A poster promoting the merits of travelling by train to the Royal Melbourne Show of 1958. The Showgrounds train station was one of the first buildings built on the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale when the site was established in 1883, allowing patrons quick access to the venue despite it being slightly further out from the city than previous sites.A portrait poster, printed in colour; in the upper half of the poster there is an illustration showing a family of four, walking to the right; in the background is a photograph of a train station; the lower half of the poster consists of a list of the advantages of taking the train, printed on five horizontal stripes, white and green; colour process lithograph, linen-backed.BY TRAIN of course / TO MELBOURNE'S / ROYAL SHOW / SEPTEMBER 18 - 28, 1958/ NO PARKIGN PROBLEMS OR FEES / FREQUENT EXPRES SERVICE FROM FLINDERS ST. & SPENCER ST. RIGHT TO THE GROUNDS / DAY OR PERIODICAL TICKETS; COMBINED RAIL-ADMISSION TICKETS / NEW RAILWAY EXHBIIT WITH FREIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE / YOUR SUBURBAN STATION AHS DETAIL-PACKED PAHMPHLET /train, metro trains, showgrounds, melbourne showgrounds, royal melbourne show, 1985 melbourne royal show, melbourne royal show, showgrounds station, railway

Postcard featuring Y class tram 469 turning from William Street into La Trobe Street during the 1985 cable car celebrations. Tram showing destination of Football. Flagstaff station was under construction at the time. Photo by Earl Ewers. Postcard produced by Association of Railway Enthusiasts ARE No. 10/06. Has Railcard copyright and phone number of rear, ARE shop details and hours, space for small message, address and stamp. This tram is on display at the Museum's Hawthorn Depot - see reference.Yields information about Y class trams and the intersection of William and Latrobe Streets.Postcard - Tram Y 469 - La Trobe St 1985 - produced by the Association of Railway Enthusiasts.trams, tramcars, y class tram, tram 469, william street, la trobe street, are

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesVarious accompanying inscription beneath and on back of photographs. They read as follows: "Train derailment at Wantirna Road subway looking towards station. Station St. on right. 1/2/1902. This date has been written as 1908 on other locations in other places. Area behind engine was later railway car park." "Ringwood derailment 1902 (copied from magazine Latrobe library [ARHS Vic. Div. photo collection #748-1]. Cross at lower right marks spot from where fireman McKeone was rescued. Wantirna Rd. underpass. Station to left".

Photos show the Yarra river and the shipping turning basin that was used prior to the construction of the Spencer St bridge. In the view are are steam hauled suburban trains, Flinders St A signal box, Queensbridge, and the wharves on either side of the river. The viaduct was expanded to four tracks in 1915. Yields information about Yarra River, Flinders St railway station yards and shipping,Set of two photographs looking west from the Flinders St Station clocktower. over the Yarra River and station yards.On rear of both prints in ink: 1 – Melbourne - West from clock tower on Flinders St station - “Town and Country Journal 21/7/1909” Copy neg Mark Plummer collections ex late John Alfred collection. .2 - Melbourne, Looking west along Flinders St from clocktower of Flinders St station. Copy neg Mark Plummer collections ex late John Alfred collection. Has “T&C 20/12/09” in pencil on rear. bridges, flinders st station, yarra river, wharves, railways, signal boxes, queens bridge, shipping

Photos show the Yarra river looking east over Princes Bridge. In both photos are cable trams, the rowing sheds and parts of Flinders St station. The first phtograph shows the nearly completed ramps from the platform, while the second has the former exit structure that allowed passengers to exit to Princes Bridge and St Kilda Road. Yields information about Yarra River, Flinders St railway station yards and Princes Bridge.Set of two photographs looking east from a Flinders St Station clocktower. over the Yarra River and Princes Bridge..1 – Melbourne Princes Bridge. Copy neg Mark Plummer collections ex late John Alfred collection. Has “T&C 20/12/09” in pencil on rear. .2 – Melbourne – Princes Bridge “Town and Country Journal 29/12/1909” Copy neg Mark Plummer collections ex late John Alfred collection.bridges, flinders st station, yarra river, railways, princes bridge, cable trams

Photo shows the new Spencer St station which was completed around 1962 with tram W2 430 (Spencer St, Route 48), fitted with large trolley bridges, northbound to the terminus at Latrobe St. Eight taxis are lined up at the taxi stand, mostly Holdens with at least one Ford.Yields information about the Spencer Station building when new and the taxis serving the station.Colour print - satin finish print - Spencer St Station and W2 536 c1962railways, victorian railways, spencer st, spencer st station, taxis, w2 class, tram 536

Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on back of photograph, "1925, Ringwood/Warrandyte coach at Ringwood station. Will J. Hussey - b. Lilydale 1886 is the driver".

Black and white photograph of trams W3 661 (Route 4 Carnegie) and X2 675 (Point Ormond) , Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick Station, during the lowering of the railway line, 1960. Photo by John Alfred. Yields information about alterations to tram services during a level crossing removal project.Photograph - Black and White - trams 661 and 675 ElsternwickHas details handwritten on rear, and John Alfred Stamp. tramways, tramcars, glenhuntly rd, level crossing, elsternwick, tram 661, tram 675, w3 class, x2 class, point ormond

Photo - see pdf file for further information. Number Brief Description date DFC1 A general view from the former railway platform at Port Melb Station looking towards Station Pier on opening day 20-12-1987 DFC2 A2 285 in the Tramway Platform at Port Melbourne Station on opening Day 20-12-1987 DFC3 A2 285 in the Tramway Platform at Port Melbourne Station on opening Day 20-12-1987 DFC4 A2 285 in the Tramway Platform at Port Melbourne Station on opening Day 20-12-1987 DFC5 A2 273 at St Kilda Tramway Station on opening day 22-11-1987 DFC6 A2 273 turning from Fitzroy St into St Kilda Tramway Station on opening day 22-11-1987 DFC7 B1 2001 at St Kilda Tramway Station turning into Fitzroy St on opening day 22-11-1987 DFC8 B1 2002 enters St Kilda Tramway Station on opening day 22-11-1987 DFC9 An A2 approaches St Kilda Tramway Station on opening day 22-11-1987 DFC10 Concreting the connecting curve from Fitroy St into St Kilda Station c July 1987 DFC11 An MTA AEC MKVI bus in Grey St St Kilda at Dalgety St with Tramway works in the background c July 1987 DFC12 Grey St St Kilda at Dalgety St with Tramway works in the background in Fitzroy St c July 1987 DFC13 Concreting the connecting curve from Fitroy St into St Kilda Station c July 1987 DFC14 Restaurant Tram 442 in Fitzroy St at Grey St Passing MTA bus 59 outside St Kilda Station c1986 DFC15 Former VR tram stop sign painted on a pole at Glenhuntly Rd & Broadway DFC16 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC17 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC18 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC19 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC20 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC21 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC22 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC23 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC24 MTS Tower waggon in use at the former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC25 A Sign advertising the sale of the Former VR Elwood Tram Depot – 10/8/1996 1996 DFC26 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC27 Interior of a shed at the former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC28 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC29 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC30 Former VR Elwood Tram Depot under demolition 1996 DFC31 VR 20, former breakdown car in Bob Prentice’s Back Yard Jan 1974 DFC32 VR 20 on a low loader en route to Bob Prentice’s for preservation 1959 DFC33 VR 20 as the breakdown car on the St Kilda Electric Street Railway c1955 DFC34 VR 39 waits in St Kilda St as breakdown car 20 enters Elwood Depot c1955 DFC35 VR 54 and 50 in the rear yard of Elwood Depot c1958 DFC36 VR 50 in the rear yard of Elwood Depot c1958 DFC37 VR 50 in the rear yard of Elwood Depot c1958 DFC38 VR 28 in St Kilda St outside Elwood depot after the line had been cut back to this point c1958 DFC39 VR 29 in St Kilda St outside Elwood depot after the line had been cut back to this point c1958 DFC40 VR 35 passes 28 on the St Kilda Electric Street Railway c1955 DFC41 VR 39 on the St Kilda Electric Street Railway c1955 DFC42 Y1 613 on a tour c1970 DFC43 VR 54 in St Kilda St outside Elwood Depot c1955 DFC44 VR 28 at Brighton Beach Terminus c1955 DFC45 VR 33 being washed in the wash bay at the rear of Elwood Depot c1955 DFC46 VR 20 breakdown car running into Elwood Depot c1955 DFC47 VR 3 in the rear yard at Elwood Depot c1955 DFC48 VR 51 on an AETA Tour running out of Elwood Depot c1958 DFC49 VR 28 on the St Kilda Electric Street Railway c1955 DFC50 VR 28 with crew in St Kilda St outside Elwood depot after the line had been cut back to this point 1959 DFC51 VR 52 in Grey St near Fitzroy St c1958 DFC52 VR 51 on a AETA Tour passes 33 in Grey St near Fitzroy St c1958 DFC53 VR 29 in Grey St near Fitzroy St c1958 DFC54 VR51 on an AETA Tour shunts as 52 waits on the St Kilda Electric Street Railway c1958 DFC55 VR 51 on the Black Rock Electric Street Railway c1955 DFC56 VR 28 in St Kilda St outside Elwood depot after the line had been cut back to this point c1958 DFC57 Combined Rail-Tram Tickets of the Black Rock Electric Street Railway Feb 1975 DFC58 Combined Rail-Tram Tickets of the St Kilda Electric Street Railway Feb 1975 DFC59 Electric Street Railway & Motor Coach Paper Tear off Tickets Feb 1975 DFC60 VR 52 & 53 on Rt 82 pass in Cordite Ave near Wests Rd Sept 1975 DFC61 Z 68 & 52 in East Preston Depot in M&MTB Livery c1977 DFC62 Copy photo of VR 18 in Elwood Depot c1910 DFC63 VR 51 as a one man car at Black Rock Terminus c1955 DFC64 VR 53 on Rt 82 in Droop St Footscray Jan 1974 DFC65 B2 2027 on Rt 96 in South Melb Station c1988 DFC66 VR 20 as preserved in Bob Prentice’s backyard High St Prahran Jan 1974 DFC67 VR 700 on Rt 82 in Droop St Footsray c1978 DFC68 VR 28 as the last car from ST Kilda Station 28-2-1959 DFC69 VR 700 at the Rt 82 Moonee Ponds Terminus c1978 DFC70 VR 52 waiting time at the Rt 82 Footscray Terminus, the driver intently stares at the bundy clock as the Braid and the Connie gossip Jul 1972 DFC71 VR 54 shunting outside Elwood Depot to return to St Kilda Station 1959 DFC72 SW6 969 in MTA Livery blocking the entrance to South Melb Depot presumably during the scratch ticket dispute Jan 1990 DFC73 VR 52 & 53 on Rt 82 pass in Droop St Footscray Sept 1975 DFC74 VR 700 after withdrawl in the Newport Railway museum in the process of a repaint c1985 DFC75 VR 700 after withdrawl in the Newport Railway museum in the process of a repaint c1985 DFC76 VR 700 on Rt 82 in Droop St Footsray at The Cresent c1978 DFC77 VR 700 on Rt 82 in Droop St Footsray c1978 DFC78 Former VR tram depot in use as an MTA Bus depot c1990 DFC79 VR 52 waiting time at the Rt 82 Footscray Terminus Jul 1972 DFC80 VR 52 waiting time at the Rt 82 Footscray Terminus with Connie changing the pole Jul 1972 DFC81 VR 52 at the Rt 82 Moonee Ponds Terminus with the crew chatting 7-12-1974 DFC82 VR 52 on Rt 82 on the reserved track in Raleigh Rd Ascot Vale Jan 1974 DFC83 VR 53 on Rt 82 in Leeds St Footscray about to turn into Hopkins St April 1976 DFC84 VR 53 on Rt 82 in Droop St Footsray Jan 1974 DFC85 VR 700 on Rt 82 in Droop St Footsray at Hopkins St c1978 DFC86 Z 52 in MTA livery on Rt 19 in Elizabeth St near Bourke St c1985 DFC87 VR 52 at the Rt 82 Moonee Ponds Terminus Jul 1972 DFC88 VR 53 at the Rt 82 Footscray Terminus Jan 1974 DFC89 VR 52 freshly outshopped from the workshops and W7 1011 at the Bourke St Terminus with 52 on display for the 1968 railway exhibition 1968 DFC90 Painting of W class 369 in Chocolate & Cream c1930 DFC91 Charing Cross, Bendigo at night c1965 DFC92 Ballarat ? c1965 DFC93 Bendigo 18 on an AETA tour in McCrae St near Tramway Ave c1965 DFC94 View from the roof of a tram in the body shop at Preston Workshops 1977 DFC95 View from the roof of a tram in the body shop at Preston Workshops 1977 DFC96 View from the roof of a tram in the body shop at Preston Workshops showing the panto on 546 1977 DFC97 Interior view of Carlton Control Centre showing desk and wall panel c1968 DFC98 W2 493 on Rt 55 in Kingsway outside South Melb Depot Aug 1973 DFC99 W2 496 in Sturt St at Kingsway on Rt 1 Jul 1973 DFC100 Z class truck c1975 DFC101 Z3 116 in Bourke St at King St as new c1979 DFC102 Bob Prentice on tour c1968 DFC103 SW6 900 as an advertising tram for Newsday at night 1969 DFC104 597 Jul 1973 DFC105 W2 480 on Rt 3 passing under the railway bridge at Caulfield Oct 1972 DFC106 Interior view of Carlton Control Centre showing desk c1968 DFC107 SW6 856 on Rt 77 at night Jul 1973 DFC108 W2 496 in Sturt St at Kingsway on Rt 1 Jul 1973 DFC109 PCC 980 on a tour at South Melb Depot c1968 DFC110 SW6 856 on Rt 77 at night Jul 1973 DFC111 View from the roof of a tram in the body shop at Preston Workshops showing the panto on 546 1977 DFC112 Dandenong Rd from Chapel St Nov 1968 DFC113 A Z class car turns from Gertrude into Nicholson St c1990 DFC114 SW6 900 as an advertising tram for Newsday at night 1969 DFC115 Port Melbourne Station showing Centennial bridge and station building prior to closure. 10-1987 DFC116 Port Melbourne station with train prior to closure, looking south 10-1987 Demonstrates the work of David Frost in photography and or collecting slides.Assembled album in a black presentation folder of 116 colour slides, 6 slide sleeves, collected or photographed by David Frost. Many are TMSV or Windsor Publications slides. All photographs have been scanned and placed on the Museum's G drive. A list of all photographs with details has been compiled. melbourne, tramways, trams, vr trams, elwood, st kilda light rail, port melbourne, opening, elwood depot, buses

