June 2010#443
June 2010
#443
Published by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society
in conjunction with the Emerald Tourist Railway Board.
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 weather was kind for the Great Train Race, both for the runners and for those involved with the set-up the previous day. Congratulations goes to the organising committee and to all those hundreds of volunteers who made the day a success. Of particular note were the new arrangements for our sponsors, with the result that all the sponsors have already given an indication that they wish to be on board next year for the 30 th Great Train Race.
We will now need to further broaden our line of support, both for the event and for the railway, to ensure its financial success into the future.
An important part of last year's passenger numbers success has been the sales stand doing the rounds of shopping centres - many of you may have met Derek on his travels. A big 'well done' to him on the success of this venture. Of great importance are those of you who support our ventures at various rail shows. To carry this out and continually expand upon it we need extra help - so, if you are interested please get in touch with the office.
It has been really pleasing to announce the visit of 7A to Walhalla for their 100 year celebrations. The sight of this locomotive working on this line is surely worthy of a visit. At the time of writing, tickets are still available, so make your booking now. Information on booking tickets for this once in a lifetime event can be found on the Walhalla Goldfields railway website at www.walhallarail.com.
Further to the mention last month, some early discussions have been had in regard to the possibility of a steam gala on the railway. These early discussions are giving rise to the possibility of a really exciting weekend event. We should have some news in regard to a date next month. (Ed: Please Note that this is a different event to that planned for 3rd October.)
Eamonn Seddon, CEO
At the April Meeting the Board discussed the following:
Ray Leivers
Monthly News' deadline for the July issue will be Friday 18 th June 2010. This should enable us to get it to you on Monday 28 th June, or a day or two later.
Deadlines for the months shown are:| August | Friday 16th July |
| September | Friday 20th August |
| October | Friday 17th September |
| November | Friday 15th October |
| December 2010 | Friday 19th November |
| January 2011 | Friday 11th December |
In recent time I have had a number of matters raised with regard to interaction between our Puffing Billy family and also interaction with our customers.
Whilst I have not been given any direct comments or asked to intervene directly, I do have names of some who are involved. These situations relate to unpleasantness between fellow volunteers and unprofessional approaches to dealing with customers.
Both of these situations are totally unacceptable and if formal complaints are made they will be dealt with under our code of conduct. Customers do not come here to be shouted at or treated poorly. By them being here they enable us to pursue our passion. If they were not here we would not have the railway.
I'm sure visitors to your house are not on the end of poor treatment. The same applies here. We must look after them and give them the best experience possible and we must ensure they leave us with the best possible impression. It is the same for each other and again I've heard stories about our Puffing Billy family and how we deal with each other.
Remember the tone of your voice and "would you please mind" are far more pleasant than orders barked as though we are on the regimental drill ground. Respect for each other, respect for customers, a fair go for all and treating each and every other individual as your personal visitor will see the railway remain as a great place to be. A moment's unthinking action can ruin it - Don't spoil it for yourself and others!!
John Hoy
There are still a few tickets available for the 1812 Theatre Company's production of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize finalist production, " Three Days of Rain ".
Tickets are available at $22.- each (no discounts or concessions) from Jean Clowes , office hours) or from Jeff Goodwin evenings).
1812 Theatre Productions are always enjoyable and ticket holders enjoy 10% discounts at three nearby restaurants, so why not make an evening of it and eat first at:
Jeff Goodwin
We have received a batch of the 'Shunter' style hats in Sizes 58 and 59 only. These are available at the special price of $45.00 each. Please contact Jean or Bernadette (Tuesdays) for these. [Size 58 will fit a boofhead like me. Ed]
Autumn has arrived in the Hills. The deciduous trees are looking resplendent with their colourful leaves. Now is the time to visit the Hills and see the famous foliage at its best. Whilst on your tour, you might like to drop in to the Menzies Creek Refreshment Rooms. Jon Medlin and his staff will give you a warm welcome. This month they have a special deal. Buy a Climax ceramic mug and tin of biscuits and you will get your mug filled with freshly made tea or coffee for free. Just what you need as you sit and watch the trains come and go. This is a delicious way to support the Climax project.
An Open Day is planned for Sunday 3rd October 2010. The objectives of the Open Day include:
The day will include displays of various PBPS/ETRB activities including:
This will be the first Open Day the Railway has promoted in quite some time. It presents a wonderful opportunity to raise our profile and attract additional volunteers and members. The support of members and volunteers will be critical to its success. Contact Rob McUtchen or jenrobtab@hotmail.com with your offers of assistance.
We are holding a two hour session for new volunteers, on Saturday 29th May commencing at 1.30pm in the Training Room at the end of the car park through Gate 5A.
Topics to be covered are:
The time is drawing near; 2011 is not far around the corner where we will be required to have our Working with Children. If you have not already applied, pre-filled application forms are available from the Stationmaster's office. The forms are located next to the attendance book at Belgrave. Please Note:- The forms are the purple coloured ones.
