.1) Copy of a Ballarat Railway Plan, running along Belford Street, from the Engineer in Chief's Office, Railway Department. It shows bridges, diversions, culverts and the following streets: Joseph Street, Lal Lal Street, Clayton Street, Belford Street, Rodier Street, trench Street, Stawell Street, Rodier Street, Belford Street, George Street, Eureka Street, Queen Street, Otway Street, Scott Parade, Ross Street, Chamberlain Street, Victoria Street, Water Street. Allotments owned by Tulloch and McLaren, J. Wilson, J. McCarthy, Mrs P. Glynn, E. Ratcliffe, soap works, Orphan Asylum .2) Copy of a plan relating to the construction of the Ballarat Railway Line. It includes shafts for the following companies: South Extended Co, Black Hill; Parade Co.; Black Hill Co.; Spanhake Co. Shaft; Black Hill South Co.; Wellingtonia Gigantiea Co., and the old workings of the Welllingtonia Gigantea Co,ballarat railway plan, belford street, lal lal street, clayton street, rodier street, trench street, south extended co., black hill, parade co., spanhake co. shaft, black hill south co., wellingtonia gigantiea co, railway

This navigation cart of Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour was originally surveyed in 1870 but this version includes the update for magnetic variation in 1893. Since the printing of the chart several annotations have been added. These include an additional stamp dated 15-8-1910, a handwritten comment across the top of the page dated August 1910, and another handwritten comment regarding the ‘Proposed Extension of Dock’ dated 19-2-1925, plus connected drawings, notes and figures. The 1925 proposal on this chart may have been a reaction to the Royal Commission of 1923, when the damaged stonework on the seaward side of the Warrnambool Breakwater, caused by the action of the sea, was the subject of enquiry. A conference between the Public Works, Water Commission and the Harbour Trust concluded that it would less costly to make repairs to prevent further damage rather than replaced the damage portion of the wall. A contract was raised in late 1924 to deposit rubble on the damaged side of the breakwater to minimise the Southern Ocean’s destructive action and work had started by August 1925. The Breakwater construction had begun in 1874 and was completed in 1890. The Victorian Government had commissioned Sir John Coode, a British harbour engineer, to present a plan to complete the Warrnambool Breakwater but his original plan was too expensive. He prepared a revised plan for a shorter structure. The construction proved to be too short to protect adequately from the weather and didn't allow enough depth for larger vessels to come into port. The decreasing trade was further affected by siltation in the bay due to the breakwater, and the completion of the railway line. The situation of the harbour became a real problem by 1910 and required continuous dredging. In 1914 the Breakwater was extended but proved to be a failure because the work began to subside and by 1920 about two thirds of the harbour was silted up. Alterations made in the 1920's increased the silting problem and by the 1940's the harbour was no longer used. More alterations were made in the 1950's and 1960's. This chart is significant for its strong connection to the maritime history of Warrnambool Harbour and Lady Bay and the Warrnambool Breakwater. The Warrnambool Breakwater is registered as a place of significance on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHR H2024). The Warrnambool Breakwater is one of the most important late 19th century maritime engineering projects in Victoria and significant in the development of Victorian coastal shipping. It is also significant for its connection with British harbour engineer, Sir John Coode. The chart is a historical record of structures existing in 1893; the Warrnambool Jetties, Warrnambool Breakwater in Lady Bay, the leading lights (lighthouses), streets, roads, bridges and many buildings. It also shows the lay of the land and seabed. Navigation Chart: Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour, Australia - South Coast - Victoria. Surveyed by Nav. Lieut. H.J. Stanley, R.N., 1870. Updated for Magnetic Variation, 1893. The rectangular chart is printed on heavy cream paper. Stamps are shaped rectangular, oval and round. Around the Breakwater and Jetty area are handwritten notes, dotted and joined lines, numbers and signatures, and shading of red and green. The chart shows the surrounds of Warrnambool Harbour, Lady Bay, the Breakwater and Jetty, roads, bridges and the streets in Warrnambool. It has sounding details, and angles of line from the leading lights.Stamp, rectangular, including "AUG 1910" Stamp, double oval " - - - -CHART" Stamp, hand drawn, red circle, with "B" inside Hand written note "22-8-1910 - - - - - of surveying C. Ca - - - request of 15-8-10 [initials] " Notes and lines in red pen, including a grid of sounding numbers: "1300" "1050" "1200" "Possible Extension of Dock" "19-2-25" "Dock Dredged to 20 Ft" Notes and lines in blue pen "Extension of Dock to accommodate vessels drawing 20 Feet" and "Light not visible south of this line" Red dots (4) with yellow highlight at both leading lights, breakwater and jettyflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, map, chart, navigation chart, plan, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, breakwater, jetty, pier, dock extension, proposed extension, vhr h2024, 1870, 1893, 1910, 1925, warrnambool town late 1800s, warrnambool streets late 1800s royal commission, 1923, public works, water commission, harbour trust, victorian harbours, sir jon coode

