November 2010#448
November 2010
#448
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 I write this, towards the back end of September, we have received the news that our On Sunday October 3rd, Puffing Billy Railway held an Open Day at the Railway. This day was, by all accounts, a huge success, with excellent numbers attending across all sites. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved and supported this event, both on the day itself and during the lead-up days and weeks. Many things we have learned that worked and didn't work at the Open Day this year will stand us in good stead for the Gala Weekend planned for 8th & 9th October 2011.
On the Business Plan front, we are still awaiting a decision with regards to our funding, and will need to be patient a little while longer. We will keep you posted - watch this space.
Our passenger numbers for September have again shown a healthy increase of 28% over last year's figures, and are 27% over and above our budgeted passenger numbers for the month. This equated to the best September on record.
Fire season will soon be upon us again. As an organisation we have started looking at our systems and procedures in relation to both fire prevention and forecasting. Last year went well for us, but there are still many lessons to learn in making Puffing Billy a safer place for us all.
We will soon be sending out a questionnaire to volunteers to find out what you all did or are doing in your non Puffing Billy life. This is to allow us to call on you if you have a particular area of skill that the railway needs advice or help on. I encourage you all to fill it in and help us build a better skill base for the Railway to operate under.
Eamonn Seddon, CEO
At the September Board Meeting it was:-
Ray Leivers
How else can I open this report other than by saying what a wonderful job everyone did in ensuring that the Open Day on 3rd October was a complete success? The weather was glorious, the trains ran to time (mainly) and everyone - volunteers and passengers alike - seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Through the Workshops at Belgrave, the Museum and tea-rooms at Menzies Creek, the Carriage Workshops and S&T workshops at Emerald and the running of the "Mixed Train", the Society succeeded in showcasing its excellent resources and resourcefulness. My thanks and appreciation go to all concerned with the organisation and execution of the event. Bring on the 2011 "Gala Weekend".
The next event on the Society's calendar is the AGM, which is to be held in the Masonic Hall, Bayview Road, Belgrave at 2.00pm on Sunday, 21st November 2010. I would urge all financial members not only to attend this meeting; but also to vote in the elections for the next Executive Committee. Ballot papers will be posted shortly and the results will be announced at the AGM itself. There will be the annual presentation of the various signs of appreciation which the Society awards those members who have made a special contribution and long serving Society members will also be remembered. As in previous years, afternoon tea will be provided by the Social Committee.
The Society's Executive Committee met in October and some of the issues discussed were:
Jeff Goodwin
Financial members of the P.B.P.S. should have received their voting papers recently. Make sure you return them by the due date, so that your vote counts.
All members are welcome and encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting being held on Sunday, November 21st, commencing at 2pm, in the Masonic Hall, Bayview Road, Belgrave. Included in that meeting will be presentation of the annual membership awards.
Would all volunteers please note that Version 2 of the Safety Management System (SMS) and Risk Register has now been distributed and are available for perusal on application to Branch Managers or the Station Masters at Belgrave and Gembrook. Should you wish to comment on any aspect of these documents, please contact your Branch Manager.
Don Marshall
If you would like a PB car sticker, please e-mail the Volunteer Coordinator Team at 'volunteering@pbr.org.au' or phone 9757 0715 and we will arrange delivery. If there is no answer, please leave a message but remember to speak clearly and leave your full name, a contact phone number and any other details.
Overnight accommodation is available for any volunteer who is working on the railway and the distance from home or the lateness or 'earlyness' of your shift makes the option of staying locally preferable. You must pre-book 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 may be required for other volunteers. If you need to get accommodation closer to your work day, please ring.
The Railway has a policy relating to smoking - the Board does not encourage smoking by staff and volunteer. Volunteers and staff who choose to smoke should do so in their own time, and out of public view.
In order to provide a smoke free working environment the following are Designated Smoke Free Areas
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 help in completing the forms, please contact one of the team.
Sue Ham
As the roster clerk shall be away from PBR from until early December the Engine Cleaners rostering shall be operated as follows:-
REMEMBER, Your efforts will be much more appreciated if you turn up on a day which would otherwise have had no cleaner. I can also assure you, you will benefit a lot more as well.
Please DO NOT turn up for a shift without first going through the above procedure. Thank you for your assistance.
John Thackeray
Using Volunteer2 was a great assistance to the organisation of the Open Day on 3rd October, from seeking volunteers, rostering people to positions and communicating with all those involved. Thank you to all who assisted with this.
In the next few weeks, a number of surveys/requests will be sent out using e-mail and Volunteer2. Please respond to these promptly, as it will greatly help coordination of survey analysis. On key surveys, hard copies will be sent to people without e-mail.
