November 2008#424
November 2008
#424
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 Association of Tourist Railways is currently seeking the services of a voluntary secretary.
Our own John Frost performed this role for a number of years and has recently stepped down creating a vacancy. The task is not onerous or particularly time consuming but we desperately need to get someone fairly urgently.
If you are interested you can contact me on and I'll send you a duty statement of what is required
| Peter Hiscock Chairman ETRB | Eamonn Seddon Chief Executive Officer | John Thompson President PBPS |
A small number of you are forgetting to put details of which loco ran your train on the front of Train Running Statements. This information is vital for the operating statistics we provide for internal consumption and to interested groups outside our railway. (Information on carriage and locomotive mileages are also required to be sent to PTSV as part of our statutory requirements and not having the right information makes this hard to do.) Please remember to fill out the back of the running sheet, which shows where locos were operated from and to.
When operations are basic we can usually work out the details easily, but at times consumes a good deal of paper shuffling, time which can be better spent. When operations are complex it can be near impossible to work out what has occurred if information is missing from more than one sheet.
Some guards are also omitting to show scheduled and actual docking times of cars and locos. Please take the time to include this information because our statistician, Bob Wilson, gets awfully grumpy with me when I don't provide all the info he needs to produce the reports.
Thanks for you help - John Hoy
We extend our sincere thoughts to Helen Paroissien and family on the passing of Helen's mother. Also in our thoughts is Norma Marshall and family whose mother also passed away recently.
We extend best wishes to Kevin & Elaine Findlay who are both not in the best of health at the moment. We hope you are both "on your feet" very soon.
Larry James
There will be two Level 2 First Aid Courses in the coming month. One will be Tuesday and Wednesday 25th & 26th November. The other is on Saturdays 22nd and 29th November.
If you would like to take part, please email Di Gadsden at di.gadsden@pbr.org.au. There are still a number of positions available.
Although we are only half way through at the time of writing this, the DOWT events have overall been a great success. To all those wonderful people who have helped in many ways, [set up, pack up, crowd control, conductors, signalling, sausage sizzling (fire putter outtering - don't ask!)] etc. - A HUGE thank you as all hands certainly made lighter work for those there on the days. To all those gorgeous people who have left messages and sent emails of support and encouragement - I thank you all too.
We are still looking for a Station Master at Gembrook on the day of the 'Kids Fun Run with Thomas'. If you think you may fit the bill -we need your services between 9.30am and 3.00pm on Sunday 16th November 2008. Please contact Jean Clowes to register your interest.
Di Gadsden
We are still seeking expressions of interest for this course. You can apply via email to:- johnmorice@internode.on.net.
We are intending to hold interviews in mid-November. There is also a one day introduction to Safeworking Course 30 planned for mid-December. Observation runs will be undertaken during the six train running period: Guard to Gembrook, Guard on the 'Shuttle', Signalman Menzies Creek & Trolley runs [Track Patrol or Fire Patrol].
Mech. Eng. volunteers may substitute a footplate run with any board driver,
The theory content of the course will be about 8 Saturdays, and may also be done by correspondence.
Qualification is 'competency based' only, but includes competency with SW forms, TR Book and Guard's Running Statements.
You can be qualified by Easter! We will work around School, TAFE and University commitments. Volunteers in their mid-teens may apply.
John Morice
Safeworking Training and Assessment Officer
"Membership Matters" - it may not be a catchy phrase, but your membership of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society does matter, especially at this time of year when elections take place for the PBPS Executive. This is a chance for you, as a member, to vote for the people you believe will strive to better the Puffing Billy Railway. Remember, voting papers must be returned by 5pm on Friday November 7th.
|
So make your vote count and have your say, Make a difference, don't throw it away, Join up a friend, expand our quest, You help make our Railway the very best. |
Meet your railway friends at the AGM, On Sunday November 16 at 2pm, Be at the Belgrave Masonic Hall, Everyone welcome, one and all. |
Any queries about membership should be directed to: secretary@pbr.org.au.
If anyone would like to volunteer to work in the Thomas shed or the food & beverage area at Emerald for the remaining Thomas Days, it would be much appreciated. Call April.
As of September 1st the Menzies Creek Shop no longer services the lunch train. At some stage after this date the shop will be closed for a brief period while the shop is refurbished and local "Lavender" product will be introduced. This Lavender product will only be available at Menzies Creek. In the meantime, if you are able to spare some time to work at Menzies Creek, please call April.
