Yields information about the views of various letter writers, special trains for the Begonia Festival and issues re costs.Foolscap sheet of plain paper, with rounded corners, with 7 newspaper cuttings, concerning the mooted closure of the Ballarat Tram system 2 and 3 March 1962. All from The Courier, unless noted otherwise. One cutting missing. 1 - "Tram Repairs" - 2/3/62 - Letter from R Courtney local Secretary of the Union, regarding the cost of new trams, tracks needed to and Geelong fares raised shortly before closure and then again afterward. 2 - Letter - 2/3/62 - signed by a tram driver regarding repairs of tram faults 3 - "Bolte re Promise on trams" - 2/3/62 - representations to Bolte by the Opposition leader Stoneham and protested to the Minister Mr. Reid 4 - "Special Train for Festival visitors" - The Mail, - 2/3/62 - re visit to Ballarat by the PMG Social club on 11/3 for the Begonia Festival 5 - "Sunday tour Festival City" - re a special train to Ballarat and being met by buses. 6 - "Trams Future" - 3/3/62 - 3 letters re costs of operations - two man trams, bus costs will be based on one man, trams are clean vehicles no emissions, Apex Club issues. 7 - "To Discuss Trams" - 3-3-62 - result of a Greater Ballarat Association meeting.closure, letter to the editor, editorial, sec, begonia festival, greater ballarat association

testCalendar - large wall with clear plastic sheet - spiral wire bound at top issued by Comeng Rolling Stock division of ANI Corporation in 1985. Features 6 paintings by Phil Belbin. 1 - (Jan - Feb) NSW 8029 leading the southbound Intercapital Daylight out of the Bowral tunnel. 2 - (Mar - Apr) - trams 939 and 918 - Victoria Parade reserved track. 3 - (May - Jun) - South African Railways Blue Train 4 - (Jul - Aug) - VR S300 and 301 5 - (Sep - Oct) - QR 1298 on the Sunlander crossing a 2' gauge cane steam loco. 6 - (Nov - Dec) - Commonwealth Railways - Rawlina - Transcontinental train leaving Rawlinna - with the Tea and Sugar Train. For details of the artist see - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Belbin (accessed 2-1-2018). See btm7022note from Bruce Belbin his son re use of the image. tramways, trams, art work, painting, victoria parade, railways

Full colour, 16 page, full colour centre stapled Begonia Festival program, for the 2018 Begonia Festival. Has a map with Wendouree Parade in the gardens area and shows the tram track and depot. Also shows the Park & Ride area in Victoria Park and notes the bus service from the railway (train station). trams, tramways, begonia festival, festival program

Full colour, 16 page, full colour centre stapled Begonia Festival program, for the 2017 Begonia Festival. Has a map with Wendouree Parade in the gardens area and shows the tram track and depot. Also shows the Park & Ride area in Victoria Park and notes the bus service from the railway (train station). has "office" written in black felt pen on the front cover in the top right hand corner.trams, tramways, begonia festival, festival program

Set of 14 transparencies taken on 22/5/1971. 1170.1 - No. 31 outbound in Sturt St. West near Murray St. - has "To read pack Tilt Train" roof advert. 1170.2 - No. 31 ditto, near Russel St. loop. 1170.3 - No. 14 in Wendouree Parade at what is now BTM Depot Junction, near Toilet block. 1170.4 - No. 31 in Wendouree Parade at the North Gardens, approaching St. Aidans Drive 1170.5 - Scrubber car on "O " road with tennis court alongside. 1170.6 - Scrubber, 43 and 3 8 on 0 road at depot. 1170.7 - 3 8 and 43 on 0 road at depot 1170.8 - 38 on 0 road at depot, showing sharpness of 0 road curves. 1170.9 - 39 and 40 inside depot. 40 has "To read pack, tilt tram" roof advertisement. 1170. 10 - Tram 27 passes the depot gates, east bound with Lake Wendouree in the background. 1170.11 - SEC Depot, from Wendouree Parade, with No. 38 on "O" road. 1170.12 - trams 14 and 30 at depot loop, Wendouree Parade 1170.13 - ditto 1170.14 - "Cars take following line" sign on tram stop pole at Wendouree Parade Loop. All have date stamp of "28 Apr 1971" in purple ink on base. All blue ink unless otherwise noted. 1170.1 - "No. 31 in Sturt St. West between Murray and Wonliss Sts." 1170.2 - "No. 31 approaching Russell St. Loop in Sturt St. West Ballarat" 1170.3 - "No. 14 Gardens" 1170.4 - "No. 3 1 North Gardens 1170.5 - "Track cleaner car (formerly No. 23) at Wendouree Depot" 1170.6 - "Track cleaner, No. 43 and No. 38 at Wendouree Depot" 1170.7 - "No. 43 and No. 38 at Wendouree Depot" 1170.8 - "No. 38 gazes across Lake Wendouree from depot" 1170.9 - "Nos 3 9 and 40 in Wendouree Depot" 1170.10 - "No. 27 passing Wendouree Depot" 1170.11 - "Wendouree Depot with No. 38 on road No. "O" on left. 1170.12 - "Depot Loop" 1170.13 - "Depot Loop" 1170.14 - "Depot" tramways, trams, sturt st. west, wendouree parade, o road, depot, depot loop, signs, bliss bombs, tram 14, tram 27, tram 30, tram 31, tram 38, tram 39, tram 40, tram 43, tram scrubber

