February 2010#439
February 2010
#439
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 .
Passenger traffic for December exceeded budget and was slightly above December last year. I congratulate everybody who took part in "6 train running" - from my own observations, and from comments received around the railway, it was one of the smoothest periods of six train operation we have seen for a number of years.
As you all are aware the railway was, as per our policy, closed due to extreme fire risk on Monday 11 th January. Thanks must go to both the staff and volunteers who came in on the Sunday to organise the messages that went out via our new Volunteer2 data base. From our observation this system worked, as we had only a few phone calls on the "bat" phone and nobody who shouldn't have, turned up for work.
We will continue to monitor developments with other agencies, but we are quite satisfied with our own systems that have been put into place.
There has been much discussion over the past few months about the younger volunteers. We will see during the coming months a number of smaller projects come to the surface managed by the individual Department Managers - calls will then go out for our younger volunteers to attend. If you have any young teenagers in your family - either a son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter - why not get them involved for the day (you don't necessarily have to work with them!!).
This program by Sue Ham and her team is essential for the long term future of the railway and I encourage all of you to get behind it, and on the day make the youngsters working around the place feel welcome and involved.
Our first "Thomas" season for 2010 is almost upon us and your assistance in manning the various activities at Thomas will be greatly appreciated. If you think you might be able to assist please contact Thelma Cotter via email to thelray@tpg.com.au.
Thomas will be at Emerald on the following dates:-
| February: | Saturday 27 th and Sunday 28 th |
| March: | Saturday 13 th and Sunday 14 th |
| Saturday 20 th and Sunday 21 st | |
| Saturday 27 th and Sunday 28 th |
Eamonn Seddon, CEO
Thanks to Bob Farr who hosted the Board around the Old and new stations and Innes Road shed facilities at Gembrook, before the Board met at Emerald in December.
Outcomes from the December Board meeting were:
Ray Leivers, Chairman
Since the last issue of Monthly News, we have seen a number of our valued Puffing Billy Family sadly depart us.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the following people at this very sad time.
Colin Turner, who was Train Operations Manager in the 1980s.
Brian Thompson, who was the current Roster Clerk for Head Conductors & Conductors.
Will Renfrey, who had been administering our Licenses and Leases for the railway.
Don Barratt, who was known at Belgrave station and on Thomas Days at Emerald. He sold the idea to our passengers of having a souvenir photo of their visit, that was then photographed by his daughter Sonia.
The Railway was represented at all funerals.
Larry James, Secretary
Belgrave & Lakeside Stations now have Water Coolers. Not only is the water COOL but it's PURIFIED and it's FREE. BYO water container to 'fill up' and 'top up'. In addition, plastic containers of chilled water are kept in the Refrigerators at Menzies Creek & Gembrook Stations.
The busy season is still upon us, so if you require overnight accommodation it 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 then 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 also ring Sue.
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: - That from the end of January the new form will be purple, the green forms will be acceptance until the end of March. 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 Sue on e-mail sue.ham@pbr.org.au or see one of the team from the volunteer coordinator section.
Susan L Ham, Volunteer Co-Ordinator
A very big thank you to Roland and his merry men - Ernie, Michael, Gary and Daniel who were kind enough to take charge of the most important duty at Christmas - decorating the Christmas Tree in the reception area at Belgrave. Never has it been decorated in such a short period of time with such pizzazz!! All of us gals in Customer Service were so impressed and very grateful for the timely help given by this lovely group of gentlemen. Our sincere thanks and hoping it will happen again this year (hint, hint).
Glenda Roberts, Customer Service.
Puffing Billy's annual "Thank You" to the staff and volunteers for all their efforts over the last 12 months will be held at the Gem Community Arts Centre (formerly the Gemco Theatre), Kilvington Drive, Emerald on the evening of Saturday 27th February 2010. The event is free of charge and open to all current PBPS volunteers and ETRB staff members together with their family and friends.
The event will commence at 7.00pm, but the BBQ will be fired up and there will be drinks on ice from 4.00pm, especially for the crew who have been at the 'Thomas' day. A special train will run from Belgrave, stopping at Menzies Creek, to Emerald and return, details of which will be provided to you when you book.
As car parking at the theatre is limited, we would ask you to leave your cars at either Belgrave or Menzies Creek stations and travel to Emerald by train.
Bookings are essential for this event and name tags will be sent out with tickets. Please remember, No Name Tag - No Food or Drink!!
Closing date for bookings is Wednesday 17th February.
For enquiries regarding this event, please contact Jeff Goodwin at jeffg1706@gmail.com
23rd February 1958. The last day of operation from Fern Tree Gully to Belgrave. About 5,200 passengers managed to crowd aboard the 7 trains which were run alternately by 6NA and 7NA. The last train back in the gathering darkness was hauled by 7NA, driver Ian Barkla and fireman Barry Dunn and arrived at Fern Tree Gully at 7.55pm.
