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Puffing Billy Railway
Double Headed Rail, circa 1872 - 1883
Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway. -
Puffing Billy Railway
Luggage Barrow, Porters, 1900s
Porters Luggage Barrow Used on railway station platforms across Victoria to carry luggage and goods between two locations. Historic - Victorian Railways - Porters Luggage BurrowPorters Luggage Barrow made of Timber - wood and with wrought iron fittings puffing billy, porters luggage barrow, victorian railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
Notice Board - Victorian Railways Institute
Victorian Railways Institute - The VRI was formed in 1909, and started operations at the 3rd Floor, Flinders Street Station, on 31 January, 1910. The Commissioners of the day saw a need for a Social Organisation, where Railway Staff could come together and discuss common issues, and relax in a friendly environment. The VRI was also, for many decades, the Primary Educator of all Rail Staff in their Duties and Tickets, from Train Crews, Station staff and the like, through to the Accounting Office team, everyone was trained at the VRI on how to do their jobs in the VRI. At the height of its power, the VRI would lead a member base of 30,000+ Families, all who would have a dedication to the Rail Industry and VRI. Throughout the State, Centres started, the earliest in 1916 in Ballarat, through to the later ones in Sunshine (1962) and beyond.Historic - Victorian Railways Institute Notice BoardV.R Institute Notice Board made of painted timberV.R Institutepuffing billy, victorian railways institute, notice board -
Puffing Billy Railway
Equipment - Refreshments services Trolley, 1990s
The Refreshment Services Branch was established in 1920, and initially focused on providing station-based refreshment rooms and the dining car service. Its scope expanded to include diverse activities such as stall rental; sales of advertising space on railways infrastructure; laundry services; operation of a hair-dressing salon, a bakery, a butchery and a poultry farm; and the management of the chalet guesthouse at Mt Buffalo. The majority of staff worked in refreshment rooms and dining cars, both of which were a popular feature of the railway service. Previous to 1920 refreshment services had been provided by contractors, but after many complaints the Department decided to provide a standardised service across the system. It grew quickly: five years after it was established the Branch employed approximately 500 staff. Station refreshment facilities ranged from elaborate dining rooms to decorated push-carts. They were staffed predominately by women, who provided everything from a cup of tea to a three course meal. Most refreshment room services were closed in the 1970s. Reference from : Fielding, K. (2012) Victorian Railways - Refreshment Services Branch in Museums Victoria Collections http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/11470Historic - Replica of a a Victorian Railways Refreshment Services Serving Trolley used on Puffing Billy Railway Replica large wooden serving cart with fitted wooden cabinet featuring sliding glass doors and one glass shelf. Cart has chrome handles, two wooden shelves, a wooden drawer with chrome handle and a small chalkboard adhered to end. Cart has four small black rubber and metal wheels and a metal foot brake.puffing billy, serving trolley, replica, dining cart, refreshment services, victorian railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Sign, whitfeild Station sign
Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Whitfield Station Whitfield Station The terminus of the line. Whitfield was the most distant narrow gauge station from Melbourne Opened 1899 Closed 1953 Whitfield was the small terminus for the Whitfield railway line The station had a moderately long passenger platform, small goods yard, goods shed, ticket office and locomotive shed. Platforms 1 Tracks 3 Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Whitfield StationStation Sign - Whitfield large black wooden backing board with white letteringWhitfieldpuffing billy, victorian railways, station sign, whitfield -
Puffing Billy Railway
Climax - Geared Steam Locomotive No. 1694, 1928
Climax geared locomotive No. 1694 in active service on special occasions - stored at Emerald Station A Miraculous Survivor Climax locomotive No.1694 is a miraculous survivor of a rare breed of steam locomotive. For about 100 years from the mid-1850s sawn timber was carted from Victorian sawmills to the nearest railway station by timber tramway. These tramways were generally very rough, steeply graded, sharply curved, and of narrow gauge. Many had wooden rails, and horses provided haulage. The better ones used steam locomotives. In all about fifty steam locomotives are known to have worked on Victorian timber tramways. These locomotives were usually somewhat peculiar - made to cope with arduous, rough conditions, rather than speed. Climax locomotive No.1694 is the only one of these locomotives