16 issues of the, "Tramway Topics" - "The Official Bulletin of The Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board", issues 50, 51, 53 to 61, issued between August 1947 and October 1948. All printed on cream coloured paper. Headings of significance are listed below. Common items were; Retiring and Death Gratuities, Appointments and Promotions, long service records. 918.1 - 50 - August 1947 - 4 pages - Comment from London, Scalers in Sydney, Brisbane Services, PAYE to go, Newcastle wants to own the trams, Diesels in favour, Fares in London and Melbourne, Something like a deficit, a remarkable record (substations), Work of Testing Department, Accidents are Expensive, and Transport Operations Indicted (National City Lines - USA) 918.2 - 51 - Sept. 1947 - 4 pages - Our SW6 tram, Transport in the US, Conductresses again, How bus costs have risen, Footscray Extensions, Of Course you are good (drivers and driving), How Fares Go, 40-Hour week. 918.3 - 53 - November 1947 - 4 pages - No increase in fares, an unusually interesting tram (Glasgow), alcohol and driving do not mix, pedestrian crossing case, how wages have increased, Russia prefers trams, Sydney's "Honesty" joke, Higher Fares wanted, Tramcars as hearses, an editor on Trolley buses, buses lead - but at a cost (Leicester), the Non paying passenger (Sydney) 918.4 - 54 - December 1947 - 4 pages - Christmas 1947 (Chairman's notes on the future), New Stockholm tram, according to use and wont - Birmingham, Trams in the USA, Board re-appointed, Buses few, so coaches are hired (London), transport from Footscray, "Philadelphians must have the best" - so they are given trams!, The Merri Creek Bridge and appreciations. 918.5 - 55 - March 1948 - 4 pages - That 4/- doubts arising over the 5-day week, Buses carried pick-a-back, Sydney to lose L500,000 this year, Trolleybuses, Rapid transit with PCC trams, another compliment (rosters in Perth), the bill for it all (Melbourne tram strike), an Extraordinary award (Washington DC), Prison tram's last load (Sydney), Douglas horse trams, Lord Ashfield, Glasgow's all night buses. 918.6 -56 - April 1948 - 4 pages - The Board's ambassadors (MMTB Conductors), Brisbane's bus routes, Another deficit in sight (Liverpool UK), Poor Paris, The resilient wheel, the 5-day week rosters, a subway and its costs (Detroit), PCC's in Belgium, South London Trams. 918.7 -57 -May 1948 - 4 pages - Spread of Hours Payment - 5 day week, weak breaks, Buses multiply - losses expand (Manchester UK), Static Electricity, L750,000 deficit in Sydney, praise for conductresses, no purchase by Newcastle, a loss at Adelaide, Transport in Switzerland, Denmark's giant bus, new trams for Glasgow, Grants for sports, single deckers out of favour (UK buses), Transport by Water (London). 918.8 - 58 - June 1948 - 8 pages - Stirring up strife (Melb.) No profit - no sharing (Kansas City), Just why - prices and fares in the US, MMTB staff needs from 5 day week, Section fares in the US, trams at L5,500 each (Sheffield), The unfinished dance (Perth and Hay St.), Thanks from Bristol, Interest in Melbourne trams (letters to the Board), Adelaide's Deficit, Fares up in Sydney and Adelaide, Moscow transport, No trolleybuses thankyou in Belgium, thanks to the Traffic staff, the Late Inspector Boardman, 24,000 irregularities (passengers), Sth London trams, Melbourne's trams amazing, Winnipeg's transport Growth and Standing passengers - London. 918.9 - 59 - July 1948 - 4 pages - The Red Light - RACV and red lights on trams, A request from Argentina,, where our SW6's are, the last 5c fare (New York), Work in the Fog, Traffic headaches in the US, Brisbane's Streamlined tram, Safety glass, Now for La Trobe St. The Tramways Band (South St.), Transport Losses in Sydney. 918.10 - 60 - August 1948 - 4 pages - from Pretoria (Comments on Melbourne), Buses with sliding Doors (OPS1), PCC trams, trams of the future (Glasgow), new trams in Rome, Clearing up the Parking Problem (Sacramento), Fantastic figures - world tram car figures - anti tram, Trainer Drivers, the railway trams and disaster to Liverpool trams, Monte Video trams purchased. 918.11 - 61 - September 1948 - 4 pages - The Year's Work (Melbourne), How Absurd (transport management), items from Britain, Tramway Band News, Food from Melbourne (to Scotland floods), London's Extraordinary traffic, New trams for The Hague, who are the road hogs, the La Trobe St. extension, out clothing factory, Preston Workshops, Toil on the tracks, how the money comes in (fares distribution). 918.12 - 62 - October 1948 - 4 pages - Melbourne's tram fares, Bourke St., Sydney's Street Transport, Scientist or Baker (London), Trolleybuses out of favour, London's poor bus fleet, tram and bus fares, The band at Wattle Park, Madras tramway deal, 121 decide for 6000 (Sydney Sunday trams), Preston workshops, A Engineer's tribute, Was the Street Quiz on trams faked? (The Sun). 918.3 - No. 31 - September 1945 - Year in review - trams more reliable than buses, loss on buses to munitions and Fisherman's bend, ticket checking, Hawthorn clothing factory SW6 trams construction, news from cities in Europe, sub-stations. 918.14 - 64 - September 1949 - higher operating expenses and revenue, school children behaviour, headway recording system - communication issues, golf at Wattle Park, Mr Bell lives in Riversdale Rd. 918.15 - 67 - December 1949 - Record Payment to Consolidated Revenue, payment to MFB etc, flat fares, Latrobe St extension - delayed, fare concessions - who pays, 918.16 - 68 - January 1950 - Bourke St conversion - Risson looking for an early start, fitting of radios to MMTB vehicles, Resilient wheels 918.4 - on top edge in pencil is "Mr Russell", and 918.10 ditto.trams, tramways, mmtb, melbourne, tramways

