Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley. The Tying Horse was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: The tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Burley tobacco stick is different to Hicks type stick. Tying of green leaf on the sticks - with the twine attached. There is small sharp metal blade on the end of the horse used for cutting twine. Rectangular wooden frame. The beam along the bottom is kept in place by 2 diagonal planks on each side and at both ends. The beam keeps the frame upright with 2 cross beams at each end. At each end there is a vertical beam with a 'V' cut out of each to hold a wooden beam/stick/tree branch. Wood is rough.tobacco. kiewa valley.tying horse. guido angelini.

The toy soldier is a relic from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD in 1878. It has a companion piece in the Flagstaff Hill collection. The toy soldier is unpainted, but the style of uniform, and the weapons carried (a musket and a basket-handled cutlass), indicate it is a representation of the Napoleonic Wars period from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mass-produced toy soldiers made of cast metal (lead or tin) became popular during the 1800s. Heyde of Germany manufactured silhouette-shaped ‘flats’ early in the century; then Mignot of France released three-dimensional ‘solids’; and later (1893) Britain of England made ‘hollow cast’ figures. These innovations were designed to make sets of toy soldiers more affordable for middle and lower-class children, extending the market beyond the intricately made and hand-crafted replicas that were the preserve of the rich in the eighteenth century. Wooden military figures, specially carved and unpainted ones, were therefore not particularly common at the time when the LOCH ARD went down on Victoria’s southwest coast. Mignot was the first to sell unpainted soldiers, leaving their customers to fill in the colours according to their own patriotic preferences. If a similar attitude is assumed for the two virtually identical figures in the Flagstaff Hill collection, it is possible they were part of a new set intended for sale, rather than part of a passenger’s existing collection. A similarly light composite material of sawdust, glue and linseed oil (press-moulded onto a metal frame) was used by the German firm O & M Hausler to create toy soldiers, but this type of modelling was not commercialised until after 1912. The first heat-moulded plastic toy soldiers did not become available until after 1945.The toy soldier represents a 19th century child's interest in military history. The item is one of two toy soldiers recovered from the Loch Ard that are in Flagstaff Hill's collection. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.An unpainted replica or toy soldier, presented in a Napoleonic Wars era uniform. The moulded figure is in a standing posture and is bearing a musket at the slope-arms position, with a sabre or cutlass slung behind. It wears a plumed helmet, short-fronted coat with longer buttoned tails at the back, button-fastened bib-front trousers, a pair of crossed bandoliers, and tasselled shoulder epaulettes. The figure is a creamy colour with red-brown stains on the head and shoulder. There is a hole in the end of the musket. The model is detailed and sharp. It was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Cataloguing numbers: “6599” on the rear of the left trouser leg “PWO 2308” on the sole of the left boot, (partially obscuring “R122” written in biro) “2218” on the sole of the right boot.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, loch ard, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, napoleonic uniform, toy soldier, replica soldier

This photograph was reproduced in the 1944 Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine.Ballarat School of Mines Sports Committee . Front row left to right: J. Blainey, B. Law, Miss King (Sports Mistress), Mrs McIlvena (President), A. Scott, N. Eltringham, P. Fisher Centre row left to right: J. Lewis, R. Mawby, M. Beckwith, G. Biddington, V. Vickers, R. McKenzie Back row left to rightL M. Coltham, G. Harrison, M. Richards, Mr Cornell (Sports Master), S. Sharp, B. Brookman, B. Grinter.ballarat school of mines, j. blainey, b. law, king, mcilvena, a. scott, n. eltringham, p. fisher, j. lewis, r. mawby, m. beckwith, g. biddington, v. vickers, r. mckenzie, l m. coltham, g. harrison, m. richards, cornell, s. sharp, b. brookman, b. grinter.

