June 2008#419
June 2008
#419
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 .
This year, two of us (Eamonn and Peter) were first-time observers of this well established classic. The word "observers" is wisely chosen. It is a very big undertaking demanding very careful planning and smooth execution - in other words a high degree of professionalism and volunteer co-ordination. That seemed much in evidence. Our congratulations to the team lead by Nadine who planned it and to all who put in the hours on the day. A great effort. Once again, the minister for Tourism was a runner and put in a creditable performance. Media coverage of the train, the bridge, the hopefuls and the front-runners was excellent.
Regular volunteer and Monthly News assembler extraordinaire, Ashley, has been a bit off colour as of late which has prevented him from getting to Belgrave. From all reports he may be off for a bit yet.
Ashley, get well soon from your many friends at Puff.
PS. Wilma is complaining of having to do MN by herself!!
We have been advised that our application to have the diesels transported using Defence personnel and equipment will not be going ahead.
We are currently examining others options - watch this space.
Person or persons unknown have been doing some unqualified electrical wiring in the loco running shed at Belgrave.
Dangerous to say the least, makes things more complicated when it comes to repairing said wiring. Who forgot you need to be qualified to do such things!!
Andrew Wheatland is more than happy to get involved and a simple phone call fixes most issues.
| Peter Hiscock Chairman ETRB | Eamonn Seddon Chief Executive Officer | John Thompson President PBPS |
Auburn Oxley Road Uniting Church, Corner of Oxley Road and Hepburn Street, Auburn. Melways Map 45, Reference. F11.
The church is about 600 metres walk south from Auburn Railway Station. All trains stop at Auburn on Saturday afternoons.
The order of service and the speakers are being arranged. More info once speakers have agreed to be involved in the service.
The Minister, in addition to the hire of the church & hall for a small consideration, has also offered to cater for the multitude, which we all agree is a wonderful offer.
Reg's widow Helene is very gratified by the Railways offer and particularly happy with the ultimate venue, date, time etc. She particularly expects a large contingent to come up from Gippsland plus retired railwaymen and others from "the railway family". The more central location will facilitate these groups.
Overnight accommodation is available for any volunteer who is working on the railway and the distance from home makes the option of staying locally preferable. You must pre-book - and this can be done by contacting Sue Ham on 9757 0715 or 0419 274 652 at least three (3) working days prior to your required stay date. If you book and do not require the bed, or you need to leave early please contact us, as the bed maybe required for other volunteers. If you need to get accommodation closer to your work day, please also ring Sue.
Sue Ham.
Friday 27th June is Red Nose Day - the official Fundraiser event for SIDS & Kids - allowing families and friends of those touched by a sudden and unexpected death of an infant to receive much needed counselling and other support services free of charge. The Railway is actively supporting this worthy cause this year and if you happen to be on the Railway, we encourage you to support the day too. Come and be a little silly for a good cause and wear a Red Nose for the day!
Di Gadsden
The second Exposure Drafts of Sections 18 - 22 (the last five sections) have been prepared and are available for review and comment. These sections cover the following:
Hard copies of these are available to be read (but not be taken away) in the crew room on the platform at Belgrave and on the Notice Board outside the Board Room. (They may also be accessed from the G-drive on railway computers at Belgrave.)
Any comments or suggestions will be welcomed and should be made by June 30, 2008 by addressing them to the HAC at Belgrave, or placing them in the HAC Pigeon Hole upstairs at Belgrave or sending them to heritage@pbr.org.au.
This is everyone's opportunity to participate in the formulation of heritage policy for Puffing Billy.
Membership Renewal letters are being mailed in early June. This year, the renewal form has been revised to enable collection of information to help improve our member communication and processes. Your completion of both sides of the form and return with your payment as soon as possible will be greatly appreciated.
If you have any suggestions related to Society membership, please forward them to the Membership Committee via secretary@pbr.org.au.
Congratulations are due to the following people, who received their 20 Years Plus Membership Badges in recent weeks. Our sincere appreciation to them all for their commitment, passion and dedication that has helped the Railway grow into the "Puffing Billy" we know today.