A newspaper Clipping taken from The Courier on 2/6/84. Has two interesting articles, the first one being in the '100 years ago' section stating that a train ran through the Bungaree gates, the other one was in the '75 years ago' section stating that ESCo was removing tram tracks in Macarthur St between Lydiard and Drummond Streets. Images added 3-12-2016trams, tramways, railway crossing, trackwork, horse trams, macarthur st

2059.1 - Photo of SEC Ballarat No.41 passing through the railway gates at Ballarat Railway Station, Lydiard St. North, with the destination of "Sebastopol". Tram has a SEC "Everything's under control in my all electric kitchen". Reid's Coffee Palace is the background. Photo shows the Ballarat Railway station clock tower, part of the train shed and the signals on the station side of the gates and another bogie tram waiting at the end of the double track in Lydiard St. for No. 41 to pass. 2059.2 - ditto, but with the two trams passing each other. The Provincial Hotel is also in the photograph. Kodak cardboard mount slide, taken by Peter Moses assumed Jan. 1969, dated only "Jan", but date lines up with Bendigo slides and type of numbering. Could be 1970.On the rear of the slides in black ink "P. Moses" along bottom left hand corner in black ink.tramways, trams, railway crossing, lydiard st, railway station, reid's coffee palace, provincial hotel, tram 41