Used in the 19th centuryA bill hook or axe-handled slasher which is an axe-handled forged metal blade with a strong curved sharp axe like edge and a straight secondary edge on the back. It has a broken wooden handle with steel or a tang which passed through the handle if it were still attached. There is stamped on the blade near the handle join - '2'. The original finish of the blade would have been, 'Japanned' which is baked black enamel. It was used to cut back scrub, small trees and woody vegetation in the 19th century.'2' stamped on the blade near where it joins the handle.slashers, cutting tools, bill hook slasher, gardening tools, agricultural tools

No specific information is available on this item but it was a common object in the past when candles were an important source of light in a house. Candle snuffers are also used in churches but these are usually larger in size. This item has no provenance and is in a poor condition but will be useful for display.This is a metal candle snuffer in a very rusted condition. It may have originally been silver. It has two scissor-like handles which open a lid which has a sharp edge which cuts off the top of the wick and extinguishes the flame. The pointed end of the item was also used to trim the candle and the snmall container behind the lid stored the wick pieces cut off. There is an embossed flower decoration on the handle and more decoration on the box area. There are three rests to allow the snuffer to sit on a surface.candle snuffer, warrnambool

Gertrude Perry was born in California Gully in 1917. Her singing skills were recognized at an early age. She later sang with local choirs and sang on radio. She was involved with the Bendigo Operatic Society for many years. Gertrude began her working life in sales. After studying book keeping she worked at the Bendigo Ordnance Factory during WW2 and then worked for local solicitors and accountants. Gertrude was involved with many community and sporting organizations.Gertrude Perry Collection - invitation to Miss G Perry from Bendigo City Lodge No 714 to attend a Ladies' Social Evening on Friday June 27th, 1952, at 7:45. Reception at 7:45 sharp, supper at 10:00 p.m. Harmony, Dancing and Euchre. Invitation from The Worshipful Master, Wor. Bro. L. M. Green. Unusual invitation to a single lady to a Lodge event with the invite expressly has Bro. and Lady crossed out. Gilt edged invite on pale green card.Unusual invitation to a single lady to a Lodge event with the invite expressly has Bro. and Lady crossed out. physical culture class, fitness, exercise

King Camp Gillette observed in 1902 that as existing, relatively expensive, razor blades dulled quickly and needed continuous sharpening, a razor whose blade could be thrown away when it dulled would meet a real need and likely be profitable. Gillette's innovation was the thin, inexpensive, disposable blade of stamped steel. Safety razors had been developed in the mid-19th century, but still used a forged blade that dulled and rusted.. Gillette's safety razor was expensive but lasted many years and the convenience of inexpensive disposable sharp blades was very profitable for Gillette.Throughout the 20thC most men used a safety razor with disposable stainless steel razor blades to shave their beards prior to the introduction of affordable electric razors in 1960's.A two piece stainless steel razor blade holder. The base has a round hole to safely push blade with fingertip and the lid has side finger grooves to aid opening. Contains unused 'CLUB' razor blade in paper packet, 2 used Wilkinson Sword razor blades and 2 Gillette Blades on razor blade 'CLUB', WILKINSON SWORD ; GILLETTEshaving equipment, safety razors, gillette king, proctor & gamble, club razor blades pty ltd melbourne, wilkinson sword pty ltd england, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham,

A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using the sharp blade in a swinging or hacking motion. It was also used for cutting back forage and other plant growth. They have been used since early Iron Age times and many examples have been found in the Middle East dating back 18,000 to 8,000 BC. This is a bagging hook – a type of larger and heavier sickle used mainly for harvesting of grain. It continued to be used after industrialisation and the implementation of the mechanical reaper. Designed to be used by the right hand, its age is unknown. Right handed sickle. Blade painted black. Handle varnishedsickle, harvesting, churchill island heritage farm

Recollections of Beverley Ferguson ( nee Turner ) re her time at Laurel Street Golden Square Primary School during war time. On bottom half of page photocopied image of Grade 1, 1946. Names Miss Lavery, John Bennets, Wal Boucher, Col Griffiths, Ron Sharp, Noel Seliski, Len Doye, Keith Miller, Ted Hocking, Don Bateman, Brian Wilkinson, Eric McConville, Bruce McConville, Barry Townsend, Evelyn Vincent, Heather Hammill, Nancy Giri, Valerie Shipp, Rhonda McQuillan, Patti McCracken.bendigo, education, golden square primary school