to survive intact. It was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry, Pennsylvania, USA, for the Forests Commission of Victoria. The distinctive feature of the Climax locomotive is that the cylinders do not directly connect to the driving wheels. Instead they drive a cross shaft near the centre of the locomotive. From there the drive is transmitted to the small driving wheels through rotating shafts, universal joints, and bevel gears. The driving wheels are mounted in two four-wheel bogies so that they can easily follow sharp curves in the track. None of these features are found in normal steam locomotives. The result is a locomotive that is extremely powerful for its size, and that will cope with sharp curves and steep grades with ease. But this is at the cost of speed, Climax locomotive No.1694 is just about flat-out at 13 km/h (8 mph). Climax Locomotive Built in 1928 for the Forests Commission of Victoria and painted all-over black with the name CLIMAX painted on the sides of the cab in white block letters, this locomotive was issued to the Tyers Valley tramway which branched off the Moe to Walhalla line at Collins Siding. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1949 following the closure of the tramway and in 1950 it travelled from Tyers Junction to Collins Siding to Erica where it remained stored until 1965. Loaned to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society for its Steam Museum, it was taken to Menzies Creek in 1965 where it remained until 1982 when the Emerald Tourist Railway Board bought it and transferred it to Belgrave for restoration. It was returned to service for special use on the Belgrave to Gembrook line in 1988 painted in its original all-over black livery, except that the word “Climax” on the sides of the cab was now painted in the style of the Climax Manufacturing Co., a style that this locomotive had never carried.Historical - Industrial railway - Forests Commission of Victoria, Timber Logging Climax Locomotive Climax geared Steam locomotive made of steel and wrought iron Climax 1694climax locomotive works, climax, geared steam locomotive, puffing billy, climax locomotive no. 1694, steam locomotive -
Puffing Billy Railway
861 - John Rees - Decauville Steam Locomotive - formerly John Benn, 1886
861 John Benn Locomotive - in active service - Emerald Station Built in 1886 by Société Anonyme Usines Métallurgiques du Hainaut - Locomotives Couillet for the West Melbourne site of the Metropolitan Gas Company, as a four-wheel tank locomotive similar to 986 and named “John Benn”. The West Melbourne gas works sourced its coal from Maitland, New South Wales, and the coal was brought by ship to a wharf adjacent to the West Melbourne gas plant. John Benn and Carbon were used to haul the coal over a 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge railway from the wharf to the gasworks, a distance of about 450 metres (500 yards). It was withdrawn from service in the 1930s and stored until sold privately in 1962. It was rebuilt by its new owners in the style of an American locomotive of the 1880s and was used for some years at Walhalla. It currently has the name “J.C. Rees” and is used in active service for the 861 Footplate Experience. Wheels: 2-4-2ST Builder: Couillet Build Date: 1886 Construction No.: 861 Empty Weight: Unknown Weight on Drivers: Unknown Driver Diameter: Unknown Tractive Effort: Unknown Boiler Pressure: Unknown Cylinders: Unknown Fuel: Coal Gauge: 30 inchesHistoric - Industrial railways - Metropolitan Gas Company Ltd, Melbourne Steam LocomotiveDecauville Steam Locomotive 861 John Reespuffing billy, narrow gauge, industrial narrow gauge railway, metropolitan gas company, decauville 43, steam locomotive, john rees, john benn, 861 locomotive, couillet, 861 -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Sign - Yea
Station Sign - Yea Yea Station Opened 16 November 1883 Closed 8 November 1978 Yea is a former railway station in Yea, Victoria, Australia. The tracks have been removed and the reserve has been turned into The Yea Railway Park consisting of the historic railway station and eleven acres of parkland. It has a picnic shelter, barbecue, toilets, playground, skatepark, walking track, community reserve and includes Rotary Park. The station building houses Blackthorn Textiles (a privately run craft shop). Also on the site are the former goods sheds which are available for hire for varied functions. The Yea Country Market is held in the park on the first Saturday of each month and local artists hold an exhibition and sale in the goods sheds each Easter. The site is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yea_railway_station photo at http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/vhd-images/places/000/078/092.jpg Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Yea StationStation Sign - Yea Metal rectangle Station Name Sign with white enamel back ground and black lettersYeapuffing billy, station sign, yea station -
Puffing Billy Railway
Tecoma Station Sign