Bernie Holmes
Membership Committee Convenor
Our annual Great Train Race took place on 4th May and fortunately, for both the runners and volunteers, we were greeted once again with ideal running weather conditions.
Runner numbers were capped for the first time at 3,000 to ensure all participants had a safe and enjoyable experience. From the 3,000 runners entered, there were 2,755 people running on the day. This year 230 males beat Puffing Billy who arrived in 55:15 minutes and 344 female runners beat the second race train which finished in 73:46 minutes.
This years race results saw male winner, Andre La Gerche from Fitzroy and female winner, Prue Davison from Melbourne, cross the finish line to each win a trip to Antarctica, courtesy of Croydon Travel's Antarctic Flights. This was Andre's first time competing in the Great Train Race with a winning time of 43:45, whereas Prue, who finished in 50:15, was able to call on her previous experience as she was placed third in 2007.
We were fortunate to once again have The Honourable Timothy Holding, Minister for Tourism participate in the race as well as James Merlino, Minister for Youth, Sport & Recreation join us in the VIP carriage.
We received very good coverage on the Sunday evening news on channels 2, 7 and 9. This television coverage is valued at $500,000 and in Melbourne it was seen by over 1.25 million viewers. This is a fantastic effort and would not have been achieved without the assistance of Tony Marsden, who shot the footage and interviewed the winners.
As always there was a couple of unforseen 'hiccups' and this year it was the cherry picker not turning up, however the portable toilet company came to our rescue and their crane was used to erect the start line banner. Gotta love the portaloos!
Bill Russell, our Manpower Manager has asked to pass on the following: "To all those who volunteered for this special day, thank you. Apart from making the day successful you made my rostering task relatively easy. It is much appreciated."
This event could not proceed without the support of our sponsors and I do ask that where possible you support these organisations:
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The feedback I have received from runners has been extremely positive and I have listed just a small sample of the comments received to date:
"Thank you for a wonderful day. I really enjoyed the run, thank goodness it was shine!! The team of volunteers did an excellent job (especially at the drink stations which where my favourite part :-)!!) and I look forward to doing many more runs. Thank you again."
Eloise Derby
"Thank you for all your efforts on the weekend. I had a great run (very sore now though) and my wife and eldest son loved the train trip up and back. It can't be easy to organise a running event in a place where it was never intended to be, so well done and thank you to the CFA and all the volunteers. Good work and I'll try to make it back next year."
Tim Scarborough, Runner
"The volunteers and marshals did an excellent job, the processing of my entry and the email updates were great improvements. I have been pleased to see the improvements with the bus service and the bag handling after some less than ideal situations in previous years. As always its a fantastic course - and the noise of the train echoing through the hills is always a buzz, the faster schedule this year almost caught me off guard..... you have an amazing race. I will be back in 2009."
Michael Clarke, Runner
I am in the process of preparing the post race report, so if anyone has any comments or suggestions for improving this event, I would be keen to receive your feedback. The Great Train Race is truly a unique and challenging event, not just for the runners but also for the organisers! So please, accept my sincere thanks for all your efforts and support and congratulations on providing yet again, another successful Great Train Race.
Nadine Hutchins,
Special Events Manager
Just a reminder that a family ticket now covers two adults and up to four children or one adult and four children.
I have supplies of both styles of hats, jumpers and shirts in stock so please see me if you have any uniform requirements
Most of conductor's training is 'on the job" but we also offer a "theory" component to complete the training. Part of the role of this position is to liaise with Sue Ham with new volunteers who are interested in training as a conductors as well as presenting the half day theory seminar. If any is interested in talking further about the role please call me on 9757 0781 or email jean.clowes@pbr.org.au
My thanks to Keith Trace for all his help and expertise in looking after this important position for the last couple of years.
I am seeking someone with the expertise to produce a pattern of our heritage three piece uniform. If anyone has the skills or knows someone who does or any recommendation please let me know.
Jean
Steam Media have re-released two of the popular VHS 'Victorian Year In Steam' titles as DVDs. Both are 2 hours of top steam action & retail at $49.95 each.
