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;

The railway track was maintained initially by seven three-man gangs headed by a ganger. The gangers tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate staff of repairers were local recruits. There were two track gangs at Beech Forest until 1954, so a large number of gangers and repairers was present over the years. World War 2 with petrol and rubber rationing provided a boost to the line. The 1939 bushfire killed a great deal of timber which had to transported out of the Otways, and the commencement of a vigorous wartime pulp wood traffic from Beech Forest meant that only the railway could efficiently handle the volume of traffic. By early 1940 not only the Garratt was running a daily train to Beech Forest but an NA goods train was scheduled to run at night. As a result the track gangs were also particularly busy at the same time.B/W. In snow at Beech Forest, a track gang on a trolley at the entrance to the Way and Works shed, comprising G. Newland, Ned Hewing, Bill Taylor, Jim Gowty, and Buck.beech forest; railways; g. newland; ned hewing; bill taylor; jim gowty; snow; track gang;

Originally known as "Moorbanool" after the local parish, the name was shortened to Banool on 1 November 1904. At first facilities consisted of a loop siding for eleven trucks and a passenger shelter, plus a residence for the ganger for the track gang based there. Increasing train services on the line required a crossing station in this section of track, so in 1913 Banool became a 'Staff & Ticket' station with a crossing loop, home signals, and a station office, although this only lasted two years. Loading statistics showed that in most years the outwards tonnage at Banool was less than 150 tonnes. From 1924 the amount of timber despatched began a slow rise, but apart from a few years activity was generally slack. The crossing loop, the usually empty goods loop being used if necessary, the home signals and its status as a staff station being removed over the period 1923-27. The track ganger shelter was removed around 1929 and the station reduced to a passenger shelter and goods loop only.B/W. A goods train passing Banool Station, c.1940.

Black and white photograph of tram 39 showing Special and three other trams waiting on the tracks at Lydiard St North, most likely for a train arrival and then a tour of the Ballarat Tramway system. Photographer unknown. A Cook Tours database that the tour by the ARHS and TMSV using trams 11, 26, 39 and 42 and was a farewelll tour, with the first of the Ballarat tram lines closing the following day. See also item 7520 for other photographs.Yields information about the arrangements for tram tours using Lydiard St North.Black and white photograph on plain paper.trams, tramways, tours, tram 39, lydiard st north

Wal Jack swapped photographs with his correspondents. This photo by Keith Kings, a railway photograph of QGR locomotive 748 crossing the complex arrangements of tracks at Woolloongabba - three tram tracks, one trolley bus route. The photographer noted that trains could block all tram lines at times. Trains were always proceeded by a man carrying a red flag and ringing a bell. Has the tramway signal box in the background and a large Penfolds Wines advert on a building, a Caltex service station and an advert for Plume petrol.Demonstrates a photograph that would have been sent to Wal Jack by Keith Kings.Black and white photograph of QGR locomotive 748Has extensive details of the photograph on the rear. Keith Kings photo number E(k)(vii)letter, wal jack, keith kings, qgr, railways, woolloongabba

Item written by Shaunagh O'Connor for the Herald Sun at the time of the publication of a book, "Trams and Streetscapes, Metropolitan Melbourne 1950's 1960's edited by Emile G Badaway and John Sargent and published by Train Hobby Publications. Features photos of W2 231 in Flinders St, T181 in North Fitzroy and Footscray, W6 982 in Bourke St, W2 636 in Market St, W3 667 in Swanston St, Y1 613 in Elizabeth St and X1 677 in Footscray. Features in the centre a photo of the photographer, Keith Atkinson. Keith was a Ballarat Tramway Museum member and benefactor.Yields information about publication of a book, the photographer and his work.Newspaper - centre page titled Tracked on film - Keith Atkinson, from the Melbourne Herald Sun, 9/1/2001 featuring a story on a new book of tram photographs. trams, books, keith atkinson, melbourne, train hobby publications

