to keep the Trolley/Road Rail Fleet in motion.
Without the tireless support shown by everyone - to be a part of a team - safe and enjoyable operations could not have taken place let alone fill the many vacancies on the Roster.
On a personal note too, I am humbled and indebted to the help given to me with the Roster by all. It never ceased to amaze me the willingness of Volunteers, often at short notice, (despite many late night and early morning calls from me), to assist and to do so with sense of fun, notwithstanding the serious nature of the task.
It has been my privilege and my pleasure to act as your Roster Clerk during the Fire Season.
I hope, after catching up on some sleep, to continue to see everyone around the tracks and I await with anticipation the next Fire Season!
Terry Lee
The Fire Danger Period in the Shire of Yarra Ranges has now been lifted and the fire patrolling season has therefore finished.
A very big thank you to all our fire patrollers who did such an excellent job this season. Special thanks go to those who were rostered but had their runs cancelled due to wet conditions. Extra special thanks also go to Roster Officer Terry.
Trolley EBR 26 has had its body fitted and is undergoing testing. Our two road-rail vehicles have both had mechanical problems which are subject to technical investigations. NRR 2 is back in action but NRR 1 will be a while longer.
Cleaning up after the February rains has taken at least six weeks to date but is now almost finished.
The Packing Shed is getting a zig-zag path similar to Belgrave. The pathway is designed to meet disabled persons access standards and is therefore much longer than the original but also much more gently sloped.
Level crossing signs have now been installed at our three active occupation crossings (private access across the railway). These signs are purely to warn road users and do not require engines to whistle for them.
No. 5 Road at Belgrave has had much of its rail replaced along with a number of sleepers. The track is now much smoother which is important with trains being pushed into the siding all the time.
Our next Volunteer Work Day will be on Saturday 16th April. 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