Travel back to 1997 and see how much has changed in the passing years. Highlights include: The Peckett on the Gembrook line; Y112, D3639, & J515 Triple header; R707, R761 & R766 up Ingliston Bank; R class on regular service trains; R & K; Y & D3 parallel runs; Y112 & hand operated gates; Cab rides on J515 & D3639; Tourist Railway action; R & D3 Easter action on Bendigo line; D3639 at Deniliquin in mid-winter and much more
More history featuring: Gembrook re-opening day and regular operations; R707, R761, R766 Traralgon bound; R711 on mainline & trial runs; J549 & K160 double-heading by day & night; J515 interstate to Oaklands; Double R class on Bendigo line; Evocative night scenes; Cab ride 12A to Gembrook; D3639 & K183 up Parwan Bank, R class on regular service runs; R707 light up & more .
Steam Media has combined with Series 567 to produce Bruce William's two very popular VHS productions as a single 90 minute DVD. It covers the last two winters of mainline Garratt action in Zimbabwe during 1991 & 1992. See Garratt operations from sunrise to sunset, from lineside and in the cab, on both passenger and goods trains - regular and special, locomotive preparation, shed scenes at Bulawayo and Thompson Junction and the infrastructure associated with steam operations. Lines covered include Bulawayo - Plumtree, Bulawayo - West Nicholson and Bulawayo - Victoria Falls including aerial shots of a Garratt on the famous bridge linking Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Wankie Colliery line is also featured where ex Rhodesian Railways 19 Class 4-8-2s haul coal to the main line. A marvellous memento of an era now gone forever and it is priced at just $44.95.
These were due to arrive earlier this year, however, somewhere between the binder and the return journey to the printer, they were lost by the courier company. In the interim until another run is attempted, the printer has very kindly, at no cost to PB, produced a 'glued' plain cover version of the Guards Books. Whilst not looking correct on the outside, they do have the correct pages inside.
Please contact Rob Emmerson if you would like one of these books. I only have 50 - so first in, first served I'm afraid.
The latest update to the GI's have been printed and is in the process of being enveloped, labelled and posted. All safeworkers should receive theirs soon. (This should include anyone who is shown as 'inactive' for whatever reason.) If you do not receive a copy by the end of May, please let me know and I will try and sort it out for you.
Rob Emmerson
By now, all locations should have received the new internal phone directory and speed dial list.
The major change to the speed dial list has been to transfer Jean Clowes mobile access number from 419 to 481. (This is to line up with her desk number of 781). The other changes have been to include the new staff members and to take account of some altered staff details. Some numbers no longer required have also been deleted. [Thanks to Andrew for updating the Contacts section of Monthly News - Ed.]
A reminder that with the end of the financial year fast approaching, it is now a good time to consider making that tax deductible donation. The plans for the building have progressed to the point where we are organising a civil engineering check and a start on construction works may not be too far away.
It is planned to reinstate access to the Up end of the siding at Clematis by the end of June. (The timbers under the point lever and cranks reached the end of their serviceable life last month.)
The phone box at Clematis was replaced recently.
The blowdown warning light in the Belgrave Running Shed was repaired last month and both it and the emergency lighting now work as intended.
Andrew Wheatland
Work now focussing on locomotive restoration.
The volunteer group are painting the NQR fleet, and they are looking very smart.
Hugh Markwick
The Main Road Clematis to Edenmont Road section has had sleepers replaced and is being prepared for tamping.
Cutting up and removal of tree debris from the recent storm on 2nd April is still in the process of being completed due to the large volume of material brought down.
The Green Corp group are currently working on areas around Clematis & Emerald stations. The fence in the park area is finished, weeding and planting in progress.
The trees and shrubs around the Kings Road office have had a prune and re-establishment of the gardens in and around the office are under way.
Environmental grant works currently going on in the reduction and controlling of weeds in area.
