August 2010#445
August 2010
#445
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 .
As we close the financial year, 2009-2010 has been an excellent year despite the misgivings of visitors coming to the hills around the bush fire season. We have recorded excellent financial results and our second best ever annual passenger figures. Congratulations to all involved, in both raising the revenue, and keeping our expenses under control. It is not often in this column that I mention individuals, however our thanks must go to Jon Medlin who has turned Menzies Creek operations around from a losing venture to one that has contributed good profit to the Railway. Our thanks go to Jon and his team of volunteers for achieving this mighty task.
As previously mentioned, we have our Open Day planned for the 3rd October 2010. I urge you all to support this event.
We have had a slight hiccup with our dates for the Gala Event planned for October 2011. The AFL decided to change the weekend of the Grand Final to the first weekend in October and after some discussions with them they wouldn't budge!!
We are now holding our Gala Event on the 8th & 9th October 2011. Watch this space for further news.
Eamonn Seddon, CEO
At the June Meeting, the Board discussed the following:
Ray Leivers
As I write this, yet another Financial Year has just closed and with that came the excellent news that the Railway had carried around 260,000 people over the 12 month period, the third best figure on record. These figures are a credit not only to the Railway's marketing people but also to the members and volunteers who are out there every day on the stations and the trains and in the sheds and workshops ensuring that our passengers take away positive memories of their visit.
Coming up soon we have the Open Day, planned for 3rd October and organised by a team headed by Rob McUtchen and Ron Peach. A little belatedly this event will mark the fact that in June of this year the PBPS has been involved in running our Railway for 55 years - which is now longer than the VR operated the line for; a real milestone in the Society's history. For the open Day, which will be centred around Menzies Creek and Emerald stations, the museum and the car shops will be open and there will be plenty to see and do with a special shuttle service operating between the two stations and (subject to availability) two of the "little engines" in steam and a "1920's style" train running to Gembrook. More details nearer the time but put this date in your diary now and tell all your friends!
People ask from time to time, just what does the Society's Executive Committee do at their monthly meetings? Well, a couple of the projects the Society is currently involved in are:
Moondarra - For those of you familiar with our overnight accommodation you will know that the place has become a little "down at heel" lately. The Executive recently granted a sum of money towards an upgrade and a team headed by our Vice President, John Hoy, and including Jason Bell, has completed a facelift including an additional toilet, a new kitchen, new curtains and some structural repairs. A second sum of money has just been granted and the team will shortly carry out further upgrades and improvements to make the place more attractive.
Menzies Creek Museum - David Baker has an active team working at the museum and to improve the working conditions within the workshop, money was granted to allow them to purchase sheeting to close in one of the walls and keep the weather out. David's team will install this sheeting themselves.
Jeff Goodwin
We advise, with regret, that long standing member and volunteer Noel James passed away on 27th June. Noel had been a Station Master Belgrave for many years and later a Passenger Guide. We extend our sympathy to his family. The railway was represented at his funeral.
Larry James, PBPS Secretary
Each year at the Society's AGM (this year on 21st November 2010), members are recognised for their achievements and contributions to the Society through the award of Certificates of Appreciation and Gold Passes. However, before these awards can be made, the appropriate people need to be nominated. So, this is an appeal for you to put forward the name(s) of those members who, in your opinion, by virtue of their achievements, service, gifts or other meritorious actions, deserve to be recognised by the Society. You should provide your own name and contact details together with the name of the person you feel deserves recognition and a brief account of why.
Please send your nominations to me either by email at jeffg1706@gmail.com or by post to PBPS Nominations, PO Box 226, Seaford, VIC 3198. Nominations should be received not later than Friday 16th July.
Please Note: Due to a problem on my computer (for which I apologise) this item was omitted from last month's MN. Because of this I have arranged with Jeff for him to accept late entries, but be quick.