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph showing the old railway crossing in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. The removal of the train level crossing and the elevation of the rail line above the road was designed to enable the laying of tram tracks along Glenferrie Road. The buildings to the right of the photo were being demolished to allow for this. "The Don Store" is immediately behind the crossing.Annotated verso: "1912 / Demolishing shops near Glenferrie Railway Station, just prior to the regrading of line to camberwell / Taken by E.J. Dower 1912"theme --- travelling by tram, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, glenferrie railway station, glenferrie road -- hawthorn (vic.), railways -- hawthorn

One of a small album of six photographs of the construction of the Cotham Road tramline in Kew, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. The reverse of each photo contains notes, written over time by the photographer, which are contained in the 'Inscriptions' field. Born and raised in Olinda, Dower's family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tram and train lines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office. The album as a whole can be viewed separately as the parent file.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs in the album, as well as Dower's single photos mounted on card, individually and collectively richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's tram and train networks in the years preceding and during World War 1.The second of six annotated photos in an album of photographs of the construction of the St Kilda to Kew electric tram line, taken in Cotham Road, Kew, by the amateur photographer, Edgar James Dower, in 1913. The album contains images detailing the preparation for the laying of the tracks plus work laying the line. The photographer notes on a number of the photos that the metal tracks were collected from the Hawthorn railway siding. The album, together with other phots by E.J. Dower has been made available by the owners for the Kew Historical Society to digitise and publish online and in print.Annotation verso: "Preparing electric tram Cotham Road, Kew, 1913 / The metal was brought by horses and drays, from Hawthorn railway siding".keywords, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme -- travelling by tram, photographers -- edgar james dower, cotham road -- kew (vic.)

One of a small album of six photographs of the construction of the Cotham Road tramline in Kew, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. The reverse of each photo contains notes, written over time by the photographer, which are contained in the 'Inscriptions' field. Born and raised in Olinda, Dower's family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tram and train lines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office. The album as a whole can be viewed separately as the parent file.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs in the album, as well as Dower's single photos mounted on card, individually and collectively richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's tram and train networks in the years preceding and during World War 1.The fifth of six annotated photos in an album of photographs of the construction of the St Kilda to Kew electric tram line, taken in Cotham Road, Kew, by the amateur photographer, Edgar James Dower, in 1913. The album contains images detailing the preparation for the laying of the tracks plus work laying the line. The photographer notes on a number of the photos that the metal tracks were collected from the Hawthorn railway siding. The album, together with other phots by E.J. Dower has been made available by the owners for the Kew Historical Society to digitise and publish online and in print.Annotation verso: "Preparing tram line Cotham Road Kew for electric trams, looking west / 1913"keywords, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme -- travelling by tram, photographers -- edgar james dower, cotham road -- kew (vic.)

The last swing door train was withdrawn from service in 1973. The third track on this line was commissioned in 1971. The overpass bridge was built at this time. These dates place the photo as pre-1971. More research needed.A black and white photo taken from street view of a swing door train crossing a roadway with a simple boom gate barrier. The bonnet of a car can be seen at the LHS of the photo.elgar road, trains, alfred noack, boom gates, swing door trains

The photograph has recorded rail smash which occurred at Sunbury on 17th April 1919 when a stock train crashed into a goods train. It caused a lot of damage to the rolling stock and blocked rail traffic on the Bendigo and Maryborough lines. The driver and the firemen of the stock train were injured.This accident is only one of a number which have happened on the Sunbury Bendigo rail track over the years.A black and white photograph with a white border in postcard format of a rail accident where some of the carriages are on their side and workman are in the railway yard inspecting the damage.sunbury, rail accidents

A black and white photograph with a white border in post card format of a steam train and its carriages on its side. Workmen are working to prepare the engine to be lifted back onto the tracks.

