This dressing gown was made from a patchwork quilt begun around the 1880s or 1890s by the daughters of William and Polly Hodgens, owners of the Adelphi Hotel near Montague Station, South Melbourne. The quilt became a communal project, added to over many years by the Hodgens children, relatives, friends and guests. Together, they filled the colourful patchwork with images and figures from their everyday lives, giving us a unique glimpse into the world of early Melbourne.Crazy patchwork dressing gown made from a patchwork bedspread. Made from irregular pieces of silk, satin, velvet and brocades and embellished with embroidered and painted motifs. Fully lined with maroon silk. Neckline trimmed with thick silk cord. Right over left fastening with two large metal press studs. One of the pieces on the back has an inscription dated 11/7/94 (1894).dressing gown, patchwork, embroidery, hand painted

The souvenir is believed to have been made by R.E. Hyatt.Home-made souvenir of Linton. Souvenir consists of a photograph of the Shire of Grenville office building in Sussex Street, Linton . Two shops are visible further along the street, and part of a sign for a butcher's shop is visible in the lower left corner of the photograph. The photograph has been mounted on a map of Australia which has been cut from very thick cardboard. A border made of small green squares is around the photograph, and underneath the photograph are the words "Greetings from Linton" enclosed by a scroll. The edge of the map has been painted green. A picture of a Koala has been cut from card or paper and painted silver and then been glued to the cardboard map to the right of the photograph. A wire metal stand has been attached to the back of the map with two small tacks.souvenirs, shire of grenville building, r.e. hyatt

This chronometer was made around 1936 and has been on display at Flagstaff Hill for over 40 years as part of the exhibit of the ‘Reginald M’, an Australian-built, 19ss, coastal trader vessel. A chronometer is an accurate mechanical instrument used for measuring time. It is constructed carefully to remain stable even under the changing conditions of seafaring life such as temperature, humidity and air pressure. The Master or Navigator of a ship could use the chronometer and the positions of celestial bodies to calculate the ship’s latitude at sea. In 1905 the business Chronometerwerke GmbH was formed in Frankfurt, Germany, to supply the country with high-quality mechanical chronometers and ship clocks for their maritime trade, making the country independent of other international suppliers such as those in England. In 1938 the firm was renamed Wempe Chronometerwerke. The business continues today. Its products now include its well-known chronometers, battery-powered ship clocks, ship’s bell clocks, barometers, barographs, thermometers, hygrometers, comfort meters to measure temperature and humidity, and wristwatches. The company also performs chronometer testing facilities for the State’s Weights and Measures office. The article written by Givi in July 2022 “The Basics of Marine Meteorology – a Guide for Seafarers” refers to the weather’s signs and patterns being repeated over and over, and the recording of these observations helps forecasters predict changes in the weather. The chronometer is an example of a mechanical navigational marine instrument in use in the early to the mid-20th century. The maker is significant as part of a German government initiative to be self-sufficient in the production of good quality marine technology. This chronometer is significant as part of the exhibit, the Australian-built vessel, 1922 coastal trader ‘Reginald M’, listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels and on display for over 40 years.Marine chronometer or marine clock, brass case, glass cover, Roman numerals, 24-hour numbers beside them. Two black hands, a keyhole for winding and ventilation holes in the side. The base has a collar with four machined mounting holes. Inscriptions are on the clock’s face."Made in Germany"" and ""WEMPE / CHRONOMETERWERKE / HAMBURG"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, marine meteorology, horology, chronometer, marine technology, latitude, marine navigation, mechanical instrument, scientific instrument, ship clock, chromometerwerke gmbh, wempe chronometerwerke, marine clock

Yields information about the appearance of No. 25 promoting Made in Australia week during 1956.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a photograph of No. 25 at the City loop, carrying banners for Made in Australia Week. Tram has a sheet with an Australian flag painted onto it, with holes made for the lights on the front of the tram, and three panels that have been fixed to the side of the tram. Tram has the destination of Special. The Town Hall is in the background. Photo by Wal Jack 15-5-1956. See image i2 for rear of photograph. See image i3 for hi res scan of print. See image i4 for hi res scan of negativeOn rear of photograph in ink "SEC, Ballarat No.25 with Made in Australia posters on sides, Sturt St Loop, Ballarat 15-5-56" and in top right hand corner, Wal Jack stamp with "T236" written in.trams, tramways, sturt st, city loop, advertisements, made in australia week, tram 25

