April 2008#417
April 2008
#417
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 .
The wife of one of our founding fathers, Norm Wadeson, Phyllis passed away recently after a long illness. A remarkable and delightful lady, she will be sadly missed.
Our condolences to Norm and his family.
Many Thanks to all who assisted on the Puffing Billy Stand over the three days and also to those of you who helped keep Eamonn sane by operating his layout. We hope to see more of these style of outings to raise the profile of Puffing Billy and volunteering.
Once again we are having a working party, the date this time being 1st April. Our hope is to expand the activities to involve those a little older than youth! Please contact Sue Ham if you would be interested in attending.
We have received a substantial grant from a charitable trust which is to go towards the restoration of Loco 12A. This will assist us in completing the restoration of the loco in a more timely fashion.
Rail Safety workers are reminded that when in charge of any form of shunting operation, their body must remain outside the operating envelope of the consist.
| Peter Hiscock Chairman ETRB | Eamonn Seddon Chief Executive Officer | John Thompson President PBPS |
Key responsibilities include managing the CEO's office and diary, attending and taking meeting minutes along with office administration support at the Belgrave Railway Station. Strong organisational and personnel skills are essential along with advanced Microsoft Office skills.
For a position description call Di at di.gadsden@pbr.org.au.
Applications close 4th April 2008.
An opportunity exists to play a key part in consolidating and building on the F&B service. This includes Lunch & Dinner Trains, Special Events, Wedding Receptions as well as supplying the retail department with their F& B offer. Strong organisational and personnel skills are essential along with a background in F& B management or supervision.
For a position description call Di atr di.gadsden@pbr.org.au.
Applications close 26th March 2008.
Paul Golding has resigned from the position of Food & Beverage Manager to take up a position with a company much closer to home. Thanks for all your efforts over the last few years Paul. It has been much appreciated and we all wish you all the best in your new job.
When the wheelchair car is to be used with the ramp, the second part of the door needs to be unlocked. As a safety measure to ensure that this second door is always properly secured before a train departs please follow this procedure:-
If the second door is unlocked in advance and there is a need to remove your keys, please replace and lock the paddock in the original position eg. the handle is in the vertical position and the door will not be able to be shut.
This will be a visual safe guard as the door will not shut properly and staff will need to unlock the padlock to shut the door and then the padlock can be relocked in the correct position.
Could all staff please, as a matter of course in checking the train, double check all the doors on wheelchair cars to ensure they are always correctly padlocked.
New supplies of these hats are now in stock. We offer them for a bond of $40.00 or if you wish to purchase them out right they are now $100.00. If you are interested in acquiring one of these hats please contact Sue Ham at sue.ham@pbr.org.au
Jean Clowes
Long time Puffing Billy boiler and engine driver ticket examiner Colin Crotty passed away recently. Our sympathy goes to Colin's family.
Condolences also to Mal Hanson whose Father passed away recently.
Our condolences also go to Larry James, (Secretary of the PBPS) who's Father, Jack (also a PBPS member of many years) passed away suddenly on Sunday 16th March. Our thoughts to Larry and his Mum at this time.
Latest news is he's home and doing well!!
We are pleased to advise that our Carriage Shop's Car Builder, Gerry Chirgwin, has been appointed to the role of Buildings, Parks and Gardens Manager and will begin as soon as a replacement for him is appointed.
It has come to my attention that we have a number of musically talented people on the railway. (Even if you have just started, this includes you!) Tunes that can be selected will be simple, along with the dances, and any input is always welcome. I am interested in forming an Old Time Dance Band, dancing to the great popular tunes of yesteryear. If you are interested, please give Nicholas Aslanides a call on 9763 9689. Evenings only please.
Nicholas Aslanides
The following people have mail for collection in their pigeon holes in the Station Masters Office at Belgrave.
Josh Armstrong, Bob Ayres, David Baker, Andrew Bligh, Mark Bul, David Burton, Clive Brooks, Gerry Chirgwin, Geoff Clark, Tony Chamberlain, John Conway, Damir Dosen, Justin Fowler, Simon Martin, Stephen Hurlston, Les Lynch, John Morice, Simon Martin, Gary Paton, Bruce Paros, Andrew Ross, Mike Sage, Gary Saunders, Trevor Smith, David Sumner, Kevin Stanes, Tom Turner, Ken Walker, Ron Woolgar.
Recently, the railway sent out an email to everyone listed on our volunteer database offering a discount on a Dinner Special. Unfortunately, some 150 emails bounced back because people have changed their email address and have not updated the railway with their new details. Would everyone please remember to keep the railway informed of all changes to your details otherwise we can't contact you. If you have changed your email address you can provide the new details to secretary@pbr.org.au.
