Showing 679 items
matching steam engines
-
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Ballarat School of Mines, Ballarat School of Mines Annual Reports 1895-1902, 1902 (estimated); Bound copies of reports from 1895-1902
The Ballarat School of Mines was established in 1970 and was the first school of Mines in Australia.A number of Ballarat School of Mines Annual General reports bounds in a dark blue hardcover with black leather spine. Includes some illustrations such as the Ballarat School of Mines Senior Staff.mining, mining alumni, geometry, steam, botany, ballarat school of mines, alfred mica smith, j f usher, andrew anderson, chemistry, metallurgy, a e c kerr, henry j hall, veterinary science, robert e weir, assaying, mineralogy, petrography, algebra, trigonometry, applied, mechancis, land surveying, mine surveying, dynamics and heat, sound and light, magnetism and electricity, carpentry and joinery, architecture, photography, john warrington rogers, james bickett, thomas wanliss, henry cuthbert, museum, william huey, steele, and, gas, engines, mine managers certificate, john m sutherland, charles e campbell, cyanide plant, mining laboratory, samuel thornton, daniel walker, percy osborne, robert allan, hubert murphy, charles deane, ernest trend, thomas evans, alfred johnston, boer war, richard maddern, underground, ferdinand krause -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, David Burke, 30 Days On Australia's Railways - A diary of September journeys, 2014
... , when the great Bayer-Garrett AD6029 steam engine was restored ...An entertaining look at railway events in Australia in the month of September - from 1848, when a meeting was called to start a railway company in New South Wales, to 2013, when the great Bayer-Garrett AD6029 steam engine was restored to working order. For some strange reason, September has been a month when particularly memorable railway events tend to occur. Author David Burke has crafted a 'diary' which documents, day by day, major happenings to do with railways in Australia - from the days of steam, to diesel, to diesel-electric and electrification, covering the first trains that ran between New South Wales and Queensland, and to Melbourne. It was in also September that the first sod was dug for the Trans-Australian Railway across the Nullarbor to Perth. The book is heavily illustrated with historic photographs, both black and white and colour, newspaper cuttings, sketches and maps, and features 13 paintings by renowned railway artist Phil Belbin. Names that leap to the fore among those who made railway history happen include Ben Chifley, the locomotive driver who became Prime Minister of Australia, engineer Dr John Bradfield, designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and responsible for putting Sydney's city trains underground, James Fraser, first Australian-born Chief Commissioner for Railways, and Harold Young, the Scotsman who designed the C38 engine and the Silver City Comet. Cover picture shows: Climbing the steep Fassifern Grade with a heavy coal train maakes for plenty of Bayer-Garrett action in Phil Belbin's painting of the AD60 class at work on the Shorty North line to Newcastle New South Wales Australia.ill. p.172.non-fictionAn entertaining look at railway events in Australia in the month of September - from 1848, when a meeting was called to start a railway company in New South Wales, to 2013, when the great Bayer-Garrett AD6029 steam engine was restored to working order. For some strange reason, September has been a month when particularly memorable railway events tend to occur. Author David Burke has crafted a 'diary' which documents, day by day, major happenings to do with railways in Australia - from the days of steam, to diesel, to diesel-electric and electrification, covering the first trains that ran between New South Wales and Queensland, and to Melbourne. It was in also September that the first sod was dug for the Trans-Australian Railway across the Nullarbor to Perth. The book is heavily illustrated with historic photographs, both black and white and colour, newspaper cuttings, sketches and maps, and features 13 paintings by renowned railway artist Phil Belbin. Names that leap to the fore among those who made railway history happen include Ben Chifley, the locomotive driver who became Prime Minister of Australia, engineer Dr John Bradfield, designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and responsible for putting Sydney's city trains underground, James Fraser, first Australian-born Chief Commissioner for Railways, and Harold Young, the Scotsman who designed the C38 engine and the Silver City Comet. Cover picture shows: Climbing the steep Fassifern Grade with a heavy coal train maakes for plenty of Bayer-Garrett action in Phil Belbin's painting of the AD60 class at work on the Shorty North line to Newcastle New South Wales Australia.railroads -- australia -- history., railroad travel -- australia -- history. -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Daddow, Vivian, The Puffing Pioneers - and Queensland's Railway Builders, 1975