Station Sign - Tecoma Tecoma railway station is located on the Belgrave line in Victoria, Australia. It serves the eastern Melbourne suburb of Tecoma opening on 1st December 1924. The station was originally on the Upper Ferntree Gully - Gembrook narrow gauge line. It along with the rest of the line closed on 30 April 1954, reopening on 19 February 1962 when the line as far as Belgrave was converted to broad gauge. ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecoma_railway_stationHistoric - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Tecoma StationStation Sign - Tecoma wooden rectangle Station name sign pained yellow background with black letters Tecomapuffing billy, station sign, tecoma station, narrow gauge, puffing billy museum -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Sign - Fielder
Station Sign - Fielder Fielder Station is situated on the Puffing Billy Railway in Australia. It opened as a Stopping Place on Monday 10 September 1928, as part of the Gembrook railway line. It was originally an unnamed platform, with time tables noting a station at 38 miles (61 km). In 1929, local Harry Watson constructed a Mallee shed and unofficially named it Ancaster after his home town in Lincolnshire, England, but this was quickly changed by some children to Laura, who was a young local girl. The Victorian Railways officially named it Fielder from Tuesday 5 February 1929, after a nearby resident. It was planned to name the station after the two local residents Cullen and Fielder and combinations of the two names were suggested, however Fielder was the name finally chosen. It remained nothing more than a Mallee shed with small office and a name board for the rest of its operating life. It was closed with the line on 30 April 1954 and the Mallee shed was sold to US Buslines for unknown use. After closure, the site fell into disrepair, and by the 1990s, little trace of Fielder remained. However, by that time, efforts were being made to extend the railway from Lakeside through to Gembrook, which would complete the entire length of the original line. In 1996, a group of volunteers led by Richard Schurmann in collaboration with the descendants of the Fielder family rebuilt the platform and waiting shed, which was officially re-opened on Saturday 19 April 1997 in preparation for the extension of the line which re-opened in 1998. On 18 November 2012 a plaque was unveiled on the station shed in tribute to the Fielder Family Trains do not normally stop at Fielder ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielder_railway_station photos at http://www.vicrailstations.com/Gembrook/Fielder/Fielder.htmlHistoric - Station sign used at Fielder StationStation Sign - Fielder wooden rectangle Station name sign pained black background with white lettersFielderpuffing billy, station sign, fielder station -
Puffing Billy Railway
Emerald Station Sign
Station Sign - Emerald Emerald Station is situated on the Puffing Billy Railway in Victoria, Australia. It was opened with the Railway on 18 December 1900 and comprised a platform track and a loop siding. A passing loop was added between the two a few years later. There was also a spur siding off the Down end of No. 3 Road. Two standard 12 ft by 20 ft timber portable station buildings with a Van Goods Shed between (all adjoining) were provided on the platform and a Goods Shed on the No. 3 Road loop siding. Other buildings included Tea Rooms, lamp room and toilets along with a cattle race and loading bank. The station building was later reduced in length by one of the portables which housed the General and Ladies' waiting rooms. Emerald today remains very similar to the early days, but has had other Roads added into a Carriage Workshops, a turntable and storage sidings. Also, a Signal and Telegraph Branch depot in the form of a large Goods Shed and a multi-purpose yard building in the form of a Locomotive Depot administration building have been added. During 2009, the station building underwent stage one of an internal restoration to its former glory. ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_railway_station,_Victoria photos at http://www.vicrailstations.com/Gembrook/Emerald/Emerald.html Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Emerald Station Station Sign - Emerald Metal rectangle Station Name Sign with white enamel back ground and black lettersEmeraldstation sign, puffing billy, emerald station -
Puffing Billy Railway
Guards Van Ticket Office Sign
Guards Van Sign - Ticket Office In the Preservation Society days of Puffing Billy, not all stations were manned for the sale of tickets, and tickets were sold from the Guards Van. To advise the public where they could obtain tickets this sign was placed above one of the windows on the guards van. Tickets could be issued from here for passengers to travel on the line.Historic - Puffing Billy Railways Guards Van Sign - Ticket Office sign Guards Van Sign - Ticket Office White enamel sign with black letteringTicket Office puffing billy, station sign, ticket box -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Toilet Gentlemen sign