Six issues of "Tram Tracks - The Electric Traction Monthly" of the Australian Electric Traction Association. Each issue has a standard cover, of the magazine name etc, featuring "Wee Folks Productions" models but are in different colours, all have been saddled stapled with two staples, except No. 6. The Volume and date details have been over printed. Back covers inside back covers have the same advertisements but the font varies vary. The six issues contain advertisements for the Wee Folks productions, Hartleys Sports store, Hearns Hobbies, Wattle Park, Johnson's Variety Store, Barnes Tennis Centre, The Model Dockyard, Robilt Models, Meadmore Model Engineering and Austral Bronze Pty Ltd, Hearns Hobbies, Christie Scale Model Railway and Equipment, Herbert Small (Meccano), the American Subscription Agency, Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Ltd. 2465.1 - Vol. 2 No. 1 - 16 pages, Jan 1947, with cover printed in red. Has articles on the tram / car debate, Dunedin Tramways, Overlapping fare sections, type of trucks under Sydney tramcars, Brisbane Electric Railway (Power station), The Balmain Counterweight and Trolley buses in Australia. News items include Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, SEC, Hobart, VR, Adelaide, Kalgoorlie, Broome, electric trains in Melbourne and Sydney, and AETA notes. Photos include Sydney O, OP and P, VR PERM 63 and interior photo of a MMTB W4 class tram. 2465.2 - Vol. 2, No. 2 - 16 pages, Feb. 1947, with cover printed in dark blue. Has articles on Brisbane 400 class tramcar, Adelaide to Glenelg Brighton - Le Sands tramway, Melbourne Suburban railways, Diesel Electrics on the Southern Railway (US)and Birney Safety Car. News items include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, VR, Fremantle and AETA notes. 2465.3 - Vol. 2, No. 3 - 12 pages, Mar. 1947, with cover printed in brown. Has articles on why NSW trams lose money, Duncan and Frazer, new trams in Johannesburg, Melbourne Suburban railways, and Sydney New Railway (Eastern Suburbs). News items Sydney, Melbourne, SEC, VR and Adelaide and AETA notes. 2465.4 - Vol. 2, No. 4 - 16 pages, Apr. 1947, with cover printed in green. Has articles on Duncan and Fraser (continued), In search of Ancient Warriors (old trams), Brisbane Electric Railway and some unusual fares arrangements. News items include Brisbane, Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney, SEC, Launceston, Kalgoorlie, overseas, and AETA notes. Editorial looks at claims that the SW6 cars are the finest in the world, back numbers (notes that Tram Tracks started with a mimeographed club news sheet and now have circulation of nearly 200), costs of production etc. Has photographs of the interior of a SW6 850, a plan for Melbourne underground railway, the VR power operations room at Flinders St., Hobart trolley bus and a cartoon about Sydney traffic. 2465.5 - Vol. 2, No. 5 - 16 pages, May 1947, with cover printed in red. Has articles on Australian Light railways, Sydney's relief lines and the start of an article on NSWGT 600/1200V tramcars. Has news items on Brisbane, Sydney, MMTB, VR, Geelong, Ballarat, Launceston, Hobart and AETA notes. Editorial notes the first anniversary of the magazine and has a number of letters regarding this, content and the tram/car debate. 2465.6 - Vol. 2, No. 6 - 20 pages, June 1947, with cover printed in blue. Has articles on Cremorne bridge replacement (with photos), Neutral bay line and Tramcar transmission gears. News items include photos of MMTB track replacements, crowded trams, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and a photo of a Sydney tram passing under the new bridge work for Circular Quay station. 2465.7 - Vol. 2, No. 12 - pages 1-12, cover has an advert for Hartley Sporting Goods. Has cartoon on fares on Sydney trams by Peterson, not regarding retirement of Mr. H. Bell of MMTB, Melbourne Latrobe St and bus construction, Sydney tram cartoons from Emile Mercier, electric trains and other tramway news. (Item added 24-3-18 - from consolidation of Melbourne Tram Museum and BTM collections) trams, tramways, electric traction, aeta, models, australian tramways, duncan fraser, cartoons