INTRODUCTION Until well into the twentieth century, driver, fireman and guard — with a locomotive — set out on something resembling a safari. Tucker boxes crammed with food, a change of clothing, a roll of blankets, and armed with a sheaf of time-tables, they worked trains hither and thither not to return home for almost a week. But the passing of time, plus union pressure, brought an end to the need for "waltzing Matilda". Not only blankets but sheets, pillow slips, then later mosquito nets, along with other aids to civilized living, were provided by the Department in living quarters away from home. Few wives took kindly to the chore of selecting and preparing food and packing tucker boxes. Railwaymen seeking board and lodgings in a new depot could receive a set-back by being told "no tucker boxes packed". Until pooling of locomotives in depots became the order, a driver and fireman had "their own engine", and great was the competition between engine crews to display the best groomed horse. Much time might be spent outside rostered working hours cleaning their engine with kerosene and polishing with tallow and bath brick. So spotless and sparkling were some that a proud engineman would say a clean white handkerchief could be rubbed even over a hidden part. While miners talked of what made their day, farmers discussed crops and harvests, seamen their ships, and trainers and jockeys their horses, wherever steam men gathered, discussion soon turned to locomotives and the trains they hauled. Like jockeys with their mounts, iron horses with excellent traits were praised while those with annoying peculiarities were criticized and remedies suggested. Methods of firing to get best results from slow steaming locos were debated. Driver warned driver of weaknesses found in locomotives on recent "trips", spoke of developing defects calling for close attention — this one is "knocking Badly on one side", that one "priming badly (give her a good blow down before leaving the shed)", another with a "big end inclined to run hot", one with "a lot of slop in the boxes", one "getting down on the springs", or the sloth that was slow pulling on steep climbs to the chagrin of a driver striving to run on time. Things of no small concern when handling a locomotive on a train for a shift of maybe eight hours straight, or ten, even twelve, and on occasions longer. Foreknowledge of the particular loco allotted his train on the next job could fill the preceding hours for a driver or fireman with pleasant contentment, or with nagging trepidation and disgust……index, ill, p.217.non-fictionINTRODUCTION Until well into the twentieth century, driver, fireman and guard — with a locomotive — set out on something resembling a safari. Tucker boxes crammed with food, a change of clothing, a roll of blankets, and armed with a sheaf of time-tables, they worked trains hither and thither not to return home for almost a week. But the passing of time, plus union pressure, brought an end to the need for "waltzing Matilda". Not only blankets but sheets, pillow slips, then later mosquito nets, along with other aids to civilized living, were provided by the Department in living quarters away from home. Few wives took kindly to the chore of selecting and preparing food and packing tucker boxes. Railwaymen seeking board and lodgings in a new depot could receive a set-back by being told "no tucker boxes packed". Until pooling of locomotives in depots became the order, a driver and fireman had "their own engine", and great was the competition between engine crews to display the best groomed horse. Much time might be spent outside rostered working hours cleaning their engine with kerosene and polishing with tallow and bath brick. So spotless and sparkling were some that a proud engineman would say a clean white handkerchief could be rubbed even over a hidden part. While miners talked of what made their day, farmers discussed crops and harvests, seamen their ships, and trainers and jockeys their horses, wherever steam men gathered, discussion soon turned to locomotives and the trains they hauled. Like jockeys with their mounts, iron horses with excellent traits were praised while those with annoying peculiarities were criticized and remedies suggested. Methods of firing to get best results from slow steaming locos were debated. Driver warned driver of weaknesses found in locomotives on recent "trips", spoke of developing defects calling for close attention — this one is "knocking Badly on one side", that one "priming badly (give her a good blow down before leaving the shed)", another with a "big end inclined to run hot", one with "a lot of slop in the boxes", one "getting down on the springs", or the sloth that was slow pulling on steep climbs to the chagrin of a driver striving to run on time. Things of no small concern when handling a locomotive on a train for a shift of maybe eight hours straight, or ten, even twelve, and on occasions longer. Foreknowledge of the particular loco allotted his train on the next job could fill the preceding hours for a driver or fireman with pleasant contentment, or with nagging trepidation and disgust…… railroads -- queensland -- history, railroads -- australia -- queensland -- history. -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Lodestar Press, The Tank Engines A Farewell to Steam Album Number One
... The Tank Engines A Farewell to Steam Album Number One... pictorial - New Zealand - history Photographs of tank engines ...Photographs of tank engines working on the New Zealand Railways.ill, p.31.non-fictionPhotographs of tank engines working on the New Zealand Railways.tank locomotives - new zealand - pictorial, railroad pictorial - new zealand - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Groves, Ken, The Big Engines of the N.S.W.G.R, 1994
An illustrated history of the 57 & 58 class 4-8-2 3-cylinder steam locomotives on the New South Wales Railways.ill, p.256.non-fictionAn illustrated history of the 57 & 58 class 4-8-2 3-cylinder steam locomotives on the New South Wales Railways.locomotives -- new south wales -- history, 57 & 58 class locomotives - new south wales - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Booklet, Potts, Don, Festival Engine R-704
A history of R704 4-6-4 steam locomotive on the Victorian Railways from introduction to preservation in the ARHS railway museum.ill, p.12.non-fictionA history of R704 4-6-4 steam locomotive on the Victorian Railways from introduction to preservation in the ARHS railway museum.steam locomotives - victoria- history, r class locomotive - victoria - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Train Hobby Publications, Locomotive Profile Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge A class, 2000
A photographic profile of the NA 2-6-2 2'6" narrow gauge tank engines of the Victorian Railways in the early 1950s.Ill, p.48non-fictionA photographic profile of the NA 2-6-2 2'6" narrow gauge tank engines of the Victorian Railways in the early 1950s.steam locomotives - victoria- history, puffing billy - victoria - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, McGavin, T.A, New Zealand Railway Engines, 1953
Details of steam, diesel and electric locomotives operating in New Zealand as well as diesel railcars in 1964.ill, p.32.non-fictionDetails of steam, diesel and electric locomotives operating in New Zealand as well as diesel railcars in 1964.railcars - new zealand - history, locomotives -- new zealand -- history -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - NEW CHUM & VICTORIA - NEW CHUM & VICTORIA MINE MANAGERS REPORTS
Handwritten copies from New Chum & Victoria Mine Managers Reports. 9/11/1888 Cage caught in shaft reported by Wm Grigg. 9/11/1888 More about the cage being caught, reported by Mine manager R Jackson. 4/1/1889 Replaced rings in eastern winding engine. No water for 2 days as main burst at Bendigo Creek. 18/1/1889 East boiler leaking. Boilermakers in. Still leaked. 1/2/1889 East battery repaired. 15/2/1889 Water in shaft 15 galls an hour. Total depth from surface 2,134 feet. Wm Vinnard. M. Man. 7/6/1899 Firewood in stock, at ?indes, 552 tons at battery. Urgently require a 2nd boiler. Can only wind for 20 minutes, then stop for steam to rise before hauling. J Agnew Mine Manager.document, gold, new chum & victoria, new chum & victoria mine managers reports, wm grigg, r jackson, wm vinnard, j agnew -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - POPPET LEGS AND ENGINES -WHERE SHIFTED TO
Handwritten notes where poppet legs and engines were taken. New Chum Goldfields - To Golden Fleece. To Deborah. To Central Deb. Carlisle Poppet Heads - to Guilford Plateau, then to Nell Gwynne Reefs. Williams United Engine (Sq Con Reds) - To Ulster then North Blue, then Nth Deborah. Central Blue Engine, with Corliss valves, to Deborah. Windmill Hill Legs to Sebastian, then to Deborah. Big Blue Legs - to Central Deborah. (Legs) South Moon to South Virginia. (Engine) Sth Moon to South Virginia, & driver put on side of drums. Fortuna Hustlers Engine - to ? ?, then to Bird's Reef, then to Herc No 1. Then to Nth Virginia. New Oswald (Malson) Engine left at Sth Moon, not allowed to put in, as it was a loose eccentric. Unity Legs - to Herc. No 1. Then to Ironbark. Ironbark Engine - To Wattle Gully. (Converted to electric winder). 222 - Several Compressors. The fire at the Unity mine in 1907. The fire at the Garden Gully mine in 1911. The fire at the Princess Dagmar in 1913. The light on the Ellenborough flagpole. Tambour Major. Joe Sheard in diving suit. Lansell's Little 180 - Vertical engine. Driver to right side and at floor level. Lansell's bit 180 - Vertical engine. Driver on top of engine. Floor between. Lansell's Needle. - Wooden legs with crossstays reaching from top of legs to close to bottom. Winder - Single Link engine. Hard to get drivers. Confidence Extended. Koch's Pioneer. - Shaft a big angle. Central Blue - Old Sheepshead - same. Vict Catherine - Winder - one drum in front of other, shaft at such an angle. Very hard to see which cage or tank at surface. Specimen Hill and Carlisle - Back-handed first motion engines. Central Nell - Winder from Lord Nelson mine, St Arnaud - Driver behind drums. Turned valve opp. To usual to turn steam on and off.document, gold, poppet legs and engines, shifting about - poppet legs and engines, new chum goldfields, golden fleece, deborah, central deborah, carlisle, guilford plateau, nell gwynne reefs, williams united, ulster, north blue, nth deborah, central blue, windmill hill, sebastian, big blue, south moon, south virginia, fortuna hustlers, tambour major, bird's reef, herc no 1, nth virginia, new oswald (maldon), unity, ironbark, wattle gully, 222, garden gully, princess dagmar, ellenborough, joe sheard, lansell's little 180, lansell's big 180, lansell's needle, confidence extended, koch's pioneer, central blue, old sheepshead, vict catherine, specimen hill, carlisle, central nell, lord nelson mine (st arnaud) -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Mounted photograph, Sepia, S.S. Virgilia, 1920
... in the engine rooms of the Steam ship Virgilia. Names of the crewmen... in the engine rooms of the Steam ship Virgilia. Names of the crewmen ...Various ports in all parts of the world would provide a photographic service documenting ship crews and passengers. The crew members in this photograph would have primarily worked in the engine rooms of the Steam ship Virgilia. Names of the crewmen: Trevanna, Jones, Jeffries, Mathews, Gunther, Dingle, O'Callaghan , Finn , Whittaker, Duffey, O'Leary, FurlongAppears to have been presented to the Mission possibly in appreciation of the services these crewmen had used or events they had attended. The photograph is valuable as all the crew featured are named with surnames and may crosslink with documented records of their visits also held in the archive collection.Studio Mounted Black and white Photograph of 12 crewmen on board ship with ship kitten and with primary and secondary inscriptionsOn top in black ink: Presented by the Firemen and Trimmers of S.S. Virgilia Christmas 1920-21 also crew names handwritten in ink above image: Trevanna, Jones, Jeffries, Mathews, Gunther below image: Dingle, O'Callaghan , Finn , Whittaker, Duffey / O'Leary, Furlong In pencil handwritten lower centre: S.S. VIRGILIA On Verso in pencil Lwr right quadrant PH-SC 24steam ships, ss virgilia, trimmers, firemen, christmas, crew, seafarers, seamen, 1920, 1921, crews and ships -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph, Interior of a Melbourne cable tram Engine House
The photograph shows the interior of a Melbourne cable tram engine house, or powerhouse, with the steam cylinders and flywheels in the view. Location and date unknown.Yields information about the interior of an cable tram engine house.Photograph, black and white, plain papertrams, tramways, cable tram, engine house, power house -
Clunes Museum
Artwork, other - FRAMED LITHOGRAPH
PORT PHILLIP & COLONIAL MINING COMPANY LIMITED AND CLUNES QUARTZ MINING COMPANY, THE MACHINE CONTAINED 5 BOILERS, 3 ENGINES 145 HP, 80 HEADS OF STAMPS, 7 BUDDLES, 2 CHILIAN MILLS & 2 STONE BREAKERS, STEAM VALVES. TONS OF QUARTZ RAISED BY THE PORT MINING & CLUNES COMPANIES TO MARCH 1880 1123365 TONS & GOLD 465,168 OUNCES, 7 DWTS, VALUE 1860, 925,54 POUNDS. EXHIBITED BY R.H. BLAND, CLUNES.LITHOGRAPH DEPICTING SURFACE WORKS OF THE PORT PHILLIP & COLONIAL MINING CO. LIMITED AND INTERIOR OF MACHINE HOUSE.local history, illustrations, lithograph, mining. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE NORTH DEBORAH MINE
North Deborah Mine in Eve Street, Bendigo, operated between 1937 and 1954. In that time it produced 128,000 ounces of gold.Black and white photograph of the North Deborah Mine, showing the poppet head, mullock heap to the left, man at the end of railway at the first level, does not show cables from the engine house to the wheels on top of the poppet, water tank at the side of the engine house, farm style corner of a fence at left of photo, small shed housing a pump for water, right foreground is a dam for water waiting to be converted to steam to operate the cable winder.mining, surface equipment, north deborah mine -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - NORTH DEBORAH MINE - LETTER FROM THOMPSONS (CASTLEMAINE) LTD TO NORTH DEBORAH MINE
... Roberts Steam Winding Engine... McCann John G Burnell Roberts Steam Winding Engine North Deborah ...BHS CollectionFour handwritten pages. Copy of correspondence from Thompsons (Castlemaine) Limited to Mr McCann, Manager, North Deborah Mine, Bendigo re the setting of the valves in the Roberts Winding Engine. As they have not got any records of the design of the machine, they suggest dismantling part of the machine so that a reasonable setting can be determined and a chart made to which the fitters will have to adjust the Valves.document, gold, the north deborah gold mine co, north deborah mine, letter from thompsons (castlemaine) ltd, mr mccann, john g burnell, roberts steam winding engine, north deborah mining company no liability, mr j g browne, j j stanistreet -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Traction Engine, Melbourne Electric Supply Co. (MESCo), c 1919-20
Contractor's steam tractor bringing heavy equipment to be installed in the furnace room being built behind the tractor. 1919-1920.Yields information on the early development of the furnace room at Geelong Power StationBlack and white glass plate photograph.Plate 2-4 written in ink on the back of the photographsteam tractor, steam tractor and trailer, geelong power station, boiler room -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20th June 1894 for engine 297R. "Heard in Box Hill"
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. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Traction Engine
... . Location and date unknown. Steam tractor Traction engine Suburban ...Steam tractor in a Geelong suburban street with tramline. Location and date unknown.Black and white print on paper.No. 2 in a circle written in ink on reverse. 20-3 and GRS710/20/1/3 written in pencil on the reverse.steam tractor, traction engine, suburban geelong with tramlines -
Port of Echuca
Functional object - Locomotive Type Fire Tube Boiler, 1927
... Steam Display running secondary engines off the steam produced ...This Johnson Bros. (USA) Locomotive Type Boiler was from a steam shovel (that moved on rails) that excavated rock and soil during the construction of Stevens Weir near Deniliquin NSW in 1934. It has a working pressure of 100psi. This is an example of a fire tube boiler where the fire from the fire box heats the water surrounding the fire tubes running through the boiler, smoke escapes out the smoke stack and the steam is captured in the dome and sent through pipes toward other engines in the Port of Echuca Steam Display. Two glass gauges are fitted on the side of the firebox. Two safety valves are fitted at the top of the boiler to maintain the correct and safe pressure. It still functions today for visitors most days of the week.A good example of the technology and industrial history of the Riverina region of southern NSW and northern Victoria. It is an integral part of the Port of Echuca Steam Display running secondary engines off the steam produced within this boiler. Large cast iron, fire tube boiler with 124 fire tubes, fire box, steam dome and exhaust chimney. boiler, johnson bros, steam display, kevin hutchinson steam shed