January 2008#414
January 2008
#414
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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Hope you and your family had a great Christmas break!!
Meanwhile back at the railway your talents are required yet again. Give your Roster Officer a call.
Following John Andrea's departure there has been much reorganising in the office. John Hoy now has control of both operating and engineering, whilst Eamonn has taken direct supervision of the commercial and retail departments in addition to the CEO role. Physical reorganisation has also taken place!! Di and Nadine have moved into the vacant office with the photocopier, cabinets et al taking their place in the main corridor. A wall has appeared in the meeting room that will give us a more private conference room while maintaining the tea/coffee making facility!!
Eamonn's first few weeks at his desk have been extremely busy. Fresh challenges and some new initiatives have been the order of the day, so watch this space as some of the ideas come to life. Eamonn has met many of you during his 'walkabouts' but if you have not yet met him and spot him heading your way please say hello.
Don't panic with your application responses - the selection panel will be unlikely to meet until after the 6 train running.
Might be in steam and back in traffic before the end of November!! Rumour was correct and the locomotive reflects a great deal of credit on those associated with its re-build. It has settled in brilliantly.
Response to last months notice has been quite good but a number of current firemen have not yet responded. Don't become unqualified. There is a comprehensive set of instructions in the "Hilton". You can log on to www.worksafe.vic.gov.au and follow the prompts. Further questions to either John Hoy, Adam Black or Warren Mauseth. Existing certificates will expire over a 5 year transition period.
Once you have a copy of you re-certification please ensure a copy is sent to John Hoy - Rail Safety Accreditation Officer at Belgrave.
| Peter Hiscock Chairman ETRB | Eamonn Seddonn CEO | John Thompson President PBPS |
Rail Pathways Program is a joint venture between Puffing Billy, Connex & the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council.
The Rail Pathways Program has been developed to provide access for young people into the world of work in a rail transport setting. A major aim of the project is to generate interest in rail careers amongst young people and to support other efforts to address skills shortages in the rail sector.
The program is for young people who are aged from 15 to 25 such as:
Young people will have the opportunity to obtain valuable work experience and related training. Participants who successfully complete the training program can receive a nationally accredited qualification in rail operations.
The aspects of rail operations to be covered by the program are:-
Further information can be obtained from the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council web site www.tlisc.com.au (Current Projects and Events Menu - Rail Pathways Program 2007/2008).
Warren Mauseth, Rail Pathways Co-Ordinator
This looks like an excellent opportunity for young people. Well done to Warren and all concerned. Could the rest of the Puffing Billy family please help to spread the word about this? Ed.
We are seeking a suitably qualified manager for Buildings, Parks & Gardens. The applicant needs to have relevant experience pertaining to this position. Applications in writing to John Hoy by the 28th January 2008 or via email to john.hoy@pbr.org.au.
Casual positions will be available throughout the 6 train period and January.
You must be available to work am or pm shifts and weekends at any of the stations.
Retail experience is desirable but not essential for the right candidate.
We are looking for people with passion, self motivation, enthusiasm, and enjoy working as part of a team.
Please forward expressions of interest to april.williams@pbr.org.au and I will forward a position description.
There are two positions advertised in the Special Events section.
Fire Patrol Drivers & Assistants - Please do NOT assume that just because the day is overcast that Fire Patrols will not operate. Please contact your Fire Patrol Roster Officer to ascertain if they are operating or I will contact you when I have been advised they are cancelled.
If you need to cancel - please contact your Roster Officer - DO NOT leave messages with the Station Master at Belgrave as these may not get passed on in a timely fashion and we may not be able to fill the vacancy.
Please use the contact numbers in the 'Contacts' section at the rear of Monthly News.
Andrew Burns
The Railway is currently undertaking loyalty research with our customers, staff & volunteers. The purpose of this research is to establish the percentage of our customers who are in our Loyalty Zone and would actively refer Puffing Billy to their friends & colleagues. We are also surveying staff & volunteers to gauge their level of engagement with the railway as their engagement directly impacts the customers. We will be undertaking this research four times over the next twelve months with this first round to establish a benchmark to gauge the improvement over this period.
You may get a phone call from a gentleman called Craig Cherry or one of his staff from 'The Loyalty Zone Pty. Ltd.', who are undertaking this research on behalf of the railway, to complete a survey over the phone. The survey will take around two minutes to complete and will be completely anonymous. There is no compulsion to complete the survey so if you do not wish to proceed, please let whoever calls know that you do not wish to proceed.
Thank you all for your assistance with this project.
Can you help? We are after old towels. If you have any could you please leave them in the crew room at Belgrave, they are great to wipe the train when we have rain or a heavy dew.
They have finally arrived and if you would one, please e-mail Sue on sue.ham@pbr.org. nd she will arrange delivery.
As we are now in summer and the weather is hot, we have been putting large containers of water in the fridge in the crew rooms at Belgrave and Lakeside, and smaller ones at Menzies Creek and Gembrook. We are asking for your help, please advise Sue on 415 or 715 when the reserve container is put in the fridge.
We would like to remind crews of the importance of hydrating.
