Showing 164 items
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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Bolt, before 1890
Flagstaff Hill’s collection has items that are thought to be relics from the Ancient Wreck, (also called the Gold Ship, Mahogany Ship or Ancient Vessel). Three relics were located in 1890, due to the ‘interest of a public works inspector, James Gilroy, who dug in the ship’s remains’. One of the relics was a heavily oxidated ‘quantity of ironwork’. The other two, now part of Flagstaff Hill’s collection, are - an iron latch probably from a galley oven door or fireplace - a bronze bolt (spike or pin) Both of these relics are listed on the same page in the records of the Old Warrnambool Museum, found by K.A.G. (or H.A.G.) on the site of the Ancient wreck 1890. Interestingly, another item in these records is ‘Notes on Ancient wreck, near Gorman’s Lane’. Gorman’s Lane is just inland from the sand dunes of the Coastal Reserve at Tower Hill. The current location of these Notes is unknown. Another relic is thought to be the amphora, discovered in 1934 on a local property. The Museum opened in 1886 and continued until 1963, when it was closed by the Warrnambool City Council and the whole collection was put into storage. The council then transferred items to various places including Flagstaff Hill and the current Warrnambool Art Gallery. Flagstaff Hill’s early Accession Records book lists the items as being received from the Old Warrnambool Museum collection; the Latch is record 152 and the Pin is record 153. An article, ‘Birthplace of our History’ by Don Dean, is on file in the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. It was published in the Australian POST, March 17, 1955. This article describes the finding of the items going back to 1890, along with other information about sightings of what has come to be known as the Mahogany Ship. The mystery of the Mahogany Ship began in 1836 when two shipwrecked sealers discovered the remains of an “ancient vessel” in the sand dunes about four miles west of Warrnambool. Since the last recorded sightings in the 1880’s the true origin of the Mahogany Ship has remained one of Australia’s most famous historical mysteries. One of the more recent theories is that the vessel was one of the Portuguese ships exploring the Australian coast in 1522. For over one hundred years searchers have attempted to locate and identify the wreck. The search continues for the tangible evidence which will once and for all establish the Mahogany Ship’s place in Australia’s History. The bolt has local historic significance as it was found in the sand dunes of Warrnambool in 1890. The bolt is also significant for being part of the original 1886 Warrnambool Museum's collection. The bolt is significant for its possible link to one of Victoria’s and Australia’s maritime mysteries, the Mahogany Ship (also known as the Ancient Wreck). It is one of very few known relics that could give evidence of the existence and history of the vessel. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register S438 as it is one of Victoria’s oldest recorded shipwrecks. The identity of the vessel has the potential to change Australia’s history.Bolt, also referred to as spike or pin. Bronze bolt, round body with head on one end that has straight sides, tapers to a point at the other end.warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, mahogany ship, relic, pin, spike, old warrnambool museum, nail, ancient vessel, ancient wreck, portuguese ship, gold ship, gorman’s lane, coastal reserve, tower hill -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - JENNY FOLEY COLLECTION: SAND SHOVELLERS
Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2002. Sand shovelers: a gang at work at the Kocks Pioneer cyanide works in Bendigo in December, 1939. The man on the far left is the late Les Warren. Three gangs worked at the site. Each comprised five men, a 'tip-boy' and a horse and dray. Each gang emptied and refilled an 80-tonne iron vat each day. One full dray-load was the equivalent of 112 shovelfuls. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - CHARLIE BUTTON'S STORE
black and white photo: large weatherboard building with central doorway, 4 arched windows and panelled doorway to right of photo. Two males standing in doorway. Trunks, prams, rocking chairs in front of photo, also cast iron cookware. MP 99 top right hand corner. On paper enclosed with photo : ' this large weatherboard building was Charlie Button's Secondhand Furniture Store at 204 Williamson Street next to Jones Miller's Store formerly Pickles' large rolling stock works' ( BHS Inc. )organization, business, charlie button's store -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - JOHN EVANS COLLECTION: SEBASTIAN CYANIDE WORKS: OPERATION RECORDS MAY 1904 TO JANUARY 1910
