Showing 139 items
matching accident reporting
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Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, The Age, "Brakes could spell the end of line for classic trams", 2/06/2000 12:00:00 AM
... notes (Reg Item 5359 for June 2000) reports "After an accident... notes (Reg Item 5359 for June 2000) reports "After an accident ...Newspaper clipping from The Age, (2/6/2000?), about an accident in St Kilda Road when a W class tram collided with a Z class tram. Article reports on the withdrawal of W class trams by Swanston St tram immediately. Titled "Brakes could spell the end of line for classic trams" Hugh Waldron's Transit Australia notes (Reg Item 5359 for June 2000) reports "After an accident between “SW6” 869 and “Z1” 75 at about 4pm on Thursday 1st June 2000 all Swanston “W” class trams were instructed to shunt at the closest crossover and return special to the Depot. " Article buy Sushi Das and photo by Ken Irwin of the front of Sw5 869 (University route 16). Quotes from Kevin O'Shea of National Express (Swanston Trams), Phil Alteri (RTBU) and Christine Buckingham of Yarra Tramstrams, tramways, w class, sw5 class, accidents, route 16, st kilda rd, tram 869 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, The Age, "Latest tram crash triggers inquiry", 24/10/2007 12:00:00 AM
Newspaper clipping from The Age, 24/10/2007, titled "Latest tram crash triggers inquiry" with sub heading "Six in hospital after two tram North Melbourne smash". Reports on the collision between Z3 134 and B2 2080 in Flemington Road the previous day. Reports on various recent tram accidents. Quotes Dennis Cliche, John Brumby, Terry Mulder and Minister Lynne Kosky. Article by Stephen Moyninan and Grietta Guerrera with photo by Andrew De La Rue.trams, tramways, accidents, flemington road, b class, z3 class, tram 134, tram 2080 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Memorandum, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Accident Prevention", 18/09/1957 12:00:00 AM
... Trams tramways MMTB Accidents Reports Collision Memorandum ...Memorandum printed using a duplicator process onto a foolscap sheet titled "Accident Prevention" from the Traffic Manager to All Traffic Officers, dated 18/9/1957, providing a review of the accidents for 1956 and 1957 year ends for both trams and buses. List the various types of accidents, injuries, falls, collisions, employees and public. Signed B. H. Misson as Traffic Manager.trams, tramways, mmtb, accidents, reports, collision -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Notebook, Harold De Dohse, Inspector Harold De Dohse reports, 1956 to 1959
Notebook - 100 ruled blue line pages centre stapled with card cover used by Inspector Harold De Dohse to record his observations and instructions to crews regarding uniforms, behaviour, operations, accidents and other offences. Has been ruled into 8 vertical columns to record "date, time, route, locality, conductor or driver, number, nature of Offence and action taken" Commences 1/12/1956 through to 3/5/1959. Has various date stamps in the book - the purpose may have to be to show that they have been recorded by the Board clerical traffic staff. See htd1205note.pdf for information about the purpose of the book and its use, including industrial and training issues - from Kevin Stanes 24-4-2017.On front cover in blue ink "Insp De Dohse Mobile" and in red ink "Nich St"trams, tramways, mmtb, uniforms, officers, inspectors, drivers, conductors, derailments, personnel, notebooks -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, Herald Sun, "Tram smashes spark warning", 20/6/2024
Newspaper report by Ian Royall about Yarra Trams recording some 450 car incidents so far this year - about 3 per day. Notes CCTV on trams, the Dudley and William Sts roundabout and that Rhino on a skateboard campaign is being rebooted. Quotes Yarra Trams CEO Carla PurcellYields information about the number of incidents so far during 2024 with motor car to tram collisions.Newspaper cutting from the Herald Sun, 20/6/2024 page 11Has source label on rear.tramways, accidents, yarra trams, collisions -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Administrative record, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Supt electric running sheds daily return", 1939
Administrative record - "Superintendent electric running sheds' daily return" for MMTB dated 28/2/1939 - form 3/312 of 1938. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - bogie and single truckers and the cars for the All Night services and their availability. Lists 5 cars taken out of service - defective or accidents, provides detail of status of fire services at depots, and watchmen's tell tales. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports. See item 7516, 7517 and 7518 for similar reports.Yields information the mmtb tram allocation and events at electric running sheds - 1939Completed preprinted foolscap form with type information.tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, Herald Sun, "Historic tram plan derailed", 1/4/1992
... a report by Monash University Accident Research Centre about... Report titled "Historic tram plan derailed", concerning a report ...Report titled "Historic tram plan derailed", concerning a report by Monash University Accident Research Centre about the crashworthiness of the W class trams. Notes issues with the timber framed cabins, National Trust, and others. Quotes Norm Cross about the 1993 proposal with a photo of the tram that was to be the prototype. Yields information about the investigation into the crash worthiness of the W class tram and Monash University report.Newspaper clipping from Herald Sun 26/3/2003.tramways, w8 class, preston workshops, w class, accidents, national trust, monash university -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Administrative record, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Supt cable running sheds daily return", 1938