Overnight accommodation is available for any volunteer who is working and the distance home makes the option of staying locally preferable. You must pre-book - and this can be done by contacting Sue Ham on at least three (3) working days prior to your required stay date. If you need to get accommodation closer to your work day, please ring Sue.
Hand crafted possum boxes are available, if you would like to check them out please contact Sue on e-mail sue.ham@pbr.org.au. All proceeds go to "Climax Restoration Fund".
Sue Ham
The Day Out With 'Thomas' events have been operating at Puffing Billy's Emerald Town station for a number of years and in 2007 it attracted over 16,000 patrons. The event is held over 8 weekends of the year, four in Autumn and four in Spring.
The part-time contract position of Thomas Coordinator reports to the Special Events Manager. The first show commences on 1 March 2008 with the last show concluding on 9 November 2008.
Employment will commence mid February 2008. The number of hours worked per week will vary in relation to the preparation and staging of the respective events and will include weekend work as and when the events occur. The hours worked per week are not expected to exceed a total of 24 hours when the two day events are scheduled, including the two days of performances.
Key accountabilities for the position include:-
Being fully responsible for the set-up of each event as scheduled, including the distribution and erection of promotional signage, staff and volunteer rosters, fencing as needed, shelter as required and any other tasks as they relate to the preparation of the event area.
Acting as the Supervisor for each "Thomas" event as scheduled with total responsibility for all aspects of the event including liaison prior, during and after each event for all of the railway's divisions, event customers and personnel working on the day.
For a copy of the Position Description, please contact Nadine Hutchins on 9757 0716 or email to nadine.hutchins@pbr.org.au. Applications close 28th January 2008.
The Puffing Billy Great Train Race (GTR), conducted for the past twenty-six years, is one of the oldest fun runs in Victoria. The event consists of up to 3,000 runners attempting to beat the train on its journey from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park.
The part-time contract position of GTR Coordinator reports to the Special Events Manager. The event will be held on Sunday, 4th May, 2008.
Employment will commence in late February 2008. The number of hours worked per week will vary in relation to the preparation for the race and will include weekend work on the weekend of the race. The hours worked per week are not expected to exceed an average total of 24 hours although the actual hours worked will be significantly higher in the three weeks prior to the race and week following the race.
The role includes distribution of Entry Forms, Run Numbers and Information to Runners sheets, distribution of signage pre and post race as well as completion of all post race activities including an event debrief and the printing and dispatching of all Runners Certificates. These post race activities are expected to be completed within four weeks of the race.
For a copy of the Position Description, please contact Nadine Hutchins on email to nadine.hutchins@pbr.org.au. Applications close 7th January 2008.
Nadine Hutchins
Special Events Manager
See Employment Opportunities.
April Williams
On the 10.30am train from Belgrave on the Blue Timetable it is essential that conductors on arrival at Menzies Creek prioritise heading up to protect the crossing as G42 runs around into No.1 Road.
Could conductors please travel in open NQRs if practical or else advise passengers that they may not stand up during travel or sit on the sides of the carriage.
Kind Regards, Jean
Just a timely reminder as we approach our busy season that all Traffic Branch people are requested to keep an eye on the hours that they work. If you work all day at your 'normal' job and then come to Puffing Billy, you should ensure that the total work hours you do doesn't exceed twelve hours. This is to prevent problems of fatigue.
I'd like to wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and most of all a special thank you for your support over the past year. The building of the December and January Roster has been no mean task and the contribution that has been made by each and everyone will ensure a successful holiday operational period for the railway.
As I've mentioned before, times are getting tougher, business is growing and with that we are in diehard need of more Safe-workers, not only Guards and Signalmen, but Firemen and Drivers as well.
I'd like to welcome our newest Guards and Signalmen to the fold in Coupar Hind, Ray Maxwell, Gary Manning and Daniel Hancock, it's great to have you on board and I hope you will enjoy you're your chosen volunteer career with the railway. Working in transport can be very rewarding and you'll make life long friends.
There are still a few to pass out from the recent Safeworking group and I'm looking forward to welcoming you to the fold when you have qualified, which should help take the pressure off us mature aged teenagers.
Most of you will have seen my notice posted in every Safeworking Office advising of my Christmas & New Year arrangements. For those who may have not been around the railway over the past month I will be spending the holiday season in Moama this year. When I am there on my monthly jaunts I use the services of the Echuca Library to check my email box.
THIS YEAR THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSING FROM FRIDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2007 UNTIL WEDNESDAY 2ND JANUARY 2008 INCLUSIVE. As such I will not be able to check my email box, the only communications will be via SMS OR MOBILE PHONE TO MY PERSONAL MOBILE
I will be returning to Melbourne on Wednesday on the 2nd January 2008.
Once again wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kevin D Stanes
Guards & Signalmen's Roster Clerk
Work now focussing on the Climax restoration.
Thanks to all for your dedicated work throughout the year. Best Wishes to all for 2008.
Hugh Markwick
The permanent way has been sprayed for weeds between Lakeside and Gembrook. All lineside drains were raked and cleared between Selby Aura Rd and School Rd. The forest area around Fielder received the same attention.