Bill Russell
Thank you to Jason Bell and his team for the incredible 'make over" they have achieved in recent weeks in Moondarra. Walls have moved, the laundry has been modified and an additional toilet installed. A new stove, cupboards, benches and floor has created a clean, spacious and workable kitchen for our volunteers. Final touches of fresh coat of paint and new curtains to the lounge, kitchen area and the room is now clean and cosy. Along with Jason and his team others volunteered to help with various tasks and we would like to thank, Noel, Di, Harley, Fish, Mel, David & Jean for cleaning and paints walls, providing and making curtains, building kitchen cupboards and a thousand other tasks that made this such a successful renovation.
Our sincere congratulations and thanks to all involved.
PBPS Executive
On Tuesdays 17th and 24th July, 400 volunteers in each group from the corporate sector are coming to volunteer in the Environmental area. Please make them feel welcome.
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. Forms are also in the Hilton and the Volunteer Coordinators Office 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 to have a chat or any help in completing the forms, please contact one of the team.
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 are requested to pre-book at least three (3) working days prior to your required stay date. If you book and then do not require the bed, or you need to leave early please let us know, as the bed may be required for other volunteers. If you need to get accommodation closer to your work day, please ring.
Youth Day will be held on Tuesday 28th September, so keep the day free, and thank you to all the older volunteers who assisted on the previous Youth Day.
A Cultural Volunteers 2010 exchange program is to be held between 9th and 22nd August. Our volunteers can experience 'behind the scenes' at Royal Botanic Gardens, Jewish Museum of Australia, Heidelberg Museum of Modern Art, State Library, National Trust of Australia, Museum of Victoria, Abbotsford Convent, Craft Victoria and the Public Records Office. If you have not booked please contact our office for details.
The AMRA Model Railway Expo is being held on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd August. If you would like to promote the railway at this expo, we are looking for volunteers that have a good knowledge of the railway and enjoy sharing their experiences of volunteering. Please contact Sue if you are interested.
Susan L Ham
Using Volunteer2, Monthly News is being distributed to 464 people by post, 74 people by internal mail and 284 people by e-mail (65 of these people also receive Monthly News by post as well).
Have you considered receiving Monthly News by e-mail? It saves the Railway money and reduces printed paper. To arrange, send an e-mail to volunteering@pbr.org.au.
Rosters are currently being entered and kept up to date in Volunteer2 for Conductors, Station Masters, Duty Managers, Booking Officers, Guards and Signalmen. This enables Station Masters to receive a daily report of the expected personnel in these roles and it will be great when other roles in the Railway are also included.
Have you received a First Aid qualification outside the Railway? If so, please let the Volunteer Coordinator Team know, so that this information can be recorded in Volunteer2 and we know who are trained First Aiders?
Are you interested in assisting the Railway with the many Handyman tasks needed to be carried out on a daily basis? If so, please help us develop a list of people with skills and interest in this area by sending an e-mail to volunteering@pbr.org.au or by seeing Sue Ham. We can now record your interest in Volunteer2 and then when a specific task comes up send out e-mails to those who may be able to help. If you have any queries about Volunteer2 and its application, please send them to volunteering@pbr.org.au or contact Sue Ham
Volunteer2 Project Team - Anne MacLeish, Sue Ham, Rob Emmerson
Monthly News' deadline for the September issue will be Friday 20th of August 2010. This should enable us to get it to you on Monday 30th of August, or a day or two later.
Deadlines for the months shown are:
| September | Friday 20th August |
| October | Friday 17th September |
| November | Friday 15th October |
| December 2010 | Friday 19th November |
| January 2011 | Friday 11th December (early a/c Christmas.) |
The last train from Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook ran on Monday 3rd of August 1953 as a mixed train hauled by 8NA. It formed the 4.00pm Up Mixed, which became the last train from Gembrook. During the next couple of days a landslide occurred at miles 281/2 from Melbourne, a site known then as "Water Tanks" (now known as Landslide).