Items in the collection re Patrick Joseph Morgan, pre WW1 service, No 3415 AIF, KIA. Refer Cat No 1848P for his service history..1) Metal uniform button base with possible shrapnel damage. Loop on rear still has string attached. .2) Metal uniform button base with possible shrapnel damage. Plain brass loop on rear in centre. .3) British penny with dent, possibly from a bullet or shrapnel. Most markings are destroyed..1) “Made in Birmingham" .2) “Made in London"uniforms-army, numismatics-coins

Dinner size plate with photograph of St Paul's Cathedral, London. Plate has gold.... Picture in rich taupe brown. "Avon shape" plate.MADE IN ENGLAND Crown Ducal Made in Englandcrown ducal, plate

Metal razor with ornate metal handle and blade.On razor : Gem. Made in England. Gem British Made. On blade : Made in England. Duridium.

Brick wall made of Chinese Bricks, Rowan Street, Bendigo A face of brick wall showing construction of the wall using locally made Chinese bricks B Façade of brick wall constructed with Chinese made bricks

Uniform tie - green cloth, with The Met circular logo and the letters "MTACA" under. Made for the Metropolitan Transit Authority Cricket Association. Made from 100% polyester with a white internal backing material. Made by Austico in Australia.trams, tramways, the met, sports, clothing, tie, uniforms, cricket

This beret was made in 1943 and presumably was used by during service in WW2. InfantryDark blue wool beret-style hat with black leather edging and black cotton tie at back. Two eyelets on right side, brass painted on exterior in black. Cotton-lined interior with reinforced sewn diamond in centre and manufacturer’s label, transcribed below.Manufacturer’s label reads “N.316 A./F./1943/MADE IN/AUSTRALIA/SIZE 7-1/8” wth faint purple stamp over top, illegible.second world war, beret, world war two, world war ii, wwii, uniform

This garment was made by Edith (?) Cowell (Mrs Jim Richardson, nee Cowell) and has been donated by her daughter Esma Richardson.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century.A full length white cotton night-dress with long sleeves. It has lace around the shoulders and across the chest, broderie anglais collar and cuffs. A ribbon is threaded through the lace at the neckline and cuffs. The bodice also has small pleats or pin-tucks at the front and clear buttons. Pinned to the left shoulder is a blue certificate indicating from the Bombala Exhibition Society of 1913.The certificate from the Bombala Exhibition Society indicates that Alice Cowell won first prize in the 1913 show for having made this night-dress.night-dress bombala-exhibition female-clothing

This printing plate was made for Dr Horace Holmes to be used by him as a calling card. Dr Horace Holmes, born in Tasmania in 1877, came to Warrnambool in 1905 taking over the practice of Dr Fleetwood at ‘Ierne’, at the corner of Spence and Kepler Streets. In 1906 he built a new home at the corner of Liebig Street and Raglan Parade and moved his practice there in 1912 (Currently occupied by Oz Child in 2024). Dr Holmes retired in 1939, briefly returned to medical practice as a locum during the war years, and died in 1959. He was a foundation member of the Warrnambool Rotary Club. This printing plate is a significant item as it belonged to Dr Holmes, a prominent doctor and a leading community member in Warrnambool for 50 years. It also is a good example of a custom of the time – the use of a calling card when visiting homes or contacting clients and business people. (This practice continues today)This is a printing plate for Dr Horace Iles Holmes. It is made of brass and is quite worn, particularly on the reverse side where the name of the manufacturer is almost obliteratedDr Horace Iles Holmesdr horace holmes, printing plate

Rusted wheel rims and axel were recovered from scrub near the ‘Eastern Landing’ in 2002. The two large wheel rims are made of flat iron. The axel is a long metal shaft with built up sections at either end. They are possibly from a WWI, horse drawn gun carriage used to carry stores from the jetty to the lightstation. Images show the carriage in use in 1943. The items have second level contributory significance for their historic value and provenance to the lightstation. .1 & .2, Large rusted, circular, metal wheel rims. Made of flat iron. .3, Rusted metal axle. long shaft with built up sections at either end.