24th February 1958. 7NA was used to shunt all the remaining rolling stock and 6NA onto the transfer train (which included preserved 129Q) and it was subsequently hauled to Newport Workshops behind K181. 7NA was thus the last engine to leave Fern Tree Gully engine shed under its own power.
A few days later 7NA was manhandled off the transfer ramp, where it had been left, onto another transfer train.
Work commenced straight away on converting the line to broad gauge.
On our first day of EXTREME fire danger, we were able to use Volunteer2's communication tools to send an e-mail to over 500 volunteers who have provided us with their e-mail address. A great test of the new Volunteer Management System! If you did not receive that alert and you have an e-mail address, please get in touch with the Volunteer Coordinator Team or send an e-mail to volunteering@pbr.org.au. We can then update your profile with your e-mail details. Since that test, we have changed our procedures, so that it will be clearer who has sent the e-mail when you receive one from Volunteer2.
This is the first month that Monthly News will be distributed by e-mail to a wide number of volunteers using the Volunteer2 e-mail system. If you wish to receive Monthly News by e-mail and you are currently not receiving it by email, please send a request to volunteering@pbr.org.au. It is possible to receive both an e-mail and a hardcopy, or just e-mail, if you request it.
Over the last month, the Puffing Billy volunteer data has been loaded to our Volunteer2 area and the Project Team is undertaking testing by loading December and January rosters and time recording from 1st December onwards. If you volunteer in a non-rostered role, we would greatly appreciate knowing your time commitment, so that we can start to build a true record of all the time provided by volunteers in supporting the railway operation. Let the Volunteer Coordination team know by e-mail to volunteering@pbr.org.au or phone a team member on 9757 0715.
Over the next 6-8 weeks, we will be providing training to all people in key rostering roles. Once these people are trained, gradual introduction to volunteers around the railway will be provided, with short 1 hour training sessions. If, as a volunteer, you would like to volunteer to be one of the early people to use Volunteer2 please send an e-mail with your request to volunteering@pbr.org.au by Friday 5 th February.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers worked tirelessly in the shops over the busy January period it was very much appreciated.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to work at Menzies Creek, especially on weekends, please call April Williams on 9757 0782 or Jon Medlin.
April Williams
Sadly Brian Thompson passed away on the 5th January, 2010. Brian was a member of the Passenger Business Committee and the Roster Clerk for conducting staff. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
At Belgrave where we have a Station Master to depart the trains, or where there is a Signalman on duty, all conductors need to be on board the train with the doors shut before the SM (or Signalman) can give the ok to the Guard to depart the service. At out stations when there is no SM or Signalman, only the Head Conductor should be on the platform to give the tip to the Guard before boarding the train, all other conducting staff should be on the train with the doors closed.
Through six train running we trialled using the new "coffee barriers" to block off access to the under cover area from the booking office side of the building. Therefore the platform gates to that area from the platform need to be left open. This works fine while trains are departing but not when trains are arriving back. So at this stage please close the gates before the arrival of trains and then passengers can depart as usual via the shop.
Regards Jean
Allan Johnstone has indicated he would like to work less days from March and, as such, a potential vacancy will exist for a casual driver [paid]. For further details please contact John Hoy
Written expressions of interest should be addressed to:
CASUAL DRIVER POSITION,
C/o John Hoy,
PO Box 451,
Belgrave, VIC, 3160.
Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday January 29 th and interviews will be conducted shortly thereafter.
Whilst on the subject of driving, Allan is not leaving us but merely cutting back his hours and will continue to be regularly rostered.
John Hoy, Ops & Engineering Manager
These have finally arrived from the printers and are available for collection from me when your old book is filled or if you are currently waiting for a book. If you would like me to leave a Guard's Book out for you, please let me know, either by phone or email and I'll leave one in the pigeon holes in the Belgrave SM's office. (or elsewhere as agreed.)
Thanks to everyone who assisted with the operation of the trains over the Christmas/New Year period. The feedback I've received is that on the whole it was successful. We certainly seemed to have carried a good number of passengers and for the most part had only a few minor hiccups. Most trains ran close to time and this is down to the effort put in by you all.
The running of additional carriages on No.11, operating No.14 and then double-heading on No.21/32 proved useful in the first week of the Blue Time Table, with passenger numbers being quite healthy. This double-heading has also been undertaken on weekends and has certainly helped.
Safeworking Course No.31 is about to start. Guards and Signalmen are reminded that initially trainees may not have much practical experience, so please talk to your trainee and assess their knowledge before giving them things to do. Also, please remember that the whole idea of them going out is to get 'practical' experience, so please allow them to do as much as their training will allow.