For the next three weeks from 6th August Works trains ran to the site each weekday all hauled by 8NA. On 13th August track clearing enabled the works train to run to Emerald and return, this being the last ever train from Emerald to Fern Tree Gully again hauled by 8NA
.The last works train ran at 7.30am on Monday 24th August.. During the day word was received from Head Office that there would be no further works trains due the unstable condition of the landslide. Train services on the line were suspended indefinitely. (The line was formally closed on 30th April 1954.) At the time engines 3NA, 6NA and 8NA were all at Fern Tree Gully
Ron Peach
Thank you to those who have returned their renewal forms promptly. We have processed and sent out over 500 renewals. For those who have not replied as yet, please ensure your renewal is received by August 31st, 2010.
Lost your renewal form? - A blank form is available to print from the Membership pages at www.puffingbilly.com.au, or leave a message and we will send you one.
Have a friend who is interested in becoming a member? - New Member Application forms are also available at www.puffingbilly.com.au
Instead of renewing, consider taking out Life Membership. This is available for $1,950.00. To apply, complete a New Member Application form and send with payment.
Society Information Evening - Next evening being held is on October 28th
Those attending the Information evening held in late May found it informative and interesting, as well as being a good chance to meet other Society members and volunteers. If you are interested in attending the October session, please send an e-mail to membership@pbr.org.au.
I am extremely short of volunteers for Menzies Creek Refreshment Rooms in the later half of this month and the first half of next month, so if any one would like to help out please ring me at Menzies Creek
Jon Medlin
I will be on leave from the 23rd August until the 20th September and I will advise closer to the date who will be looking after the various rosters for me.
Jean Clowes
I'd like to congratulate Phil Curry, Ben Baas, Lachlan Campbell, John Thackeray and Felix Donald on completion of the competency requirements to become Safeworkers. I am particularly pleased that four of those members have passed their rail safety medical and have already been cleared to operate in the traffic branch.
The drive across the Nullarbor was interesting, one gets a bit eye sore with the continual flashing of the dotted centre white lines, especially after having driven 800 kilometres a day over three days. Dealing with 50 metre long Road Trains is an experience, especially coming towards you at the road speed of 110kph which can draw your vehicle in towards them with the wind pressure, so extra care is needed. Kangaroos are no trouble during the day; but the big problem is the camels, which can bolt out from the bush suddenly. Just out of Cockabiddy, a Road Train had just hit 5 camels - what a mess!
From Kalgoorlie, I drove south to Esperance where I was lucky to see four whales sun baking not far from the shore; then across to Augusta through some spectacular Jarrah forests. I wanted see where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet at Cape Leewin; normally the difference in the oceans can be clearly seen, but the weather was lousy to say the least and with 30 metres waves crashing into the shore there was no difference and I was almost blown into the ocean. On the trip from Augusta to Bunbury, as I was passing through Northcliffe, I encountered remnants of the railway that once ran as far as Margaret River.
Saturday 3rd July was my first day at the Hotham Valley Railway; unfortunately the steam train was not available over the weekend to Elmilyn, the trips being substituted with a former Tasmanian "V Class" number V4 with V5 sitting beside it on 2 Road ready for duty on the Night Train. I made myself known and was not surprised that Puffing Billy was very well known and respected around the railway. Locomotive V4 with Tom McCaughan and Ray McNaughton [a lot of Mac's in Dwellingup] made the trip a pleasure, and at Etmilyn, I was given a rundown of the work that had been done over the last couple of years to get the railway operating again after the terrible fires that destroyed several bridges, as well as track.
On the return journey I was invited into the Guards compartment by Owen Evens, where he gave me further history about the railway. Back at Dwellingup we chatted some more before the 2:00pm departure where I ran into a bloke by the name of Ray Cooper who recognised me; he also knew another bloke who'd hung around the area for some time; I think he said his name was Dave. Anyway, Ray sends his fondest regards and wants to know when the caravan trip is going to start!
On Sunday the 4th, with absolutely beautiful weather, I headed out of Pinjarra on the 10:30am Steam Ranger to Dwellingup with W903 in charge, crewed by Brian Henderson and Neil Chamberlin. The scenery along the way is really beautiful, and as we approached Dwellingup the scars of the fires and the trauma they caused was evident. At Dwellingup, after the engine had run around, Neil had a few problems coupling the engine to the carriages, but true to form the old standby tool, the block hammer was brought into play fixing the stubborn coupler.
