Cutting from newspaper, unknown source. On top of cutting 'Times Past' Image shows steam engine at Bendigo Railway Station. People standing on platform, steam engine in foreground LH side.bendigo, hospital

Coloured photo of Steam Engine at Heritage Week Open Day, 1999.nunawading and district historical society, heritage week, 1999

View appears to be from near Coolabah Drive looking northwest across parts of Edendale Farm and to the oval near the present day Adventure Playground and Wattletree Road. Possibly run in conjunction with the Eltham Community Festival or the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival; the steam train would conduct trips between Eltham and Hurstbridge Railway stations. As there is no turning table at Hurstbridge, the locomotive would simply shunt from one end of the carriages to the other to reverse direction, hence the locomotive is running in reverse as it approaches Eltham Station.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyd-639, edendale farm, eltham festival, eltham north, eltham north adventure playground, george coop collection, hurstbridge wattle festival, steam engine, vintage train excursion, wattletree road

Possibly run in conjunction with the Eltham Community Festival or the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival; the steam train would conduct trips between Eltham and Hurstbridge Railway stations. As there is no turning table at Hurstbridge, the locomotive would simply shunt from one end of the carriages to the other to reverse direction, hence the locomotive is running in reverse as it approaches Eltham Station. The first house in the background on Railway Parade, Number 97, remains as of 2019. The next house, Number 95 has been demolised since April 2018 and new construction in place.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyd-639, eltham festival, george coop collection, hurstbridge wattle festival, level crossing, passenger carriage 19bc, railway parade, steam engine, vintage train excursion, wattletree road

Possibly run in conjunction with the Eltham Community Festival or the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival; the steam train would conduct trips between Eltham and Hurstbridge Railway stations. As there is no turning table at Hurstbridge, the locomotive would simply shunt from one end of the carriages to the other to reverse direction, hence the locomotive is running in reverse as it approaches Eltham Station. The first house in the background on Railway Parade, Number 97, remains as of 2019. The next house, Number 95 has been demolised since April 2018 and new construction in place.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyd-639, eltham festival, george coop collection, hurstbridge wattle festival, level crossing, passenger carriage 19bc, railway parade, steam engine, vintage train excursion, wattletree road

Zilles Printers was begun by Lewis Zilles in the early 1930s. It was in McKenzie Street Ballarat. His son Jeffrey also became a printer - letterpress, offset and screen printer. The business became Zilles Printers/Graphics and was in Armstrong Street and later Bell Street Ballarat. The Bulldog Engineering Company emerged around 1886. J Abraham began the operation building windmills and pumps. An employee, J F Osbourne, purchased the business when Abraham died in 1914. Windmills were still produced but Osbourne began to manufacture the "Bulldog" oil engine towards the end of the first world war. The Bulldog engine production was around 400. Of these there were 40 with wavy spokes. Some writer have been using Ballarat Bulldog as the brand name. This is incorrect, it was just Bulldog, made in Ballarat. Production ceased in the late 1920s.Coloured shield shaped decal design on white painted metal plate. Paper surround damaged.Bulldog Trade Mark. Manufactured by the Bulldog. Engineering Co Pty Ltd, Ballarat. Re No - 27,331zilles, bulldog engineering, ballarat, decal, j abraham, windmills, pumps, j f osbourne, bulldog oil engine, wavy spokes

THE ECHUCA COALING STAGE. Locomotives would stop alongside to receive coal dropped into their tenders from small overhead rail mounted tipping trays. Water could be obtained from either the elevated tank at one end or the connected standpipe at the opposite end. Locomotive firebox contents could be dumped into pits between the rails from locomotives once they were carefully positioned above them. Such locomotives then could move onto the Engine Shed area for overnight parking. Firebox fires would be re-lit when the locomotive was next needed in a day or so.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, echuca railway station, k-185, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