Various minor repairs were carried out on Lakeside kiosk. The hot water system was replaced in the store room of Lakeside. A toilet pan was replaced in the Ladies toilet at Belgrave. The turntable at Emerald has had some post & rail fencing replaced after a tree fell on to it.
A Poplar and Blackwood had to be felled around Landslide area due to one snapping off and landing in the other. Pole 70 to School Rd had one tree and a few large branches cut up due to high winds. A large tree just past Fielder station fell over the track and had to be removed.
Another two hundred plants have been planted along Clematis Creek with Melbourne Water grants. The Belgrave garden team continue to great work around Belgrave and Menzies Creek surrounds.
Lineside clearing is progressing very well with a mixture of paid staff , correction centre and casual employees. They are now in the Gembrook section.
Fire Patrols started at the beginning of December, a thankyou to the volunteers who turned up for the fire patrol instruction demo on the 1st Dec, a special thankyou to Terry and Bob for their assistance. Remember guys and gals to contact Andrew Burns with your available dates as this looks like being a very busy fire season, his details are located in the rear of Monthly news.
Congratulations to Matthew Thomas who now is a qualified track patroller, we will break him in during the winter months on NK 2. (lucky man)
Tom Kilner
Seasons greetings to all our members, families and friends. Thank you all for your efforts during the past year and may you each have a satisfying 2008.
The replacement of the final group of old computers was undertaken during December. This now brings all computers up to our current minimum standard.
Andrew Wheatland
This event is selling well as usual, so act now if you want to be a part of this popular evening and come and join us for dinner at the Packing Shed. Join your colleagues from Puff as we travel by train from Belgrave. Catering provided and we will stop at Menzies Creek on the way back to welcome in the New Year with a glass of something appropriate!
For last minute enquiries call Thelma Cotter
The return of an old favourite! Join us as we travel the full length of the line for a sunset trip to Gembrook, stopping along the way to enjoy dinner, course by course, at the different stations.
Ride along as we travel by bus from Belgrave to visit and travel on the Alexandra Tramway.
Theatre Night. Join us for supper and a show as we meet at Ferntree Gully and visit the 1812 Theatre Company.
Look back into the archives when we meet for our annual film night, with train ride from Belgrave to Emerald.
Travel by train from Emerald to Gembrook and partake of dinner at the station before making our way to the Community Hall for an evening of varied dance.
Another old favourite! Join us as we see out the old year and welcome in the new in traditional Puffing Billy style!
Season's Greetings and best wishes for 2008 to all from the Social Committee
For enquiries on any of these events, please ring Jeff Goodwin
| NOVEMBER | 2007 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 61% | 70% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 83% | 69% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 77% | 73% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 4,102 | 4,284 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 4,360 | 4,355 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 151 | 325 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 64 | 66 |
| G 42 days for month | 30 | 25 |
| Carriage kilometres | 37,044 | 37,106 |
| Carriage Days for month | 932 | 916 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,770 | 1,378 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,598 | 1,625 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 89* | 45* |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 229 | 236 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 271 | 286 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 10 | 17 |
| Excludes 21NQR on passenger trips . | ||
On Monday 19th November, loco 7A undertook a trial trip to Emerald and return hauling 3 NQRs and van after having undergone a long overhaul.
The next morning it triple headed with 6A & 14A on No 11 pass to Lakeside and returned with 6A on No 40 later in the day. A few days later it ventured out by itself, back in normal service. It had last run on 4th June 2006.
Bob Wilson
Sorting and filing continues.
Alan Magg's donations also included some original membership records from when his father was Treasurer. Thanks Alan.
If you are having a clean out, please do not throw anything that we can utilise, but contact Geoff Tasker so he can obtain useful items.
If anyone has a spare compactus needing a good home, please contact Geoff.
The Archives Group has weekly working days at Kings Road every Monday, with an 11.00 am start. The group is progressing well and would appreciate any assistance from interested parties.
Hugh Markwick
Somerton Signalbox is now in place on the end of Moorooduc platform on the Mornington Tourist Railway. We expect to re-install the lever frame and re-connect the services between Christmas and New Year.
Work continues with 13 of the 37 piles to be replaced have been renewed partly or fully.
To date approximately 2,700 sleepers out of 5,000 have been replaced and steelwork for two of the six bridges is ready for installation.
We are awaiting materials - specifically the rubber crossing components to be delivered before we commence work in the new year.
John Shaw
Our next workday will be 15th January meet at Belgrave at 9.00am and finish at 3pm. Lunch and drinks are provided. We will be painting at Belgrave. Wear clothes appropriate for the weather and work, including a hat; please name all your clothing.
If you are coming along, please let me know beforehand.
Please note Young Volunteers DO NOT meet up if it is a total fire ban in the central area.
Sue Ham
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Updated Monthly. Contents © 2006 by the P.B.P.S. for the E.T.R.B. This service is provided for the Emerald Tourist Railway Board and maintained by Bill Russell. URI: http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/puffing.billy/monnews.htm |
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