If you are able to spare some time to work in Refreshments at any of our stations anytime this month, it would be much appreciated. We have many gaps to fill and selling refreshments and souvenirs is one of the best ways of making money to pay for the things we all want to see done on Puffing Billy.
Contact April if you are interested and would like to assist.
April Williams
New on DVD from Channel 5 Productions "Rail Motors Across Victoria - The 1950s and 1960s".
Featuring unseen footage of 'The Beetle' - AEC Rail Motor running from Fawkner to Somerton. Plus footage of lines photographed from Rail Motors both on track and line side. This DVD is great value - 105 minutes for just $39.50. Available now from Belgrave Shop.
Bruce West
The wheelchair ramp has been relocated to the down end of Menzies Creek platform. After use of a ramp at any station please ensure that they are secured with a chain and padlock. At Belgrave please ensure that the handle is against the fence and the padlock tight enough so children cannot use it as a see saw.
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. with the handle is the vertical position and then the door will not be able to be shut. This will be a visual safeguard 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 wheel-chair cars to ensure they are always correctly padlocked.
If any new and/or trainee conductor is interested in attending this course, please email me at jean.clowes@pbr.org.au or leave a message on my phone. I will be sending more details to all new and training staff shortly.
Our next Information Evening for Passenger Business staff with Eamonn will be held on the above date. I will be forwarding invites to all staff to attend the evening at the Masonic Hall Belgrave shortly.
Jean Clowes
We received a letter from a recent visitor who resides in Queensland and I quote:-
"We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and tonight as I read the book on Puffing Billy, I am amazed at the work of all the volunteers who helped restore the run and keep it going. We sat in the end cabin on the way to Lakeside and the volunteer conductor was most accommodating and informative. When we got off at the first stop and had a chat to the driver, he spoke with such a passion for the great steam engine and was also most helpful. Please pass on my thanks for a wonderful day and a highlight of our two week holiday".
It's always a pleasure to receive correspondence such as this, so well done everyone for making Puffing Billy such a unique and memorable experience.
One of the major goals in our Marketing Plan is to increase the number of domestic passengers and in particular, attract those people located in the Melbourne South-East corridor. One of the ways we plan to achieve this is by utilising the sales and marketing talents of volunteer Derek Braidner.
Derek's experience in working with shopping centres has seen a successful trial take place over several days at Pakenham Shopping Centre. Armed with a Puffing Billy display stand, promotional brochures and a blank rail book, Derek proved that excursion and dining train tickets can be sold like any other retail product. An added benefit achieved during this trial, was the ability to answer general enquiries about the railway and in particular, to recruit potential volunteers.
Over the next twelve months Derek has been able to secure 'free rent' at shopping centres (valued at $175,000) and will be targeting at lest twenty major Melbourne shopping centres with the possibility of offering the Puffing Billy experience to regional shopping centres such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
Nadine Hutchins,
Marketing Manager
As most know, I move around quite a lot and while I live in Frankston North, I'm seldom at my home address; in most cases I'm staying at Moondarra when working on the railway or in Moama, and at other times with family in Brisbane. Most times the communications arrangements currently in place work well. I have a dedicated mobile phone number and recently signed a wireless broadband contract which has given me greater flexibility with communications; but at times there are glitches. Therefore, I've decided to reaffirm areas that I've already established and try a couple of new protocols.
As I usually have my "Working Copies" of the roster prepared up to six months in advance, the existing policy relative to those wanting to book shifts in advance will remain, that is by E mail, SMS or telephone. With E mails and SMS I will respond with a reply, but with telephone calls it would be wise to check with me when you see me at Belgrave to ensure that I've noted your request.
I am endeavouring to have a notice board installed in the Safeworking Room at Belgrave to post roster and other information.
As far as shift changes with other Guards are concerned, there is no problem; this can be done directly through me or with the person concerned, however, I need to know so as to advise the Station Master and to keep my records up to date.
At times a person is not able to report for their allocated shift. When a situation of this nature occurs, I would like to know as soon as possible and in most cases this is what already happens. If a person is unable to report for duty up to 48 hours beforehand, I will respond via E mail or SMS. Should a person be unable to report for duty with less than 48 hours notice, it is preferred that they telephone the mobile number (0420 946 362), or at the very least SMS me.