Station Sign - Toilet Gentlemen An obvious sign for a convenience. The use of the term Gentlemen was shortened to Men at a later time. Historic - Victorian Railways Station Sign - Toilet GentlemenStation Sign - Toilet Gentlemen sign wooden rectangle Station name sign pained white background with black lettersGentlemenpuffing billy, victorian railways, station sign, toilet gentlemen sign -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Toilet Ladies sign
Station Sign - Toilet Ladies An obvious sign for a convenience. The use of the term Ladies was altered to Women at a later time.Historic - Victorian Railways Station Sign - Toilet LadiesStation Sign - Toilet Ladies sign wooden rectangle Station name sign painted white background with black lettersLadiespuffing billy, victorian railways, station sign, toilet ladies sign -
Puffing Billy Railway
Puffing Billy Preservation Society 50th Anniversary Station Sign, 2005
Puffing Billy Preservation Society 50th Anniversary sign This is the large poster board that was erected at Lakeside to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in 2005. Established in 1955, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society was formed to operate the narrow gauge trains between Upper Fern Tree Gully and Belgrave following the successful Young Sun specials. With the conversion of the Upper Fern Tree Gully to Belgrave line to broad gauge track, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society was the instigator of restoring the Puffing Billy Railway from Belgrave to Menzies Creek in 1962, Menzies Creek to Emerald in 1965 and Emerald to Lakeside in 1975 and in association with the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, Lakeside to Gembrook in 1998. Historic - Puffing Billy Preservation Society - Station Sign - for the 50th Anniversary of the Preservation SocietyPuffing Billy Preservation Society 50th Anniversary sign Large rectangle metal sign - off white back ground with black lettering Puffing Billy Preservation Society 1955 - 50th Anniversary - 2005 1900 . Line opened by Victorian Railways 1953 . Landslide - Line closed by V.R 1955 . Society established 1962 . Re-opened by Society Today still predominantly volunteer - operated puffing billy, preservation society, station sign, 50th anniversary, lakeside station -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Sign - Railway General By-Laws Poster, 1968
Station Sign - Railway General By-Laws Poster Since the very early days, Railways have had to have rules for those who travel and those who work on the trains. Some of the rules may refer to social practices of the time, the comfort of passengers or to the safety required in the Railway environment. The Victorian Railways referred to these rules as By-Laws. Not only were there rules, but there may be a fixed penalty (fines) for those who may break them. Being a government body the Victorian Railways had the rules and appropriate action authorised. This poster was issued in 1968 and was one of many that were displayed at most Victorian railway stations. Historic - Victorian Railways - notice board with General By-Laws PosterStation Sign - Railway By-Laws Poster wooden rectangle Station notice board with Railway By-Laws PosterGeneral By-Laws station sign, puffing billy, railway by-laws poster, victorian railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Sign - Entrance Tickets
Station Sign - Entrance Tickets A sign from the early days of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society era, to advise where the entrance was to obtain tickets for travel on Puffing Billy. Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Station Sign from the early days of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society era. Used to advise where the entrance was to obtain tickets for travel on Puffing Billy. Station Sign - Entrance Tickets wooden brown with yellow lettering painted signEntrance Ticketspuffing billy, station sign -
Puffing Billy Railway
Station Sign - Puffing Billy Direction Trains to Belgrave - Emerald & Lakeside
Station Sign - Puffing Billy Direction Trains At Menzies Creek, a Puffing Billy train has had to pass another train since 1966, due to a single line in operation from Belgrave or Emerald / Lakeside / Cockatoo / Gembrook to enable more trains to operate. When two trains passed at Menzies Creek, to assist passengers to travel on the correct train, this sign was erected. The arrows pointed towards the direction of travel as well as the locomotive that was hauling the train. This sign dates from 1975 when the line was re-opened to Lakeside. Historic - Puffing Billy Railway - Station Sign used at Menzies Creek to show next station directionStation Sign - Puffing Billy Direction Trains to Belgrave - Emerald & Lakeside Large rectangle wooden sign Puffing Billy Trains to BELGRAVE Trains to EMERALD & LAKESIDEpuffing billy, menzies creek, station sign -
Puffing Billy Railway
Plaque Sign - Station Clock - Ballarat Station, 1998