The Phil Wilkin Collection contains a series of 11 Items. The related items can be found by clicking on the reference link below. The following history of the Young family and their descendants who lived at the Springs is provided by Phil Wilkin. His Great Grandparents were Frances Young and August Wirth. Phil has also provided notes on the Wilkin Family and some history of the gold mining in Sedgwick. Frances Young's parents Joseph and Margaret Young owned the property called "The Old Place, Preston Vale or Wellington Flat" at Sedgwick near the Springs. Joseph Young owned and Managed the Standard Brewery which was located at Campbells Creek during the late 1800’s early 1900’s. Joseph and Margaret are buried in the Harcourt cemetery. In 1880 August Wirth lived at Mosquito Creek (Lake Eppalock, Victoria) when he married Frances Young. In 1902 they moved to part of Joseph Young's property. They milked cows and sold cattle for a living. One of their children Charles Wirth (Phil Wilkin's Grandfather) bought the land in 1935 after his parents had died. Charles Wirth was a councillor and also was president of the Shire of Strathfieldsaye. The "Old Place" was part of the property owned by members of the family. The old house at the Springs was burnt out by bushfire in January 1944 and much of the stonework was later vandalized by campers. The original Coliban Water Works were designed in 1863 by the Irish engineer Joseph Brady. The system included 70 kilometres of open water channels, aqueducts, syphons and tunnels to carry water (by gravity) from the Coliban River at Malmsbury, north to Castlemaine and Bendigo. Sedgwick is a locality in Central Victoria, Australia. It is located in the City of Greater Bendigo. Facilities include a public hall that opened in 1958 and CFA Rural fire station. It was named Upper Emu Creek until 1901 when it was renamed as Sedgwick after British geologist Adam Sedgwick.Thirty Four Photos of Joseph Young's property near "The Springs" on the main Coliban water channel from Malmsbury to the Sandhurst Reservoir in Bendigo. This item contains family history of Joeph's descendant Charles Wirth, who was a councillor for the Shire of Strathfieldsaye. The water race descends through a concrete chute, and continues sharply around the contour of the hills. Once it descended into a syphon across the gully. The are 182 photos in this series and can be found at 8683.1 to 8683.11. The series also includes photos of the surrounding farming land and the remains of an old house. There are also some notes on the pioneers of the district.history, bendigo, coliban water, joseph brady, irrigation, the springs, sedgwick, charles wirth, preston vale, joseph and margaret young, standard brewery campbells creek harcourt, phil wilkin collection

Yields information about the discussions and views of the SEC about operation of historic trams in Ballarat after the closure of the SEC operated system.Newspaper clipping from The Courier, Ballarat, 14/9/1971 about a letter to the City Council from the SEC about the Lake Wendouree Tramway Museum Committee's proposal to operate a tram service on the lake route for a trail period. SEC said that this was not practical and advised that the sheds could only be used to house the trams. Noted that the SEC proposed to sell the land in 1972, and the Council's proposal that certain materials be stored. Quotes Cr. Chisholm (Mayor) and City Engineer (Mr. R. J. Sharp). Image added 20/11/2013In black ink in the top right hand corner of the item - '14/9/71'trams, tramways, museum establishment, btps, depot, city of ballarat

Negative No. N336 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder ) of fitters, overhead crews lining up the overhead at the Russell St. crossover. Has W6 988 in the photo, along with tower wagon 8 and bus AT 064 alongside. In view is Richardson's Wine and spirit store, Normans, Sharpes and Patersons. Photo taken 19/6/1955. Geoff Grant's envelopes notes that the picture was subsequently published by the Melbourne Herald on 20/6/1955. Negative scanned hi res and imaged updated 22/5/2020.trams, tramways, melbourne, bourke st, russell st., testing overhead, commissioning, tram w6 988