Three issues of "Tram Tracks - The Electric Traction Monthly" of the Australian Electric Traction Association. Each issue has a standard cover, of the magazine name etc, and featuring a front end photo of Victorian Railways tram No. 52 with the destination of Elwood but are in different colours, all have been saddled stapled with a single staple. The Volume and date details have been over printed. Back covers inside covers have the same advertisements. The three issues contain advertisements for the Wee Folks productions, Wattle Park, G&R model railway parts, Richard Noble model electric motors, Hobbyco, Fleet scale model railway equipment, Masseys Sports, Lloyd's Hobbycraft, John Martin Ltd, Johnson's Variety Store, the ARLHS, Barnes Tennis Centre, The Model Dockyard, the American Subscription Agency, Robilt Models, Meadmore Model Engineering and Austral Bronze Pty Ltd, Hearns Hobbies, Christie Scale Model Railway Products and Traction Publications. 2466.1 - Vol. 3 No. 10 - 20 pages, Oct. 1948, with cover printed in red ink. Has articles on anti-tram propaganda, Alphington - Heidelberg duplication and Sydney's early electric trams - C and D class. Also has news items on Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Sandringham - Black Rock, Hobart, Launceston, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne electric trains, Launceston Trolley Buses, AETA notes, and a caricature of the Editor, Jack Richardson. 2466.2 - Vol. 3 No. 11 - 24 pages, Nov. 1948, with cover printed in blue ink. Has articles on construction of tram track in Melbourne (Victoria Parade), Bourke St., tram-bus controversy, (Reg Ansett, Noel Gipps and USNR Commander Quinby), Sydney's early electric trams - C and D class continued. Also news items on Last tram to Mayfield, Sydney, Latrobe St. Melbourne, Adelaide, opening to Alamein, Melbourne show traffic, VR Trams and AETA notes. 2466.3 - Vol. 3 No. 12 - 16 pages, Dec. 1948, with cover printed in green ink. Has articles on Sydney's electric railways, Brisbane Tramways and an AETA Melbourne tour. News items cover Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Kalgoorlie, Melbourne and Sydney trains and AETA news. 2466.4 - Vol 3 - No. 7 - 20 pages - July 1948 with cover printed in red ink. Has articles on cost of building trams for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, abandonment of VR trams, Newcastle, Sydney, centre page photo of Y1 611, Sydney Electric train system including map and AETA news. 2466.5 - Vol 3 - No. 9 - 20 pages - Sep 1948 with cover printed in blue ink. Has articles on Mr. T. G. Patterson, Acting Director of Commonwealth Road Transport and Chairman of Federal Road Safety Council (very anti tram), news from Brisbane, Launceston, Sydney, Newcastle, Burwood, cost of trams, impressions of transport in Europe and North America, Melbourne and Sydney electric trains, tramways of Newcastle and model notes and AETA news. 2466.6 - Vol. 3, No. 1 - Jan 1948 - 16 pages with photo of Brisbane 407, political news, direct Melbourne to Footscray line proposal, new trams, bogie trams in Ballarat, article on Melbourne cable trams, electric trains, AETA outing in Melbourne and various adverts for model railways. 2466.7 - Vol 3 No. 2 - Feb. 1948 - 16 pages - political news, Ballarat news, traffic in Sturt St and new bogie cars, Christchurch closure, cartoon by Mercier on Sydney Honesty box, Brisbane suburban electrification, general tramway and electric railway news and various adverts for model railways. 2466.8 - Vol. 3 No. 3 - March 1948, with photo of VR 52 on front cover, 16 pages, political news, closures, Reg Ansett offer to buy the Melbourne bus system, Newcastle News, SEC Transfer of cars between the three systems, tramways in the Maribyrnong area, map of Melbourne trams, cartoon by Mercier, Brisbane train electrification and general news. 2466.9 - Vol. 3 No. 6 - June 1948 - 12 pages - MMTB political news, new trams for Sydney, tramways of Newcastle, Invercargill, Sydney Suburban trains, and AETA General news. .6 to .9 added 24-3-18 - from consolidation of Melbourne Tram Museum and BTM collections - ex AETA. trams, tramways, electric traction, aeta, models, australian tramways, melbourne, sydney, brisbane, newcastle, costs, ballarat, footscray

Yields information about the problem of electrolysis in Ballarat due to poor track joints and other problems., Yields information about the problem of electrolysis in Ballarat due to poor track joints and other problems.Carbon copy of a typed memo from the Works Superintendent to the Branch Manager of the SEC Ballarat regarding Electrolysis - poor earth return and the possible reasons for this. Memo suggests that track welder should be trained to test and the time and cost to test and repair the system. Memo dated 18/8/1966. On rear has various notes in ink. Was located with item 3701 - 1967 Trackwork diary.trams, tramways, sec, trackwork, electrolysis, welding