The 'N' Class steam locomotives were built by Victorian Railways to be used on branch lines throughout the state's regional areas. A total of 73 of these locomotives were built between 1925 and 1951. The locomotive in the photograph was steaming into Sunbury. Sunbury Station was an important stop for steam locomotives travelling on the Bendigo line. Even after diesel engines were used to pull the trains in the 1950s, steam locomotives were also used until the early 1990s.A black and white photograph of a 'N'class steam engine on railway tracks.steam locomotives

This would have been taken shortly before the station was demolished.Black and white photo of Surrey Hills railway station taken from the tracks near the gates in 1973. It shows the wooden pedestrian overpass and the original station buildings with extended shelters over the platforms.There is a newspaper kiosk on the southern platform. The train is coming into the platform and there is a small group of passengers waiting. Advertising hoarding for Spaceline Homes and the Frankston Caravan Park are mounted at the end of the southern platform. railways, land transport, surrey hills railway station

There are 3 tracks; the third track was built in 1971, which gives an approximate date for the photo. At this time the original station buildings were demolished and replaced by buildings constructed from concrete bricks and a second subway replaced the overhead footbridge. According to Roderick Smith, a local railway enthusiast, originally there had been 3 railway houses at the Mont Albert end of the northern car park. These were demolished to extend the car park. Certainly 8 Bedford Avenue, built as the station master's house was demolished at this time. The palm tree had been planted in the station master's front garden and was retained in a small garden bed within the car park. A black and white photograph of a station with cars parked on both sides of the 3 tracks. A Harris train is departing the station heading towards Mont Albert. A palm tree is prominent in the station car park to the north.1971, surrey hills station, railway stations, car parks, public transport, trains, railway lines, palm tree

This is the wedding dress of Ella Janetzki, nee Sutcliffe, who married Eric Janetzki in Adelaide on 25 January 1941. The dress was made to measure in a shop in Rundle Street, Adelaide, and cost four guineas. Eric had enlisted in the army in 1940 and was called to duty in 1941, which determined the date of the wedding - though Eric very nearly didn't make it! He caught the train from his home town of Nhill, Victoria on the eve of the wedding only to be held up by flooding on the tracks, ultimately arriving three hours late amid much fuss. Ella later said that there were so many setbacks it was amazing they married at all. They remained together for 58 years until Eric's death in 1999. The dress was also worn by Ella's sister Eileen in October 1943 when she married Jack Edwards at the Church of Christ, LaTrobe Terrace, Geelong. As this was during the war, the sisters did not have enough clothing coupons to purchase another dress. BHS also holds Ella's daughter Rayleen Haig's wedding dress (T0131).Cream lace wedding dress with high square collar, short puffed sleeves and long train.wedding dress, wartime bride, 1940s, ella sutcliffe, ella janetzki, eric janetzki, eileen sutcliffe, jack edwards