Please also remember to complete a 'Trainee Review Form' for each trainee you have with you and enclose that and the trainee's completed Running Statement in the envelopes provided in the Belgrave Safeworking Room. You should hand the sealed envelope to the Belgrave Station-master for forwarding on to John Morice via the daily paperwork.
Rob Emmerson, Traffic Manager
Belgrave will be open on Saturday 6th and Wednesday nights during February.
During December 2009, 21 people recorded 537 hours at Belgrave, while at Emerald 3 people recorded 37 hours. This is a total of 574 volunteer hours for the month.
Hugh Markwick
Lineside clearing works are still under way and when the grass cutting is complete, there will be works going on in the Wright Forest area with the clearing and chipping of shrubbery and saplings to make the railway corridor in the forest a lot safer and cleaner. Further clearing works are being undertaken around the railway as required. Thank you to all the people who have spared their time to do fire patrols, we all know how important this is to the railway and who knows how long this season will last.
Any problems with the trolleys should be noted on an IDR, but please inform Way & Works personnel of the issue as it was noted that the handle had come of a fire pump the other day and had not been repaired properly, which was seen as an issue.
I am still looking for any person with a trolley or track patrol Certificate of Competency. If you have one and haven't given me a copy of it, please do so as soon as possible.
Cheers, Jason Bell
The Museum had the remaining asbestos removed from the exhibits by a contractor during December. Our sights are set on reopening to the public.
Boiler stud replacement is complete and the gauge glass valves have been fitted. The turret valve assembly has been repaired by Belgrave Workshop.
Exhaust system to complete.
Has been painted externally in light grey as recommended by the HAC. The internal shelving has also been fitted as per VR drawings.
Ex Na boilers have been moved to the Museum workshop compound, along with the steam hammer. These will receive preservation work over the next few months.
Mechanical restoration has been completed on this exhibit and it is now operational using steam from our under-fired boiler.
Planning and final design are under way with fitting the rear wall to this building before the next winter.
David Baker & Greg McLennan, Managers
A day out with your friends and colleagues from Puffing Billy. Join us for a day out on our own bus to travel on trains of different gauge at Queenscliff and Mornington. Food and drink are provided together with ferry travel across the bay. Definitely one for all the family.
The booking form was sent out recently for this event, but for questions or further details, contact John Conway
An evening with the 1812 Theatre Company in Ferntree Gully. Watch for the booking form coming shortly.
A rare opportunity to travel by train to Clematis station as we visit the Paradise Hotel for some mid-year festive fare.
Join us for our annual film night at the Gemco Theatre, Emerald.
Your favourite event, back by popular demand. Travel to the Packing Shed as we farewell 2010 and welcome in 2011.
Jeff Goodwin
| DECEMBER | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| On-time running (OT - 5") | 69% | 49% |
| Locos docked on trains by due time | 79% | 77% |
| Carriage sets docked by due time | 66% | 67% |
| Train kilometres for the month | 4,730 | 4,918 |
| Loco kilometres steam | 4,620 | 4,619 |
| Loco kilometres diesel | 204 | 422 |
| NA locomotive days for month | 98 | 84 |
| G 42 days for month | 0 | 15 |
| Carriage kilometres | 39,471 | 42,622 |
| Carriage Days for month | 918 | 974 |
| Highest kms operated - loco | 1,473 | 1,534 |
| Highest kms operated - pass vehicle | 1,604 | 1,767 |
| Highest kms operated - wagon | 27 | 37 |
| Scheduled trips run (one way) | 281 | 280 |
| Revenue trips (one way) | 304 | 312 |
| Non-revenue trips (one way) | 5 | 13 |
Bob Wilson
A reminder to all that the next S&T Branch meeting will be held on Saturday February 13 th at 10 Kings Road, Emerald and will commence at 10.00am.
We have a need for a minute taker. S&T meet 6 times a year for about 2 hours on a Saturday morning. If anyone is willing to offer their services please contact me. The usual remuneration package will apply (free cup of tea or coffee). (Don't forget the occasional free biscuit or small slice of cake. -Ed.)
Following a most rewarding experience last year, I have booked to drive steam again in Poland between March 20th & 27th. If anyone else was considering going, then I would be more than happy to assist in any way possible. Please contact me if you require any advice etc.
During January, the civil design group met on site and have agreed on the methods of site stability and general construction. Plans are currently being drawn up and the necessary engineering calculations are being done for the building and retaining wall designs.
Andrew Wheatland.
The next openings of the G42 shop at Emerald will be on Saturday 6th February 2010 and Saturday 6th March 2010. The shop is open from 1pm to 3pm selling pre loved books, magazines, videos, DVDs and memorabilia. The shop is located 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 all who continue to support our efforts to Keep G42 Going.
Bruce West
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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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