... Sebastian Cyanide Works. View Point Iron and Bricks Work... Cyanide Works. / note from View Point Iron & Brick Yards Eaglehawk ...Sebastian Cyanide Works: Operation records May 1904 to January 1910 (J Evans Collection). Hand-ruled and pencil entries for the period (6 days per week). Pencilled inscriptions inside front cover - D Henneberry, Sebastian; John Evans; P MacCarthy (printed stamp), Sebastian Cyanide Works. / note from View Point Iron & Brick Yards Eaglehawk 28.3.1906 13 Bags of Limebendigo, industry, sebastian cyanide works, sebastian cyanide works. view point iron and bricks work eaglehawke -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - HARRY BIGGS COLLECTION: COPIES OF VARIOUS PHOTOS
Document: copy of photos 'J.R. Hoskins' Timber and Iron Yards, and 'a corner of the moulding mill at J.R. Hoskins' A. Robert & Sons Engineering Works, Winch manufactured by A. Roberts & Sons.place, bendigo, historical items, bendigo, hoskins', j.r. hoskins, moulding mill -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Under Port Melbourne Railway, Hobsons Bay Main Sewer, "Melbourne water supply", 1890s
Three black and white images taken from: "Melbourne water supply - sewerage schemes" Special edition of the "Building, engineering and mining journal" The operations of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. (.03) Plate XXXI. Under Port Melbourne Railway, Hobsons Bay Main Sewer, Section No 3. This view was taken in compressed air, and shows shield doors in background with men placing extra htdraulic power in position. This view also shows the method of constructing with concrete blocks and iron centreing on which to build the upper portion of the sewer.engineering - board of works, built environment - civic, mmbw, sewer, melbourne and metropolitan board of works -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Bay Street, Sandridge, 1870s
Photographed in 1872 by William PATERSON as one of a series for the Melbourne Exhibition of 1873; original mount hanging in Engineering Department at Port Melbourne Town Hall at 19-9-1994 but now in Port Phillip,City Collection. This set of original prints belonged to Town Clerk Syd ANDERSON, then to his daughter-in-law Phyllis ANDERSON (donor). Accompanied by list of captions, both hand written and typed (the latter a partial listing).View southeast in Bay Street from roof of building on north west corner of Bay and Liardet Streets c1871. Includes hotel identified in caption as "Foundry" on opposite corner (if captions were written in the 1920s the Port Theatre had already been constructed at this site, but there once was a 'Foundry' Hotel on that corner*); ginger beer/lemonade factory (Dawborns?) and pawnbroker; Graham Family Hotel can be seen in the distance at far left; also Holy Trinity (iron, with tower), Victorian Sugar Works, Post Office/Mail Exchange. Pre 1873 * '...try Hotel' visible?"P. Anderson" ink, on back:"11" in ballpoint on upper left face of photoindustry - manufacturing, business and traders - pawnbrokers, sydney sims anderson, town clerks, bay street, liardet street, foundry hotel, business and traders - hotels -
Melbourne Water
Photograph, North Cocoroc State Primary School, 1950s
As the Yarra became unsuitable as a source of water, several attempts were made to find alternative sources for the growing population of Melbourne. It was not until 1891 that the efforts to sewer Melbourne came to fruition with the setting up of the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW), now known as Melbourne Water. From 1891 until 1992, it was the responsibility of the MMBW to safeguard public health by providing a sewerage system and a safe water supply system. In 1992, The MMBW merged with a number of smaller urban water authorities to form Melbourne Water. The township of Cocoroc was created in 1894 at the Metropolitan Sewage Farm (now the Western Treatment Plant) to house the workers it employed. The name 'Cocoroc' means 'frog' in the language of the Wathaurung people — the Traditional Owners of the land the treatment plant was built on. By the early 1950s there were nearly 100 houses, a town hall, football ground (and team), swimming pool, tennis courts, four schools and a post office, and by the 1970s some 500 people were living in Cocoroc. As it became too expensive for the MMBW to subsidise, Cocoroc was abandoned. By 1973 most of the houses and other buildings were demolished or moved to Werribee. All that is left now of Cocoroc are two small, empty, concrete swimming pools, a few weatherboard sheds and a big iron water tank. This photograph detailing an exterior view of the North Cocoroc State Primary School, is historically significant as it captures children at play within a purpose built community. The School that was one of four was built to educate the children of the MMBW workers. As the school no longer exists, this photograph is the only tangible evidence left of the building, also showcasing the style of buildings in this era. cocoroc, township, school, mmbw, melbourne metropolitan board of works, melbourne water -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BENDIGO ADVERTISER REPORT (HANDWRITTEN) ON GOLD, 1856