Like most of the passengers, I headed to the local pub for a scrumptious Sunday roast before boarding the train for the return journey to Pinjarra. In finishing I'd like to thank all those wonderful people at the Hotham Valley Railway who made my weekend one to remember, and I hope to be able to drop in and see them again someday in the future.
Finally, on the 10th of July, I visited the Bennett Brook Railway in Whiteman Park, where I was invited to ride in the cab of the Fowler Diesel once used in the Queensland Cane Fields. Jamie the driver gave me a history of the WAGR and especially the skills needed to fire the "V & S Class" engines, locomotives his great love and along with his Guard Ross, I spent a very entertaining few hours until the Whiteman Tram began operating, which was none other than a SW2 436 from Melbourne.
Kevin Stanes, Roster Clerk - Guards & Signalmen
Works have been carried out along the track, with drainage, sleeper replacement and clearing of trees that have fallen. With the wet weather we are finding trees of all sizes are just uprooting along the track.
Bumping works in the Emerald - Lakeside section is still going with a drop in progress due to lack of numbers and other works arising.
Revamp works have been carried out in Moondarra with the fitting of a new kitchen, toilet and a fresh coat of paint put on walls. New curtains have also been hung, which will help keep the place warmer on these cold winter nights.
Maintenance to buildings has been on-going, with volunteers helping with the painting of the inside of the Belgrave Station area and Refreshments store room. The Training Room has also had all the holes filled and has been painted.
The concrete footings will have been done around the open area at the Emerald turntable with a volunteer weekend to be organised for the brick work to be joined and completed in the semi circle. Any person interested in being involved with this can contact me and I will let them know what date we are looking at.
Chris Adams has now officially retired from the branch but will still be seen around the railway as a volunteer and also as a correction supervisor on Sundays. We wish him all the best in his retirement.
Jason Bell, Manager W&W
Please ensure that the power connections (on train and the extension leads) are arranged so that water does not collect in the sockets - by hanging them so that the plug enters from below. This will help to ensure that the power is not tripped off by the safety switches.
Please note that I will be away from the railway for the first week (2-6 August) attending a training course. Please direct any faults to Ian Newman (S&T depot on Mon, Tue & Fri, and via the Loco Workshops on Wed & Thu.)
The plans have been returned to the design company with our alterations and additions. This phase of the project is fast approaching completion.
Andrew Wheatland
Belgrave will be open on Saturday 7th and Wednesday nights during August.
During June 2010, 31 people recorded 669 hours at Belgrave, while Emerald had 3 people record 55 hours, a total of 724 hours for the month.
Hugh Markwick
Wednesday work nights - every week from 5pm till 10pm.
Saturday work days - 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday's of every month.
Construction of the rear wall on the top shed is under way.
No progress this month.
Reassembly is almost complete. Painting has been started.
A second boiler has been sourced. Assessment of this boiler is under way. Work continues on motion and steam valves.
Reassembly of wheels and bearings commenced.
Work continues on NKS 8's engine.
Drive gear being assessed.
David Baker & Greg McLennan, Managers
Work continues on the recording and indexing of the collection, and storage of the photographic collection.
Hugh Markwick
The next openings will be on Saturday 7th August 2010 and Saturday 4th September 2010. The shop is open from 1pm to 3pm and 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 Medlin
Thank you to Steve Holmes, Cynthia Sealey, Kevin Taig and Bob Wilson, for their recent donations of books, videos, DVDs, magazines, records and other items.
Please note that our October opening will be changed from the regular Saturday to Sunday 3rd October between 10.00am and 3.00pm, for this day only, to fit in with the planned PBR Open Day.
Thank you to all who continue to support our efforts to Keep G42 Going.
We will be running a very special mixed goods train. This will provide better than usual sights, scenes and photo opportunities for those travelling. The booking form is available in this Monthly News. There will be limited seats, so get your form in early.
