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. R761 - The R761 arrived in Victoria on the 28th February 1952 upon the ship ‘Helenus’ and entered service on the 9th April 1952. R761 spent long periods in storage and occasionally saw service until it was withdrawn. In 1970 R761 was overhauled and was made available for use on special trains. It became the final R class to run in VR service on the 5th September 1974, ending 120 years of mainline steam operation in Victoria. After years of debate about its future, on the 30th March 1985 the loco was officially returned to service, hauling special trains to celebrate the years of steam locomotives.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.Driver Mick Mathews inside cabin of R761 Locomotive in Wodonga on12th December 1988railways wodonga, fred rochow, r761 locomotive

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 The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 when twenty locomotive drivers banded together to form the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The forerunner to the A.F.U.L.E., the Association continues today and is the oldest continuous railway union in the world.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.A group members at a branch meeting of the A.F.U.L.E in Wodonga.Left to right: Mick Bergin, Mick Seymour, Mick O’Brien, Les Hallawell, John Wortman, John Hickey, Fred Rochow, Kevin Hammond, Ray Newton, Paul Hines, Peter Murnane, Paul Byrne, Keith Porter, Benny Hill, Mick Mathews, Keith Moore.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, railway trade unions, australian federated union of locomotive enginemen

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.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.Retirement send off for Jack Coughlan. Back Row: Les Cheesley, Norm Davey, Wally McGeachin, Reg Mathews, David Shannon, Rex McDonnell, Tom Cosgrove (Milkman). 2nd Row: Frank Conway, Frank Thistleton, Bill Odgers, Vin Snow, Mick Seymour, Les Cross, Tom Symonds, Ted Jenkins, Ross Smith, Clarrie McNamara. 3rd Row: Bob Saul, Jack O’Donnell, Vicky Jones, Jack Coughlan, Alex Reid, Fred Leitch, Roy Wagner, Austin Fulford. Front Row: Aub Beach, Frank Rand, Lou Madjeric, Bill Baldock, Charlie Beach, Bill Welch.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, jack coughlan

Newspaper clipping, from a glossy colour printed magazine or publication, titled "Melbourne's Tram art gets the brush-off" about the last Transporting Art tram by Stewart Merritt. Has a photo of Stewart leaving from the tram and of the side of the tram showing the themed art of "Victoria State of the Arts". Notes that it was launched last month by the Minister for the Arts, Race Mathews.trams, tramways, transporting art, ministry for arts, w2 class, tram 439

Newspaper clipping from The Age 2/6/1986 titled "Artists to put 20 painted trams on the track", about the launch of the 2nd series of Transport Art trams by Transport Minister Tom Roper and Arts Minister Mathews. Features a photo by Bruce Postle of the Minster Roper and school children. Gives details of the program. Article by Fiona Ahtersmith.trams, tramways, transporting art