Document. Handwritten sheet of Bendigo Advertiser report of 26 Aug. 1856 and a photocopy of same. On Saturday last Messrs Bruce & Co. of the Metropolitan Crushing Works crushed two tons of quartz - from the claim of Messrs Faul & Co in Iron Bark, which yielded the large quantity of 180 oz. of gold. This claim is said to be remarkably rich, and to be inferior to few now in work in Bendigo. Vide Bendigo Advertiser Gold Report of August 26th 1856. Reverse side 'Gold Report 180 oz.from 2 tons 1856'.cottage, miners, bendigo advertiser gold report, messrs bruce & co., metropolitan crushing works, messrs faul & co. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - HARRY BIGGS COLLECTION: VIEW POINT BUTCHERY EAGLEHAWK
Harry Biggs Collection. View Point Butchery Eaglehawk. Black and white photograph. A brick building with iron roof with the sign View Point Butchery built onto the side of the verandah. At the side of the building are the words Refrigerating Works Wholesale and Retail. On the front window - 'All meat kept in cool chamber'. In the foreground is a horse & wagon with the words: Wholesale J. H. Webster & Retail. Also two horse & buggies, two workers with their butcher aprons are holding the horses. See Research field.eaglehawk, commercial, butcher, harry biggs collection. view point butchery eaglehawk. webster, j. h. butchers. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MCCOLL, RANKIN AND STANISTREET COLLECTION: NORTH VIRGINIA GOLD MINING CO NL, JOHN SHAW LTD, 1939
McColl Rankin & Stanistreet, North Virginia Gold Mining Co NL. a/ John Shaw Ltd, Wire Rope Manufacturers, Sheffield England. Certificate that 2 lengths of 2-1/2 cir. 6/7 construction Best Black Plough Steel Wire Rope, Quality, Acid Material. 100/110 ton each 1250 feet long supplied. Breaking strain of not less then 24.8 actual tons. Stamped: For Hardware of Australia Propriety Limited. Signed: ?? (attached by pin to b) b/ Hardware Co. Of Australia, Iron & Steel Merchants, South Melbourne. Descriptions per (a) 109.7.3 Signed: Hunt. Dated 15/11/1939. c/ Test Certificate For Wire Ropes Issued to J R Reid & Sons. Rope dispatched per S.S.''Mildura'' to Melbourne on 3.12.1946.Tested in the presence of A Boots, Abbott Supply Coy. Pty. Ltd. For the Australian Wire Rope Works Pty Ltd. Signed: J Humphy. Dated: 6/12/1946. Includes picture.organization, business, gold mine, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, north virginia gold mining co nl. a/ john shaw ltd, wire rope manufacturers, sheffield england 6/7 construction best black plough steel wire rope quality acid material 100/110 ton each 1250 feet long supplied reid & son -
Wannon Water
Cast iron seal embossing press, Excello, Seal
Heywood Waterworks Trust was constituted on 20 November 1962 upon application by Councillors of the Shire of Portland to construct, manage and maintain the works for the supply of water to the township of Heywood. The Trust was abolished on 1 July 1984 under the Water and Sewerage (Restructuring) Act 1983 when it amalgamated with the Heywood Sewerage Authority to form Heywood Water BoardA cast iron seal press, . This was used by Heywood Waterworks Trust to emboss agreements and official documents. Die is still attached to the press. It reads: Heywood Waterworks Trust 1963Small metal machine painted black and mounted onto a black rubber base. Two dies are attached with the seal of Heywood Waterworks Trust. Paper is placed between the dies, the handle depressed and the seal embossed on the paper under pressure as a blind (inkless) embossing. The seal consists of two circles with the wording "Heywood Waterworks Trust".Heywood Waterworks Trust 1963/ Excello / Reg Trade Mark/ Seal Press/ Pat NO 420419/Size No 2/Inscription on rubber base: "EXCELLO SEAL PRESS" / REGD TRADE MARK / 1. PATENT ROLLER BEARING HANDLE PAT. NO. 420419 / 2. DURABLE PLASTIC COUNTER / 3. RUBBER DESK PROTECTOR / STANDARD RUBBER TYPE CO. LTD. / TOKYO JAPAN"heywood, public administration, water supply, amalgamations -
Wannon Water
Cast Iron Seal Embossing Press, Seal
Mortlake Waterworks Trust – 18 May 1915 to 1 July 1984 Mortlake Waterworks Trust was constituted on 18 May 1915 following application by the Shire of Mortlake to carry out works for the supply of water to the township of Mortlake. The Trust was abolished on 1 July 1984 under the Water and Sewerage Authorities (Restructuring) Act 1983 when authority was transferred to the Mortlake Water Board. A cast iron seal press. This was used by Mortlake Waterworks Trust to emboss agreements and official documents. Die is still attached to the press. It reads: Mortlake Waterworks Trust 1915. Small metal machine painted black , decorated gold . Dies are attached with the seal of Mortlake Waterworks Trust . Paper is placed between the dies, the handle depressed and the seal embossed on the paper under pressure as a blind (inkless) embossing. The seal consists of two circles with the wording "Mortlake Waterworks Trust 1915". Mortlake Waterworks Trust 1915mortlake, public administration, water supply, amalgamations -