Station Clock plaque - Ballarat Station This plaque is dedicated to the late Eric Quinlan who rescued the nearby clock (Item 000180) from the Parcels Office at the Victorian Railways Ballarat railway station. Historic - plaque for Station Clock - Ballarat Station - which was used in the Parcels Office at the Victorian Railways Ballarat railway stationStation Clock plaque - Ballarat Station small wooden Plaque Sign with engraved lettersThis historic railway clock , originally installed in the Parcels Office at Ballarat Station is from the estate of the late Eric Quinlan an enthusiastic supporter of railway preservation and long- time member of Puffing Billy Preservation Society Donated by his close friend , Peter Ralph , 1998 puffing billy, station clock, plaque, ballarat station -
Puffing Billy Railway
Ballarat Station Parcels Office Clock
This historic railway clock , originally installed in the Parcels Office at Ballarat Station Station Clock - Ballarat Station A Victorian Railways Station clock that was located in the Parcels Office at Ballarat. In the 19th Century, time was not seen as an urgent requirement to be somewhere or do something. There was sun up and sun down. A number of towns in Victoria operated on different times to other towns in the state. With the coming of the railways in Victoria from 1854, time became more important not only from the public side, but from a railway operational safety side. Clocks started appearing at railway stations, sometimes showing a different (standard) time to that of the local town. Eventually all of Victoria was bought into the same time zone, which matched the railway standard. Historic - Station Clock - Ballarat Station - which was used in the Parcels Office at the Victorian Railways Ballarat railway stationStation Clock - Ballarat Station Parcels Office Clock Antique timber cased railway clock. Circular face with Roman numerals. By Foster of London, with numbered brass plaque '631'. Single barrel fusee movement. Foster London 631 puffing billy, ballarat station, station clock -
Puffing Billy Railway
Porters, Luggage Trolley - large red one, 1900s
Porters Luggage Trolley - large red one Used for transporting luggage and other items on a railway platforms by porters and other station staff.Historic - Victorian Railways - Station Porters platform Luggage Trolley Large Porters Trolley - made of wood and steelpuffing billy, victorian railways, porter, luggage, hand trolley -
Puffing Billy Railway
Platform Luggage Trolley, Station Porters - two smaller unpainted ones
Station Porters platform Luggage Trolley - two smaller unpainted ones Historic - Victorian Railways - Station Porters platform Luggage TrolleyStation Porters platform Luggage Trolley - two smaller unpainted ones - made of wood and wrought ironstation porters platform luggage trolley, puffing billy, victorian railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
Ganger's, Trolly Turntable
Ganger's Trolly Turntable When a railway gangers trolly was working between railway stations, occasionally it was required for the line to be clear for trains to operate. Many trollys were too heavy to physically lift off the track, so a turntable was needed. These were provided at designated locations, and in some cases the trolly had a turntable on board. The turntable would be placed on the rails and the trolley driven onto it. The turntable would then be rotated 90 degrees by human power and the trolley pushed off on to a prepared set of rails on the side of the line. The turntable would then be removed from the track allowing trains to run through that section. The gang could then get on with the work required near that location. Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ganger's Trolly TurntableGanger's Trolly Turntable made of wood with wrought iron fittings puffing billy, ganger's trolley turntable, trolley, trolly -
Puffing Billy Railway
Machine - Conveyor / Loader, Munro Engineers Pty Ltd, 1955
Munro Engineers Pty Ltd, Handilift Stacker & Loader' The Land on which the Menzies Creek railway station and Museum are built on was once apart of James Hermon's & his son William Hermon's property on which this Munro Handilift Stacker & Loader was used. Historic -Industrial Tool - Handilift Stacker & Loader - used on Jame's Hermon's property on which the Menzies Creek Railway is built on Munro Engineers Pty Ltd, Handilift Stacker & Loader made of steel and wood and wrought ironMunro Engineers Pty ( symbol map of Australia ) Ltd, Ballarat Vic. On side - No. 3147 On wheel - no, 2052puffing billy, munro engineers, handilift stacker & loader, hermon, menzies creek -
Puffing Billy Railway
Clothing - Shoes