We have been directed that direct contact is any contact with a child that involves the following:
If you would like any help in completing the forms, please contact one of the team
Susan L Ham, Volunteer Co-Ordinator
On behalf of the Great Train Race Committee, I would like to personally thank all of you for your hard work, support and your valuable time in ensuring the 29 th Great Train Race was a great success for the Railway.
With around 2,730 runners on the day, cloudy skies greeted us all but fortunately the weather held and I'm sure the runners appreciated the cooler conditions. Puffing Billy also loved the conditions and set a flying pace of 51 minutes 49 seconds, seeking some revenge from its performance last year.
As with any event, we should always strive to "do it bigger and better" and this is where your feedback is VALUABLE and certainly appreciated. If you have any feedback, could you please forward it to me via email matt.collopy@pbr.org.au by Friday May 28th, 2010. Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that our 30th GTR in 2011 takes another positive step forward.
Again, a very big thank you to all for another successful Great Train Race.
Matt Collopy, Special Events Manager
Thank you to all who assisted with this year's event. In terms of train running, I believe it was the best event for some years. Marshalling the sets on Saturday afternoon was completed in record time partly due to those involved and also helped by the NAL car being on the 2nd Race Train for the first time this year. At this stage there doesn't seem to be much that needs to be changed for next year, but if anyone has any suggestions please get in touch with me.
Greg Michael
Ron Peach
The Puffing Billy Preservation Society Information evening is being held on Thursday 27th May at 7.30pm at the Emerald Primary School, Heroes Avenue, Emerald.
These informative evenings introduce new members and new volunteers to the Society, as well as provide an interesting talk on the history of the Puffing Billy Railway for current members and volunteers. All are welcome to attend. RSVP by phone to Jean Clowes on membership@pbr.org.au.
Personalised PBPS membership renewal forms are being sent out during June. Prompt renewals are greatly appreciated.
Get in before the end of the Tax Year, with your donation to one of Puffing Billy Preservation Society tax deductible funds. Details on membership renewal letters or by forwarding your donation to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, PO Box 451, Belgrave, 3160.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to work at Menzies Creek, please call April Williams or Jon Medlin. It would be the same type of work as at Belgrave and Lakeside it would only involve selling to the public.
We now also have quite a number of days vacant at Lakeside, anyone wishing to volunteer could you please contact April.
A special big thank you to Andrew for a remarkable job in 5NBD (the servery van) and also NAL1, Noel for all of his help and the wonderful job he and his cleaning team performed as well. Thank you also to Wade and Trevor for remodelling the fly screens. Everything was achieved at very short notice and we passed our inspection and I really appreciate the time and effort you all contributed to a great outcome.
April Williams
Jean Clowes
Recently, a rail maintenance worker was struck and killed by a passenger train in NSW.
Whenever you are near the track, be vigilant - not just for the regular services but those other rolling stock movements that may occur at short notice. It's too easy to assume!!
John Hoy
Signalmen, and other safeworking personnel at outstations, are requested to contact the Station-master Belgrave when they arrive to let him know that they are on duty. It is also requested that Signalmen inform the SM of arrival & departure times of trains from their stations as soon as practicable after the departure of the train.
Guards of Dinner Trains are to note that you should endeavour to be at Belgrave two (2) hours before the scheduled departure of your train. This is to assist with any possible shunting required to make up your train. This needs to be completed as early as possible to allow our catering staff to prepare the NALs in a timely fashion prior to the arrival of the passengers. Your co-operation would be much appreciated. If you can't get there by the requested time, please advise me so that arrangements can be made to organise the shunting.
Rob Emmerson
I'd like to thank all those who assisted with the Great Train Race. The feedback I have received from all locations rostered from my section has been terrific, the whole event ran like a well oiled machine; great effort all! I am progressing well with my recovery; I've been doing physiotherapy the past three weeks and I'm slowly getting movement back into my wrist and fingers, presently I've about 60% use of the left arm. All being well the surgeon will clear me on my next visit on June 6th and I can then look forward to at last starting my trip across the Nullarbor. Not being able to drive for a month has been trying, but the past few days I've been getting back behind the wheel again.
Safeworking Course No.31 Trainees are doing well and by the end of June we should see three or four out in their chosen Safeworking role. A further reminder to Course 31 Trainees; as the Winter Timetable is now in operation, shifts are especially hard to come by. To get your training on a Gembrook train, you will have to look at weekend sessions.
This is pretty short on this month as I've not been around the railway very much so I'm not up with what has been happening.
Kevin Stanes, Roster Clerk - Guards & Signalmen
Sleeper works are in progress Belgrave-Menzies Creek; top and lining. Bumping works are due to commence Week of May 10th Beaconsfield Road to the Lake; this is a huge laborious job please let me know if you would like to contribute. (Ed. Bumping is the term for the process of moving rails up hill to overcome rail-creep downhill.)