Gasometers resulted from complex engineering design evolving from primitive gasholders first used in 1824 in England to power street lights. The 20th century gasometer, (as used at the Highett Gasworks), was comprised of a series of large interconnected, telescopic, cylindrical vessels or lifts, which rose and fell depending on the volume of gas stored. The gasholder operated on a basic principle of a gas-filled floating vessel, rising and falling in a seal of water. The Highett Gasworks had its beginning in 1939 but its beginnings commenced sixty-two years earlier when the privately owned Brighton Gas Company was floated in 1877. By 1880 the company was performing well and making excellent profits. The company was welcomed by residents wanting to replace the shadowy light of a kerosene lamp with the bright luminescence of "modern" gas lamps. The land developers of the day were also keen supporters. But by 1884 people became disgrunted because either the gas had not reached them yet or because the quality of the supply had diminished due to the increasing use. In 1885 a second private gas company, the Central Brighton and Moorabbin Gas Co, Chaired by "Tommy" Bent was floated and for many years the two gas companies enjoyed a shared monopoly in supplying gas from their New Street Works. In the 1930s the company expanded its gas production facilities to Highett where it had purchased 45 acres of land adjacent to the Melbourne-Frankston railway line. A gasholder with a capacity of 750,000 cubic feet was erected on the Highett land in 1927 and connected with high pressure mains to the Brighton works. Three years later the company directors decided to proceed with the construction of a vertical retort house and coal store. Following a "lull" during the Great Depression work recommenced in 1936 and by 1939 the first complete gas-making plant was completed, and gas making commenced. Over the next twenty one years other significant extensions occurred, including an amenities block to accomodate 100 workers. In 1969 Esso commenced the introduction of natural gas to residents homes and the gradual decommissioning of the Highett Gasworks commenced. Part of the old Highett Gasworks site is now a council owned parkThe photos of the Higett Gasworks, now demolished, recall their long history, that originated in the 1800s with the production of gas to supply homes with a new, much improved light source, and later it's other applications such as for stoves etc. The arrival of gas in the Shire of Moorabbin was a huge step forward that encouraged further building and development in the area.Three Photographs of the Highett Gasworks. Two are coloured photos taken in 1974, and one is black and white taken in the 1960s. All are in good conditionOn the back of the two coloured photographs "Highett Gasworks 1974" No inscription on the black and white aerial photograph.brighton, moorabbin, highett, bent thomas, gasometer, highett gasworks, engineering design, brighton gas company, central brighton and moorabbin gas company, great depression, lamp kerosene

''The Construction of the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway' pages 1 and 2 (separate sheets) of a document (laminated) prepared by the Bendigo Historical Society and outlining the history of the construction of the line..Bendigo Historical Societybendigo, history, bendigo railway, construction of the melbourne to bendigo rail line. mr valintine, mr lysaght, dr backhaus, mr bissell, mr harney, dr hunt , mr mackay, cornish & bruce, malmsbury viaduct, taradale viaduct, coliban river, elphinstone tunnel, big hill tunnel, sir henry barkly, mr robert burrowes.