Larry James
We have two Thomas weekends taking place in April (Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th and Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th) and are always looking for more volunteers, so please contact Dan O'Connor at danann3@bigpond.net.au if you would like to be involved.
The PAVE (Performing and Visual Arts in Emerald) Festival is taking place from Friday 4th to Sunday 13th April. Activities taking place during the Festival include Free Music, Live Theatre, Street Performers, Big Day in the Park for Kids, Art Show, Photography Exhibition, Kids Storytelling and much more. For further PAVE Festival activities visit www.pave.org.au or email info@pave.org.au.
Our GTR online entries and new database are up and running with entries steadily coming in. I am pleased to advise that The Honourable Timothy Holding, Minister for Tourism shall be competing in the race once again.
If you, a family member or friend are happy to volunteer your services either in the lead up to, or on the day of the race, we would welcome your assistance. Along with the standard railway operations and roles on the day, we have additional tasks that require volunteer support including:
Please contact Bill Russell email at bill.russell@optusnet.net.au to confirm your availability.
Nadine Hutchins, Special Events Manager
When the wheelchair car is to be used with the ramp the second part of the door needs to be unlocked. As a safety measure to ensure that this second door is always properly secured before a train departs please follow this procedure.
If the second door is unlocked in advance and there is a need to remove your keys please replace and lock the paddock in the original position eg the handle is in the vertical position and the door will not be able to be shut.
This will be a visual safe guard as the door will not shut properly and staff will need to unlock the padlock to shut the door and then the padlock can be relocked in the correct position.
Could all staff please as a matter of course in checking the train double check all the doors in wheelchair cars to ensure they are always correctly padlocked.
Jean will be on leave from 7th April until 5th May inclusive.
While I am on leave from the 7th April until the 5th May, Grahame Gardner has offered to keep an eye on the roster for me and he can be contacted. If you need to cancel a shift or change a shift please try and give Grahame two days notice if possible.
While I am on leave from the 7th April until the 5th May Alison Crawford will be keeping an eye on the roster for me. If you need to make any changes please email jean.clowes@pbr.org.au or alison.crawford@pbr.org.au
Please could all staff who work in these areas have a quick tidy up before leaving at the end of the day. The Station Master's office often has visitors and customers as well as regular staff and a messy area is not only unpleasant to work in but also creates an unfavourable impression to others. We have limited bench space in the Booking Office and a tidy area makes it easier for all who need to work there. I would appreciate your cooperation to help keep these work areas tidy.
Jean Clowes
Thank you,
April Williams
Firstly I must apologise for my slackness in missing the deadline for the February and March "Monthly News", I guess it must have been a seniors moment, anyway I can afford to make excuses of that nature. But to be honest the assistance by each and everyone has been first class and has shown 99.05% coverage with only one shift in February having been covered by paid staff. March is looking good at this stage with 100% of shifts covered by our volunteer Safeworkers, although coming up to Easter there are still a few gaps as this article goes to press.
But the time has come for my trip across the country on our great railway network. This year should see the completion of my around Australia tours which have covered every passenger railway in the country. Apart from going to Brisbane for my grandsons sixth birthday I will be heading back to Sydney and covering such places as Moree, Armidale, Griffiths, Dubbo and Broken Hill, before heading to Perth to ride the new Mandurah line and the Hotham Valley Railway, then back to Adelaide where I'll again visit Port Dock Railway Museum [see ya' Tony] and ride the new tram extension which was completed just after I blew through last year.
This brings to the point roster coverage during my absence; Jon Medlin has kindly offered to act as Rosters Clerk for the first two weeks after my departure. Tom Murray will be back in charge when he returns from his trip about the third week in May. Jon can be contracted through the normal channels on the Guards & Signalmen's Mobile 0420 946 362, or on his personal mobile 0408 237 062. When Tom returns he can be contacted on his home on 9889 5587. Contact hours are 11:00am to 09:00pm.
In a recent copy of the Weekly Notice I pointed out the problems that can occur with people sending emails, especially when they cannot report for their rostered shift. I further make the point that if anyone cannot report for their rostered shift it is preferred that they either SMS with information or asking me to contact them; or I can be telephoned on the Guards mobile phone [0420 946 362]. If you have trouble getting through on that number then try my personal mobile of 0412 430 245. As you all know I travel around quite a lot and communication via email can be difficult. When in Moama I generally only get to check my email two to three times a week at the Echuca Library; Brisbane is a little different as Internet Cafes are few and far between and when one is found there can be up to a two hour wait.