Eldest daughter of Edna and Bon Barrie, born on 03 November 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Memoirs of Wendy Barrie, recalling the early formative years of life in Melton: In 1949 I started school at Melton State School no 430 and was driven the 2½ miles to there by my parents at first. Later we walked home in the afternoons or were picked up by car as we made our way home along the Western Highway. In 1956 I went to Bacchus Marsh High School. There were 4 students in grade 6 and 3 of us went to the High School. The students from Melton, Melton South and Toolern Vale State Schools went by bus to Bacchus Marsh High School as far a fifth form. My parents drove me to the pick up point and during the five years of travel to High School. The bus travelled via Toolern Vale and later went through Exford and through Parwan. On the return journey in the afternoon the bus went in the reverse direction. The bridge at Exford was an old narrow wooden one, and the students had to get off the bus and walk across, with the driver crossing in the empty bus for safety reasons. There was a travelling allowance paid to parents and it was estimated from the distance the crow flies, a straight line. We lived a Ferris Lane, just where the Harness Racing entrance is now situated about 2 ½ miles by road to school too close to qualify for the subsidy. While at State School Melton we would walk home in a group with the Nixon and Gillespie children, along the main road over the bridge near the Shire Offices and down a hill. I was being dinked on Joyce Gillespie’s bike while holding onto the seat, toppled off the bike striking my chin and teeth on the bitumen and cracking my jaw. I was about 9 years old and stayed a couple of days in the Quamby Hospital in Bacchus Marsh, it seemed like and eternity at the time and quite traumatic being separated from my family. I can remember contemplating how I could get out of the window and run away but realised it was too far to walk home. Often we would cut across the Common on our way home from school picking up stray golf balls and collecting them from the creek when it dried out. We were warned about not accepting lifts from strangers passing along the Melbourne/ Ballarat Road. The only danger we faced was being swooped by the magpies particularly on the open ground on the Common. We were also fairly cautious when the Gypsies camped on the Common in the area just about opposite the small reservoir. “Mum” grandma Myers loved to have us call in on our way home, and usually would cut a slice of Jongebloed’s bread and spread it with home made butter. Sometimes we waited there until we were collected by car, usually driven by our mother. Margaret Nixon and Joyce Gillespie were a few grades ahead of me and Barbara Nixon was born just two months earlier than me. Our mothers were great friends for over 6o years, born in the same month three years apart. They lived within a few days of the same age as each other at the time their deaths. Dad and George Nixon attended Melton school at the same time. Sarah nee Hornbuckle Nixon and my grandfather Frederick Myers Snr were at school together at the same in the 1880s. The Nixon family lived in Keilor Road just past the Toolern Creek near the turnoff. Tom and Ann Collins lived on the southern side of the Western highway and Keilor road intersection. Jim and Ruby Gillespie’s house was further long Keilor road on the right. They backed onto the Myers who lived on the north side of Western Highway east of Myers Gully (Ryans Creek). The Bridge over the Toolern Creek as very narrow and as truck traffic increased there were accidents. One truck took out the side railing and plunged upside down into the bank and into the shallow water. Another fatal accident happened between a car and a truck right in front of the Myers house. Grandfather Fred had been a bike rider all his life, as far as the Riverina in his younger years, wryly made the comment about the drivers the speeding along the Ballarat Road were setting out to kill themselves. The road was busy particularly after the Races at Ballarat when the crowds were hurrying home to Melbourne. Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. During my third year of teacher training I travelled to Flinders Street to RMIT for ceramics classes and Grattan St Teachers College located in the grounds of Melbourne University. There were many teachers being trained at the Secondary Teachers College due to the baby bulge creating a great shortage of teachers. Sunshine High School was very well represented amongst the different courses in Primary, Secondary and Art and Crafts. I attended Melbourne University lectures, studying a Fine Art subject. Bernard Smith was the most notable of the lecturers. he replaced Professor Joseph Bourke who had taken leave for the years. In 1962 he published the art book “Australian Painting”. The secondary art and craft student teachers from the College were in the majority, taking this subject and were well regarded due to their practical art and craft methods and their teaching round experience. In December 1964 I graduated as a Trained Secondary Teacher – Art and Crafts. The graduating ceremony was held at Wilson Hall. I received my appointment to work at Maryborough High School. Uncle Max and Aunty Rosemary Myers arranged my accommodation. Uncle Max was a teacher at the Maryborough Technical School fat the time. The appointment was suddenly changed when just before the school year was about to start when I received notification that I was now required to move to Warracknabeal High School. I was subject to a bond for the three years of training and three years of teaching and was under an obligation to comply with the directive of the Education Department. My father stood as guarantor when I was accepted as student at the Melbourne Teachers’ College, thus enabling me to receive my teacher training, and a 5 pounds a week allowance for expenses. After teaching for two years at Warracknabeal High School I was fortunate enough the gain a transfer to Sunshine West High School, returning to live at home in Melton and travelling by car to work with a fellow colleague, Jock Smith who lived at Station road Melton. I completed bond obligation and resigned at the end of the year. The employment regulations at that time did not allow the option of leave of absence for, indefinite overseas travel. I returned to Australia in October 1969. Visiting Arthur Hart the Principal of Sunshine High School he arranged with the Education Department for my re-employment at Sunshine High School until the end of the year. In 1970 I was transferred, and returned to Sunshine West High School where I worked for the next three years. In January 1968 I sailed on the “Oriana” to South Hampton with two teaching friends from Warracknabeal High School on a travelling and working holiday. Doreen Kiely, a former Bacchus Marsh High student and fellow train traveller from Bacchus Marsh, was already working in London, had arranged our accommodation at the London Travellers Club Hotel, Braham Gardens, Earls Court SW5. We based our stay at this address in London and travelled around Scotland, Ireland and England. In the summer we took a four month trip around the Continent and the Mediterranean. I registered with The Royal Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames as a Supply teacher, and worked at Chessington School form autumn to spring the following year and living with Mrs Rose Gillies at Kinross Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey. In the spring of 1969 visiting Norway, Sweden and Finland joining an organised camping group to the Artic Circle, entered Russia at Leningrad (St Petersburg) Moscow, Minsk, to Poland and Czechoslovakia. In August returning to Worcester Park for the flight to Montreal to stay with cousin Lynette and husband Jurgen. A side trip was taken to Toronto, Niagara Falls and New York. The flight home from Montreal to Melbourne took 52 hours. A ½ day break in Vancouver before boarding the Qantas boeing 707 via San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Sydney to Melbourne. Around the world in 21 months. Photographs of Wendy local identities