Agfa plastic mount (blue base, white cover) with a photo of Bendigo No. 30 in Mitchell St, just before start of the double track section, c1962. Photo taken during a rainy day. Tram has destination of Eaglehawk. Note SEC crewman standing by door and the passengers looking towards the gutter at the railway station stop. Apparently picking up passengers ex the train on a Sunday. See Other Information regarding a possible date of the slide."BES 1" in penciltramways, trams, bendigo, mitchell st, tram 30

Set of 20 digital images of Bendigo Tramways, 1972 at or before closure while on a tram tour by Stuart Lodington. .1 - No. 29 at the North Bendigo terminus .2 - No. 29 just past the Bendigo end of the double track in High St Eaglehawk, with a BP dealer in the background. .3 - Night photo of No. 18 at a terminus, showing "Eaglehawk" .4 - ditto .5 - Night photo of No. 24 at Eaglehawk with Leo A Hughes Photographer in the background. The Tram has "Johnnie Walker whiskey" roof adverts. .6 - No. 29 outbound in Thunder St with a train passing over the bridge in the background. .7 - view from the front window of a tram on the Eaglehawk line with a large "display event float" in the foreground and tram approaching a crossing loop. .8 - No. 29 at North Bendigo .9 - view of High St Eaglehawk looking east from the terminus, showing the track and centre poles. .10 - No. 29 outbound on the North Bendigo line turning from either Nolan St or Caledonia St, running a special. .11 - No. 7 departing North Bendigo for Golden Square. .12 - No. 3 and 18 at Charing Cross. No. 3 has two SEC roof Advertisements .13 - No. 7 at North Bendigo with the trolley pole being reversed. .14 - No. 24 at Quarry Hill with Northern Terrazzo in the background with the driver alongside .15 - No. 7 and No.6 at Charing Cross with the Beehive buildings in the background. .16 - No. 7 at North Bendigo terminus .17 - ditto .18 - No. 24 at Quarry Hill with Northern Terrazzo in the background with the conductor alongside. .19 - ditto .20 - No. 26 and other bogie tram in View St near Charing Cross with the Armstrong Tyre Service building and signs for Cohn's Drinks and T&G in the view.trams, tramways, bendigo, eaglehawk, quarry hill, golden square, depot, north bendigo, charing cross, tram 29, tram 18, tram 24, tram 3, tram 7, tram 6, tram 26

Full colour, A4 foldout, 8 parts, printed onto an A2 sheet, Begonia Festival program, for the 2016 Begonia Festival. Has a map with Wendouree Parade in the gardens area and shows the tram track and depot. Also shows the Park & Ride area in Victoria Park and notes the bus service from the railway (train station). Two copies held.trams, tramways, begonia festival, festival program

Yields information about Railway Level crossing in Lydiard St North and some of the trains that used it.Set of six 35mm slides - Hanimex light grey white plastic mounts or AGFA dark blue / white plastic mounts of trams and trains crossing the level crossing at Lydiard St North Ballarat. .1 - tram 33 with destination of Lydiard St North, just after crossing the rail tracks - has a Twin Lakes sign with Victoria House in the background. .2 - tram 40 with destination of Lydiard St North, waiting at the level crossing with S303 entering the station. .3 - ditto, but with S304 in the photograph under the signal gantry. .4 - tram 17 crossing the crossing with the signal box and Victoria House in the background. .5 - ditto - tram has a Twin Lakes signs and a "Make Bliss No Love" roof advert for Bliss Bombs. .6 - ditto - with the S. F. Motors Pty Ltd Mercedes Benz dealership in the background.tramways, trams, railway station, lydiard st north, level crossings, victorian railways, tram 33, tram 40, tram 17

Yields information about the Ballarat Railway Station and the adjacent level crossing.Set of two 35mm slides - Hanimex light blue grey plastic mount of a the view from No. 1 platform at Ballarat Railway Station looking towards the Lydiard St level crossing. Shows the crossing gates, signals and tracks. A goods train with a Z van at the rear is in the platform.tramways, trams, railway station, victorian railways

At its peak the Beech Forest railway employed more than 21 people between Colac and Crowes tending the line the trains ran over. The gangers (the men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked on the original construction gangs of 1900-1902 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (2), and Lavers Hill. The ganger for Beech Forest 2 gang resided at Wyelangta. However, the track gangs lessened as the line shortened. Three men with spades on the line, thought to be at Barongarook, c.1925. B/W.barongarook; railways; track gangs;

