June 2005#383
June 2005
#383
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 .
I have had several reports of the great effort put in by the train crew on Sunday 15th May when we had magnificent weather and lots of customers (including a charter train and only 3 NA's. Congratulations to Robbie Rossiter as SM, Tom Cunnard-Higgins and Alistair Brownlie as Conductors ably assisted by Ralph Cleary as Guard and some other volunteers handled a situation with a lot of passengers wanting to return on the same train. I'm advised that there were a few getting hot under the collar, but our volunteers managed to get most of them on the train of their choice.
We have recently analysed what concessions we should accept at Puffing Billy and what other establishments accept. From now, Puffing Billy Railway will only accept Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Cards, Full-time Student Cards or Government Seniors Card (not National Seniors Cards) for Australian citizens. No overseas aged, pensioner or health cards are accepted as eligibility for concessions on Puffing Billy Railway.
These entitle a passenger to free travel to go with someone who has paid full fare. A family ticket is a discount fare and thus, an Entertainment voucher does not entitle another family to travel free. If a family arrives with a voucher they can have one adult free by buying the other adult ticket but then would need to pay normal price for the children.
The Draft Policy has been broadly distributed for comment. Please note that the policy is significantly more generous than previously. The cost implications of this mean it will not be immediately implemented. When you comment you may wish to make comment on the relative urgency for the implementation of various elements. Comments close on 17 th June 2005.
As a prelude to tweaking our training to ensure we meet industry standards that require Competency Based evaluation, the railway proposes to run a Training Analysis Workshop on a Saturday in August (either 6 th or 27 th August). Managers will be in touch with all of our training officers over the next couple of weeks to identify the Saturday that allows us to include the greatest number of Training Officers.
|
Graeme Breydon ETRB Chairman chairman@pbr.org.au |
John Thompson PBPS President editor@pbr.org.au |
Ray Leivers, CEO ray.leivers@pbr.org.au |
We, the team that brings you Monthly News, apologise for the font size in the [printed WR] May issue. The change in font and size was completely beyond our control. We were faced with the dilemma, post it as we received it from the printer, or talk to our printer, then print another batch and delay the mailing by at least a week. We chose to get Monthly News out on time. As you can see from this issue we have changed the fonts to more standard ones. Hopefully this will overcome the problem.
By their comments sent to us some have implied that we either changed the text size deliberately and maliciously, or that we did not notice. Probably these people will not believe the explanation (and apology) above.
The Gembrook Market launches on August 28 th and will be held on land next to the Puffing Billy Station at Gembrook. We are working with Puffing Billy to ensure train patrons enjoy the additional benefit of coming to a market via a train. Currently we are seeking stallholders and were hoping you would assist us to promote this need.
Please do not hesitate to contact Merle Mathisen or myself on if you have any queries.
Yvonne Bennett, Email a.ybennett@bigpond.com
Currently management is reviewing all components of the uniform including the fully-fledged Heritage Uniform. Some components have been found to be too expensive and Sue Ham is currently checking all back orders and at the same time sourcing new suppliers.
For those waiting on Akubra Shunter Hats, our current contract with Akubra as an official sponsor has expired and for us to purchase these hats commercially would mean a sell price close on $100.00. We will be holding a special sales day for some uniform components which don't meet heritage specifications and will include a variety of sizes. White & Blue Shirts, Black Woollen Vests with PBR Motif and maybe one or two jumpers. Once advertised they will be available on a first come first served basis. No component will be re-ordered. Prices will NOT be repeated. The sales flyer will have the sizes and quantity available.
Peter Walker
This is to inform you of the First Aid courses that the Railway is running in June/July. The course is a Level 2 Workplace First Aid and is a nationally recognised qualification. St Johns Ambulance conducts the courses on-site for us and the Board covers all costs.
The Board policy currently states
If you fall in one of the above categories and are not yet qualified or your qualifications are due for renewal you are strongly urged to consider your availability for these courses, as the next will not be until November or this time next year. The dates are as follows:
If you would like to attend please email deb.lyons@pbr.org.au or call 9757 0613 or 5968 6268. Places are limited and will be filled on a first-in basis, so get in early. Further details will be sent once final numbers are confirmed.
You can make your own arrangements for certification, if it is easier, and the railway will reimburse you. To ensure reimbursement, make sure you get approval from your divisional manager beforehand. If you have received certification under your own auspices, or do so in the future, would you please let me know the type of qualification and the expiry date, so that I can update our records.