''A Long Time Ago'' - The history of the Melbourne to Bendigo line. V/Line publication (fold-out) with brief history of construction and simplified route map of line with brief description of some of the railway line features as well as information about towns and special features on the route.V/Line Publication, Walker Printing Bendigo.bendigo, history, bendigo railway, bendigo railway, stations on the bendigo line

'A LONG TIME AGO: THE HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE TO BENDIGO LINE' Bi-fold publication. A schematic 'strip' map of the line with particular places (approx 40) marked on the route with short descriptions of these sites. Concise description of the construction of the line; a summary of present attractions for the visitor to Bendigo and V/Line information.Walker Printing Bendigorailways, bendigo to melbourne, brochure, barkers creek , harcourt, elphinstone tunnel, malsmbury, malmsbury viaduct, kyneton, carlsruhe, hanging rock, woodend, mount macedon, riddells creek, clarkefield hotel, rupertswood, sunbury, diggers rest, sydenham, st albans, spencer street. v/line.

RAILWAYS COLLECTION -6 x Unbound Photocopied double sided pages giving information on the construction of the Bendigo Railway Line including Black and white photos of Railway Bridges and Viaducts - which show the Saltwater River bridge , Jacksons Creek Viaduct, Riddell Creek Bridge, Campbell's Creek Road bridge, Forest creek viaduct and Malmsbury Viaduct the photos are grainy in appearance.photograph, landscape

Silver Hitachi train arriving at Graham station (approx 1987). Labelled as last train so presumably just before the rail line closed for the construction of the light rail line. Image looks towards the city.transport - railways, hitachi train, graham station

TACL-Tractor Appliance Company Limited TACL rail tractors manufactured by Malcolm Moore of Port Melbourne Located in the Parishes of Moondarra and Telbit, Gippsland, the tramway terminated at Collins Siding on the Moe Walhalla 2'6"gauge branch of the Victorian Railways. Its construction by the Forests Commission of Victoria was to facilitate the extraction of timber from the Southern and Western slopes of Mount Erica and to replace the outlet tramways destroyed during the disastrous forest fires of February 1926. Tyers Valley Tramway The line, following the Eastern arm of the river, passed Ingrams Siding (7m.) to terminate at a forest area, known as "Ten Acre Block", 8m. 60c. from Collins Siding. The western branch of the line followed the Western Tyers Valley to Growlers Creek, 13m. 40c. from Collins Siding. THE T.A.C.L. TRACTORS at Tyers Valley tramway. On the 19th January 1928, T.A.C.L. locomotive, purchased from Tractor Appliance Co. Ltd. (Malcolm Moore), was delivered. This unit had a 20 h.p. Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles, providing a tractive effort of approx. 2000lbs. Wheelbase was 5’ and weight was four tons. It was intended that the two tractor locomotives, working with the grade, would deliver timber from the branch lines to Tyers Junction, from which place it would be steam hauled out to the Collins Siding transfer point. Following a breakdown of the steam locomotive, haulage during the early months of 1928 was carried out by the T.A.C.L. unit, supplemented by the Nattrass, which was, by this time, becoming unreliable. During April 1928, after ensuring that no suitable locomotive was available in Australia, an order was placed with the Climax Manufacturing Co., U.S.A. for the supply of a geared locomotive. A second T.A.C.L. engine was purchased during May and, on the 27th, the local mill owners, having obtained running rights on the tramway, commenced haulage with the Harman. The three tractor units worked the branch lines and transported ballast, whilst the Harman hauled the timber to Collins Siding in rakes of eight trucks (56 tons). The weekly loading of the line for the first, second and third weeks were 54, 62 and 71 trucks respectively. info from : http://www.nmra.org.au/tyersvalley/Tyers-Tram.html Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railway - Timber working - Rail Tractor used by the the Forests Commission of Victoria on the Tyers Valley TramwayRail Tractor with Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles - made of steel and wrought ironerica sawmill, puffing billy, tacl, rail tractor, tractor appliance co. ltd. (malcolm moore), industrial narrow gauge railway, tyers valley tramway, forests commission of victoria