Page 1 - postcards and notes on the Alf Twentyman's preserved cars. 2 - VR tram 41 at Bendigo 2001 and two VR tram tickets 3 - VR 41 at Sandringham station - night photo 4 & 5 - VR 41 at Bendigo 6 & 7 - VR 41 at Bendigo 8 & 9 - photo copies of VR railway - tram tickets 10 - 11 - photo copies of VR railway - tram tickets and photo of VR 41 at North Bendigo. 12 - Photo of David Frost selling a ticket to David Vendy, Mayor of Ballarat at the time - July 2002 13 & 14 Two Melbourne tram postcards and tram tickets 15 - 18 - Four Peter Gerasimon greeting cards featuring Melbourne trams, 19 - Ballarat tramway postcard and cable saloon trailer 171 being loaded for Portland - July 2002. 20 - three photos of David Frost at Bylands rear cover - photos of VR 41 and VR 53 at Bendigo.Illustrates the work of David Frost and his interest in VR trams.Photo Album - 10 heavy card sheets with plastic sheets over each, white plastic ring bound, covered with a large photograph of Alf Twentyman's cable cars at Northcote. See 3086 for an unused version.cable cars, vr trams, alf twentyman, david frost, vr 41, bendigo, tickets, postcards, peter gerasimon, trams, tramways

Drawing, photocopied from the Sandringham and District Historical Society's files showing possible route and station locations of an extension from the Sandringham station. Prepared by the Railway Construction Branch of the Victorian Railways. Shows the tram lines. Possibly late 1930s.Yields information about a possible extension of the Sandringham railway line to Beaumaris.Drawing - photocopied with hand written notes - A4 sheetExtensive notes in ink.trams, railways, sandringham, beaumaris, new railways, railway construction branch

Black and white photographWritten on backing sheet, "New East Ringwood Station - 1975 (Replacing old building).

Used on Ballarat-Skipton railway line to carry money and tokens. Rescued from bonfire when Linton Station was demolished, by Fred Freestone. Donated to Society 1981.Two brown leather pouches. Bag 1 has brass plate which reads "Linton" (plate attached to square of leather stitched to bag). Bag 2 has the word "Linton" written in ink on front, where leather patch and brass plate used to be. Each bag has two brass loops at top, holding a leather strap which keeps the pouch closed. A brass padlock with a key is attached to the strap.Makers' marks: On padlock 1 and its key: "M 63" "J. Hubball Melbourne". On padlock 1: "VR". On padlock 2: " + " "S166" "59" "Chubb's Patent" "120 Queen Victoria St London" "Makers to Her Majesty" "120294" (=date?). On key for padlock 2: "Chubbs Patent" "London" "VR".railways, transport, conductor's bags

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.