Wannon Water
Pipe, Cast Iron Pipe
This 75 mm cast iron pipe was laid in 1920 and would have been cement lined in the 1960's. It was replaced during modifications of Jamieson Street Roundabout Pipe Works in 2013Cast Iron pipe - rust encrusted on the outside, cement lined on the insidewater, pipe, reticulation, -
Wannon Water
Pipe, Cast Iron Pipe
This 75 mm cast iron pipe was laid in 1920 and would have been cement lined in the 1960's. It was replaced during modifications of Jamieson Street Roundabout Pipe Works in 2013 Rust encrusted on the outside, cement lined on the insidewater, pipe, reticulation -
Wannon Water
Pipe, Cast Iron Pipe
This 100 mm cast iron pipe was laid in 1920 and would have been cement lined in the 1960's. It was replaced during modifications of Jamieson Street Roundabout Pipe Works in 2013 Rust Encrusted on the outside - cement lined on the incsidewater, pipe, reticulation -
Puffing Billy Railway
Wheelbarrow - Fritsch, Holzer & Company Brickworks
Used at the brickworks of Fritsch, Holzer & Company of Hawthorn to transport bricks and materials around the works. Fritsch Holzer Originally the company was known as the Upper Hawthorn Brick Company Ltd. It was started by brothers Johann, Martin and Anton Holzer and Gustav Augustus Fritsch. Fritsch had previously been a brick maker in Abbotsford, before moving to Hawthorn. Each had a brick works that operated next door to each other and the two works merged in 1883 to form the largest brick making company in Victoria. At its peak, they employed around eighty people and were making over 250,000 bricks per week. The depression of the 1890s caused a drastic downturn in building. Bricks were not being sold and staff laid off. The company nearly collapsed. To stave off the inevitable, in 1896 a brick co-operative was formed with Hoffman Patent Steam Brick Co., Northcote Brick Co. Ltd., New Northcote Brick Co. Ltd., Chas. Butler & Son and Fritsch, Holzer and Company. Bricks were sold throughout Victoria as the company supplied the State Government, more particularly the building of schools. They continued making bricks until the early 1970s when the works closed. The former site is now the “Ftritsch Holzer Park. The local Council purchased the 14 acre site in 1972 for $1,060.000 and used it for landfill. The site became a park in 1995. Info from Victorian Heritage Bricks, Brick Makers and Brick Works http://rameking2.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/fritsch-holzer.htmlHistoric - Narrow Gauge Industrial Brickworks Equipment - Victoria, AustraliaWheelbarrow - Timber frame with Iron bracing and wheel.puffing billy, pbr,, wheelbarrow - fritsch, holzer & company brickworks, fritsch, holzer & company -
Puffing Billy Railway
Skip - Rubber Tyred - Fritsch, Holzer & Company Brickworks
Used at the brick works of Fritsch, Holzer & company of Hawthorn and was used to transport bricks and materials around the works.Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Fritsch, Holzer & Company Brickworks , Hawthorn, Victoria, AustraliaBrick Skip - Iron & Wrought Iron frame, Rubber tyers puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, brick skip -
Puffing Billy Railway
Machine - Steam Hammer, G James, 1841
Steam hammers, invented by Englishman John Naysmith in 1841, made possible the forging of heavy iron bars and greatly reduced the physical labour required in forging. The hammers could vary in capacity (drop-force) from 400 pounds [lbs.] (181 kg) to 400 Tons (406.3 tonnes) and were once a part of most major engineering works. The Victorian Railways, from where the Museum exhibit came, used many hammers of varying sizes, their largest being at Newport Workshops measuring 30 feet (9.1 metres) high by 15 feet (4.6 metres) wide. Steam Hammers have made forging of heavy iron bars possible and has greatly reduced the physical labour required in forging. Historic - Victorian Railways - Industrial Steam Hammer Large metal mechanical steam hammer. made of iron & wrought ironC James Maker Melbournelarge, mechanical, steam, hammer -
Puffing Billy Railway
Double Headed Rail, circa 1872 - 1883
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. -
Puffing Billy Railway
Day's Petrol Rail Tractor, Petrol Rail Tractor Gauge 2'0", circa 1926 - 1940
Rail tractors were popular with Victorian sawmillers. They were generally cheaper than a steam locomotive, required no special qualifications to drive, and used proven power plants for which spares were available locally. The tractor was constructed by Day’s Engineering of South Melbourne which, although better known for its pumping equipment, built more than fifty rail tractors for Victorian sawmillers and other industrial tramway users. W. Day & Sons is believed to have constructed its first light railway locomotive in 1926. From then until the mid 1940s, the firm appears to have built at least fifty locomotives at its premises in South Melbourne, of which roughly half were four-wheel locomotives and roughly half were six-wheel locomotives like the restored Day’s rail tractor formerly operated by Ruoak Timbers. Of the four-wheel locomotives, ten were 2-ft (610mm) gauge locomotives similar to this one. Today, only two survive, a complete example at the Puffing Billy Railway Museum at Menzies Creek, and one at Alexandra Timber Tramway Museum This 2-ft gauge 4wPM locomotive is believed to have been one of two Day's Petrol Rail tractors formerly used by Cheetham Salt, possibly at the Moolap works near Geelong. Service History :owned by Cheetham Salt, Moolap ( dates unknown ) Geelong Steam Preservation Society , Belmont 1973 ? Puffing Billy Steam Museum , Menzies Creek Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railway - Rail Tractor used by Cheetham Salt Company works at Laverton, Moolap and Geelong, Victoria , Australia Petrol Rail Tractor made of Iron , wrought iron, steel puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, rail tractor, days engineering, cheetham salt,, petrol rail tractor -
Puffing Billy Railway
Malcolm Moore No. 1013 - Four Wheel Diesel Rail Tractor Gauge 2'0", circa Nov 1943
Malcolm Moore No. 1013 Four wheel Diesel Rail Tractor Gauge 2'0" Malcolm Moore rail tractor (Builder’s Number 1013) It was built for the Australian Army in 1943. It was sold to the Inkerman Sugar Mill in Queensland around 1948 for hauling cane and shunting at the works. This rail tractor was originally powered by a Ford side valve V8 petrol engine. It was purchased from the Inkerman Mill of Pioneer Sugar Mills in 1982. Historic - Industrial narrow gauge Railway - Diesel Rail Tractor - used by the Australian Army and Inkerman Sugar Mill in QueenslandDiesel Rail Tractor made of iron and wrought irondiesel rail tractor, puffing billy, inkerman mill, industrial narrow gauge railway, gauge 2’0”, inkerman sugar mill, australian army -
Puffing Billy Railway
Climax - Geared Steam Locomotive No. 1694, 1928
Climax geared locomotive No. 1694 in active service on special occasions - stored at Emerald Station A Miraculous Survivor Climax locomotive No.1694 is a miraculous survivor of a rare breed of steam locomotive. For about 100 years from the mid-1850s sawn timber was carted from Victorian sawmills to the nearest railway station by timber tramway. These tramways were generally very rough, steeply graded, sharply curved, and of narrow gauge. Many had wooden rails, and horses provided haulage. The better ones used steam locomotives. In all about fifty steam locomotives are known to have worked on Victorian timber tramways. These locomotives were usually somewhat peculiar - made to cope with arduous, rough conditions, rather than speed. Climax locomotive No.1694 is the only one of these locomotives to survive intact. It was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry, Pennsylvania, USA, for the Forests Commission of Victoria. The distinctive feature of the Climax locomotive is that the cylinders do not directly connect to the driving wheels. Instead they drive a cross shaft near the centre of the locomotive. From there the drive is transmitted to the small driving wheels through rotating shafts, universal joints, and bevel gears. The driving wheels are mounted in two four-wheel bogies so that they can easily follow sharp curves in the track. None of these features are found in normal steam locomotives. The result is a locomotive that is extremely powerful for its size, and that will cope with sharp curves and steep grades with ease. But this is at the cost of speed, Climax locomotive No.1694 is just about flat-out at 13 km/h (8 mph). Climax Locomotive Built in 1928 for the Forests Commission of Victoria and painted all-over black with the name CLIMAX painted on the sides of the cab in white block letters, this locomotive was issued to the Tyers Valley tramway which branched off the Moe to Walhalla line at Collins Siding. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1949 following the closure of the tramway and in 1950 it travelled from Tyers Junction to Collins Siding to Erica where it remained stored until 1965. Loaned to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society for its Steam Museum, it was taken to Menzies Creek in 1965 where it remained until 1982 when the Emerald Tourist Railway Board bought it and transferred it to Belgrave for restoration. It was returned to service for special use on the Belgrave to Gembrook line in 1988 painted in its original all-over black livery, except that the word “Climax” on the sides of the cab was now painted in the style of the Climax Manufacturing Co., a style that this locomotive had never carried.Historical - Industrial railway - Forests Commission of Victoria, Timber Logging Climax Locomotive Climax geared Steam locomotive made of steel and wrought iron Climax 1694climax locomotive works, climax, geared steam locomotive, puffing billy, climax locomotive no. 1694, steam locomotive -