These leather soled shoes were used by railway workers undertaking work on overhead electrical cables and HV boxes. Known as "slippers" they were provided just inside explosives vans and worn to stop metal protectors on shoes scraping across metal floor and possibly causing a spark and a explosion. info from Syd Coles : on Explosives Slippers Beaufort station used to get a explosive wagon with drums of gelignite regularly slipper type shoes were in a little box built into the inside wall of the wagon....A Special powdervan key was sent from H/OFFICE as a VALUE which each person handling it had to sign for it.....It would arrive on the early down Passenger Train ex Melbourne...then the "P" wagon was unloaded....Prior to the wagon leaving a Railway Internal telegram was sent to the SM @Beaufort giving the wagon number...consignee (owners of dynamite) contents and the KEY number which would be sent....When all unloaded the KEY sent back as a VALUE...a Internal telegram sent as to KEY number and train it was despatched on....fair bit of security.but couldn't afford to lose a KEY as they fitted all the LOCKS used on the EXPLOSIVE "P" wagons whatever Stations they went to.Historic - Victorian Railways - leather soled shoesLeather soled slip-on shoes, with single strap across bridge of foot and featuring stitchwork along edges.VR & arrow symbolpuffing billy, victorian railways, leather soled shoes, railway slippers, explosives, worker safety, linesmen -
Puffing Billy Railway
Ticket Dater, Railway
Railway Ticket Dater Edmundson Ticket Dater, made in Britain. Complete with type. Circa 1920 THE TICKET DATING PRESS At the heart of the booking office is the ticket dating press. This is used to print or impress the date on the ticket so validating it for use. These machines were developed by the Edmondson Company in the 19th century and Waterlow also produced similar machines. Even the smallest station had one and larger stations often had dozens. The most common variety in the UK printed the date on the ticket by using printers' type and an inked ribbon. Another variety impressed the date of the ticket with special sharp type. This was specially useful in hot climates where the ink dried out very quickly and also had the advantage of avoiding the use of the ribbon and the need to re-wind and re-ink it. Historic - Railways - Ticket Dater Railway Ticket Dater made of Steel and black inked ribbon puffing billy, ticket dater press, railway ticket dater -
Puffing Billy Railway
Leather Cash Bag - Kyneton
Leather Cash Bag - Kyneton Leather Cash Bag – Kyneton Inscriptions & Markings Kyneton Used for transporting money and other valuable items between a location and Kyneton Historic - Leather Cash Bag from Kyneton stationLeather Cash Bag - Kyneton - small Leather BagKynetonkyneyon, puffing billy, cash bag -
Puffing Billy Railway
Equipment - Container
Kerosene was used to light the signal lamps at night time on a railway, to ensure that a locomotive driver could see that the line was clear there was no danger of another train ahead. This container was used to store the in kerosene to fuel such lamps and was kept inside a lamp room until required for use.Victorian Railways - Keroseane Container Used in the storage of kerosene prior to use in lamps at stations.Large, cylindrical tin container with conical lid and wire handle. A small zinc spout is embedded in the lower quadrant. The word 'KERO' is stencilled in white across the front. Keropuffing billy, kerosene, fuel, combustible material, tin container, lamps -
Puffing Billy Railway
Tool - Drag Saw, New Record Drag Saw, circa 1920s
Circa 1920s petrol driven cross saw. It was mainly used cross cutting felled logs The Land on which the Menzies Creek railway station and Museum are built on was once apart of James Hermon's & his son William Hermon's property on which this Drag Saw was used. reference : Jinkers and Whims: A Pictorial History of Timber-Getting By Jack BradshawHistoric - Industrial Timber working petrol driven cross saw - Drag SawLarge, mechanical saw mounted on a steel shaft connected to tin fuel and water containers. The machine has two large spoked wheels, a rotating Crankshaft and an extended arm/rod attached to a crank and flywheel.New Record puffing billy, drag saw, timber cutting, early mechanical equipment, james hermon & sons, menzies creek, 1920s -
Puffing Billy Railway
13 NUU - Louvred Truck, 15/ 7/1911
Van 13 NUU - Louvred Truck (11) Untrafficable - Menzies Creek Station Yard VR Service History 15/ 7/1911 NWS Built new Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 7 tons Capacity 10 tons Built 1898 - 1911 Number Built 14 In use 5 To be restored None *NUU 13.VA - 15/ 7/1911 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NU 13.VA - NU 13.VA - / 6/1926 - Modified AC Malco /10/1954 CKT Sold (to) by Stores Branch to P.B.P.S. Purchased by Puffing Billy Preservation Society from Cockatoo for 20 pounds ($40.00). First complete railway truck owned by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. Puffing Billy Service History or Notes Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Rolling Stock - Louvered VanWooden Louvered Van - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame - current condition Untrafficable13 NUpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , 13 nuu, puffing billy, louvered van, 13 nuu - louvered van, victorian railways, 2'6" gauge, narrow gauge rolling stock