Changing your address/phone/e-mail - please send an e-mail to volunteering@pbr.org.au or contact the Volunteer Coordination Team at Belgrave, so that your details can be updated.
Volunteer2 Project Team - Anne MacLeish, Sue Ham, Rob Emmerson
Historically, November was an uneventful month on Victoria's Narrow Gauge lines, however there was at least one event of great significance.
November 1911 - 109 years ago, 11NA, the eleventh NA and the ninth to be built at Newport Workshops entered traffic. 11NA was scrapped at Newport Workshops in October 1953.
23 November 1954 - A letter from Victorian Railways Commissioner R G Wishart agreeing to the operation of the 'Young Sun' Specials. There must of been chaos in the Young Sun Office as there was only 18 days between the receipt of the letter and the actual day of 11 December 1954. Application forms had to be sent out, returned, then tickets dispatched to the lucky recipients, staff had to be arranged, and along with the hundreds of other details, had to be checked and confirmed. With help from Railways Operation Manager Mr Green, the day went well, with about 2500 children riding the train. The event was repeated on 27 December 1954.
Barry Rogers wrote "I would like to correct your 'Item of Interest' in the October Monthly News. It was 6A that had the problem not 8A".
Ron Peach
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have assisted at Emerald thus far with the Thomas season and also to those who have worked in any of the Refreshment Rooms - your assistance makes a very valuable contribution to the railway.
April Williams
Please remember that groups book a number of seats not a carriage. For example if 18 people are travelling in a group that still leaves room for other passengers to travel in that car if required. If a tour guide or group leader has a concern please refer them to the Station Master Belgrave or myself..
Jean Clowes
All Safeworkers should by now have received your copies of the updated pages of the WTT. If you have not received them and you think you should have, please let me know either by phoning or by email. My contact details are on the 'Contacts' page at the end of Monthly News.
A reminder to all Guards and those shunting to please ensure that the NAL's and service car are placed on mains supply whenever possible. A recent failure was traced to a lack of charging. With the more intense usage period approaching we all need to ensure that the cars are kept charged. This includes once the cars are docked into the platform at Belgrave - plug the mains lead into one of the outlets located along the platform face (and check it is turned on) but please remember to remove it just prior to departure.
Also, whenever connecting mains power leads to the carriages, please ensure that the plug and socket are positioned so that they will not allow water to enter - this will stop the mains from tripping the circuit breaker if it rains. Other vehicles with batteries and chargers should also be placed or left on charge when not in use.
Although I was not able to be around on the Open Day, I know that generally things ran reasonably well and I take this opportunity of thanking everyone involved with the safeworking and operation of all the trains on the day for your work. The feedback I have received has all been good and there have been some suggestions about next years open weekend as well. Thanks.
Rob Emmerson
The Way and Works team are in the process of completing their Track Walk, where we identify any outstanding faults or concerns.
A Safety Interface Agreement for Level Crossings between VicRoads, the various Shires and the Railway is in draft form and in the process of being completed. Many Thanks to Don Marshall for his contribution.
The Belgrave Training Room has now been alarmed and completed, and is available for use as a training and meeting facility. Please contact John Hoy for availability.
To anyone who is handy with a paintbrush and is interested in lending a helping hand, Moondarra is still in dire need of a good external paint job, please contact me for more information.
Stream Frontage Grants have all been completed and we are looking at applications for the coming year. Thanks to Vicki, Armin and their team - great work!!
Being October already, we are increasing our fire prevention and preparation work. The Fire Patrol Roster Officer duties have kindly been taken over by Dan O'Connor for this season. Anyone who is interested in doing some fire patrolling this season please forward your contact details and email address details as soon as possible. Many Thanks to Andrew Burns, who has assisted with the rostering duties for a number of seasons past.
Anyone who is currently Safeworking qualified and interested in completing a Trolley course, please note that there is a trolley course being held on Saturday 6th November, please contact me for more details and to register jason.bell@pbr.org.au .
Please note that the Way & Works department will be closed all Cup Weekend, Monday and Cup Day. Phones will be on for any emergencies. I hope you all back a winner!
Jason Bell
A small, manual start generator has been provided at Menzies Creek to supply the signalling system (and eventually some emergency lighting). The generator is housed in a locked (S1) cabinet beside the Lamp Room.
If there is a power failure, then the generator is to be used but only while Safeworking staff remain on duty at the station - i.e. the generator is not to be left running when trains depart and there is not a signalman on duty.
Starting and stopping instructions are located in the cabinet. The generator will automatically supply the signalling system once it has been started in accordance with the instructions.
A reminder that it is imperative that the NAL's and service car are placed on mains supply whenever possible. A recent failure was traced to a lack of charging. With the more intense usage period approaching we all need to ensure that the cars are kept charged.