Memories of Train Travel compiled by Wendy Barrie 4/09/2013 Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. Book provided a timetable and information about the stations the train travels to from Melbourne to Adelaide. transport

Beryl Knox speaking about early life in Melton. Page 1 1949 – 64 years ago. We began our married life at Melton Sth. The house on the corner of the Exford Rd and Staughton St-- dusty gravel roads, box thorns and noxious weeds everywhere and a sprinkling of houses and vacant land. It was a friendly community consisting of old family names. McDonalds, Blacks, Dodemaide, Cahill, Coopers, Minns, Tinklers, Nesbitts, Cochranes, Wickhams, Exells. Mavis Butler. The home owned by Mr. Robinson and Miss Robinson had been shifted in two parts transported from Diggers Rest and it is still standing 2013. Bruce’s father purchased the house and two adjoining blocks, the Conways built on one and the Rawlinson family on the other block. Eileen still resides there, she was only a baby in a pram and the family had not long arrived from England. The railway line was close to the house and the contents would rattle when heavy steams trains went through, and on a clear frosty night the 1am paper train would echo roar through very loudly when labouring towards the Exford Bridge. Then the two carriage motor train was introduced, this was great for the workers and schoolies who travelled to Melbourne. The train pulled up at the crossing or riding to pick up or drop off. Melva Gillespie (nee Hirt) Bill Cahill delivered the milk by the billy and then in bottles. Len Kennedy (Paul Kennedy’s father, Norma Murrays son) delivered Jongebloeds bread, he always had a sweep going for the Melbourne Cup and raffles for the footy club. Mr. Woodgate owned an old bus and pick up point was the Post Office when there was a Saturday film on a Melton. There were no doctors or dentists in the district. If we need a Doctor we had to travel to Bacchus Marsh or discuss problems over the phone. In later years a Bacchus Marsh Doctor rented the Bluestone building in McKenzie St a couple of days a week. If we needed the Dentist we had to travel to West Footscray or Footscray. We did our banking at “State Savings” then the Miss Minns had the agency and then Bardsleys Store. We travelled to Bacchus Marsh to the National and Commercial banks. Station Rd to Western Highway, now (High Street) was a narrow stretch of bitumen and gravel farmland either side and a couple of farm houses and large gum trees on the properties. Page 2 North of the Railway line Mrs Bessie Jones, mother of Chas and Betty Jones managed the Post Office, next door to her Chas and Betty had the Shell Centre, and later moved the business to Melton. Hughie Nesbitt and mother owned the grocery and hardware store, and I bought my first set of saucepans there. On the opposite side of Station road Mr Coombe owned the fruit shop, and also provided soft drinks and lollies for children. The Chaff Mill was on the corner of Station Rd and Brooklyn Rd. Mr Lumsden was manager and later years Bernie Trethowan and Jack Butler were partners. It finally burnt down and is a Service Station now. Along Brooklyn Rd there were a few houses and Victoria Hall, not a very big hall, but catered for lots of functions, Balls, Fancy Dress, Bazaars, Square Dancing and meetings. The Bacchus Marsh Baptists held Sunday School in the hall. A group of shops were built south of the railway line Molly and Len Skinner managed the Post Office and handled a few essential groceries. Tom McDonald and Ron Lunsberg were the butchers. Mary and Syd Cooper lived next door to us and often in turn would run out of something when we had a baking spree we would borrow or exchange, sugar flour etc over the fence. Mavis and Jack Butler lived there before the Coopers. Bernie and Iris Trethowan lived two doors up. Neighbours were invited into their home to view the first black and white television in Melton Sth. Bill Exell was one of the first Melton Sth farmers to sell his land to developers, the land was idle for years before housing developed. I joined the Melton Valley Golf Club in 1960. The Gun Club as our Club House, an old tin shed consisting a water tank, trestle table and forms and dirt floor. It was a 9 hole course with sand scraps and landscape putting before greens. The Common or parkland was part of the Golf Course. It was open for every ones recreation. Roy Norton an old identity trained his trotters on the Common and wouldn’t clear the track for the golfers. The golfers had to avoid him to continue to play. We had to keep clear when the young youths came in their paddock cars and motorbikes. Over the years the Toolern Creek flooded its banks, water and debri covered the course on one year our first Club house was flooded out. It took several working bees to clean it up. We lived at Melton Sth for 15 years and moved to Melton on the farm “Croxton Park.” The Nixon family farm “Mowbray” adjoined the farm. Bruce worked the land cropping the farm when Mrs Nixon died. Page 3 (page 4 on the handwritten script) Bruce had the first offer to buy, in those days it wasn’t easy to get good bank loans. Part of the land is the Golf Course now and Mr O’Shea purchased the bulk. Moving to Melton was totally different – I became involved with Committees, Scouts, Guides, Mothers Clubs, CWA, Church Op shop (8 years). Melton Amateurs players produced and tutored by Mabel Rogers exerts from Pyjama Game, South Pacific, Carousel - later years a group of ladies did gentle water exercise at Essendon and Station Road swimming pool. I was 20 or so years in Probus. The local followed the football, there was always a Gymkhana on the long weekend in June. The tennis always created a lot of interest during the finals. It didn’t matter which team played the supporters were treated to a cup of tea and leftovers from their afternoon tea. In 1978 were the first residents to move into the Jennings Estate Kurunjang and lived there 31 years and retired 4 years ago into Unit. The amazing changes I have experienced. Merrimu supplied our water, after depending on tanks. The landscape changed completely when developers came in, no more dusty plains \ typed web Sept 2013 McFarlane, Mrs Knox and Beryl Gillespie at the First Hundred Years Celebration of Melton State School 430. The event was held at Mechanics Hall, Melton.local identities, local significant events, education

non-fictionInter-colonial railway communication was established in 1883 when the Melbourne - Wodonga railway was extended over the River Murray to meet the New South Wales railhead at Albury. When the two lines finally met a significant fact became apparent - the track gauges of the two systems differed by six and a half inches. For 80 years this difference created havoc until a new railway of uniform gauge was built parallel to the Victorian gauge line from Melbourne to Wodonga. This book deals with the planning, construction and the first 100 years of operation or the railway to Wodonga, together with its locomotives, stations and trains which travelled its tracks.railways victoria, railway melbourne to wodonga