Deb Lyons
Can you help? We are trying to locate the raincoats that the railway owns. Please return any raincoats from outstations or anywhere else to Jean Clowes as soon as possible.
Sue Ham
The following have mail at Belgrave as at 20th May. Please collect it from the 'pigeon holes in the Stationmasters Office.
Tim Bradbury, David Baker, Andrew Bligh, Lesley Bailey, Joseph Agnello, Josh Barter, Vanessa Capagreco, Adam Day, Joy Davies, Cathy Campbell, Don Fraser, Roy Frattinger, James Hansen, Pat Hornidge, Danny Gilliland, Robert Gilholme, Michael Georgiou, Peter Hornidge, Rodney Lucas, Justin Knoff, Valerie Keszge, A MacDonald, Lance Mobbs, Stewart Matthewson, Bruce McIntyre, Al Marr, Stuart Mander, Michael Lonergan, Terry Lee, David O'Brien, Jan Maslin, Noel Mac Pherson, Daniel Pritchard, Callum O'Dell Joan Mitchell, Art Skendzic, Francis Rice, Jim Spanwick, Matthew Scott, David Smith, Peter Ralph, Michael Taylor, Jason Rotthwell, Christopher Trikilis, M.Taylor, Reg Sharp, Geoff Urand, Grant William, Paul Schumann, Gisela Schumann, David Wright, Mary Ann Lister.
Sue Ham
This was an excellent day out, enjoyed by over 60 people. Thanks go to Phil Sutherland for organising the event and to the volunteers at the WGR for providing such a wonderful lunch and for generally making us all feel welcome. Thanks guys.
This is a final reminder that as part of the Society's Golden Jubilee celebrations, a special film evening will be held in the Scots Church Hall in Russell Street, Melbourne (close to the corner of Collins Street). This is all inclusive package offering:
This event is open to all financial members of the PBPS and their guests and tickets are already selling well, so this promises to be a very popular event. Contact Jeff Goodwin for latest information and last minute bookings
Travel from Belgrave to Nobelius Siding on the re-created 1950s train (Loco 12A with red & black livery and carriages bearing the yellow stripe)
Lunch with dessert, tea & coffee at the Packing Shed, Champagne provided for toasts, Meet early Society personalities and view memorabilia from the era.
This event is open to all members and volunteers, staff & their families. Tickets are strictly limited and some are still available at $38 per person, so book early.
Contact Jeff Goodwin for latest information
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 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! This promises to be a great event and although more expensive than most of our events, offers great value for money.
All-inclusive tickets are expected to cost around $70 per head, but watch for final details and a booking form next month.
Once more, we are pleased to announce the running of our enormously popular New Year's Eve train. Pencil this in your diary now; further details will be announced nearer the date.
Jeff Goodwin
Could I ask all Conductors to please supervise the crossings at Lakeside, in particular whenever there is a train either in or coming in to No.1 Road? Passengers are often confused as to where they are to go to get off the platform and have been known to walk down the track. This is very dangerous and needs to be avoided.Thanks for your help.
Thanks again to all those Conductors who have been helping us generate income by checking and selling tickets. Just a reminder that a 'Family Ticket' is a discounted ticket and covers any two adults and up to 3 children or one adult and up to four children. The price is based on two adult fares plus $1.
Thanks to all those who have expressed interest in training seminars. You will receive a personal invitation in the next couple of days.
Can I ask Conductors/Head Conductors to secure the ramp after every use, so that it cannot tip up when someone stands on one end or walks up it? This will ensure no child is injured by the ramp tipping.
Ray Leivers
"Introduction to Safeworking" Courses commence Wednesday 20 th July, 2003 at 9.00am at a venue to be finalised.
These courses are available to any member/volunteer who wishes to get an understanding of how we operate a railway on single track and have trains operating in both directions. There is NO obligation to go any further with the course but those interested in undertaking the complete Safeworking Course in 2006 must complete one of these introduction courses.
The duration of the course is for 3 to 4 hours maximum with a break for Morning Tea.
Applications should be submitted to Jean Clowes (Phone 776) or Peter Walker (phone 707 or E-mail peter.walker@pbr.org.au) Applications close Friday 15th July.
Further courses are scheduled for August and September depending on demand.