Jason Bell
| APRIL 2008 | 2008 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 57% | 52% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 79% | 74% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 69% | 68% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 4,181 | 4,624 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 4,380 | 4,255 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 200 | 911 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 65 | 69 |
| G42 days for month | 29 | 25 |
| Carriage kilometres | 37,083 | 39,877 |
| Carriage Days for month | 939 | 980 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,509 | 1,479 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,564 | 1,590 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 8* | 6* |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 237 | 268 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 301 | 286 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 8 | 21 |
* Excludes 21NQR which currently operates as a passenger vehicle.
Wednesday 2nd April was a day of very high winds. Numerous stops were made on the return trip from Gembrook to remove debris from the track and the last train from Belgrave ran to Menzies Creek and return only. Delays to some trips were extensive. There were three days in the month that featured 5 engines in steam.
Bob Wilson
The sleeper replacement part of this project is now complete with approximately 7,300 sleepers have been replaced. We have re-built three bridges completed (out of 6). Concrete foundations are ready for another two and the steelwork is complete and ready for erection. Our work on the project ceased at the end of May and will resume after winter, the main tasks being to complete the remaining bridges and tamp and line the track.
Moorooduc Signal-box awaits sub-contractors to re-build the staircase to meet current building regulations along with connection of power and water and a final external paint.
Work has commenced on Piers 1-10 on the Up side of the river. Our aim is to complete the structure ready for decking by the end of November.
All materials are now on hand and we have approval from Public Transport Safety Victoria to commence installation.
Our small contract to install approximately 55m of 3'6" gauge track at the Sorrento Tramway station will now be carried out in late July.
We have been notified that our bid to repair two of their bridges has been successful. Work on the ground will wait until the end of the year to make use of potentially better weather.
John Shaw
The Railways' archives group have been quite busy since the beginning of the year. We work at Kings Road, Emerald each Monday. We have attended a couple of seminars presented by the Public Records Office of Victoria. These have been on subjects that will assist in the handling, care and preservation of the Railways' archives. We have two new additions to our workforce, Margaret and Ken Whatman have joined us and have taken on the task of sorting, copying and storage of our Newspaper Clippings, some of which go back a far as the 1940's. Chas Bevan is assisting with this task.
At the instigation of Brenda Saunders, we arranged two displays in conjunction with the recent P.A.V.E. festival at Emerald.
The first, at the Emerald Library displayed for ten days a small sample of our artefacts in a showcase with descriptive labels. This aroused quite a bit of interest, resulting in us being asked to present another showing there later in the year.
The comments and interest shown by the passengers and our train crews were most complimentary and prompt us to consider arranging similar displays of photographs of each of our stations.
Ted Godwin, Geoff Tasker and Kevin Taig spend each Tuesday at the Public Records Office researching the construction of the Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook line and are discovering some very interesting details. Some of their findings will provide material for articles in "Narrow Gauge" and also inclusion in our Archives.
Hugh Markwick
Tickets are still available for this trip.
There's something special about a trip on a steam train on a crisp winter's evening, especially under a full moon. On the evening of Monday, June 16th, the sounds of the exhaust beat and shrill steam whistle of locomotive 7A will echo throughout the hills and valleys of the Dandenong Ranges, as it hauls a short consist from Belgrave to Gembrook and return.
The train will depart Belgrave at 6.00pm, and after a spirited run, with perhaps a stop or two deep in the forest (unique photo opportunities!!), should arrive at Gembrook at about 8.00pm, in time for a hot dinner at Gembrook station. Warming medicinal beverages are strongly recommended, as is rugging up for the cold.
Some travellers from previous trips have indicated that they would prefer an earlier finish, so two travel options have been provided for the return trip - train or mini-bus, which Dan O'Connor has generously offered to drive. (You must request this option when purchasing tickets). Departure from Gembrook is scheduled for 9.00pm, with the bus arriving back at Belgrave at 9.30pm, and the train at about 11.00pm. All proceeds from the trip will be directed to the heritage rolling stock restoration fund, a very worthwhile project indeed.
Tickets for the evening are an absolute bargain, at just $45 including dinner, with no concessions. Passenger numbers are strictly limited for this trip, so don't muck about! For bookings, contact the lovely ladies at Belgrave and don't forget to book your bus ticket home if required.
For further information, contact tour organiser Nick Anchen
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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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