Puffing Billy Railway
Equipment - Victorian Railways Carriage Foot Warmer
During prestige, long distance train journeys some carriages had air-conditioning, and the majority of passengers had to brave unheated carriages. To offer some comfort during the winter months, the non-air-conditioned carriages were provided with footwarmers. These were metal containers roughly 100 mm thick and 300 mm wide, and about 750 mm long, which were filled with salt crystals (concentrated crystalline hydrated sodium acetate). The footwarmers were covered by sleeves of thick canvas, and two footwarmers were usually placed in each compartment of non-air-conditioned carriages. To activate the chemicals, the footwarmers were heated almost to boiling point. This was done by removing the canvas sleeves and placing the footwarmers in a large bath of very hot water. After they had been heated, they were removed from the bath and the sleeves refitted. They were then ready to be placed in the carriages. The McLaren patent foot warmer was used on railways in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia as well as South Africa and New Zealand. It was during the 1901 royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall that these foot warmers were first used in New Zealand in the royal carriage. Before railway carriage heating was introduced, McLaren patent foot warmers were placed on the floor of New South Wales government railway carriages from 1891 to provide a little passenger comfort. The rectangular steel container worked a bit like a hot water bottle but instead of water contained six and a half kilograms of loosely-packed salt crystals, (concentrated crystalline hydrated sodium acetate). This was permanently sealed inside the container with a soldered cap. After the foot warmer was heated in vat of boiling water for about one and a quarter hours the crystals became a hot liquid. (The melting point for sodium acetate is 58 degrees). There was a whole infrastructure of special furnaces set up at stations for the daily heating of foot warmers. By 1914 the Victorian railways had 4,000 foot warmers in service and by 1935 there were 33 furnaces at principal stations to heat them. After about 10 hours the container was picked up by the handle and given a good vertical shake which helped the cooled liquid reform into a solid mass of hot crystals. Staff or sometimes passengers shook them en route when the foot warmers began to get cold. However, as they were heavy this was only possible by fit and agile passengers. At the end of the journey the containers were boiled again for reuse on the next trip. Sodium acetate railway foot warmers were introduced in Victoria in 1889, Adelaide to Melbourne express in 1899. "Shaking up" on this service took place at Murray Bridge and Stawell on the tip to Melbourne and at Ballarat and Serviceton on the trip to Adelaide. The use of foot warmers began to decline in New South Wales from the 1930s with the first trial of carriage air-conditioning in 1936, steam heating from 1948 ad LP gas heating from 1961. By the early 1960s the main services using foot warmers were the overnight mail trains. info from : http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=67564#ixzz4UBNzVf6t Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial There was a whole infrastructure set up at stations for the daily heating of foot warmers in special furnaces. In Victoria alone in 1935 there were 33 heating works.Historic - Victorian Railways - Carriage Heater - Foot warmerA rectangular-shaped stainless steel casing with a welded seam down the back and welded ends. There is a handle at one end for carrying and shaking. Inside the foot warmer are two baffle plates and three trays to contain the sodium acetate. There was a cast-iron ball in each internal compartment. puffing billy, victorian railways, carriage haeter, foot warmer, passenger comfort, station furnace, railway ephemera, early heating methods -
Puffing Billy Railway
Ganger's, Trolly Turntable