Peter Walker
Jean is preparing an insert for the Information Books as a reminder of what constitutes a Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children OR 1 adult and up to 4 children) as well as what concession cards are acceptable and defining the ages of fare-paying children (4 to 16).
We have received new Ticket Nippers. If you require one, please let me know.
Congratulations to Robert Collier, Justin Knoff and Keith Trace who recently qualified as Conductors.
The following Conductor Training Seminars are planned:
If you have not received an invitation to attend the appropriate course and would like to do so, please contact myself or Jean as soon as possible.
Please Note that there are 'individual' UHT milk portions located in the Crew Room for personnel to use for their tea & coffee.
Also, please ensure that the kettle is switched off after you have made your cuppa.
In the absence of a Roster Officer, the June Guards' roster has been scraped together by Train Ops staff and myself. There are still several vacancies, mainly in the latter part of the month. Please contact Fleur if you can fill any of these. Thanks to those guards who contacted us to book their dates - it does make the job a little bit easier. At this time of year, and until October, it is difficult to accommodate everybody's wishes - particularly if you are fussy - and to some extent it is first in best dressed.
On winter weekends and during the school holidays at the end of June and the first week of July we will be operating Timetable Y. This timetable is also used as the summer weekday timetable, and is so constructed that it can easily be operated without the presence of a signalman at Menzies Creek. However, it has been our normal practice to have a signalman at Menzies Creek at weekends, regardless of what timetable is operating. For the June-July school holidays, I have not rostered anybody to Menzies Creek on a weekday but if anybody does wish to be so rostered, they are welcome, provided the guards' positions have been filled on that day. Contact Fleur if interested.
Until we find a new roster officer, or until you are advised to the contrary, the following arrangements will apply in respect of rostering:
Bob Cochrane
This position is still vacant waiting for a reliable and committed person to take on the role.
Support, both physically and emotionally, for our Roster Officers is provided by Train Operations staff, and roster related telephone calls are reimbursed by the railway.
Anyone who is interested in this role should contact Fleur fleur.barrell@pbr.org.au.
Safety is not something that should be taken for granted, or left for others, it is everyone's responsibility.
| Incident | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| D21 Derailment, Jan 05 | Belgrave | Driver was stood down immediately, and later suspended for 2 months. |
| NAL Derailment, Jan 05 | Belgrave | Guard was counselled, points required considerable repair. |
| Safeworking Breach, March 05 | Belgrave/Menzies Creek | All parties responsible were reprimanded, and the Signalman at Menzies Creek and the Driver are to undergo retraining. |
| Loco 12A, collision with generator, March 05 | Menzies Creek Forest | Way & Works are to develop a procedure so that Train Operations staff are aware of where W&W people are working on track at all times. |
| D21 Runaway, April 05 | Belgrave | The Driver has been reprimanded. |
| DH31 Derailment, April 05 | Belgrave | The Driver has been suspended for three months. |
Congratulations to Peter Stowell and Dave Campbell who have recently passed out as PBR Drivers.
Welcome to a number of new cleaners who have started with us over the last few months.
Peter Lowenstein, Joseph Agnello, Stewart Matthewson, Robert Conroy, and Nicholas Aslanides.
It is great to see the following back at PBR: Errol Hermann, Colin Rogers, Jeremy Phelan, Mark Tregoning and Jon Millard.
The following dates have been organised for classes by Lance and Cliff for 2005, other dates will be announced at a later date.
All sessions 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 3pm
5.45am to 1pm
Belgrave Loco Crew room
To register your interest, contact Lance. To book in to 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 in assisting on any of these dates, please contact Dave Conlan
All trains on Saturdays will depart Belgrave at 8am and be of approximately 3 to 4 hours duration.
All trains on Week nights will depart Belgrave at 5.30pm and will also be of approximately 3 to 4 hours duration.
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 or April Williams for a position description as soon as possible.
April Williams
Located on the circular stand near the refresh counter.
Navy blue canvas style picnic sets also available at heavily reduced prices.
Be quick, first in first served. Lots of designs to choose from. (To view picnic sets please call on 9757 0782 as they will only be on display in the office.)