To be used for shaping butter into a cube. Mould is constructed of four pieces of wood joined together to form a rectangular central hollow. Small pieces of timber have been nailed in to reinforce the joins. The hollow would be filled with butter, then either the mould would be tapped sharply on a hard surface to remove the square of butter, or a plunger or other device used to push the butter from the mould. Note: Mould is fairly roughly made, suggesting it is home-made, and the absence of grease etc on inside of mould suggests it may never have been used.butter mould

Set of three colour slides of the corner of Power St and Hawthorn. The track was reconstructed to realign the roadway as part of roadworks to eliminate a sharp curve at the intersection in Nov. 1973 1 - W2 605 turning from Power St into Riversdale Road before reconstruction of the corner. Shows the location of the tram stop. Slide no. MP120 2 - SW6 879 turns from Power St into Riversdale Rd with works underway. Slide No. MP154 3 - W2 380 at the revised intersection following the work to reconstruct the corner. Slide No. 98. The intersection has since been reconstructed and the crossover relocated. Yields information about the corner of Power St, Riversdale Road, Wallen Road Hawthorn.Kodachrome colour slides, cardboard mount, duplicate.Has a number in pencil and stamped "Tramways Museum Society Victoria" on rear.tramcars, wallen road, power st, riversdale road, riversdale junction, roadworks, tram 605, tram 879, tram 380

Photo shows one of the Maximum Traction Bogies trams built for the Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust by Duncan and Fraser of Adelaide in 1913. Photographed in the Malvern depot yard - shows the very sharp curves. Most likely a newspaper photograph reproduced by the donor. The trams were only numbered on their ends at this time. Has two uniformed tramway men standing by the drop centre doors. On the end of the building portal is a "1" - possibly indicating the depot road number that it was numbered from the north end when new, rather than the south end when the depot was expanded during the 1920s.Yields information about PMTT bogie trams when new.Photograph - Black and White - PMTT bogie tram at Malvern Depot c1913 tramways, trams, malvern, pmtt, malvern depot, bogie trams, maximum traction trams

A Sickle is an agricultural hand tool used for harvesting or reaping grain crops using the sharp blade in a swinging or hacking motion. It was also used for cutting back forage and other plant growth. They have been used since early Iron Age times and many examples have been found in the Middle East dating back 18,000 to 8,000 BC. This is a bagging hook – a type of larger and heavier sickle used mainly for harvesting of grain. It continued to be used after industrialisation and the implementation of the mechanical reaper. Designed by British manufacturing firm, Brades & Co, and made to be used by the left hand, its age is unknown. Left handed sickle. Blade painted black; handle varnished. Metal ferrule on handle. Hook on blade at handle endB?RADE? BRADER OZ?sickle, harvesting, churchill island heritage farm

This box contains typewriter equipment for a Remington typewriter. The Remington company was founded in U.S.A. and it produced the first typewriter for commercial use in 1873. In 1886 the Remington family business was sold but the name was retained and typewriters with the Remington Rand brand name were sold from 1927 on. Typewriters have now been replaced by computers. This box of equipment belonged to Dr Horace Holmes who would have used a typewriter in his medical practice in Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century and perhaps would also have used a typewriter in the activities of the many community groups with which he was associated. Horace Iles Holmes (1877-1959) was born and educated in Tasmania and completed a medical degree at the University of Melbourne. He commenced a practice at Warrnambool in 1906 and was the honorary Medical Officer at the Warrnambool Hospital and Warrnambool’s Health Officer. His practice was at ‘Ierne’, at the corner of Spence and Kepler Streets. He was an early member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and was prominent in community affairs (foundation President of the Warrnambool Rotary Club, a member of the Warrnambool Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, a Warrnambool Hospital Committee member, a long-term Trustee of the Warrnambool Methodist Church and President of the Lyndoch Hostel for the Aged Committee. Dr Holmes also had agricultural interests and enjoyed fishing, bowls and golf. This box of typewriter equipment is of interest as an item in the collection of Horace Iles Holmes, a doctor who was prominently associated with the professional and community life of Warrnambool for over 50 years. This is a rectangular-shaped black cardboard box with the name ‘Remington’ on it. It is heavily stained inside. The box contains nine objects, most identified as relevant to typewriter maintenance and cleaning:- a paint brush with a wooden handle and bristles – perhaps used for dusting the typewriter keys, two glass bottles which once contained typewriter oil but which are now empty, a red and black typewriter ribbon in a metal container, another metal container with a plunge mechanism for ejecting oil, a metal stick with a sharp end, possibly for cleaning the typewriter keys and three other unidentified small metal objects.Remingtonremington, typewriters, office equipment, dr horace holmes, warrnambool, warrnambool history, typewriter accessories