Further, there are times when someone sees me on the railway and advises me verbally of their non-availability. This has happened a few times in the past, and because I have other things on my mind, I have forgotten. Recently I purchased a Docket Book and plan to use it in situations of this nature. So if you do tell of your non-availability when you see me, please make sure I acknowledge you with a receipt from this book.
Finally, if someone will be unavailable during any month[s], give me a phone call, SMS or E mail as soon as you know; in this way I will not be telephoning you when you are enjoying the pleasures of the Mediterranean, or fail to take a you off your regular monthly shift.
Hoping these amendments and additions clarifies any problems there may have been!
Kevin Stanes,
Guards & Signalmen's Roster Clerk
Just a reminder that the approach of Summer also heralds the start of another Fire Season. We will be embarking on the usual preparations for the fire season and anyone willing to assist is welcome to contact me to see what we can arrange to get you to assist with.
It is also intended to have a Fire Patrol refresher course on Saturday 22nd November. Please contact me to advise of your intent to attend. Andrew Burns will be acting as Fire Patrol Roster Officer again this year - and we thank Andrew in advance for assisting with this vital task over the summer period. Contact Andrew Burns - email is preferred. See his Contact details at end of Monthly News.
Jason Bell
David Bevis has joined the Workshops team as a fitter. Welcome David and we hope your stay is a happy and enjoyable one.
Wednesday Night Work Parties - Work is now focussing on locomotive restoration, including NGG16.
The Carshops are experiencing difficulties in obtaining brass slotted head wood screws. If any one has some spares, the Carshops would be very pleased to hear from you. This is our second request, any assistance would be appreciated.
Belgrave Workshops - The November workday will be Saturday 8th November not 1st November.
There will be a volunteer workday on Saturday 8th November between 9.00am and 3.00pm, where it is planned to work on 2NAL. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.
Hugh Markwick
A big 'Thank You' to the volunteers who helped me during the junior volunteer day held at Emerald on Tuesday 30th September. We had a successful day with fine weather and good food. The children tidied up a lot of the yard and they even managed to get some paint on the fences, not just themselves!
The Gardening Group encouraged the kids to pull out numerous weeds and a large pile of leaves was raked up around the Thomas stand. I was even able to get a bit of soccer happening. Well done everyone.
Stage One of the Emerald station refurbishment, scheduled for the 15th & 16th November, is looming closer. This will be a rewarding project and I will have shiny new tools available to use. Give me a call if you want to join in.
Cockatoo station is looking much happier. Gerard has replaced the broken glass with polycarbonate, repaired the door and started re-painting the outside.
Other projects include: Building steps down towards the Chapel at Menzies Creek, installing baby change facilities at Lakeside and Gembrook, re-painting platform lines at all stations and lots of general painting around the place.
If you are interested in helping out in any role, no matter how small, please contact Sue Ham or Gerry Chirgwin.
A reminder to all branch members that the final meeting for 2008 will be held between the hours of 10am & 12 noon on Saturday, December 13th, at the Kings Road offices, Emerald.
Following this meeting, we will sojourn to the Paradise Hotel at Clematis for lunch in a relaxed atmosphere. We are intending to operate a special train (NRT1 & single NQR) from Emerald to Clematis & return. Depart Emerald 12:20pm & return by about 4:00pm.
Could persons wishing to join us for lunch please provide advice to the S&T Depot (650) by December 2nd so that we can confirm our booking with the hotel.
Thank you to those who persevered during the recent problems at Emerald. The system has now been restored to correct operation. It was however nice to hear our magneto service getting a bit of a workout during the failure.
Andrew Wheatland.
Work continues on the boiler. The drive train has been stripped down, cleaned and visually checked. The gears and their shafts look to be in good condition, with only minimal wear. We will have a special 861 Christmas Shopping list in the December Monthly News for those who would like to join our list of sponsors for specific parts.
The Footplate Experience Trains are running quite often at the moment. We will run 9-10 in the October/November period. Thelma has recruited a few new Porters on recent FETs and has found them to be very good. The Guest Drivers continue to enjoy their day out on a locomotive. The smile on one of them was still evident a couple of days later when I spoke to him.