Ganger's Trolly Turntable When a railway gangers trolly was working between railway stations, occasionally it was required for the line to be clear for trains to operate. Many trollys were too heavy to physically lift off the track, so a turntable was needed. These were provided at designated locations, and in some cases the trolly had a turntable on board. The turntable would be placed on the rails and the trolley driven onto it. The turntable would then be rotated 90 degrees by human power and the trolley pushed off on to a prepared set of rails on the side of the line. The turntable would then be removed from the track allowing trains to run through that section. The gang could then get on with the work required near that location. Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ganger's Trolly TurntableGanger's Trolly Turntable made of wood with wrought iron fittings puffing billy, ganger's trolley turntable, trolley, trolly -
Puffing Billy Railway
NKS Trolly Motor Transporting Box
NKS Trolley Motor Transporting Box A wooden box used for transporting the engines of the Gangers trolleys between the line in use and the Workshops at Spotswood. Engines were often changed over due to mechanical failure or being required for a service. Rather than send the complete trolley in for work, the engine was removed and transported. These boxes may have arrived at a location with an engine in it, to replace the one returning to the Workshops, cutting down the time that the trolley may have been out of use. Historic - Victorian Railways - Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - NKS Trolly Motor Transporting BoxNKS Trolly Motor Transporting Box - two boxes made of timber with wrought iron fittings puffing billy, nks trolley motor transporting box, trolly, trolley -
Puffing Billy Railway
Rail Bender No. 3
Rail Bender - Part of Hydraulic Rail Bender Rail Bender – No. 3 Most rails are produced straight. While they to easily bend and appear flexible, they are required to bend for some curves, at rail joins on curves and at point (turn-out) junctions. For a safe transition around curves and in the finer areas of the point, this use to be done with a manual rail bender. Sometimes referred to as a Buddah, the rail bender attaches its two claws to the rail. In the middle of the two claws is a screw that is tightened slowly using large spanner. Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Rail Bender large Rail Bender - Part of Hydraulic Rail Bender made of cast wrought iron puffing billy, rail bender -
Puffing Billy Railway
Large Gangers, Trolly Turntable
Large Gangers Trolly Turntable Many trollys were too heavy to physically lift off the track, so a turntable was needed. A railway gangers trolly was required to be "off tracked" at its working location, so that it would be clear for trains to operate. A special track at right angles to the running line was usually provided. When all the work was completed and after all the trains had cleared, the trolly was then "on tracked" so that it could proceed to its next location. These turntables were also in use at the Works Depot location. They were provided at designated locations, and in some cases the trolly carried a turntable on board. To allow for more than one trolly to be taken off the line, a longer version was available for use. The turntable would be placed on the rails and the trolly driven onto it. The turntable would then be rotated 90 degrees by human power and the trolly pushed off on to a prepared set of rails on the side of the line. The turntable would then be removed from the track allowing trains to run through that section. The gang could then get on with the work required near that location.Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ganger's Trolley TurntableLarge Gangers Trolly Turntable made of wood with wrought iron fittingspuffing billy, gangers trolley turntable, trolly, trolley -
Puffing Billy Railway
Desk, Gangers Shed
Gangers Shed Desk A desk used in the Gang Shed for office work and other associated functions. Historic - Victorian Railways Permanent Way and Works - Gangers Shed Desk Gangers Shed Desk made of wood with wrought iron fittingspuffing billy, gangers shed desk, victorian railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
Bender - Light Rail
Light Rail Bender Most rails are produced straight. While they to easily bend and appear flexible, they are required to bend for some curves, at rail joins on curves and at point (turn-out) junctions. For a safe transition around curves and in the finer areas of the point, this use to be done with a manual rail bender. Sometimes referred to as a Buddah, the rail bender attaches its two claws to the rail. In the middle of the two claws is a screw that is slowly tightened using a crow-bar to bend the rail. Tightening the screw too fast or too tightly may not give the structure of the rail time to redistribute and the rail may break if not done properly. Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Light Rail Bender Light Rail Bender made out of cast wrought ironpuffing billy, light rail bender