Back Pack - 4 person was $79.00 now $37.00
Bum bag - Water bottle was $15.00 now $9.50
Bum bag - Deluxe was $16.50 now $9.50
Picnic cheese platter was $14.95 now $9.95
Spectator Bag 2 person was $54.90 now $28.00
Pull along Picnic Case was $129.95 now $54.95
Wine Pack 2 person was $28.00 now $14.95
Wine Pack 4 person was $52.00 now $27.00
Picnic Blankets was $24.95 now $15.00
Cane Picnic Basket (only 1 left) was $400.00 now $100.00
We have some good news to advise at last. The asbestos, which was free within the Museum compound, is no more and has been contained professionally by a licensed firm of asbestos removers. Consequently, Volunteers have again been allowed to enter the Museum compound, buildings, and re-commence restoration works.
We returned to our buildings for the first time since June last year and in celebration test ran our internal combustion engines.
We have sold this engine to a very good home where it will be restored. In exchange, the necessary skills and workmanship will be made available to fully restore the George & George Boiler at the Museum to full working condition. In addition, a force circulation steam generator is to be provided to the Museum and is to come complete with an operating boiler certificate. The unit is in 'as new' condition and came originally from Footscray TAFE. This would allow us to operate the engines in the Marshall compound.
We have retained the small engine that came with the Ruston and will restore this unit. It runs very well on air and complements our existing exhibits. Thank you to Warwick Piper for giving us the Ruston without any conditions; it has helped the Museum in restoring several key exhibits to life.
Work is going ahead on the necessarily slow restoration of this engine at Belgrave. The motion is being restored and a business plan has been prepared to ensure that the engine will be able to earn its keep.
This year is the 50 th anniversary of the establishment of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society and just before we closed last year, we became the proud custodians of a very small but very precious part of the Society's heritage. The late Chris Alger built this trolley in his home workshop in the 1950's to let him place it in his car to allow him to work on the railway spraying weeds and doing other minor works on the then closed section beyond Belgrave. This kept down the growth of trees and other weeds from the 'right of way' and made our work of restoration so much easier. It was bad enough having to clear the farmers' fences but there were no trees in the track to surprise us. Chris's sons have cared for this small trolley all these years and have now given the trolley to the Museum to take care of in perpetuity. Thank you for this gift.
We have a new engine in the compound. Well, not really, but the engine has been cleaned by high-pressure water and that has stripped off all the old paintwork and has revealed the original red undercoat.
John Frost
The boiler drawings are being scrutinized in the final approval process. This process is required before the major work of repairing the boiler and replacing the front course and smokebox can take place. It will also ensure that we have a set of accurate drawings, something we don't have at the moment.
The May 'Climax Workday' saw the gang cleaning and sandblasting. This will make disassembly and testing easier. The crew would like to see more of you come along to help. There are plenty of small jobs available. Come along for an hour or two and enjoy yourself.
This month we are pleased to offer everyone the opportunity to reduce their taxable income. DONATE to the Climax appeal. Donations over $2 are deductible. Give to the Climax not to the taxman!
For the latest information on the project or to buy Climax gear or to donate visit the Climax site on the Puffing Billy webpage.
John Conway, jfgconway@yahoo.com
This is a new group that we are trying to get up and running. The aim is to give young volunteers the chance to learn skills in the workshop and to work on a major project. The work is currently focused on restoring freight rolling stock.
The quantity of personnel was small but the quality made up for that. We learnt about all the bits and pieces in involved in drawgear, how to dismantle it, clean and grit-blast it. We would like to see more young people along on Saturday June 4 th between 9am and 4pm.
You will learn to use a variety of equipment and find out all about the inner workings of railway carriages.
John Conway, jfgconway@yahoo.com
It is continuing in 2005 on the first Saturday in the month
1 off DH diesel cab presently stored at Gembrook. Expressions of interest or enquiries to Alan Gardner, Ext 733.
1 off Milling machine. For details please contact Adam Black, Belgrave Workshops, Ext 731.
Hugh Markwick
A new shed is underway at Emerald to house the sales area on Thomas the Tank Engine weekends. Its outline is based on an administration building, which once existed at Ararat locomotive depot, and its construction is a project of our Community Jobs Program. The CJP team includes eight people working with Ray Williams and the result so far is a building of very high standard. Completion is due by the end of June.
The new pathway is now asphalted and although it is much longer, to meet disabled access standards, it is much easier to negotiate. A hand-rail is now under construction.
We are currently negotiating a number of possible outside contracts such as timber bridge repairs and track maintenance. If you have some skills and would like to be involved in any of these jobs please contact John Shaw
Work has continued in the past two months in replacing sleepers between Menzies Creek and Clematis. Another two months should see the section ready for ballast work.