A DOWN goods train consisting of a G42 locomotive, a louvre van, two NQ trucks and a guard's van awaits departure from Gellibrand. Three youths are seated in the doorway of the guard' van. On the near track further NQ trucks are parked. A water tank appears in the distance.A DOWN goods train with locomotive G42 awaits departure time from Gellibrand on 14 December 1955. B/W.gellibrand; railways; locomotive g42; louvre van; nq trucks; guard's van; water tank;

At its peak the Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway employed more than 21 staff tending the lines that the trains ran over. Gangers (the men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked on the original construction gangs of 1900-02 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line, but these eased out over time. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (where the second Beech Forest crew was based at Wyelangta), and Lavers Hill.Track gang on an NK wagon at Beech Forest, c.1940. Snow covers the ground. B/W.colac; beech forest; crowes; railway; track gangs;

From late in 1960 VR took what were the first definite steps to close the Colac-Beech Forest line. 1,101 tonnes of freight per year flowed from Colac to Beech Forest because of increasing competition from the roads. From 1 July 1960 onwards, when pulpwood (hardwood) stopped being shipped from Beech Forest, a maximum of only 7,000 tonnes/year would be shipped to Colac. Including special trips passenger revenue earned a little more than $200 per annum. The issue of second-hand sleepers stopped entirely and the two track gangs only patrolled the track and tightened loose bolts. The line did not earn its way and on 4 November 1960 it was recommended that services over the narrow gauge line be discontinued.The rear of a goods train from Colac arrives at Beech Forest on 9 August 1961. The other line is the former Crowes line truncated at Weeaproinah in January 1955. In the background is the Beech Forest Hall and Shire of Otway offices. Colour.colac; beech forest; railway;

A mixed goods train with G41 locomotive changing tracks just after the balloon reversing loop, with piles of timber on the right and a shed on the left. B/W.beech forest; colac; railways;

On 21 November 1959 yet another special train was run, this time on a G41 engine showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 25-11-59", with eight NBH excursion carriages and a guard's van. The train stopped at Beech Forest where people removed themselves and wandered around the station. Mixed goods wagons loaded with wood and louvred van rest in the background. Note the delta or 'scissors' crossover between lines in the centre of the picture.B/W. Beech Forest Railway Station with a G41 locomotive, showing the sign "Puffing Billy Preservation Society, Beech Forest, 25-11-59" on track number one, mixed goods trucks on track number three, passengers throughout, and the delta or scissors crossover line, at 21 November 1959.beech forest; railways;

In 1960 the Crowes railway station and yards had been closed for six years, since December 1954. This section was left to the elements, the line being rapidly covered with vegetation. This had to be cleared when rail recovery trains ran again to Crowes when the track was being pulled up in 1961.Colour. Crowes station yard in 1960; two tracks diverging from one. Not two cars in the middle distance. crowes; railway;

Another excursion train travels to Beech Forest in 1960. At Gellibrand railway yards engine G42 leads the train with driver L. Moore and fireman, Les Ogden.B/W. Locomotive G42 and an excursion train to Beech Forest, on track number one, in 1960. The fireman, Les Ogden, hangs from the engine. The other tracks are empty.gellibrand; railway; loco g42;

The 1919 bushfire was the worst the area suffered. The fire struck on Saturday afternoon on the 15th February. It destroyed the station at Lavers Hill and Crowes, departmental residences at Lavers Hill and Weeaproinah, the overhead bridges at Beech Forest and Wimba, and damaged the track at various points along the line so that two locomotives became temporarily marooned at Beech Forest.. By the following Tuesday a daily fire relief train had begun operation. By the following Sunday a special train loaded with army tents travelled through to Lavers Hill and deposited most of its consignment there because little remained of this sizeable settlement. An outsider would have had difficulty in picking the place. The letters of the Lavers Hill station nameboard had been burnt although the metal letters survived, and one of the local wags had rearranged them to read "LIARS HELL". By the 1920s water trains were being used to help fight fires, a simple NQR open wagon loaded with the standard 1500 litre square iron water tank.B/W. Crowes station sign, the remains of a chimney, galvanised iron sheet and a water tank, and two men gazing at the camera. Note in the background the clear felling of the timber.crowes; lavers hill; beech forest; weeaproinah; wimba; railways; bushfire;