We have decided to sojourn to the Paradise Hotel yet again, after our next Branch Meeting on Saturday 11 th December for our annual Christmas Luncheon. In order to advise the hotel, would those intending to join us, please notify me at the depot by Tuesday 30 th November.
Works are progressing on repairs to the signal and we hope to complete these during November. We will be restoring the original 'era of significance' post colours and style. The use of our recently purchased scaffolding has made this work achievable in a safe and efficient manner.
Andrew Wheatland
Two carriages have been rescued from Ocean Grove where they had been built into a house. They are now at Emerald, one being a platform NB carriage and the other a swing door NB carriage. Storage of these vehicles is being considered. Many people were involved in the move: thanks go to Raymond and Thelma Cotter for providing tarps to protect the cars from the elements.
Belgrave Workshops will be open on Saturday 6th and also on Wednesday nights during November.
During September 2010, 31 people recorded 661 hours at Belgrave, while Emerald had 3 people record 71 hours, a total of 732 hours for the month.
Graeme Kidgell has left our team to pursue a career interstate. At his farewell BBQ he was thanked for his efforts and attention to detail, and was wished the best in the future.
Hugh Markwick
This train was a very successful fundraiser for the Climax. There were some timing glitches but nothing drastic happened, nobody got hurt and we all got home on the day that we left - a successful day out.
The passengers, crew and many lineside observers got a lot of enjoyment from the train and it associated activities. The vintage trucks and their not-so-vintage drivers were a very good addition to the event. A beautiful, old blue car also kept popping into view along the way with its very well-dressed driver (no comment on his vintage). The meal at Gembrook (from Big Bob's Catering) was of the usual high quality. The meal was consumed accompanied by the sounds of jazz music provided by the PBR Jazz Band.
I would like to thank the following for their efforts in making the day such a memorable one for everybody:
Train crew - Don Marshall, Graham Cornish and Colin & Melissa Walkerden.
Truck drivers - Jim Parker, Dave Horne and Dennis Brooks from the HCVC and Peter Donald from PBPS.
Car Driver - Carl Barnard. Porter - Bill Hanks. Photo Guide - Paul Pavlinovich.
Band - Puffing Billy Jazz band under the control of Nick Aslinides.
Gembrook Stationmaster - Bob Farr. Heritage tickets - Keith Atkinson.
Organisers - Richard Elphick and Frank Stamford.
Special Thanks to Rob Emmerson who put up with changes to days and times and last minute changes to vehicle requirements and still got the 'S' notice done.
We are planning to run another Mixed Train next year, (sorry Rob). It will be run to time and might have a few different photo-stops and activities. I suggest that people book early to avoid disappointment.
Apologies for the delay in delivery. I am hoping that they will be ready shortly. There have been a few technical details to overcome but I think these have been fixed now.
The number of FETs has dramatically increased over the last two months of this year for some unknown reason. Well done Thelma for organising them. Thanks to all the crews who have stepped forward to run the little trains and bring in much-needed funds for the Climax.
John Conway, jfgconway@yahoo.com
For enquiries on any of these events, please contact Jeff Goodwin via email to jeffg1706@gmail.com .
We provided a display of photographs for the Open Day on 3 October which was located at Menzies Creek. The theme being 'Fern Tree Gully' and was well received by those viewing the display.
We are sorting newspaper clippings. We received a donation of archival boxes which will assist in our storage and cataloguing. The PBPS Executive has funded another computer for the Archives group to assist in speeding up the inputting of information.
Hugh Markwick
Preparation is under way with site clearing and storing of exhibits.
Many thanks to all involved - well done!!
Construction of the rear wall complete. Awaiting rear doors.
No action this month.
Work continues on NKS8's Engine.
Drive gear being assessed.
Christmas BBQ - First workday in December (Saturday 4 th.)
Wednesday Work Nights - every week from 5pm till 10pm.
Saturday Work Days - 1 st, 3 rd & 5 th Saturday of every month.
David Baker, Manager
| SEPTEMBER | 2010 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 64% | 76% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 82% | 82% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 70% | 64% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 3,446 | 3,270 |
| Loco kilometres - steam | 3,159 | 3,233 |
| Loco kilometres - diesel | 365 | 82 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 75 | 76 |
| G 42 days for month | 0 | 0 |
| Carriage kilometres | 24,801 | 26,684 |
| Carriage Days for month | 692 | 677 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,163 | 1,316 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,455 | 1,498 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 34 | 32 |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 212 | 212 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 218 | 236 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 20 | 4 |
Unusually strong winds were forecast for September 4th, so a decision was made to confine train operations to the Belgrave - Emerald section only.
Locomotive DH5 undertook some trial trips to Gembrook during the month.
Bob Wilson
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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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