Items belonged to Maxwell Lennox Matheson No 418447 RAAF. Refer Cat No 1959 for his service record..1) Emergency signaling mirror with cord and aiming post made of polished metal. .2) Bag to carry mirror made of cotton.Has instructions on the back of mirrormilitary equipment, signalling, mirror

4 cakes of medicated soap, 3 made by Australian soaps ltd, 1 made by Kremo soap, brick red in colour.Champion medicated soap a product of Australian soaps Ltd Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Kremo soap medicated health soapdomestic equipment, ablutions, soap

These cameras were made in Japan by the Canon Company which dates from the 1930s. Canon cameras were, and still are very popular as they are compact and have a simple ‘point and shot’ mechanism. The taking of family photographs has been a hobby for over 100 years.These cameras have no known local provenance but are retained for display purposes. .1 This is a Canon Elph Camera. It is rectangular in shape and mainly silver-coloured with a black lens. A black cord for holding the camera is attached. The camera is in a grey cloth bag. .2 This is a Canon Sprint camera. It is rectangular in shape and has a black body. A black cord for holding the camera is attached. The camera is in a buff-coloured cloth bag. This is slightly scuffed. .1 Canon Elph Canon Inc. Made in Japan 3104104 .2 Canon Sprint Approved JC11 canon cameras, history of warrnambool

Diana Trewenack is the youngest daughter of Cedric Hirst and great granddaughter of Godfrey Hirst. Her father was Managing Director and Chairman of Directors of Godfrey Hirst Woollen Mills until its takeover in the 60’s. Diana was married at St David's Church in Geelong in May 1954. The material for the wedding gown was made with very fine cream wool woven at the Godfrey Hirst Woollen Mill. From discussion with Diana, the dress was put together by a local dressmaker in Geelong. It is fine pure wool and beaded on the edge of the wrap over skirt and on the long train.Cream coloured woollen wedding dress with long sleeves. Decorative beading pattern around cuffs and up the front edge of the dress. Zippers at each sleeve and back of dress. - 7825.1 Train, made with same cream woollen material as dress, with matching beaded edging. Attaches with clasp around waist of dress. - 7825.2 Veil made of cream tulle, with beaded headband. - 7825.3wedding dress, ceremony, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, woollen mills, textiles, fashion, dressmaking, diana trewenack, viel, gown

The razor was made between 1883 and 1933 by Joseph Allen & Sons of Sheffield, England. It is a form of shaving equipment used for many years, and still by some today. The shaver would prepare for shaving by lathering the skin and hair with soap and a purpose-made bristle brush before carefully stretching the skin and running the razor over it. The razor's blade would be sharpened with a 'strop' strap. JOSEPH ALLEN (C. 1829-1893) Joseph Allen was born in Dromfield, in the Sheffield district of England in around 1829. He was trained as a razor smith and razor back forger. His business grew and he moved to several addresses. By 1883 his firm was named Joseph Allen & Sons and was exporting his products overseas. In 1883 he paid to use the 'NON-XLL' mark to stamp on his metal products. Joseph's tow sons, Joseph and James, were managing his business by 1900, operating at Ecclesall Works, 245 Rockingham Street in Sheffield. They expanded the range of products to include cutlery as well as razors and bought the use of other trademarks. In 1919 it became a Limited company, trading until 1933. This vintage razor represents men's grooming equipment in use over many decades, and even today. The maker is well-known for its quality workmanship and materials.Razor, metal blade with synthetic handle. Blade has steel handle. Razor is contained in black cardboard box. Made by Joseph Allen & Sons of Sheffield, England. On blade "NON - XXL" "Joseph Allen & Sons, Sheffield, England"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck-coast, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, maritime museum, joseph allen & sons, sheffield, raxor, shaving equipment, personal grooming, men's toiletries, shaving aid, ecclesall works, non-xll, vintage razor

Nylon became a very popular dressmaking material in City of Moorabbin c1960 as the new settlers established their families in the new estates post World War 11 in Ormond, Bentleigh, Moorabbin These Baby feeding Bibs x 2 with ribbon ties were made by a local resident of City of Moorabbin for her child c 1960 Women in City of Moorabbin were accomplished knitters, dressmakers and craft workers who made the clothes for their families while settling in to the new estates that opened up in Ormond, Bentleigh,and Moorabbin after World War 11 Baby Bibs, x 2 made by a local resident for her children. a) towel, nylon, lace trim, with an appliqued flower and ribbon ties b) flannel, nylon, lace trim and ribbon ties clothing, baby, nylon, machine pressed designs, layette, knitting,craftwork, wool, early settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, post war settlers, world war 11 1939-40 sharp valma,