Level Crossing Inspections are now complete for this year with all information presented to the relevant authorities. It is expected that this will produce some welcome upgrading of our crossings signage and site lines.
With the recent winds and rainy weather please report any suspicious trees to our department as soon as possible so that we can action the clearing.
Jason Bell
A voluntary position will become available in early June for an Admin support person in Way and Works. A position description and duty statement are available from either Jason Bell or John Hoy.
Applications, either verbally or in writing, to Jason Bell or John Hoy will be received until the end of May.
The designs for the retaining walls and the concrete portion of the building are progressing well. Minor corrections to levels and design work for the steel framework is also underway.
A reminder, that with the end of the financial year fast approaching, now is the best time to consider making your tax deductible donations to the Signal Box fund.
On the odd occasion when the internal telephone network is not functioning as normal, please remember to use either the magneto phone or to dial '0' and then attempt to access the required extension by prefixing the 600 or 700 series extension number with the indial prefix (9757 0) and, of course, advising S&T (650 and IDR) of the problem. Please contact S&T if you need instruction in how to use the magneto phone system.
Andrew Wheatland
In Traffic. Exhaust steam lines fitted to horizontal Tangye engine.
In Traffic.
Fence line along school road has been cleaned up and shade cloth fitted.
This month we have had a number of items donated to us.
New belts and blade fitted, repairs to lubrication pump under way.
Conservation work complete. Has been shifted into the top workshop for out of weather storage.
Firebox removal almost complete. Work continuing on motion.
Has been moved to inside the Museums grounds.
Work on seized wheel bearings continues.
Wednesday work nights:- Every week from 5pm till 10pm.
Saturday work days:- 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday of every month.
David Baker & Greg McLennan, Managers
| APRIL | 2010 | 2009 |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 71% | 61% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 89% | 78% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 67% | 69% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 4,113 | 4,170 |
| Loco kilometres - steam | 4,166 | 3,413 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 267 | 1,124 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 95 | 77 |
| G 42 days for month | 0 | 0 |
| Carriage kilometres | 35,340 | 36,162 |
| Carriage Days for month | 858 | 902 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,374 | 1,386 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,579 | 1,565 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 76 | 23 |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 244 | 246 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 262 | 297 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 39 | 7 |
The larger number of non revenue trips operated was due to ballasting activities near Menzies Creek. Most journeys were for a short distance but I have still counted them as individual trips.
Bob Wilson
The next openings will be on Saturday 5th June 2010 and Saturday 3rd July 2010. The shop is open from 1pm to 3pm and is selling pre-loved books, magazines, videos, DVDs and memorabilia. The shop is located at Emerald Station across the tracks in the building behind the Emerald Car Shops, facing the playground. Other times can be arranged by ringing Peter
Thank you to Graham Archer, Chas Bevan, Murray Farrell & Ashley Greaves for their recent donation of books, videos, DVDs, magazines and other items.
Thank you to all who continue to support our efforts to 'Keep G42 Going'.
Bruce West
The Climax project has come to an important stage. The boiler work has been finished and it is now being stored ready for fitting to the frame. The next major work involves the manufacture of axles, wheels and gear carriers. A lot of this work must be done by outside companies and then the finishing machining done in the Locomotive Workshops. In order to keep the project going, we have launched the Climax Axles and Wheels Appeal to raise $95,000 for this work. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Climax fund. There has been a lot of support over the last ten years for the project and we need to boost that this year to get these components made. I would like to thank all those who have supported the fund and encourage others to join in giving to the Climax cause. Please make use of the appeal brochures that will shortly be distributed around the Railway.
Metalock has been contracted to repair cracks in the main engine frame castings that the cylinders are bolted on to. They will also be repairing the transverse engine frame beams. They use an ingenious method to fix cracks in cast iron that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to repair.
The cab and water tank are about to be removed and stored at Gembrook. This will enable the floor to be removed. The frame will then be inspected and repaired as needed.
If you are interested in finding out Secret Firemen's Business without the early morning start, come along to Emerald Station on Saturday 29th May at 4:30 p.m. You will take part in lighting a 'warming fire' in the delightful 861. We will go through the normal locomotive lighting up procedure, but at a reasonable time.
This session is open to any volunteers or members. There are no pre-requisites, no fitness requirements. This is not necessarily the start of your footplate career. It is an opportunity for you to learn a bit more about your railway. Donation of a gold coin covers the cost of hot drinks and biscuits. Please ring/email if you want to come along, as there are limited places. We will be running similar sessions throughout the year.
Keep this date free if you want to travel on a special train that will be reminiscent of a mixed-goods train from long ago. Not only will this train look the part, but the actions of the crew and others along the way will also fit in with the theme. More details later.
John Conway, jfgconway@yahoo.com
For enquiries on any of these events, call Jeff Goodwin
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Updated Monthly. Contents © 2009 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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