Until 1925 Beech Forest saw three trains or six train movements each day, from 6.50,am until 3.05 pm, and the railway personnel reflected this movement. A Station Master, porter, goods clerk, train crew, engine cleaner and track gang were employed. While economic activity slowed a little bit after this it still remained vigorous for another three years. However, the frequency of goods trains started to decrease from 1926 when the small NA class locomotives were partly replaced by a Garratt engine that had greater hauling power. Three regular train services continued to run each day, two of these being NA drawn and the other a Garratt train.B/W. Beech Forest Railway Station, a group of two men and a single man standing outside. On No.2 Road an NA locomotive, the single man watching. On No.3 Road a line of NQR open wagons.beech forest; railways; loco na;

In 1898 a recommendation for a railway of 2 ft 6 in gauge was handed down by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, to cost $138,000. Construction began in 1900. About 100 men were engaged in laying and ballasting the track while others, not included in the 100, formed the earthworks, culverts and bridges. Locomotive operations initially were two 2-6-2 Tank engines of the narrow gauge A class, dubbed "Coffee Pots", and these were used on the work trains between 1900 and 1902. Because of the lengthy periods of waiting time required to unload sleepers and rails or to load ballast meant that a handy replenishment of coal and water supply was necessary. With earthworks specified to the bare minimum landslips in the narrow cuttings were frequent so a repairer was stationed in each length to deal quickly with minor slips until 1904 when the cuttings were widened.B/W. The driver and seven other men on locomotive 5A and its flat cars at Beech Forest during construction of the line in c.1902. beech forest; railways; loco 5a;

Station facilities for the travelling public on the narrow gauge line at Colac Railway Station were non-existent for many years. Tickets were purchased from the broad gauge booking office and the travellers then had to walk with their luggage over the rough, potentially ankle-twisting, stone approaches, through the goods yard and wait in the open amongst the mud holes alongside the narrow gauge departure track. In 1922 a footbridge was erected over the broad gauge lines, and a passenger shelter and small goods shed were built on the departure track.B/W. At Colac Railway Station, an locomotive 8A with five NQR wagons, an NM livestock wagon and a NBDBD combined passenger and brake van destined for Beech Forest, with either the driver or the fireman peering out of the engine, three youths standing at the front of the engine, and a group of people, including a woman, standing near the livestock wagon. A multi-storied shed and two houses are in the background. 179mm x 280mm picture.colac; railway; narrow gauge; na locomotive;

Originally named 'McInnes' after a local selector, this station opened during construction of the Crowes railway on 1 May 1911. The name was altered to Weeaproinah, the second station of that name, on 9 December 1912, after the parish in which the station was situated. (The original 'Weeaproinah' on the railway became earlier 'Dinmont' in the Olangolah Parish.) The station comprised a passenger shelter and a loop siding with a ramped platform for a sheep and pig race. A departmental residence was built for a track repairer based at the station, but no station or caretaker staff were employed there. The residence was burnt down during the 1919 bushfire but it was replaced and remained in use as a departmental residence until 1930. Weeaproinah became an unattended crossing station in December 1927 under the Train Section Order system.B/W. Weeaproinah mallee shed. In the shed there are five large wall-mounted posters and a cream can. An unlocked door with a "Skins / Hides" poster gives access the inside. A tree trunk stands to the right.weeaproinah; railways; shed;

This original station on the Colac-Beech Forest line was first known as "Moorbanool" after the local parish, and then shortened to "Banool" on 1 November 1904. At first facilities consisted of a passenger shelter, a loop siding for 11 trucks, plus a residence for the ganger of the track gang based there. By 1912 with the extension of the line to Crowes increased train services on the line required a crossing station in this section of the track, and therefore Banool became a staff and ticket station with a crossing loop and home signals. However, this only lasted for two years and was abolished as an economy measure in 1916. Loading figures show that in most years the outwards tonnage at Banool was less than 150 tonnes. The station was reduced to a passenger shelter and goods loop only by 1929, and by the time of closure in 1962 most trains were steaming through.Colour. Locomotive G42 and its NQR goods wagons, loaded and unloaded, steaming past Banool station passenger shelter. 143mm x 274mm print.banool; moorbanool; railways; locomotive g42;