1920's Station Cash Box Tin Made by Hobbs & Co London Lever Machine Made Alfred Charles Hobbs (October 7, 1812 – November 6, 1891) was an American locksmith and inventor. Hobbs went to London as a representative of the New York company of Day & Newell, which was exhibiting at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Hobbs had brought with him his boss's (Robert Newell) Parautoptic lock, designed to compete with, and surpass, the locks available at the time in Britain. He was the first one to pick Bramah's lock and the Chubb detector lock at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and forced the lock manufacturers to improve their designs. The lock controversy continues a subject of great interest at the Crystal Palace, and, indeed, is now become of general importance. We believed before the Exhibition opened that we had the best locks in the world, and among us Bramah and Chubb were reckoned quite as impregnable as Gibraltar— more so, indeed, for the key to the Mediterranean was taken by us, but none among us could penetrate into the locks and shoot the bolts of these masters. The mechanical spirit, however, is never at rest, and if it is lulled into a false state of listlessness in one branch of industry, and in one part of the world, elsewhere it springs up suddenly to admonish and reproach us with our supineness. Our descendents on the other side of the water are every now and then administering to the mother country a wholesome filial lesson upon this very text, and recently they have been "rubbing us up" with a severity which perhaps we merited for sneering at their shortcomings in the Exhibition. In 1854 he was awarded a Telford Medal by the Institution of Civil Engineers for his paper 'On the Principles and Construction of Locks'. Sign on a strong room door. Hobbs became one of the founders of the lock making firm of Hobbs Hart & Co. Ltd. The company started in 1851 and was formally registered as Hobbs and Co. in 1852. But by 1855 it had become Hobbs, Ashley and Company. The name then changed to Hobbs, Ashley and Fortescue, with an address at 97 Cheapside in London. Then for the next ninety years the address was 76 Cheapside in London. In 1860 Hobbs returned to America and lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and went on to hold a dozen patents for firearm ammunition manufacturing. In 1880 he listed himself as a "Superintendent Of Cartridge Factory" Info from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Charles_HobbsHistoric - Railways - Station Cash Box Tin 1920's Station Cash Box Tin - Hobbs & Co London Metal Tin - painted Black, Gold and Red with Brass Lock and HandleHobbs & Co London Lever Machine Made1920's station cash box tin, puffing billy

Aunt Fanny gave 6 yds of her "Bucks pattern" lace to Gillian Davis for her 21st birthday. This lace is very difficult to make, as there is a thick thread to keep exactly the same tautness as the fine thread. Aunt Fanny was about 77 when she made this.A fine example of womens hand craft from the late 19th and early 20th Century1 bundle of cream bobbin "Bucks pattern" lace which has a thick thread through it at exactly the same tautness as the fine thread. 2nd bundle of cream lace made by another method, possibly crochet.hand craft, lace bobbin

Martin Romuld was born near Trondheim in Norway on September 26, 1905. He started jumping on skis at age 6 or 7 and became very good at it. He completed his degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Trondheim and decided to come to Australia. He arrived on 7 March 1928 and found a job with the SEC. The SEC wanted to investigate the possibility of a hydrological surveys necessary to determine the flow of water over a period of years. These surveys started in 1934 and continued until 1941. He lived at Wilkinson’s hut for most of the time during those years both in summer and winter. In his role with the SEC, Martin visited all the various creeks to measure water flow rates as often as was necessary. These skis were used on his winter rounds during the time he spent in the area. Martin also competed in skiing during the 1930s. He won the combined Australian title 3 or 4 times. He was unbeatable in cross country, probably due to the continual practice in his job. Before migrating to Australia, Martin had been runner up in the 1926 European Jump Championships held in France. Jumping was his favourite thrill and he would often construct a jump for practice near the Scout Hut (or Rover Chalet) quite near to Wilkinson’s. In 1941 Martin joined the Royal Australian Air Force and after the War skied mainly at Mt Buller. He maintained his involvement in competitive skiing as an official. In 1958 Martin was the main judge of the National jump which was held to the left of the Nissen tow. He also designed the jumping course at the Donna Buang snow fields. Martin Romuld was Co Vice-President of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs in 1949, along with Tom Mitchell M.L.A. Martin Romuld died on 14 July 1998 in Prahran, Victoria,These skis are significant because they belonged to a pioneer of Falls Creek and the sport of skiing in Australia.A set of skis made for Martin Romuld. They are made from American hickory which arrived in Australia via Norway in October 1933. Andy Broad made the skis and they were furnished with steel edges. There was enough hickory for 18 pairs of skis and a pair of competition cross country skis were also made for Martin Romuld. martin romuld', falls creek pioneers, australian skiing history

