Historical information
The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990.
It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers.
Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.
Significance
This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.
Physical description
Driver George Lynch and Fireman David Brown at the controls of Locomotive R707.
This parallel run took place between Wodonga and Wangaratta on 24 November 1973 with 3820 on the standard gauge and R707 double-headed with R761 on broad gauge. This occasion marked the Centenary of the opening of the North Eastern railway from Melbourne to Wodonga.
Locomotive 3820 was a NSW Railways locomotive and is now a key exhibit at the Trainworks Museum, Thirlmere, NSW
Inscriptions & markings
In circle on front of the locomotive on left "NORTH EAST CENTENARY/ WODONGA/ 1873-1973"
On front of locomotive on left "R797. On front of locomotive on right "3820"
Subjects
References
- 707 Operation Inc. - R707 Service History, Seven Operations Inc. is a small, wholly independent rail heritage group dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of steam locomotive R707. This service history makes specific reference to the parallel run with locomotive 3820 shown in this photo.
- North East Centenary R707 & R761 & 3820 & K184 Wodonga 1973 Excellent short colour video of the North East Centenary Parallel Run
- Australian Steam - Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 3820 A short explanation and images of Locomotive 3820