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.This locomotive was built in 1878 by Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester, England. It arrived in Sydney on August 19, 1878 and began its working life as No 120 of C[79] class on the southern and western lines of NSW in September that year. On 24 May 1914, when the new branch line to Canberra was completed, the locomotive unofficially opened the track by pulling the first train to the construction site of the national capital. The engine was given the new number 1210 in the 1923 re-classification of NSW engines. Locomotive 1210 continued in use until 1958 when it was finally withdrawn from service. The NSW Steam Tram and Preservation Society appealed to the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) and the NSW Railways to assist in the locomotive's preservation. As a result of the Society's appeal the locomotive was purchased by the NCDC for 800 pounds. The locomotive was relocated to the Canberra Railway Museum in 1984. It was restored with funds received from the Australian Bicentennial Authority. It was a requirement of the Bicentennial Authority Grant that the engine be operational. The locomotive was re-commissioned by the Member for Canberra, the Hon Ros Kelly, on 19 September 1988. As part of the Australian Bicentennial celebrations Locomotive 1210 attended the AusSteam '88 event in Melbourne, travelling south in the company with Locomotive 3112. It is claimed by the Australian Railway Historical Society that No 1210 is the oldest operational main line steam locomotive in the world.On front of locomotive "1210" railways wodonga, fred rochow, locomotive 1210

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Eric Molloy preparing Locomotive H220 "Heavy Harry" for another run. Eric was born on 11 August 1906. He started cleaning with the Victorian Railways on 26 November 1926. Eric passed his Driver qualification on 1 December 1943. "Heavy Harry" - H220 was the only locomotive constructed in this class. The H class is the largest locomotive built to operate on the Victorian Railways. He was built at Newport in 1941 as the first of three mighty locomotives to haul the Overland Express to Adelaide, each to take the place of two ordinary locomotives. H220 entered service on 7 February 1941. Known as “Heavy Harry”, he never fulfilled his destiny, because bridges and tracks were not strong enough to carry his 260 tons (with tender). The war put an end to plans to strengthen the line and to build the other two locomotives. As a result, the locomotive spent its entire service life on the Northeast line as this was the only other line on which it could operate. It was used mainly on fast goods trains with an occasional run on an express passenger train and typically completed five return trips a week between Melbourne and Wodonga, covering around 1,875 miles per week. H220 continued in service until it was withdrawn for an overhaul on 20 May 1956. H220 was stored rather than overhauled, and never returned to service. It was written off the VR locomotive register on 30 April 1958. and was put on display in the Newport Railway Museum in 1962. In April 2008, 50 years after its official withdrawal from service, H220 was added to the Victorian Heritage Register. railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, locomotive h220, "heavy harry", eric molloy

\When the railway reached Wodonga from Melbourne on 19th November 1873 the first station building, which included a refreshment room and dining room, was a temporary structure. It was 300 ft. long and was removed and taken to Beechworth when the new station was built in 1874 by contractor J. Richardson. The Goods shed was 100 feet long and was built by Frew & Hill in 1873. One year later it was extended an additional 150 feet by James Nation. The date of the construction of the Locomotive shed is not known but predates 1883. It was a galvanised iron clad building which housed 4 engines on 2 tracks; in 1910 it was extended to 250 feet in length to house six more engines. The location of the railway tracks and station were a constant cause of congestion in the centre of Wodonga as the tracks crossed over Sydney Road (later named High Street). Lines of traffic were frequently banked up as the gates were closed to allow trains to cross. The Wodonga Rail Bypass project moved Wodonga station from the original central location to a position on a new line on the northern edge of the town. Not only did this release land in the middle of the city for commercial and public use, but also eliminated 10 level crossings. The project actually commenced in 2008 with the last passenger train passing through Wodonga on 8 November 2008. On 23 July 2010, the new rail bypass was opened, the original line through Wodonga closed and the station fell quiet. The area has now been redeveloped as Junction Place and the old buildings now house a restaurant, cafe and the Goods Shed Craft Beer Cafe.These images are of local, state and national significance as the Wodonga Railway complex formed a vital link in the Victorian state, interstate and national railway system.A collection of colour photos of the buildings at the former Wodonga Railway Stationwodonga railways, railway station wodonga, junction place wodonga