This sports coat was made at a Fletcher Jones factory about the 1970s. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) served in World War One and in the 1920s set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in Western Victoria. In 1924 he leased three shops in Liebig Street, Warrnambool and in 1928 opened his Man's Shop at the intersection of Koroit/Liebig Streets. He manufactured men's clothing on site in a new building erected in 1931. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and in 1948 a factory was established in Warrnambool with a new company Fletcher Jones and Staff established in 1951.This company then operated in other States and known Australia-wide firstly for its production of men's trousers and later for men's and women's clothing. By 2011 the Warrnambool factory was closed and the company dissolved. This coat was bought by Lew Officer, a member of a family with pastoral interests in the Western District.This item is of considerable historical interest as an example of the high quality work produced by the Fletcher Jones and Staff Clothing Stores. This company was a key industry in Warrnambool in the 20th centuryThis is a man's sports coat made of Harris tweed hand woven in the Outer Hebrides made from Scottish-grown wool. The checked material is in brown tonings. The coat has a brown material lining and there are two brown buttons down the front and two on each sleeve. The collar has a grey felt lining.fletcher jones clothing stores, warrnambool, harris tweed jacket, lew officer

The donor inherited this Wardana machine from her mother, who bought it in about 1933 and used it to sew garments for her sister's dressmaking business in Frankston, Victoria. The donor often used this machine until she purchased an updated model. There were originally three Ward Brothers who owned the North Melbourne sewing machine business but they had a falling out. This machine's decals on the map of Australia only include the two remaining brothers. The Ward Brothers, G & S Ward, established their sewing machine business in North Melbourne in 1888. The cabinets and ironwork of the machines were made in Australia and the Ward Bros. imported their machines from overseas manufacturers in England, America and Germany. The assembled machines were sold under brand names that included Ward, A.N.A. the patriotic-sounding Australian Sewing Machine Company. The "Wardana" was one of their brands.This sewing machine was fabricated in Australia from imported parts from England, giving a snapshot into the early manufacturing industries that were operating at the time just after Federation.Sewing machine in a wooden cabinet with iron foot-operated cast iron treadle mechanism. The hinged cabinet top opens out to form a worktop. The sewing machine lifts out of the cabinet to sit level with the worktop, resting on two supports within the cabinet. The lockable cabinet door opens from right to left revealing fitted shelves and spikes for spools and bobbins. The gold-painted maker's name is cast into the black treadle. The machine has its original instruction book, oil can, and eighteen accessories in an enclosed cardboard box. The round shallow oil bottle has a rubber dispensing tube. Colourful decals decorate the black body of the machine. Inscriptions include a Serial Number stamped on the bed of the machine. The Wardarna Central Bobbin machine was made in England for the Ward Brothers of North Melbourne.TREADLE: cast into metal ACROSS THE TOPE AND ON THE FOOTPLATE "WARD", "WARD" SERIAL NUMBER stamped into oval plate "28383" DECAL: (Map of Australia ) with images of [two brothers] , "WARDANA" above (logo of the rising sun) DECAL: (Decorative floral design with heraldic-like emblems) above "MADE IN ENGLAND" ARM: "WARDANA" PEDESTAL: "C.B." (representing Central Bobbin) "MADE IN ENGLAND" "MADE IN ENGLAND / FOR / WARD BROS / NORTH MELBOURNE" BOOK TITLE: "Instructions for Treadle Machine" ACCESSORIES: some have indecipherable embossed stamps OIL BOTTLE base: (image of log and short lines radiating from a central inscription (indecipherable)sewing machine, domestic, wardana, ward bros., central bobbin, made in england, north melbourne, c.b., flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, treadle sewing machine, home industry, clothing, dressmaking, clothing manufacturer

The NQRs were the standard Medium open goods wagon. Generally the sides and ends were removable thus providing a totally flat truck. Three long drop-down doors formed the sides thus allowing easy loading and unloading. 218 of these goods vehicles were built between 1898 and 1914 ? numbered 1 - 218​. Originally, these wagons carried the code letter R​ as they were built with sides and ends. They later had the R removed. Unlike the Broad Gauge, VR's 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge network never had four-wheeled wagons (aside from a handful of trolleys). Because of this, a single design of open wagon emerged and this was the only type of wagon ever used on these lines. This was the NQR class, a wagon with the same length and loading capacity as a Broad Gauge four-wheeled open wagon to make transferring freight between the gauges easier. The wagons, numbered 1 through 218, were built between 1898 and 1914. The wagons used the same underframe as most other non-locomotives on the VR Narrow Gauge. Letters and numbers were originally painted only on the end bulkheads and doors, both of which could be removed as traffic dictated, and this made wagon identification difficult until the decals were transferred to the underframes of each wagon In the 1910s some NQRs were provided with removable wood and steel frameworks with canvas roof canopies and side curtains, and internal seating to supplement the rest of the passenger stock during busy holiday periods. Puffing Billy has re-created these for emergency capacity. Five more NQRs, numbered 219-223​, were built between 1990 and 1992 initially for passenger use so were fitted with the removable frames Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 5 tons Capacity 11 tons Built 1898 - 1915 (1992) Number Built 218 (223) In use 14 To be restored 6 216 NQR - Open Medium Truck 15/ 1/1914 NWS Built new VR Service History *NQR 216.VA - 15/ 1/1914 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NQ 216.VA - Puffing Billy Service History or Notes April 2016 - Trial fitting of brake rigging May 2016 - Riveting of the draw gear castings in progress July 2016 - Riveting of the draw gear castings in progress. Truss rods threaded ready for fitting Aug 2016 - Rivetting of the draw gear castings in progress. Draw gear and couplers being evaluated. Sept 2016 - Riveting of the draw gear castings in progress. Draw gear and couplers being overhauled. Oct 2016 - Riveting of the draw gear castings completed, brake piping installed. Nov 2016 - Floor installed, under framing welding completed, fitting of side doors, hand brake fitted Dec 2016 - Car Workshop - Side panels fitted, end panels to be fitted Jan 2017 - Couplers fitted, brake rodding connected, transferred to Emerald for bogie work and sign writing. Feb 2017 - At Emerald - Tyres machined, braking system being prepared Historic - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock - NQR Open Medium Truck216 NQR - Open Medium Truck made of Steel and metal216 NQRpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , 216 nqr - open medium truck, victorian railways, nqr - open medium truck

The NQRs were the standard Medium open goods wagon. Generally the sides and ends were removable thus providing a totally flat truck. Three long drop-down doors formed the sides thus allowing easy loading and unloading. 218 of these goods vehicles were built between 1898 and 1914 ? numbered 1 - 218​. Originally, these wagons carried the code letter R​ as they were built with sides and ends. They later had the R removed. Unlike the Broad Gauge, VR's 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge network never had four-wheeled wagons (aside from a handful of trolleys). Because of this, a single design of open wagon emerged and this was the only type of wagon ever used on these lines. This was the NQR class, a wagon with the same length and loading capacity as a Broad Gauge four-wheeled open wagon to make transferring freight between the gauges easier. The wagons, numbered 1 through 218, were built between 1898 and 1914. The wagons used the same underframe as most other non-locomotives on the VR Narrow Gauge. Letters and numbers were originally painted only on the end bulkheads and doors, both of which could be removed as traffic dictated, and this made wagon identification difficult until the decals were transferred to the underframes of each wagon In the 1910s some NQRs were provided with removable wood and steel frameworks with canvas roof canopies and side curtains, and internal seating to supplement the rest of the passenger stock during busy holiday periods. Puffing Billy has re-created these for emergency capacity. Five more NQRs, numbered 219-223​, were built between 1990 and 1992 initially for passenger use so were fitted with the removable frames In the 1960s the Puffing Billy Railway added grids in the floor of some to enable them to be used to drop ballast on the track where needed. Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 5 tons Capacity 11 tons Built 1898 - 1915 (1992) Number Built 218 (223) In use 14 To be restored 6 203 NQR at Clematis - Open Medium Truck 203 NQR - Open Medium Truck (11) VR Service History - NQR 203.VA - 5/12/1913 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NQ 203.VA - NQ 203.VA - / /1973 NWS Stored minus bogies, NR4/73 Puffing Billy Service History or Notes Untrafficable at ClematisHistoric - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock - NQR Open Medium Truck 203 NQR at Clematis - Open Medium Truck made of Steel and metal203 NQRpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , ? nqr - open medium truck, victorian railways