Administrative record - "Superintendent of cable running sheds daily return" for MMTB dated 21/2/1938 - form 21A of 11/37. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - cars and dummies, and their availability. Lists 2 cars taken out of service - issues or accidents. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports. The rear of the sheet has been used to prepare a report by K L Mackenzie on applicants for the Compressed Gas Plant attendant at Clifton Hill depot. The Compressed Gas plant was part of the equipment installed to provide gas for the buses during the early stage of the Second World War. Names listed are: Hence, Wrigly, Maynard, Fay, Coates, Stephens, Lyons, Langton, and C J M Campbell. See item 7521, 7517 and 7518 for similar reports. Yields information the mmtb cable tram allocation and events at cable tram running sheds - 1938.Completed preprinted quarto form with typed information with hand writing on rear.tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports, cable trams, clifton hill, compressed gas, buses -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Administrative record, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Supt running sheds daily return", 1925
Administrative record - "Superintendent electric running sheds' daily return" for MMTB dated 4/5/1925 - form 71. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - bogie and single truckers Lists 1 car taken out of service - defective or accidents, provides detail of the status of fire services at depots, and watchmen's tell tales. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports. The rear of the sheet has been used to prepare a report by K L Mackenzie on applicants for the Compressed Gas Plant attendant at Clifton Hill depot. The Compressed Gas plant was part of the equipment installed to provide gas for the buses during the early stage of the Second World War. Names listed are: Hence, Wrigly, Maynard, Fay, Coates, Stephens, Lyons, and Langton. See item 7521, 7516 and 7518 for similar reports. Yields information the mmtb cable tram allocation and events at electric tram running sheds - 1925 and the compressed gas system attendants.Completed preprinted foolscap form with typed information and hand writing on the rear.tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports, cable trams, clifton hill, compressed gas, buses -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Administrative record, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Supt running sheds daily return", 1938
Administrative record - "Superintendent electric running sheds' daily return" for MMTB dated 5/4/1938 - form 71 of 6/37. Give details of the weather, traffic conditions, depot tram cars - bogie and single truckers and the cars for the All Night services and their availability. Lists 6 cars taken out of service - defective or accidents, provides detail of status of fire services at depots, and watchmen's tell tales. Would have been compiled from individual depot reports. The rear of the sheet has been used to prepare notes on applicants for a position - Snesby? ,Fay, Hughes, Jones, Snout, Low, Quick and Coates giving details of seniority, service and Order from buses. See item 7521, 7516 and 7517 for similar reports. Yields information the mmtb cable tram allocation and events at electric tram running sheds - 1925 employee listing.Completed preprinted foolscap form with typed information and hand writing on the rear.tramways, trams, mmtb, depots, daily reports, employment -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black & White, tram 867 derailed - Riversdale Road, 22/10/1976
The photographs show SW6 tram 867 derailed at the Riversdale Road level crossing on 22/10/1976. The tram ran out of control in Riversdale Road due to the compressor not being turned on before running out to take up a Wattle Park run. This event resulted in trams being rewired so that power to the controller could not be obtained unless the compressor had been turned on. An extract from Electric Traction magazine, Nov. 1976 has been imaged. Tram 331 would have been used in rerailing. See item 7368 for The Herald report of the date.Yields information about the 1967 derailment of tram 867,Set of four Black and White photographs - printed on plain paper and digital copy of a news item.tramways, trams, mmtb, tram 867, rivesdale road, level crossings, derailments, accidents, compressors, tram 331 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Alistair Fincher, "Hanna Street Happenings - a history of the South Melbourne Electric Tram Depot - 1925 - 1995", 1995
.1 - Essay or Report - 16 A4 photocopied sheets stapled in the top left hand corner with a green sheet on the front, titled "Hanna Street Happenings - a history of the South Melbourne Electric Tram Depot - 1925 - 1995" written by Alistair Fincher. Gives a detailed history of the depot, its routes, relationship to the cable tramways, some stories, the Restaurant tram, comment from Chris Jacobson, Inspector Frank Reardon, Jack Gregan, electrocution of Dan White climbing a roof, Kingsway, "the TV programme "Our World", Women of the depot. Includes notes on industrial disputes, tram types, a map showing countries of origins, a WW2 Roll of Honour, and a list of Union delegates. .2 - Illustration of a logo - red circle with a SW6 tram - 70 years - colour photocopy cut into a circular.trams, tramways, hanna st, south melbourne depot, stories, kingsway, women drivers, conductors, accidents, tv broadcasts -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper - Newspaper Clipping and Inquest, Sourced by Noelle Jones, 1916 to 1919