861 has visited Belgrave a couple of times recently, once was for repairs to the ash pan whilst the other was to be there for a group of LGB enthusiasts to see and photograph. Thanks to Don, Bill and Adam for making this trip possible. A special thanks to Roland who acted as a German-speaking guide for the group around Belgrave and on the train to Lakeside. The group enjoyed their trip and the company may well bring future tours to Belgrave.
John Conway
| SEPTEMBER 2008 | 2008 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 67% | 64% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 74% | 86% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 73% | 83% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,561 | 3,404 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 3,486 | 3,513 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 80 | 101 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 75 | 44 |
| G 42 days for month | 0 | 28 |
| Carriage kilometres | 28,626 | 30,387 |
| Carriage Days for month | 692 | 817 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,308 | 1,118 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,410 | 1,453 |
| Highest kms operated- -wagon | 10 | 48 |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 232 | 214 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 238 | 246 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 2 | 8 |
This time last year I wrote "A small number of guards are forgetting to put loco details on the front of Train Running Statements. This information is vital for my statistics as the information on the back of the sheets does not show where locos operated from and to. When operations are basic I can usually work out the details easily, but it takes extra time I don't want to waste. When operations are complex it can be difficult to see what occurred. Some guards are also omitting to show scheduled and actual docking times of cars and locos. Please take the time to include this information and help me make my stats more accurate. Thanks."
Unfortunately, this situation has become more common again, particularly with some of the newer guards.
Bob Wilson
During Geoff Tasker's absence overseas, the team installed Text Works to enable the cataloguing to be up and running. Warren Doubleday of BTMS has conducted training sessions to enable the team to use the computer to full advantage. A member of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria has also offered to help with the cataloguing.
Hugh Markwick
The last opening of the G42 shop for 2008 will be on Saturday 1st November between 1pm and 3pm. The next opening after this will be Saturday 7th February 2009. Selling pre-loved books, magazines, videos, DVDs and memorabilia. The shop is located in the building behind the Emerald Car Shops facing the play ground. Other times can be arranged by ringing Peter .
November Specials - Narrow Gauge Down Under - Original issues No. 1 to 8 - one set only $40.00 also Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazettes from 1980. First come - personal shoppers only.
We would like to thank Kevin Larkin, Chris Raggett and Ben Reid for their recent donations to the shop which "Keeps G42 Going".
Thank you to all who continue to support our efforts to Keep G42 Going.
Bruce West
The ever popular New Year's Eve Train will run again this year to take members, volunteers and their friends and family to the Packing Shed to see out the old year and to welcome in the new, all with live musical accompaniment!
Booking form enclosed with this edition of Monthly News - book early as this event sells out quickly!
The return of an old favourite! Take a rare evening run behind 861 from Emerald to Gembrook & return. Inclusive of dinner and photo stops!
Something new. Join your Puffing Billy colleagues when we travel by bus for a day out at this famous rally.
Last time we went to GEMCO, everyone enjoyed themselves, so come along to Emerald and see this great local theatre group in action.
Always a popular event! Join us as we travel by train to view another collection of films covering a wide range of subjects from Australia and overseas.
Come along as we visit our preservation colleagues at Healesville for a trolley ride and dinner in a Halloween atmosphere.
Our ever popular end of year event. Travel on the last train of 2009 and the first of 2010 as we celebrate at the Packing Shed.
For any questions regarding any of these events, please contact Jeff Goodwin (evenings only please).
Our team in WA is working hard with 10km of track now tamped and two out of the remaining bridges completed. With one more bridge to build and another 11km of track to tamp, there is about another 6- weeks of this project to go.
Completion of this project is expected by the end of this month.
Completion of this project is also expected by the end of this month.
The last part of this project is to re-build the buffer stop. The timber for this has now arrived and Norm Mauger, our buffer stop expert is hard at work. Formal opening of the restored tramway station is expected early in November.
We have recently won a contract to re-deck the platform in the old Newport Workshops complex known as the Garden Platform. This involves removing the existing asphalt surface, levelling the steel structure on which the platform is built, replacing much of the timber decking and applying a new asphalt surface.
Two of the bridges we have previously done major work on now need some more work in the form of replacement of piles and decking. We plan to do this work in mid summer as one of the piles is in a creek so the lower the water level the better.
We have recently had the job of retrieving some sleepers with 'chairs' along with matching bullhead rail from the goods shed at Riddells Creek. This is part of the original rail used on the Bendigo line about 150 years ago.
John Shaw
 |
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 |
 |