For normal shift requests emails are alright as they are generally well in advance of the rosters closing date. Some people are playing it wise and booking well ahead, as such they are able to get the pick of the shifts; this is great if it is possible to plan that far ahead.
Immediately after publication of this Monthly News I will be telephoning each and every one of you to see if you can commit to advance dates during June, July and August as well as starting to build the May Roster.
Kevin Stanes,
Roster Clerk
Rob Emmerson will be on leave from 16th April, returning in early May. During his absence Warren Mauseth will be issuing 'S' Notices, the Weekly Notice and generally looking after things.
129Q has taken up residence in the location previously occupied by V9. The unit will ultimately have a wagon placed upon it for display. With the relocation, parts of the unit are now available for painting as the top was covered by the NQ, which is now under the NM at Emerald.
Work is taking place on the TACL, with Stan Gunn and others working hard on the transmission. Ever since it arrived at the Museum it has been difficult to change gears and the work taking place is to prevent a major engine malfunction.
Work on the George and George boiler continues and most of the ancillary items have been removed and are being reconditioned.
The Malcolm Moore has been re-wheeled, with the railway's crane truck being used to lift the frame and engine. The bearings that Stan Gunn made have been fitted and the rest of the refurbished items, such as the fuel tank, seating etc. are being refitted by the Wednesday night team. We are going to complete the unit by placing a roof over the driver as it was when it was built. The unit will be finished in Australian Army Green.
John Frost
The 'Green Corp' program has started and the group have been mapping and clearing the areas that they will be working on.
Sleepers have been put in around the Main Rd Clematis area. Eventually tamping in this section will be done.
The Rail Pathway course has started.
Thank you to all the people helping out with fire patrols so far, I know it is getting on in the year but, unfortunately it doesn't look like we are out of the woods yet.
So if any one has any times that they could spare please let Andrew or I know so we can keep ahead of the season. Keep up the good work we are doing well.
Our wishes go to Tom for a good recovery, it may take a while but we are all wishing him well. Hope to see you back soon.
Wade Wykes has joined us as the new carriage builder. We welcome Wade to our Puffing Billy Family and hope that he spends many enjoyable years with us. If you see Wade at Emerald, please introduce yourself and say hello.
Adam Black
Wednesday Night Work Parties. Work now focussing on the Climax restoration.
Hugh Markwick
| FEBRUARY | 2008 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 53% | 66% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 83% | 78% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 83% | 81% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,606 | 3,563 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 3,999 | 3,616 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 69 | 309 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 66 | 57 |
| G 42 days for month | 24 | 22 |
| Carriage kilometres | 32,440 | 32,118 |
| Carriage Days for month | 815 | 817 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,516 | 1,329 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,540 | 1,469 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 56 | 0* |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 219 | 212 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 236 | 239 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 4 | 9 |
*Excludes 21NQR which ran passenger carrying trips of 63kms in 2008 and 116 kms in 2007.
Bob Wilson
Work has been going well on the Climax. The new smokebox door has had new hinge blocks fitted. Over the years, the smokebox door was set at different heights and with various hinge configurations. It is being set in its original position with the hinges as when it first entered service.
The smokebox barrel is being fitted to the boiler and the door plate is being installed. When the smokebox is aligned correctly, the rivet holes will be drilled and the boiler will once again have a smokebox riveted on the front.
A special tap has been ordered to rework the hole for the barrel-filling plug. The pattern for the new chimney base has been ordered. The drawing is nearly complete for the new blast-pipe. A new steam pipe from the dome is needed. The design calculations have been finished and verification of the design should be completed in the next couple of weeks. We will be adding some of these items to our sponsorship list on the Climax website soon. If you have always wanted to sponsor a blast-pipe or chimney base, now is your best chance.
As with much of our workshop efforts, a lot of time is spent in drawing and doing calculations BEFORE the components are made and fitted. It may take only a few minutes to bolt on a part which has taken weeks of drawing and manufacture. Not many bits are available off-the-shelf.
Please feel free to wander along on any Wednesday afternoon/evening or on the first Saturday of each month and give a hand to the on-going maintenance and restoration work.
John Conway
Join your Puffing Billy colleagues as we travel in our own bus from Belgrave to the Alexandra Tramway. The day is fully inclusive of bus travel, morning tea, BBQ lunch and rides on the Tramway. This should be another great day out!
Theatre Night. Join us for supper and a show as we meet at Ferntree Gully and visit the 1812 Theatre Company. Look for the booking form coming out shortly.
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!
For enquiries on any of these events, please ring Jeff Goodwin
 |
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 |
 |