Inspections have revealed the need for some repairs to the channel frame under the floor. The hunt is on for the appropriate type of channel. The particular type used in the 1920's is no longer commonly produced.
We are still planning a scheme to help you and the Climax towards better health. It will be similar to the program that was used to fund the building of the A1 Tornado in the UK. More about this in the next issue. Please keep your donations coming in.
Richard, one of our keen Climax Committee, has been on the sick list for a few weeks now. He is on the road to recovery but will probably miss a few more Wednesday night Workshop sessions and his scheduled Track Patrol this month - he should be ready for working on the Mixed Goods train. He would like to thank all his friends from the Workshop for the wonderful card that Fleur produced and everyone signed.
The Climax Committee would like to thank everyone who has made a donation to the fund over the last year. Your kind gifts have shortened the time until the locomotive is back on track. It will then be something of which all donors and PBPS members can be proud - you have contributed to the restoration of an important piece of rolling stock that was closely associated with the Victorian Railways narrow gauge system.
John Conway
Please note that seats for this event have now SOLD OUT and no further bookings are being taken. For all those who have booked, you should by now have received your tickets.
Our annual film night, this year to be held in the sumptuous surroundings of the new auditorium at the Gemco Theatre, Emerald. Join your colleagues from Puffing Billy as we take another dip into the archives and look at the rich history of railways on film, from Australia and further afield over the last 80 years.
Tickets only $15.00 each, including complimentary cheese, biscuits, wine and soft drink served during the interval.
Booking forms were sent out last month, but please contact Jeff Goodwin (jeffg1706@gmail.com) if you need another.
As various members of the event organising team have other activities planned, we regret to announce that this event has been CANCELLED for this year.
For enquiries on any of these events, please contact
Jeff Goodwin on jeffg1706@gmail.com
| June | Financial Years | |||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2009/10 | 2008/09 | |
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 66% | 71% | 69% | 59% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 83% | 79% | 81% | 77% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 80% | 80% | 71% | 73% |
| Train kilometres for the month/year | 3,016 | 2898 | 46,174 | 46,578 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 2,966 | 2997 | 43,123 | 41,691 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 127 | 35 | 5,684 | 6,574 |
| NA locomotive days for month/year | 73 | 71 | 991 | 865 |
| G 42 days for month/year | 0 | 0 | 2 | 77 |
| Carriage kilometres for month/year | 25,137 | 22,700 | 384,935 | 388,799 |
| Carriage Days for month/year | 677 | 589 | 9,500 | 9,481 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,228 | 1144 | 11,638 | 13,127 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,402 | 1431 | 18,341 | 17,670 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 26 | 16 | 351 | 243 |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 204 | 202 | 2,787 | 2,899 |
| Revenue trips (one way)* | 214 | 231 | 3,162 | 3,315 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 6 | 4 | 180 | 95 |
* Includes Driver Experience and 'Thomas' shuttle trips.
14A ran the highest kilometres for the year. (11,638kms over 254 days) followed by 8A (11,519kms over 252 days) and 6A (10,938kms over 264 days). Diesel loco distances were DH31 (3,626kms over 98 days) and D21 (2,052kms over 69 days)
Loco 861 "John Benn" ran 539kms, mostly on driver experience trips, over 22 days.
51NBH recorded the highest vehicle distance (18,341kms) over 362 days. 11NBHC followed with 14NBH the next highest. The average length for all passenger trains throughout the year was 8 vehicles. 91 NQR recorded the highest distance for non passenger carrying vehicles (351kms) over 17 days.
4 or more steam locos were used on 67 days. 274 one way trips were operated using more than one locomotive. Many of those trips were on 'Thomas' days. There were 3 'Total Fire Ban' days when diesel locos only were used. Due to extreme weather conditions, diesel locos were again used beyond Lakeside on some Gembrook trips over the summer period. 64 Dinner and Wedding Trains were operated as against 55 the previous year.
Bob Wilson
This project is now complete and the railway is due to be reopened from Daylesford to Musk shortly.
John Shaw
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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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