Black and white illustration of MMTB PCC 980 travelling west bound in Victoria Parade between Nicholson St and Spring St., possibly late 1950's. The tram showing destination of "Special". Has Penfolds Wine and Perfection ? ads on the sides of the tram. Also two ads on the front of the tram, but image not focused sharply enough to identify them. In the background is the ICI (now Orica) building. Caption on the illustration is "Efficient, Comfortable Transport. Melbourne P.C.C. equipped tram No. 980 pictured on reserved track in Victoria Parade." indicates probably from an electric traction or tramway publication.trams, tramways, pcc, mmtb, victoria parade

Flag that could be mounted on wooden dowel for use on Melbourne tramcars. Flag made from nylon or a similar synthetic, sewn into a white nylon circular section and then slipped over the dowel and stapled into position with words "100 years of trams". Appears to have been unused. Features a bogie cable tram set and a Z3 class tram with a Met logo. c November 1985 Two copies held. Second copy has a black broken line on the left hand edge indicating possibly where staples were to be inserted. Second copy tram images not printed as sharply as the first copy.trams, tramways, the met, 100 years of trams, flags, trams

Set of four Agfa colour slide, cardboard mount, photo by Keith Caldwell 16/3/1962 of trams on the Royal Park - West Coburg line, route 55 or 56. .1 - W5 790, out bound running alongside the Zoo with a dry park in the background. Has an advertisement for Sharps doors of distinction. .2 - W2 346 photographed from an inbound tram, West Coburg, Route 55 .3 - W2 504 inbound, Domain Road, Route 56 with the Zoo walls and the Upfield rail line in the background. Tram has a Remy Martin Brandy advert.All have "16/3/1962" in blue ink and either "NR Royal Pk" or "W Coburg Route"trams, tramways, route 55, west coburg, the zoo, royal park, route 56, w2 class, tram 790, tram 346, tram 504

A toothpick is a small stick of wood, plastic, bamboo, metal, bone or other substance used to remove detritus from the teeth, usually after a meal. A toothpick usually has one or two sharp ends to insert between teeth. They can come in both wood and plastic, and can also be used for picking up small appetizers (like cheese cubes or olives) or as a cocktail stick. Toothpicks are well known in all cultures. Before the toothbrush was invented, teeth were cleaned with hard and soft dental woods. The first toothpick-manufacturing machine was developed in 1869, by Marc Signorello. Another was patented in 1872, by Silas Noble and J. P. Cooley A small paper packet containing wooden toothpicksTRADE $ MARK / DOLLAR BRAND / STERILIZED / TOOTHPICKS / (chinese characters) / MADE OF BEST / WHITE BIRCH / QUALITY & PURITY / GUARANTEED / TRY ONCE USE / THEM FOREVER. wood, toothpicks, dental cleaning, dentists, timber, birch trees, signorello marc, noble silas, cooley j. p. , moorabbin bentleigh cheltenham, maret gardeners, early settlers,

Relaying tram tracks at the eastern end of Aphrasia St., Newtowwn, looking east. The location is immediately west of the Pleasant St. intersection, soon after Aphrasia St. was extended from Pleasant St. to Pakington St., so that the three sharp curves for trams into Retreat Road, Pleasant St., and then Aphrasia St., were reduced to one, from Pakington into Aphrasia St. May 1914. Note that sleepers are being used in the construction, as seen in items 9271 and 9214, with tie bars and continuous concrete about 50cm wide under each rail. The overhead is being worked on in two ways; safely with the horse drawn tower wagon, or less so by ladder.,Black and white print on paper.GRS710/.25/1/7 and 25-7 written on the reverse in pencil. The No. 1 in a circle written on reverse in ink.geelong tramway, relaying tram tracks in geelong, sleeper and concrete tram track base

Technical drawing by D.H. Oliver dated 22/9/43 showing residential lots affected by proposed road extending from Warrandyte Road railway underpass into Pitt Street and Bedford Road. Includes list of owners and occupiers of properties - Lot 4 Stanley Harris /R. Taylor, Lot 6 R.S. Sharp, Lot 7 William J. Wakeham, Lot 8 Janet R. Gibson /Mrs C. Burden, Lot 9 Mrs McClelland, Lot 10 part Mrs. Yetts, Lot 11 part 10 Church of Christ, Lot 54 Mrs Shwerkolt, Lot 55 Mrs Goodall.Scale: 2 chains = 1 inch.

Built in 1942-1943, the Thai-Burma Railway was a 415 kilometre stretch of railway between Ban Pong, Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Burma. It was constructed by the Japanese using civilian labourers and prisoners-of-war. It is estimated that 90,000 labourers and more than 12,000 POW’s died during construction of the railway.This is a commemorative object highlighting the role of medical personnel during the war and its impact on them personally and preofessionallyThis dogspike and its attached sleeper came from the Thai-Burma Railway. A dogspike is a rail fastening with a pointed end and a ‘plate holding’ head, giving the impression of a dog’s head. Built in 1942-1943, the Thai-Burma Railway was a 415 kilometre stretch of railway between Ban Pong, Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Burma. It was constructed by the Japanese using civilian labourers and prisoners-of-war. It is estimated that 90,000 labourers and more than 12,000 POW’s died during construction of the railway. The dogspike was donated by Bill Sharp in 2014. It commemorates the Australian Medical personnel who became prisoners-of-war. they are listed on the plaque behind the spike.thai-burma, japanese, 1942-43, commemorative gift

A very unique screwdriver or turn screw possibly used by a Ship Builder, Railroad Engineer or other tradesman in need of a long reach. The handle shape or pattern indicates it could have been made by G Pearson later F G Pearson Sheffield at the Hope Works. This company was established in 1854 and by 1914 the company was manufacturing many differing types of edge tools, joiners' tools, forks and garden tools. Their specialities were hay, manure and coke forks, punches, armourers' tools etc. In 1938 the Company was styled F. G. Pearson and Co (Sheffield) Ltd and they were still making plane and other sharp edged blades as late as 1957, but by the 1970s they had gone out of business. A significant company based in Sheffield England and making tools of all types and exporting same to various countries around the world. This particular item is a vintage and unusual screwdriver possibly used by a local Warrnambool tradesman. Screw driver wooden handle. Straight blade attached with brass ferrule.Nonewarrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, screwdriver, tools, f g pearson sheffield

The photograph shows the demolition or removal of the cable tram track at the intersection of Smith Street and Gertrude St Fitzroy, 1954/55. Photo shows the workmen excavating and demolishing parts of the massive infrastructure needed at this curve to enable cable trams to pass around the sharp curve, still one of the sharpest on today's Melbourne tram system. The outside cable tram track remains in position. The MMBW plan shows a large cable sheave pit on the outside of the curve. The 1955 Annual Report notes that work commenced following the completion of the Queen's visit in March 1954 and that all work was done by day-labour. The track was opened to service in late June 1955. Photographer is possibly Keith Kings.Yields information about the extent of work need to convert the former Northcote Cable tram route to Electric trams, the people, the extent of the original construction and the methods used to undertake the work.Photograph - Black and White - demolishing cable tram track Smith and Gertrude Streets 1954/55trams, tramways, cable trams, workmen, mmtb, demolition, track work, conversion, smith street, gertrude street, fitzroy

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