We are also about to start work on tamping the last 2.5km of track from Bridge No. 10 to Gembrook. Once that is finished the Lakeside to Gembrook section shouldn't need any more trackwork for some years.
Our next Volunteer Work Day will be on Saturday 18th June. 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
Thanks to Alan Gardner for providing locomotive head boards for the Gembrook re-opening plus the opening of the then new Belgrave station building. It is startling when the headboard reminds you that the Gembrook re-opening took place in 1998, seven years ago!
Hugh Markwick
| 2005 | 2004 | |
|---|---|---|
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,766 | 3,674 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 3,837 | 3,687 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 293 | 237 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 73 | 67 |
| G 42 days for month | 12 | 18 |
| Carriage kilometres | 35,133 | 32,975 |
| Carriage Days for month | 870 | 908 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,402 | 1,154 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,621 | 1,564 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 27 | 61 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 78% | 82% |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 226 | 204 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 242 | 231 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 7 | 14 |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 68% | 91% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 72% | n/a |
Bob Wilson
From the collection of noted photographer Norman W. De Pomeroy. This special edition book contains photos taken by Norman on the Colac to Crowes Line. Photos of particular interest are those taken between Beech Forest and Crowes. Some depict the running of trains in the Otways.
Due for release in early June, the book will be available in Belgrave Shop for $30.00 or $33.00 posted direct from G42 Sales, P.O. Box 451, Belgrave, 3160 to anywhere in Australia.
Just a reminder that all donations over $2.00 to "Keep G42 Going" are tax deductable within Australia.
Some Train Hobby books, and there are now over 92 titles in the series, are getting low in number. If you are looking for a particular book, please write to Bruce West, G42 Sales, P.O. Box 451, Belgrave, 3160 and subject to availability he will arrange to get it in for you. All proceeds of the sale of Train Hobby books go to 'Keep G42 Going'.
Selling pre loved books, magazines, videos, DVD's and memorabilia. The 'shop' is located in the Thomson building near the playground behind the Emerald Car Shops. Our next openings will be Saturday 4 th June, 2005 and Saturday 2 nd July, 2005 between 1pm and 3pm. Other times can be made by phoning Peter Medlin.
Thank you to Bob Cochrane and Weston Langford for their recent donation of items to the shop.
R.Prewett and N.Atherton (U.K.)
The collection box figure for March was $4.50 and there were no donations put in the boxes during April. Thank you very much to all the volunteers and staff who have ensured that the RED G42 collection box was put out.
We thank all who continue to "Keep G42 Going"
Bruce West
I spent 35 years in the Tramways, which later became the MTA and still later, the PTC.
I started when I was almost 19, back in 1957. I worked as a Conductor, before qualifying as a Driver in 1959. I worked in that position for a number of years before being asked to take on the role of Trainer Driver, which I did until 1972, when I applied to train for the position of Line Inspector. After I qualified for this position I was sent to depots all over the tram system, and eventually was attached to the Kew Depot, where I stayed until I was asked to obtain a Heavy Vehicle Licence prior to transferring to Doncaster Bus depot, where I remained with occasional returns to tram depots at different times, becoming an Operations Officer and Union delegate, representing those Officers. In my role with the union, I eventually became Sub Branch Secretary, and State Councillor, and was made a life member when I retired in 1993.
There have been a number of pursuits in retirement over the years, I was a Committee Member of Knox Infolink for a number of years; was a foundation member and still active member of the Knox Emergency Response Network, working with other organisations in trying to alleviate the problems of poverty and the like in the area.
The longest involvement of all has been the ongoing membership of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, of which I am now in my 36th year of active membership. Visiting the needy in their homes, or where ever they might be found, and assisting them with food, sometimes shelter and being a good listener, or pointing them in the right direction.
I arrived at Puffing Billy after I was "accosted" on the platform at Belgrave, when I regularly brought my grandson to look at the trains, which he loved! As I got to know some of the Conductors, I was asked why didn't I join up. So I did, and became a Conductor on the train, and then Head Conductor. I joined the other victims on Safeworking Course 20, in 2000, and duly qualified as a Guard and Signalman, and there I remain, now as an Instructor and Safeworking Supervisor.
I have been recently appointed to the Occupational Health & Safety Committee.
The highlight of my time with PBR so far, was being the Guard on the very first passenger run (volunteers) of G42, between Belgrave and Cockatoo, what a great day!
Alan Bailey