Set of four scans of inquest into deaths resulting from accidents and two copies of associated articles involving the Melbourne Brunswick and Coburg Tramways Trust. .1 - Inquest dated 18/8/1916 in to the death of Elizabeth McDermott who was flung from a horse drawn vehicle when it was struck by a MBCTT. Has witness reports from Henry Ernest Toll (?), Motorman, Francis Holmes, See htd5855i1 for a pdf version of the inquest file. .2 - Inquest dated 14/6/1917 into the death of Hector Henry Porter who died by suicide - has witness reports from MBCTT - Revenue Clerk John Hussey, William Smith Motorman and Albert Atkinson Conductor. See htd5855i2 for a pdf version of the inquest file and i3 for a image of the newspaper clipping from Trove. .3 - Inquest dated 10/5/1918 into the death of Eric James McEwan, a MBCTT tram conductor who fell from a tram approaching the Swanston St terminus while lifting the side barriers. Has witness statements from Henry McEwan, his brother and grip man who identified the body, Leslie Whitburn Motorman. See htd5855i4 for a pdf version of the inquest file and i5 for a image of the newspaper clipping from Trove. .4 - Inquest dated 4/9/1919 into the death of Ernest Royal Lindsay, resulting from a collision between his cart and a tram in Elgin St Carlton. Has witness statements from Reginald Fordham, Arthur Smith Motorman, William Craighead Motorman. Has on page 22, a map of the location of the accident. See htd5855i5 for a pdf version of the inquest filetrams, tramways, accidents, mbctt, inquests, horse drawn vehicle -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Photocopy, Alan Bradley, "Tram man's miracle escape", mid 1990's
Newspaper reports and photographs of the collision between tram No. 37 and a semitrailer carrying bailed hops at the corner of Drummond Sth and South Streets the previous day. Refer to Reg Item 4045 for further details. The article gives details of the accident, the SEC crews involved (Dave Kellett and Herb Ward), and the truck driver. Also gives details of the recovery work. See item 6313 as well. Collected by Alan Bradley from State Library - see note on Reg Item 4045.Yields information about tramway accidents in Drummond St Ballarat, during the SEC era, particularly in 1954 when a tram was in a collision with a semi trailer. The quality of the photocopy reduces significance but gives the source details.Series of three photocopies of photographs and an article that appeared in The Courier, Ballarat newspaper of 17/4/1954.trams, tramways, accidents, collision, drummond st -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MINING REPORTS - JOHNSONS REEF EXTENDED G M C MINE MANAGER'S REPORT
... and Aug 2nd 1892. Report mentions an accident caused... 1888, 12-2-1895 and Aug 2nd 1892. Report mentions an accident ...Handwritten extracts from the Johnsons Reef Ext'd G. M. C. Mine Manager, Wm. Stubbs Report dated Aug. 7th 1888, 12-2-1895 and Aug 2nd 1892. Report mentions an accident caused by the trucker neglecting to fasten the truck in the cage, cost of sinking the shaft and selling a second-hand whip-pole to Mr. Liddle for one pound.document, gold, mining reports, mining reports, johnsons reef ext'd g m c mine manager's report, wm stubbs, j stubbs, the constellation coy, mr liddle -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MINING REPORTS - BOILERS INSPECTION ACT 1928
Printed document Inspection and Regulation of Boilers, dated 12th February 1929, No 3645 which sets out rules and regulations for the ownership and use of boilers. Items mentioned are: Inspectors, Registration of Boilers, Inspection of Boilers, Certificate of Inspection, Powers and Duties of Inspectors, Necessity for Certificate, Notice f Alterations, Duties and Liabilities of Owners of Boilers and Others, Explosions and Accidents and Miscellaneous. Also Schedules. First Schedule is the Number and Title of Act, Second Schedule is Notice of Registration, Third Schedule is Certificate of Inspection, Fourth Schedule is certificate stating the number of lbs. per square inch the safety valve blows off, Fifth Schedule is Notice to Owner that Boiler is Dangerous and Sixth Schedule is a Report with regard to Explosion of or Accident causing damage or injury to a Steam Boiler. Document is part of the Albert Richardson Collection. document, mining reports, boilers inspection act 1928, t rider -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), "Annual report 1957/58 - Works Section", August 1958
Document by the SECV Ballarat Work's Superintendent looks at the activities and issues of tramways and workshops. Includes notes on the operation and personnel of the depot - reduction in staff, maintenance, accidents, permanent way or track maintenance, including replacement of rail at the Sebastopol terminus using lighter rail ex Geelong. Has an extensive report on tramcar maintenance. The report on the Workshops includes a listing of staff, power station work, labour issues, vehicles, fire control and safety. Report dated 13/8/1958.Yields information about the Ballarat tramways and workshops of the SECV during 1957/1958.Carbon copy of a 15 foolscap page report stapled in the top left hand corner."Depot Foreman" in top left hand corner in ink.tramways, tramcars, ballarat, depot, works foreman, reports -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20th June 1894 for engine 297R. "Heard in Box Hill"
... of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr... of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr ...Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Report, Office of the Chief Investigator, "Fire on Tram W class Tram 946 La Trobe Street 15 January 2009", 9/11/2009
Details the event of the incident, failed motor insulation and failed line breakers, provides details of the tram, electrical drawings, failed components with photographs.Yields information about the investigation into a fire on a Melbourne SW6 class tram 2009.Thirty one page, colour printed (laser) report titled "Fire on Tram W class Tram 946 La Trobe Street 15 January 2009" describing the investigation by the Victorian Office of the Chief Investigator, Transport and Marine Safety Investigations - Report No. 2009/03.trams, tramways, w class, accidents, fire, tram 946