6A Built in 1901 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Colac to Beech Forest line and was used in that line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on all four lines, but mostly on the Colac to Crowes and Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook lines. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it saw almost continuous service until being withdrawn in 1983. It has been restored, as far as possible, to its original condition with original design side tanks, low bunker, original size windows, etc., but a steel cow-catcher in place of the original style wooden one. It also has its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining. Loco: 6A In service Thursday, 18th July 1901 Livery two-tone green Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762mm / 2' 6' Status Preserved - Operational Service History : Jul 1901 Colac - initial allocation of a new locomotive Jul 1901 - Nov 1908 Colac Mar 1909 - May 1909 Wangaratta Jun 1909 - Other Oct 1909 - Oct 1910 UFTG. Nov 1910 - Feb 1912 Colac May 1912 - Jun 1912 Wangaratta Jul 1912 - Sep 1914 Moe Oct 1914 - Aug 1924 Colac May 1925 - Jul 1927 UFTG. Aug 1927 - Oct 1928 Moe Jan 1929 - Sep 1930 UFTG. Sep 1930 - Jun 1932 Moe Dec 1932 - Workshops May 1933 - Colac Sep 1933 - May 1936 Moe Jun 1936 - Oct 1936 Workshops Oct 1936 - May 1942 UFTG. Sep 1942 - Apr 1949 Colac May 1949 - Apr 1950 Workshops May 1950 - Dec 1957 UFTG. Feb 1958 - Apr 1962 Workshops May 1962 - Belgrave - In Active Service at Puffing Billy Railway BelgraveVictorian Railways - Narrow Gauge NA class steam locomotive number 6A Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 Puffing Billy Locomotives and Rolling Stock Collection Dates that 6A worked on the Gembrook Line Nov-1909 to Nov-1910 May-1925 to Aug-1927 Jan-1929 to Sep-1930 Oct-1936 to Sep-1942 May-1950 to Feb-1958 May-1962 - Returned to Gembrook railway Oct-1977 - Transferred to PBR ownershipSteam Locomotive - with wrought iron frame with cast iron cylinders6Apuffing billy, victorian railways, narrow gauge, steam locomotive, 6a, 6na

3A Built in 1900. This is the second locomotive to be built at the Victorian Railways Newport Workshops. Painted in the then standard Victorian Railways two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line and was used on the line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on the Colac to Crowes and Moe to Walhalla lines, but it saw more service on the Gembrook line than any other. It was withdrawn from service in 1955 at Upper Fern Tree Gully and sold in 1960 to the Lord Mayor’s Camp at Portsea where it remained on static display until obtained by the Puffing Billy Presservation Society in 1977. Number 3A Entered service 6th april 1900 Livery two-tone green Gauge 762mm / 2' 6" Service History : Apr 1900 UFTG. - initial allocation Apr 1900 - Jul 1901 Upper ferntree gully Feb 1902 - Jan 1906 Colac Feb 1906 - Jul 1906 Upper ferntree gully Sep 1907 - Mar 1908 Colac Oct 1908 - Oct 1909 Upper ferntree gully Nov 1909 - Apr 1910 Other Oct 1910 - Nov 1911 Upper ferntree gully Feb 1912 - Oct 1914 Colac Dec 1914 - Oct 1917 Moe Dec 1917 - Jul 1920 Colac Sep 1920 - Jun 1922 Moe Jul 1922 - Jun 1925 Upper ferntree gully Aug 1925 - Mar 1928 Other May 1928 - Nov 1929 Moe Jan 1930 - Apr 1935 Wangaratta Jun 1935 - Sep 1936 Workshops Oct 1936 - May 1949 Upper ferntree gully Nov 1949 - Mar 1950 Workshops Apr 1950 - Jun 1955 Upper ferntree gully Nov 1955 - Mar 1959 Workshops Nov 1960 - Aug 1973 Lord Mayor’s Camp at Portsea Apr 1977 - salvaged from Lord Mayors camp and delivered to Menzies creek station.Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge NA class steam locomotive number 3A Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 Dates that 3A worked on the Upper ferntree gully to Gembrook Line. Apr 1900 - initial allocation of a new locomotive Apr 1900 to Jul 1901 Feb 1906 to Jul 1906 Oct 1908 to Oct 1909 Oct 1910 to Nov 1911 Oct 1936 to May 1949 Apr 1950 to Jun 1955 Apr 1977 to Belgrave Steam Locomotive3Apuffing billy, victorian railways, 3a, narrow gauge, steam locomotive

Side Tipping Timber Skip Wooden Contractors Wagon. Gauge 17 inch (430mm) Typical of the many side tipping wagons used for soil and rock disposal in construction work and mining throughout Australia and the world. The wagon would be loaded with soil and pushed along a short line to the end of track where the load would be emptied out to either side. By using a central pivot the wagon’s body can be tipped either side to allow the contents to be easily removed ready for the next load.Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge RailwayWooden bodied, steel framed side tipping skip.puffing billy, side tipping skip, industrial narrow gauge railway

Loco: 3A In service Monday, 4th June 1900 Livery Not painted Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Stored 3A Built in 1900 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line and was used in the line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on the Colac to Crowes and Moe to Walhalla lines, but it saw more service on the Gembrook line than any other. It was withdrawn from service in 1955 at Upper Fern Tree Gully and sold in 1960 to the Lord Mayor’s Camp at Portsea where it remained on static display until 1977. From there it was eventually brought to Belgrave for eventual restoration. When restored, it will be returned, as far as possible to its original condition with wooden cow-catchers, original design side tanks, low bunker, no smoke-box ash chute, etc. It will also have its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 3ALocomotive Number Plate from 3A made of cast metal & Brass3Apuffing billy, 3a, number plate

Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6A Loco: 6A In service Thursday, 18th July 1901 Livery Green Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Preserved - Operational 6A Built in 1901 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Colac to Beech Forest line and was used in that line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on all four lines, but mostly on the Colac to Crowes and Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook lines. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it saw almost continuous service until being withdrawn in 1983. It has been restored, as far as possible, to its original condition with original design side tanks, low bunker, original size windows, etc., but a steel cow-catcher in place of the original style wooden one. It also has its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6ANumber Plate 6A Fabricated steel number board made by the Victorian Railways for locomotive 6A. 6A6a, puffing billy, number plate, victorian railways

Replica of a Victorian Railways replacement number board that 6A carried in the later 40's and 50's. This plate was created for the preservation society's reenactment trains in 2012 for the 50 year celebration of reopening to Menzies Creek. Loco: 6A In service Thursday, 18th July 1901 Livery Green Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Preserved - Operational 6A Built in 1901 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Colac to Beech Forest line and was used in that line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on all four lines, but mostly on the Colac to Crowes and Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook lines. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it saw almost continuous service until being withdrawn in 1983. It has been restored, as far as possible, to its original condition with original design side tanks, low bunker, original size windows, etc., but a steel cow-catcher in place of the original style wooden one. It also has its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Replica Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate of the type used on Steam Locomotive 6A in the later 40's and 50's created for the preservation society's reenactment trains in 2012 for the 50 year celebration of reopening to Menzies Creek. Number Plate 6A Cast aluminum replica number board.6Apuffing billy, menzies creek, 6a, number plate

Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6A Loco: 6A In service Thursday, 18th July 1901 Livery Green Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Preserved - Operational 6A Built in 1901 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Colac to Beech Forest line and was used in that line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on all four lines, but mostly on the Colac to Crowes and Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook lines. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it saw almost continuous service until being withdrawn in 1983. It has been restored, as far as possible, to its original condition with original design side tanks, low bunker, original size windows, etc., but a steel cow-catcher in place of the original style wooden one. It also has its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6A6A Number Plate. Fabricated steel number board made by the Victorian Railways for locomotive 6A. 6Apuffing billy, victorian railways, number plate, 6a

Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway.