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Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, Minister of Transport, "Ministry of Transport Moving Ahead - 1983-1984", 1983
Sixteen page pamphlet, printed black and white on gloss paper, titled "Ministry of Transport Moving Ahead - 1983-1984", looking at the Victorian Transport budget for 1983-1984. Has a foreword by Steve Crabb, Minister. Looks at the restructure of the department, employment, The Met, VLine, roads and ports. Has a contact list for the departments. Provides details of projects, funding, future planning.trams, tramways, minister for transport, transport, budgets, the met -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Magazine, Victorian Railways, Victorian Railways Magazine, November 1928, Nov. 1928
Victorian Railways Magazine, November 1928, (46 pages, centre stapled) without covers. Has a number of railway articles including Safety, Aviation in Australia, roller bearings in passenger carriages, Metal of the future - Aluminium. On page 8, is a photo titled "A City's Gateway", photo taken looking out from under the clocks from within the railway station , across to St Pauls Cathedral with K 92, a W2 and W1 in the photograph, along with some ladies. Shows the stained glass windows. Photo by A. L. Reid.trams, tramways, victorian railways, flinders st station, tram 92 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Westernport Dandenong Promotion Board, "Westernport Dandenong Promotion Board - Seminar - The Future of Industry Around Westernport", 1974
Report contained within a light brown card folder, containing a report on the "Westernport Dandenong Promotion Board - Seminar - 20th June 1974 - The Future of Industry Around Westernport", includes an paper by Sir Robert Risson, Executive Director - Metropolitan Transportation Committee - "Road and Rail Transport Proposals for the Region". Includes a copy of the program on the inside front cover."4E9" in ink on front cover.trams, tramways, transport, westernport, robert risson -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Ministry of Transport, "Future Context for Transport", 1982
Set of six comb bound reports, detailing the future context for transport in Victoria, prepared by the Future Context Study Team, Ministry of Transport Victoria in August 1982. The report follows the reorganisation of the various 8 authorities, including the Victorian Railways, MMTB, CRB, TRB, MURLA, Railway Construction, West Gate Bridge Authority and Road Safety and Traffic Authority, into four bodies; MTA, STA, RCA and RTA. Each report white comb bound with card covers and a front plastic sheet cover. .1 - Summary Report - 37 pages - white covers. .2 - Overview - 43 pages - pink covers .3 - Road Traffic Authority (RTA) - 30 pages - green covers. .4 - State Transport Authority (STA) - 130 pages - brown covers. .5 - Road Construction Authority (RCA) - 55 pages - blue covers. .6 - Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) - 53 pages - yellow covers.trams, tramways, minister for transport, mta, mmtb, vr, sta -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Magazine, Department of Infrastructure (DOI), "New Home for Heritage Trams", Dec. 1998
Eight page magazine, folded A3 printed on gloss paper, blue and black ink, "Infrazine" - Department of Infrastructure Victoria, Issue 11, December 1998 with the main article on the redevelopment of Hawthorn Tram depot - titled "New Home for Heritage Trams". Gives details of the history of the depot, involvement of the Department of Infrastructure, Public Transport Corporation, and the Urban Land Corporation, TMSV and the future use of the heritage trams. Article signed by Brandon Mack. Other items cover legal services, the Marine Board, regional offices.trams, tramways, hawthorn depot, ptc, doi, reconstruction -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Minister of Transport, "Bringing history back to life - The Hawthorn Tram Depot", Aug. 1998
Report - consultation document titled - "Bringing history back to life - The Hawthorn Tram Depot", 7 A4 sheets, photocopied, outlining the joint Public Transport Corporation (PTC) and Urban Land Corporation (ULC) study into the future of the Hawthorn Tram Depot. Includes a site plan or location map, consultation proposals, news release from the Minister for Transport - Mr Robin Cooper - dated 12/8/1998 and background document providing details of some of the heritage trams - both the PTC and the TMSV. Two copies held - one stapled. Imaged as a pdf file.trams, tramways, hawthorn depot, heritage, minister for transport, tram depot -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - Albert Richardson Collection: Bendigo Goldfield, MInes Department, Victoria 1936, 1936
Albert Richardson was an expert on the history of the Bendigo Goldfield. The Albert Richardson Park at Victoria Hill, is named in his honour. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Historical Society. Fifty one page booklet. On front page: Bendigo Goldfield, issued by Geo Brown, Secretary for Mines, under the authority of The Hon. E.J. Hogan, M.L.A., Minister of Mines. Mines Department, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1936.Content includes: historical information; recent development and future prospects, geology and lines of reef. Reef lines described are: Tysons, Lightning Hill, Hustlers, Derby, Paddy's Gully, Garden Gully, Deborah, Sheepshead, New Chum, Nell Gwynne, British and Foreign, Napoleon, Lancashire, Carshalton, Thistle, Christmas and Birds. On front cover 'Bendigo Goldfield, Geo Brown, Sec. for Mines, 1936' written in black pen. On first page 'A.Richardson, 29 Harrison Street, Bendigo' The booklet is annotated throughout by Albert Richardson, for example, the mines along the New Chum Line are further described with their date of formation, sill heights and area of claim.albert richardson, gold mining, goldfield, reef lines, 1936 -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Photograph - Axtrack oversnow vehicle Falls Creek Hotel
This vehicle, an Axtrack is located outside the Falls Creek Museum. It was built by Axel Andre who worked in Falls Creek as a mechanic for several years in the early 1970s. Axel was an engineer by trade. He built this small twin track vehicle for Ivan Spargo at the Falls Creek Hotel and then progressed to building bigger and better models. This included one for Ziggy Doer at Koki and Neville Mashford at Snowland purchased two of them. Some of these machines were also exported to America. Axel Andre later established a company Axtrack Engineering in Melbourne. There are still three of these Axtrack vehicles on the hill at Falls Creek in 2024. The vehicles were used for commercial purposes such as transporting supplies and staff around the mountain. The Spargo family from the Falls Creek Hotel used this vehicle for oversnow transport and it advertised Harvey Wallbanger Happy Hour. Ivan and Joy Spargo relocated from Melbourne to Falls Creek in 1965. They purchased a piece of leasehold land and built Spargo Lodge. This was a dorm style chalet built to accommodate large groups and families. Their son Rob Spargo met his future wife Blanche in 1967 when she was on holiday in Falls Creek. They married and purchased the site where the Falls Creek Hotel is today. The steep gradient of the site was a challenge to build on but was the best location available in the village. In 1970 Rob’s sister Leonie and her husband Glenn joined the business, and they started operating the hotel in 1972. The family played a critical role in the growth of the Falls Creek community and were involved in the foundation of Falls Creek Primary School and Falls Creek Search & Rescue. Rob was also involved in the start-up of Ski Victoria and has served as a member of the Chamber and Resort Management Board. Rob’s eldest daughter Lisa competed with the Australian Ski Team from 1985 to 1989 and has worked as a ski instructor in Australia, Austria & Colorado. In 2010 Lisa and her husband Damien Allport joined the family business and her parents retired to Tawonga South in 2014. Their children are now the fourth generation of the Spargo family living at Falls Creek enjoying the alpine lifestyle and providing outstanding hospitality. The 40 year tradition of the Harvey Wallbanger Happy Hour held on Tuesdays and Thursdays continues at Falls Creek Hotel in 2024.This item is significant because it depicts an important form of transport at Falls Creek, VictoriaA coloured photo of a black Axtrack oversnow vehicle decorated with red and yellow advertising.FALLS CREEK HOTEL APRES ENTERTAINMENT HARVEY HOUR TUES & THURS 3.30 PM LIVE ENTERTAINMENTaxtrack, oversnow vehicles, falls creek transport, spargo lodge, falls creek hotel -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Sutherland Home for Children, Diamond Creek, 27 September 2007
The Sutherland Homes for Children on Yan Yean Road, Diamond Creek cared for thousands of children from when it was opened in 1912. The site closed for this purpose in 1991 and was sold and later developed for commercial and office purposes. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p107 The Sutherland Homes for Children at 14 Yan Yean Road, Diamond Creek, cared for thousands of children since they opened in 1912, after beginning at La Trobe Street, Melbourne in 1908. In 1994 Sutherland Homes (then called Sutherland Child, Youth and Family Services) amalgamated with Berry Street Child and Family Welfare. Together as Berry Street Victoria, they formed Victoria’s largest independent provider of support and accommodation services for children, young people and families in crisis.1 However with the move from institutional to community care, the Diamond Creek site had not been used since 1991 and was sold to private purchasers in 1999. More than 2000 former residents, staff, neighbours and friends attended a farewell in February, 2000.2 The Sutherland Homes red-brick and stuccoed building in Diamond Creek (a rare design in the Eltham Shire), was opened in 1929 by Lord Somers, the Governor of Victoria. Destitute children lived in dormitories bathed in natural light through large windows. However in 1958 as the cottage–parent system replaced the dormitory system, the first of eight residential cottages accommodating ten to 12 children was built. The site also included Special School 3660 and a farm, and the children were able to form relationships with people outside Sutherland, by staying with holiday hosts. Children were originally placed at Sutherland because of extreme poverty, or because single parents could not cope. However later, most placements occurred due to family violence, abuse or neglect. The property was originally bought from the Crown in 1869 by Timothy Mahony. Later owner, Augusta Meglin, ran a 40-acre (16ha) farm there. In 1909 she bequeathed this, including the house, orchards, vegetable gardens, vineyards and the balance of her income to The Sutherland Homes for Neglected Children. Sutherland Homes’ founder, Selina Sutherland, was known as ‘New Zealand’s Florence Nightingale’. In 1888 she became Victoria’s first licensed ‘child rescuer’3 and was to rescue around 3000 waifs from Victoria’s streets and slums.4 Born in Scotland in 1839, Sutherland joined her sister, who had emigrated with her husband to New Zealand. Sutherland trained as a nurse and led the establishment of a public hospital at Masterton. In 1881, while holidaying in Melbourne, Sutherland was so touched by seeing young people living under Princes Bridge, that this determined her future work. Meanwhile Sutherland instigated the Melbourne District Nursing Society, (now Royal District Nursing Service). She also led the founding of The Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society (now Oz Child) and the Presbyterian Neglected Children’s Aid Society (now Kildonan). From 1894 Miss Sutherland was Melbourne’s best known woman and cut a distinctive figure, wearing an alpine hat with a prominent feather. In 1906 Prime Minister Alfred Deakin named her Melbourne’s most successful philanthropic worker. However she was to face some difficult times. That year she suffered severely from an injured shoulder and dizzy turns and was pressured to resign as Superintendent of The Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society. In 1908 the committee of management offered her 12 months leave with pay. Sutherland declined – but soon after, was dismissed. However she continued her work from Latrobe Street, Melbourne, with the help of Sister Ellen Sanderson and several committee members. Sutherland attempted to register her new organisation but the Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society objected to the government, alleging that Sutherland, because of increasing infirmity, was unable to satisfactorily carry out such duties. They accused her of cruelty and of intoxication. However the charges were not proven, so The Sutherland Homes for Neglected Children was registered.5 Sadly, in 1909 Sutherland died, the day she was to move the children to the ‘country property’ at Diamond Creek. At her death she owned less than £10. Today Berry Street recognises Sutherland’s enormous contribution to child welfare with a memorial and an annual Selina Sutherland Award, presented to an outstanding volunteer.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond creek, sutherland home for children -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard - Nu-color-Vue - Flinders St Station, Nucolorvue Publishing, Bustling Flinders St Station, Early 1970's
One of a series of postcards produced by Nu-color-vue. Shows W2 327 in Swanston St crossing Flinders St. The station building has the area above the clocks promoting Flinders Gate, a future project that occupied the former Princes Bridge station site. As well adverts for Mitchells Brushes, the Arts Centre fund raising, a five day east coast tour and Astoria Rent-a-carYields information about the appearance of Flinders Station building in the early 1970's and shows a busy or bustling intersection prior to the construction of the City Rail Loop.Postcard - Nu-color-Vue - Flinders St Station early 1970's - serrated edges of Flinders and Swanston St. ML 138swantson st, flinders st, w2 class, tram 327, nucolorvue, postcard, souvenir, trams, tramways -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet - PTC split, Public Transport Corporation (PTC), It's business as usual, 9/1997
Gives details of the split of the tram division of the Public Transport Corporation Vic to come into effect on 1-10-1997 into two business divisions - Yarra Trams and Swanston Trams. Includes a map showing which entity was to operate what section of Melbourne Trams. Prepared for employee information. Provides information on who would be the senior managers, a timetable, depots and routes to be operated and the logos that would be used.Yields information about the split of the Public Transport Corporation Tram division in preparation for the future privatisation. Pamphlet - photocopy titled Pamphlet - It's business as usual about the split up of the PTC to Swanston Trams and Yarra Trams. Two copies held.trams, tramways, yarra trams, swanston trams, ptc, managers, depots, public transport corporation -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, Herald Sun, "The Silent Line", 18-8-1969
... was on the future all-electric tram fleet that was proposed for Melbourne ...Reports on a Science Congress in Adelaide and a speech by Robert Risson about future transport possible systems - all types such as conveyor belts, air cushion vehicles, magnetic cushions, pneumatic tubes, moving footpaths, jet-propelled vehicles, gas turbine and diesel electric buses. These are known as "gadgetbahns" mooted proposals that seldom come to commercial fruition. His main emphasis was on the future all-electric tram fleet that was proposed for Melbourne. Also notes underground systems such as San Francisco. Item by Science Writer Frank Campbell.Yields information about possible future transport systems - gadgetbahnsNewspaper clipping - "The Silent line" and "On the move the mod way" - The Herald "18-8-1969" tramways, trams, melbourne, public transport, future transport, transport systems, electric trams, all-electric trams, robert risson, gadgetbahns, underground tramways -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet - Metro Tunnel - Anzac Station tram corridor works, Rail Projects Victoria, 11/2022
Provides information about the works planned to realign tram tracks at the Metro Tunnel Anzac station, following the completion of the surface works. Gives timing, tram routes affected, plans of the proposals, contact details. All St Kilda Road routes would be affected from 27/11/2022 to 17/12/2022, tram stops would be closed, bus replacement services. includes works to remove the Glenhuntly Road level crossing at Glenhuntly Station. Yields information about the trackworks for the future Anzac Station interchange and St Kilda Road services.Set of two documents issued by Rail Projects Victoria (Metro Tunnel) and Yarra Trams with regard to the reallignment of tram tracks at Anzac Station Nov. 2022 1 - Metro Tunnel - Works proposed, maps - 6 A4 pages 2 - Yarra Trams - Service Changes St Kilda Road works - 4 A4 pages.anzac station, metro tunnel, tramways, st kilda road, domain road, domain interchange, park street, track work, tram tracks, glenhuntly road, glenhuntly station, level crossings -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Magazine, Public Transport Corporation (PTC), Turning Point, 23-10-1997
Magazine - issued by the Public Transport Corporation announcing the split up of The Met into the parts that facilitated the later franchising of the trains and trams. Created Yarra Trams and Swanston Trams and Hillside and Bayside trains. Includes a map of the two systems, lists the senior positions and their names. Includes the launch of Principal Drivers for trains, sporting news, operator performance delivery statistics, Transcom adverts and Bairnsdale line upgrade.Yields inforamation about split up of the PTC in readiness for future franchising. Magazine - three fold to A4 sheet, printed in two colours.tramways, tramcars, yarra trams, swanston trams, ptc, bayside trains, hillside trains, management, managers -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), "Introducing Light Rail Transit", c1980
Provides information about the UK based Light Rail Transit Association, light rail (tramways), public transport and the future. Has images of light rail systems including Melbourne Z59 at the Bourke St terminus in 1977.Yields information about the UK based LRTA and its work in promoting Light Rail.Pamphlet - folded to DL size, two colour titled "Introducing Light Rail Transit"tramways, light rail, ltra, melbourne, z class, tram 59 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, Public Transport Victoria (PTV), Buses replace trams along St Kilda Road and Route 58, Oct. 2022
Pamphlet - Buses replace trams along St Kilda Road and Route 58 - issued for the track relocation at Domain Junction / Anzac station during the period 27-11-2022 to 17-12-2022. Actual work took a day longer due to weather. Similar pamphlets would have been issued for other routes that used St Kilda Road. Includes maps, alternative routes. Issued by Public Transport Victoria. Part of the Metro tunnel works.Yields information about the reconstruction of Domain Junction for the future Anzac station.Pamphlet - four fold DL - full colour on semi gloss paper. Two copies held.tramways, route 58, anzac station, domain interchange, track work, bus replacement -
Vision Australia
Certificate - Text, RVIB 125th anniversary greetings from Melbourne Lord Mayor Richard Wynne, 1991
Letter offering congratulations and future success to the RVIB on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne on the occasion of the RVIB's 125th anniversary in 1991. Signed by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Richard Wynne.1 letter from the Melbourne Lord MayorSeal of the Lord Mayor Melbourne, with two ribbons, is affixed to the bottom right hand corner The Crest of the Melbourne Lord Mayor's Office in the top centre of the page.royal victorian institute for the blind, richard wynne -
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.