THE ECHUCA COALING STAGE. Locomotives would stop alongside to receive coal dropped into their tenders from small overhead rail mounted tipping trays. Water could be obtained from either the elevated tank at one end or the connected standpipe at the opposite end. Locomotive firebox contents could be dumped into pits between the rails from locomotives once they were carefully positioned above them. Such locomotives then could move onto the Engine Shed area for overnight parking. Firebox fires would be re-lit when the locomotive was next needed in a day or so.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencycoal hopper, echuca railway station, george coop collection, k-158, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops)

THE ECHUCA COALING STAGE. Locomotives would stop alongside to receive coal dropped into their tenders from small overhead rail mounted tipping trays. Water could be obtained from either the elevated tank at one end or the connected standpipe at the opposite end. Locomotive firebox contents could be dumped into pits between the rails from locomotives once they were carefully positioned above them. Such locomotives then could move onto the Engine Shed area for overnight parking. Firebox fires would be re-lit when the locomotive was next needed in a day or so.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-500, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry)

THE ECHUCA COALING STAGE. Locomotives would stop alongside to receive coal dropped into their tenders from small overhead rail mounted tipping trays. Water could be obtained from either the elevated tank at one end or the connected standpipe at the opposite end. Locomotive firebox contents could be dumped into pits between the rails from locomotives once they were carefully positioned above them. Such locomotives then could move onto the Engine Shed area for overnight parking. Firebox fires would be re-lit when the locomotive was next needed in a day or so.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencycoal hopper, echuca, echuca railway station, george coop collection, r-727, r-class steam locomotive

THE ECHUCA COALING STAGE. Locomotives would stop alongside to receive coal dropped into their tenders from small overhead rail mounted tipping trays. Water could be obtained from either the elevated tank at one end or the connected standpipe at the opposite end. Locomotive firebox contents could be dumped into pits between the rails from locomotives once they were carefully positioned above them. Such locomotives then could move onto the Engine Shed area for overnight parking. Firebox fires would be re-lit when the locomotive was next needed in a day or so.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencycoal hopper, echuca, echuca railway station, george coop collection, r-727, r-class steam locomotive

Steam locomotive T-94 has been preserved and is currently on display at the Australian Railway Historical Society Museum at North Williamstown http://www.australiansteam.com/T%2094.htm "V.R. Cavalcade" Centenary 1854-1954 Exhibition (11-25 Sep 1954) presented a model railway occupying about 1,400 square feet in the Lower Town Hall featuring a number of model railway working scale models. The exhibition also included a display of rolling stock, track, electrical and other railway equipment held at Spencer Street Railway Station.Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, display, spencer street railway station, v.r. cavalcade, victorian railways centenary 1854-1954 exhibition, t-94, t-class steam locomotive

'Hoover' Steam and Dry Iron made in Great Britain.|Bakelite handle with circular dial beneath, stating heat degrees. Chrome body and stainless steel sole where the steam is ejected. On top of the bakelite handle is an on/off button in the area where the water is put in.Hooves Steam and Dry - 240V 1000W|Model 0114 R40979domestic items, irons

The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme (KHES) produced electricity for the people living in the Kiewa Valley and beyond to many parts of Victoria. The people and their families working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme were encouraged by their employer the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to purchase and use electrical appliances. The iron was popular as it was quick and easy compared to those used previously. This iron belonged to Ron White who was a senior member of staff during the construction and operation of the KHES.This iron was owned by Ron White. Ron was appointed Area Operations Engineer at Kiewa in June 1956. He was later appointed as General Superintendent and then in 1974 appointed to principal Hydro Engineer of the recently titled Hydro Division.Electric iron with long cord attached at the side toward the back. Iron shape is of an oblong with pointy front. When laid down, the black handle is at the top with a red button centre front (to choose between steam and dry). Under the handle is the 'turntable' (used to select type of material/heat). At the front of the black is an outlet for the steam. Beneath the black section is the metal shiny cover and solid base.Dial (turntable) - centre red with 'Hoover' and red section on outside with 'steam'. To the left of 'steam' is 'High, Linen, Cotton, Wool'. To the right of 'steam' is 'silk, rayon, nylon'. On the handle at the front "Hoover" in gold.electric appliances; steam iron; electric iron; laundry; ron white; kiewa hydro electric scheme; hoover industries.

Colour postcard photograph showing railway station and yard with a steam train engineWritten on back of card: "Address 214 Talbot St South Ballarat | Rutherglen 20/1/07 | Dear Alick. All well. Hope you are enjoying your new place & are in good health. Am going away by Excursion on Wednesday if any chance would like to see you have left my job so may not come back. Toby | Yours T Irvine" Address: "Mr A Hylands | c/o Mr Touleins | Baker | Swanpool | via Benalla" 1d stamp with postmark: "Rutherglen JA 22 07"rutherglen railway station, railway stations, steam trains

Black and white photograph of the steam crane used to unload rock from the tramway which brought rock from the Colquhoun quarry to the Mississippi Creek landing, placing the rock into barges for transport to the entrance at Lakes Entrance, Victoria.Steam Crane Mississippi Creekclothing, transport, vegetation

Shows the interior of the cable tram engine house that was located on the corner of Gertrude Street and Nicholson Street in Fitzroy. Shows the steam pipes to two of the engine cylinders, the control equipment, and large cable winding wheels. An MMTB poster titled Melbourne Tramways Past and President (see Reg Item 6368), captions the photo as "Nicholson Sreet Power House - the last to operate" The facility ceased operation in 1940 though the equipment was retained until 1941. Yields information about the interior of the Gertrude Street or Nicholson Street cable tram engine houseBlack and white photograph - interior of the Engine house on the corner of Gertrude and Nicholson Streets prior to closure in 1940.tramways, trams, coburg, cable cars, engine house, nicholson street, gertrude street, steam engines

Visible behind T-94 is an AEC Railmotor (with tiger stripes on front) and trailer used on branch lines to haul a 4-wheel trailer. Steam locomotive T-94 has been preserved and is currently on display at the Australian Railway Historical Society Museum at North Williamstown http://www.australiansteam.com/T%2094.htm "V.R. Cavalcade" Centenary 1854-1954 Exhibition (11-25 Sep 1954) presented a model railway occupying about 1,400 square feet in the Lower Town Hall featuring a number of model railway working scale models. The exhibition also included a display of rolling stock, track, electrical and other railway equipment held at Spencer Street Railway Station.Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, display, spencer street railway station, v.r. cavalcade, victorian railways centenary 1854-1954 exhibition, aec railmotor, railmotor, t-94, t-class steam locomotive

The locomotive was built by the American Baldwin Locomotive works in 1880 and was converted to a W class engine by the Phoenix Foundry at Ballarat in 1882. Agitation for a railway extension began in 1888 when a meeting was held at Arthurs Creek to press for the construction of a railway line from Heidelberg to Kinglake. The Chairman Mr Charles Draper said this was necessary because this was the best fruit growing district in Victoria. Mr Cameron M.P. pointed out that whatever route the line took it would have to follow the Diamond Valley from Eltham. At the same time another meeting was pressing for the line to be extended to Queenstown (St Andrews). However when detailed surveys were made it was discovered that the only possible route was to Hurstbridge because of the hills. In 1912 the railway was opened terminating at Hurstbridge. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Safety 5035steam train, w-197, railway construction, steam locomotive

The Ballarat School of Mines taught Engine Driving.Handwritten letter on the Melbourne Office of Mines letterhead. The letter was written by George Spence, Secretary for the Board of Examiners for Engine Drivers to the Ballarat School of Mines. Handrwritten "5/1/1898 Dear Sir, I am directed to ask that you will be good enough to grant the Board of Examiners for Engine Drivers the use of a room at the School of Mines for examination purposes on 7th inst and following days. Faithfully yours George Spence R.R. The Director S. of M. Ballaarat" Handwritten and circled in black ink then crossed out "1601" Handwritten and circled in red ink "13"engine driving, engine driver, george spence, spence, letterhead, examination, ballarat school of mines

Murray Comrie Collection. Monochrome photograph depicting wooden building being moved by traction engine. This is probably the building built in the 1850s as the Welsh Church in Tarnagulla. In 1893 the church was sold and the building was removed to Llanelly, where it was remodeled and became St. David's Church of England and served as such for quite a number of years. It is probably this move which is depicted in this image. During the early 1970s, with the decline in population at Llanelly, it was necessary to close the church which was sold and removed to Bradford for a private amenities hall. This photograph is a reasonable copy from an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the late 1960s. tarnagulla, llanelly, bradford, churches, welsh, religion, buildings, transport

Murray Comrie Collection. Monochrome photograph depicting wooden building being moved by traction engine. This is probably the building built in the 1850s as the Welsh Church in Tarnagulla. In 1893 the church was sold and the building was removed to Llanelly, where it was remodeled and became St. David's Church of England and served as such for quite a number of years. It is probably this move which is depicted in this image. During the early 1970s, with the decline in population at Llanelly, it was necessary to close the church which was sold and removed to Bradford for a private amenities hall. This photograph is a reasonable copy from an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the late 1960s. tarnagulla, llanelly, bradford, churches, welsh, religion, buildings, transport

See information about the crash in entry 0767. A black and white photograph with a white border and in post card format of a steam engine on its aside with a crane attached to it in an effort to lift the large engine.sunbury, rail accidents

VR Commissioner's Special train, steam locomotive D3-639 crossing the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge over the Murray River from Moama, NSW to Echuca, Victoria. Commissioner Edgar Henry Brownbill on footplate, 1962. Commissioner Edgar Henry Brownbill was in office 1957 to 1967. George Coop advises - "The train on the Eltham/Moama bridge is actually the Commissioner’s Special on one of its inspection tours of the VR rail system. This was a very grand special train with accommodation for the Commissioner and staff in carriages also used once for the Royal Train and other State purposes. You can just see the Commissioner of the day, dressed in his suit and wearing engine drivers gloves, standing in the loco cab doorway. A good ‘hands on’ impression is created amongst local staff if can be seen that the boss is no ‘desk jockjey’. The observation car on the back was originally made for the ’Spirit of Progress’. I climbed up onto the bridge iron plate work to get this view. It was safe enough as the cantilevered pedestrian walkway was still on the east side at the time." "I was resident in Echuca from Jan. ’59 to approx. May ’64. At that time the single Echuca/Moama bridge was a combined road/rail bridge. The rail gauge was 5’3” and still is, I believe, on the new bridge that sits just upstream of the old one. This rail line into NSW has always been 5’3" gauge because it has no connection with any NSW tracks. The old Echuca/Moama bridge, locally called the ‘Iron Bridge’ has, over years, undergone some structural changes. The two lattice iron hoops arcing over the roadway have been raised and lowered and changed design. Presently a pedestrian walkway is cantilevered off the west (or downstream) side of the bridge. It used to be on the eastern side. Guess changes went in when new rail bridge only was built on the eastern side as well." Image dated as c.1963 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (possibly frame 32 of film) (print 19.5 x 24.5cm) On reverse in pencil: "Brown card" in black pen: "Commissioners special. F. Brown on Footplate. George C.L. Coop c1963". https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59d575b921ea6e1278d78042 However based on frame no. 10, date set as 1962Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-639, d3-class steam locomotive, echuca-moama road rail bridge, edgar henry brownbill, george coop collection, murray river, vr commissioner's special train

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future.

THE ECHUCA COALING STAGE. Locomotives would stop alongside to receive coal dropped into their tenders from small overhead rail mounted tipping trays. Water could be obtained from either the elevated tank at one end or the connected standpipe at the opposite end. Locomotive firebox contents could be dumped into pits between the rails from locomotives once they were carefully positioned above them. Such locomotives then could move onto the Engine Shed area for overnight parking. Firebox fires would be re-lit when the locomotive was next needed in a day or so. Image dated as November 1963 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (possibly frame 32 of film) (print 19.5 x 24.5cm) On reverse in pencil: " K Class at Echuca" Echuca K Class. 1940-1968". In blue pen:" Photo by: George L. Coop Nov 1963" https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59de9cc421ea6b12dc3f7597Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencycoal hopper, echuca railway station, george coop collection, k-158, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops)