PHOTOGRAPH REFRAMING WORKSHOP AT THE MUSEUM.local history, photography, photographs, workshop, framing

Train Destination Disc Until the 1980s Melbourne suburban trains used a system of discs by day, and illuminated market lights by night, to indicate their destination. Placed on the front of trains to advise a Signalman in the Signal Box the destination of the train. This disk was used on NK1 the Whitfield Motor when it was used by Puffing Billy Railway Info from the diagrams from the 1953 Victorian Railways General Appendix. Black + is Lilydale, Belgrave other Destination Disks were Disks Williamstown Black II Newport Workshops Red = Changed in 76 to Black + Newport-Altona shuttle Red X Werribee Red X St Albans Black X Upfield Black = Broadmeadows Originally Red X changed in 1976 to Red = Epping Black II Hurstbridge Red X Lilydale, Belgrave Black + Alamein Black X Glen Waverley Black = Dandenong Black II Frankston Red = Sandringham Red X St Kilda Originally Black II changed in 1976 to Red X Port Melbourne Red X changed in 1976 to Black X Flinders St - Spencer St Local Red II Showgrounds Red = plus extra white disk on opposite front disk bracket; if only one event, Display Large White 1 and yellow side disk with set number. If two events, second event special trains flip this disk and show large Black Disk with white numeral 2 Race Special Red = plus extra white disk on opposite front disk bracket; if only one event, Display Large White 1 and yellow side disk with set number. If two events, second event special trains flip this disk and show large Black Disk with white numeral 2 For example, Flemington Race trains and Caulfield Race trains on the same day. Flemington carries Red = and White 1 and yellow set number on the side Caulfield carries Red = and Black 2 with yellow set number disc on the side. There was one disc which was never to be used in normal traffic, that was the "Red Cross"; it was reserved for Red Cross trains only.Historic - Victorian Railways - Destination Disk - Black cross - Lilydale, Belgrave Lines This disk was used on NK1 the Whitfield Motor when it was used by Puffing Billy Railway Train Destination Disc Round tin sign painted white with a black cross on white background and a mounting bracket on the rear. Placed on the front of trains prior to the mid 1970s to advise a Signalman in the Signal Box the destination of the train. Black Cross puffing billy, destination disc, victorian railways, lilydale, belgrave lines

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

The NQRs were the standard Medium open goods wagon. Generally the sides and ends were removable thus providing a totally flat truck. Three long drop-down doors formed the sides thus allowing easy loading and unloading. 218 of these goods vehicles were built between 1898 and 1914 ? numbered 1 - 218​. Originally, these wagons carried the code letter R​ as they were built with sides and ends. They later had the R removed. Unlike the Broad Gauge, VR's 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge network never had four-wheeled wagons (aside from a handful of trolleys). Because of this, a single design of open wagon emerged and this was the only type of wagon ever used on these lines. This was the NQR class, a wagon with the same length and loading capacity as a Broad Gauge four-wheeled open wagon to make transferring freight between the gauges easier. The wagons, numbered 1 through 218, were built between 1898 and 1914. The wagons used the same underframe as most other non-locomotives on the VR Narrow Gauge. Letters and numbers were originally painted only on the end bulkheads and doors, both of which could be removed as traffic dictated, and this made wagon identification difficult until the decals were transferred to the underframes of each wagon In the 1910s some NQRs were provided with removable wood and steel frameworks with canvas roof canopies and side curtains, and internal seating to supplement the rest of the passenger stock during busy holiday periods. Puffing Billy has re-created these for emergency capacity. Five more NQRs, numbered 219-223​, were built between 1990 and 1992 initially for passenger use so were fitted with the removable frames In the 1960s the Puffing Billy Railway added grids in the floor of some to enable them to be used to drop ballast on the track where needed. Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 5 tons Capacity 11 tons Built 1898 - 1915 (1992) Number Built 218 (223) In use 14 To be restored 6 91 NQR - Open Medium Truck VR Service History 15/ 2/1907 NWS Built new Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 5 tons Capacity 11 tons Built 1898 - 1915 (1992) Number Built 218 (223) In use 14 To be restored 6 *NQR 91.VA - 15/ 2/1907 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NQ 91.VA - Puffing Billy Service History or Notes April 2016 - New Bogie has been assembled and awaits testing under 91NQR May 2016 - New Bogie has been assembled and awaits testing under 91NQR July 2016 - New Bogie has been assembled and awaits testing under 91NQR Aug 2016 - New Bogie has been assembled and awaits testing under 91NQR Sept 2016 - New Bogie has been assembled and awaits testing under 91NQR Oct 2016 - New Bogie has been assembled and awaits testing under 91NQR Nov 2016 - New Fox bogie Under 91NQR - Flats Link to Heritage / Period Photos PBR Workshop Blog Report Friday, May 20, 2016 Bogie in Brief - on NQR 91 http://puffingbillyworkshops.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/bogie-in-brief.htmlHistoric - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock - NQR Open Medium Truck with drop ends91 NQR narrow gauge Open Medium Truck with drop ends made of Steel and metal91 NQRpuffing billy, pbr, rolling stock , 91 nqr, narrow gauge rolling stock, nqr wagon, victorian railways, 91 nqr

The Trade Workshops became known as the M.B. John Building, and later housed Ballarat Tech.Eight printed plans with coloured shading of SMB Albert St buildings: .1) Locality Plan .2) Trade Workshop Site Plan .3) Trade Workshop Floor Plan Level A & B .4) Trade Workshop Floor Plan Level C .5) Trade Workshop Floor Plan Level D .6) Trade Workshop Floor Plan Level E .7) Trade Workshop West Elevation and Sections .8) Trade Workshop North Elevations and Sections building plans, smb trade workshops, ewan jones and associates pty ltd, architectural plan, m.b. john building, albert street

fred, mechanic, phil tulk, workshop

Coloured print of a WWII RAAF Sunderland, 4 engine sea plane mounted with grey border. Brown wooden frame with gold inner edge, glass front, fawn paper backing & white cord hanging strap attached.Underneath print: “A World War II RAAF Sunderland on patrol from an original by Peter Connor” Handwritten in black ink on backing: “Donated by Rick Hattam”print, sunderland, raaf

Black / white photo of 1st Light Horse Brigade on the march near Jerusalem with buildings in front & centre with hills in the background. White border with brown wooden frame, glass front & brown paper backing. Brigade is being led by Brigadier General Cox.On silver metal plate attached to bottom centre of frame: "Presented by Major R A Hattam Oct 87"passchendaele barracks trust, photographs, light horse

NBC COMBINED SECOND-CLASS PASSENGER CAR AND GUARD'S VAN. Six cars, numbered 1-6, were built during 1898-1905 and originally classed NBDBD. The repeat of the 'BD' lettering in the classification signified that the vehicle was carried on bogie wheels. At the time the letter D was the letter code for Brakevans / Guard's Vans, but this was changed to C when the double-letter code was simplified in 1910. The letter C now being used to describe that a guards compartment was included in the bogie vehicle. On the narrow gauge, the vehicle numbers were retained. A final NBC numbered 7 was added to the fleet in 1910 Between 1926 and 1929 the cars were converted to autocoupler operation. 6NBC Used on the Upper Ferntree Gully, Wangaratta and Colac narrow gauge railways. Withdrawn from service 1951 and used as a workman's hut at Pakenham. Purchased by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society and moved to Menzies Creek in 1959 Utilised as a ticket office and kiosk for the Museum from 1965 to 2010. Service History : NBDBD 6.VA - 26/ 5/1905 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NBC 6.VA - *NBC 6.VA - circa 1910 - Reference Photo SL20 p25 /12/1927 - Modified AC Malco BO 19/ 1/1951 - Scrapped Historic - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock - NBC 2nd Class Passenger Car and Guard's VanTimber body (Painted) Steel Chassis (painted) Brass Fittings (Raw) Steel Fittings (Painted)6NBCpuffing billy railway, pbr, 6nbc - victorian railways nbc class combined passenger and guards van. 2'6" gauge

INSULATED wagon. Built in 1899 and numbered 1, it was the only one of its type built Service History : NTT In October 1899 a bogie insulated van was built and placed into traffic. In 1926, the class was relettered to NT. Obtained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society By 1969, the vehicle was in the Menzies Creek Museum. Currently Located at Belgrave Station The NT is an insulated van. The wooden body (both sides and roof) was insulated with cowhair. It had two swinging doors either side in the middle, as have the NU vans. The van was painted white, in an attempt to reflect the summer heat. There was only one built for the narrow gauge lines. Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 7 tons Capacity 10 tons Built 1899 Number Built 1 In use none To be restored 1Historic - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock - Insulated Wagon 1NT Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 Puffing Billy Locomotives and Rolling Stock Collectiontimber constructed body wall cavity filled with horse hair for insulation The NT is an insulated van. The wooden body (both sides and roof) was insulated with cowhair. It had two swinging doors either side in the middle, as have the NU vans. The van was painted white in an attempt to reflect the summer heat. There was only one built for the narrow gauge.1nt1nt, puffing billy, insulated van

This type of trolly is known to date from prior to 1910 and were in use before petrol engines were used to transport workmen along the railway lines. The exhibit was located at Colac in 1961, after being used on the Colac to Beech Forest and Crowes narrow gauge railway. This type of trolly was built in two versions; one for the Victorian Railways broad gauge lines, and one for the narrow gauge lines.Historic - Victorian Railways narrow gauge - track work vehicle. This vehicle was used in the days before petrol engines were used to drive vehicles transporting workmen along the railway line.C2N Type Trolly - Victorian Railways Gauge 2'6" Trolly Has a flat piece of wood that you would stand on with four metal wheels, one under each corner.c2n, trolley, victorian railways, hand power, narrow gauge, puffing billy, trolly

Built by the Victorian Railways it was originally used on the postal motor service on the Wangaratta to Whitfield narrow gauge line, for the cartage of small goods. it was part of the consist that operated the last service on that line in 1953. In 1960, it was purchased from the Victorian Railways, restored and taken to Belgrave to assist in the restoration of the Puffing Billy Railway. In the mid 1960's it was classified "NGA 1". In the 1970's, it was withdrawn from regular use and dismantled.Historic - Victorian Railways narrow gauge - trolly tralier Wangaratta to Whitfield narrow gauge lineTrolly Trailer Made of metal - frames and wheels only puffing billy, victorian railways, whitfield trolley trailer, narrow gauge rolling stock, postal motor, trolly

Historic - Victorian Railways Station Rubbish Bin - used at the time of Mr Clapp, Chairman of the Victorian Railways Commissioners "Eat More Fruit" campaignHistoric - Victorian Railways Station Rubbish Bin - used at the time of Mr Clapp, Chairman of the Victorian Railways Commissioners "Eat More Fruit" campaignTin lined wooden box with sign writing on two sides.Fruit skins and rubbish must be deposited here (hand sign written on two sides ).victorian railways, rubbish bin, puffing billy railway

Loco: 3A In service Monday, 4th June 1900 Livery Not painted Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Stored 3A Built in 1900 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line and was used in the line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on the Colac to Crowes and Moe to Walhalla lines, but it saw more service on the Gembrook line than any other. It was withdrawn from service in 1955 at Upper Fern Tree Gully and sold in 1960 to the Lord Mayor’s Camp at Portsea where it remained on static display until 1977. From there it was eventually brought to Belgrave for eventual restoration. When restored, it will be returned, as far as possible to its original condition with wooden cow-catchers, original design side tanks, low bunker, no smoke-box ash chute, etc. It will also have its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 3ALocomotive Number Plate from 3A made of cast metal & Brass3Apuffing billy, 3a, number plate

Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6A Loco: 6A In service Thursday, 18th July 1901 Livery Green Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Preserved - Operational 6A Built in 1901 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Colac to Beech Forest line and was used in that line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on all four lines, but mostly on the Colac to Crowes and Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook lines. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it saw almost continuous service until being withdrawn in 1983. It has been restored, as far as possible, to its original condition with original design side tanks, low bunker, original size windows, etc., but a steel cow-catcher in place of the original style wooden one. It also has its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6ANumber Plate 6A Fabricated steel number board made by the Victorian Railways for locomotive 6A. 6A6a, puffing billy, number plate, victorian railways

Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6A Loco: 6A In service Thursday, 18th July 1901 Livery Green Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Preserved - Operational 6A Built in 1901 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Colac to Beech Forest line and was used in that line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on all four lines, but mostly on the Colac to Crowes and Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook lines. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it saw almost continuous service until being withdrawn in 1983. It has been restored, as far as possible, to its original condition with original design side tanks, low bunker, original size windows, etc., but a steel cow-catcher in place of the original style wooden one. It also has its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 6A6A Number Plate. Fabricated steel number board made by the Victorian Railways for locomotive 6A. 6Apuffing billy, victorian railways, number plate, 6a

Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 7A Loco: 7A In service Saturday, 6th May 1905 Livery Maroon Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Preserved - Operational 7A Built in 1905 and painted Canadian red & dark brown, this locomotive was issued to the Wangaratta to Whitfield line and saw service on all four lines with most of its service on the Upper Fern Tree Gully to Gembrook line. It was temporarily withdrawn from service in 1958 and returned to service at Belgrave in 1962 for the reopening of this line where it has seen almost continuous service since. 1979 saw the early two-tone green colour scheme applied to this loco as a trial even though it never historically carried it, but its physical configuration was not altered accordingly. It is now painted its original livery of Canadian Pacific red & dark brown and will eventually be returned, as far a possible, to its original condition with a low bunker, narrow ash-chute, etc.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 7ANumber Plate 7A Fabricated steel number board made by the Victorian Railways for locomotive 7A7apuffing billy, 7a, number plate, victorian railways

Porters Luggage Barrow Used on railway station platforms across Victoria to carry luggage and goods between two locations. Historic - Victorian Railways - Porters Luggage BurrowPorters Luggage Barrow made of Timber - wood and with wrought iron fittings puffing billy, porters luggage barrow, victorian railways

Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Whitfield Station Whitfield Station The terminus of the line. Whitfield was the most distant narrow gauge station from Melbourne Opened 1899 Closed 1953 Whitfield was the small terminus for the Whitfield railway line The station had a moderately long passenger platform, small goods yard, goods shed, ticket office and locomotive shed. Platforms 1 Tracks 3 Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Whitfield StationStation Sign - Whitfield large black wooden backing board with white letteringWhitfieldpuffing billy, victorian railways, station sign, whitfield

V.R. Powder & General Goods Van NH1 Gauge 2'6" The NH Powder and Goods van was built in 1910. Its purpose was to carry explosives and general goods, Originally classed as NPH. There were two compartments: a 10ft 8¾ inch (3,270 mm) section for explosives and a 13 ft 7 in (4,140 mm) section for general goods. The sides, ends and doors were covered in sheet metal. With the closing of the mines at Walhalla the need to carry explosives ended and both compartments were used for general goods. The doors were replaced with NU type louvre doors for ventilation. NH1 Covered Truck Service History : NPH NPH 1 was built and issued to traffic June 1910. It was a bogie boxvan set up for general goods and the transportation of explosives. It could carry 6 tons of goods and 4 tons of explosives. No doubt the van was stationed on the Moe - Walhalla line. Walhalla was a gold mining town and the rail line had been built from Moe to provide a faster means of transportation than bullock teams from the sailing boats from Melbourne to Port Albert/Sale via Heyfield. In 1911 the van was converted to all goods transport and recoded to NH. NH The van was fitted with autocouplers in 1928. It was scrapped in 1954. By 1968, the vehicle body had been found and was placed into the Museum at Menzies Creek. Body donated to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 7 tons Capacity 10 tons Built 1910 Number Built 1 In use - Static displayHistoric - Victorian Railways - narrow gauge rolling stock - Powder & General Goods Van Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 Puffing Billy Locomotives and Rolling Stock Collection1 NH - Powder & General Goods Van Made of Timber - wood, wrought iron and metal sheet There were two compartments: a 10ft 8¾ inch (3,270 mm) section for explosives and a 13 ft 7 in (4,140 mm) section for general goods. The sides, ends covered in sheet metal with NU type louvre doors for ventilation. NH1 To carry 10 tonspuffing billy, powder & general goods van nh1, nh1, powder & general goods van, victorian railways, narrow gauge rolling stock

Former Puffing Billy Locomotive Boiler 6A - front tube plate missing Historic - Former Puffing Billy Locomotive Boiler 6A - front tube plate missing Former Puffing Billy Locomotive Boiler 6A - front tube plate missing Made of iron , wrought iron , metal;puffing billy, 6a boiler

Belgrave railway station is the terminus of the electrified line from Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, serving the eastern Melbourne suburb of Belgrave. Opened as Monbulk on 18 December 1900, it was renamed Belgrave on 21 November 1904. It was upgraded to a Premium station on 2 July 1996. The station was originally on the Upper Ferntree Gully – Gembrook narrow gauge line. It, along with the rest of the line, officially closed on 30 April 1954. However it saw further use between 1955 and early 1958, when trains were operated by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in co-operation with the Victorian Railways. The station area re-opened on 19 February 1962 when the line as far as Belgrave was converted to broad gauge and used electric traction as part of the suburban network.[1] It has one island platform with two faces. It is serviced by Metro Trains' Belgrave line services The Puffing Billy Railway Belgrave station is located 100 metres north of the station and is accessible via a short footpath. It was required to be located further down the line than the original narrow-gauge station (which was approximately where the current suburban station car park is located). ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrave_railway_station photos at http://www.vicrailstations.com/Gembrook/Belgrave/Belgrave.htmlHistoric - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Belgrave StationStation Sign - Belgrave Metal sign - white enamel back ground with black letters Belgravepuffing billy, victorian railways, belgrave station

Station Sign - Railway General By-Laws Poster Since the very early days, Railways have had to have rules for those who travel and those who work on the trains. Some of the rules may refer to social practices of the time, the comfort of passengers or to the safety required in the Railway environment. The Victorian Railways referred to these rules as By-Laws. Not only were there rules, but there may be a fixed penalty (fines) for those who may break them. Being a government body the Victorian Railways had the rules and appropriate action authorised. This poster was issued in 1968 and was one of many that were displayed at most Victorian railway stations. Historic - Victorian Railways - notice board with General By-Laws PosterStation Sign - Railway By-Laws Poster wooden rectangle Station notice board with Railway By-Laws PosterGeneral By-Laws station sign, puffing billy, railway by-laws poster, victorian railways

Victorian Railways - Terminal stop Board - End of electrification sign This ‘star’ sign signified that beyond this object there was no further powered overhead to operate on the Melbourne suburban rail network.Historic - Victorian Railways - Terminal stop Board - End of electrification signRailway Sign - Victorian Railways - Terminal stop Board - End of electrification sign metal star shaped enamel sign with Black dot in centreBlack Dotpuffing billy, victorian railways, terminal stop board, end of electrification sign

Historic - Victorian Railways - Warning Notice Sign Before turning vehicles from Mainline to Yard. Historic - Victorian Railways - Warning Notice Sign Sign - Railway Warning Notice wooden Notice Sign with white background and black lettering Before turning vehicles from Mainline to Yard. ??????? ( rest is very hard to read ) puffing billy, railway sign, victorian railways, warning notice

Detonator (DET) An explosive device (not shown) is placed on the rail line and triggered by wheel pressure—used to warn of hazards aheadHistoric - Victorian Railways - Detonator (DET) Boxred box - DETS 7A Made of metal sheetDETS 7Apuffing billy, detonator (det) box

During prestige, long distance train journeys some carriages had air-conditioning, and the majority of passengers had to brave unheated carriages. To offer some comfort during the winter months, the non-air-conditioned carriages were provided with footwarmers. These were metal containers roughly 100 mm thick and 300 mm wide, and about 750 mm long, which were filled with salt crystals (concentrated crystalline hydrated sodium acetate). The footwarmers were covered by sleeves of thick canvas, and two footwarmers were usually placed in each compartment of non-air-conditioned carriages. To activate the chemicals, the footwarmers were heated almost to boiling point. This was done by removing the canvas sleeves and placing the footwarmers in a large bath of very hot water. After they had been heated, they were removed from the bath and the sleeves refitted. They were then ready to be placed in the carriages. The McLaren patent foot warmer was used on railways in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia as well as South Africa and New Zealand. It was during the 1901 royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall that these foot warmers were first used in New Zealand in the royal carriage. Before railway carriage heating was introduced, McLaren patent foot warmers were placed on the floor of New South Wales government railway carriages from 1891 to provide a little passenger comfort. The rectangular steel container worked a bit like a hot water bottle but instead of water contained six and a half kilograms of loosely-packed salt crystals, (concentrated crystalline hydrated sodium acetate). This was permanently sealed inside the container with a soldered cap. After the foot warmer was heated in vat of boiling water for about one and a quarter hours the crystals became a hot liquid. (The melting point for sodium acetate is 58 degrees). There was a whole infrastructure of special furnaces set up at stations for the daily heating of foot warmers. By 1914 the Victorian railways had 4,000 foot warmers in service and by 1935 there were 33 furnaces at principal stations to heat them. After about 10 hours the container was picked up by the handle and given a good vertical shake which helped the cooled liquid reform into a solid mass of hot crystals. Staff or sometimes passengers shook them en route when the foot warmers began to get cold. However, as they were heavy this was only possible by fit and agile passengers. At the end of the journey the containers were boiled again for reuse on the next trip. Sodium acetate railway foot warmers were introduced in Victoria in 1889, Adelaide to Melbourne express in 1899. "Shaking up" on this service took place at Murray Bridge and Stawell on the tip to Melbourne and at Ballarat and Serviceton on the trip to Adelaide. The use of foot warmers began to decline in New South Wales from the 1930s with the first trial of carriage air-conditioning in 1936, steam heating from 1948 ad LP gas heating from 1961. By the early 1960s the main services using foot warmers were the overnight mail trains. info from : http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=67564#ixzz4UBNzVf6t Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial There was a whole infrastructure set up at stations for the daily heating of foot warmers in special furnaces. In Victoria alone in 1935 there were 33 heating works.Historic - Victorian Railways - Carriage Heater - Foot warmerA rectangular-shaped stainless steel casing with a welded seam down the back and welded ends. There is a handle at one end for carrying and shaking. Inside the foot warmer are two baffle plates and three trays to contain the sodium acetate. There was a cast-iron ball in each internal compartment. puffing billy, victorian railways, carriage haeter, foot warmer, passenger comfort, station furnace, railway ephemera, early heating methods

These leather soled shoes were used by railway workers undertaking work on overhead electrical cables and HV boxes. Known as "slippers" they were provided just inside explosives vans and worn to stop metal protectors on shoes scraping across metal floor and possibly causing a spark and a explosion. info from Syd Coles : on Explosives Slippers Beaufort station used to get a explosive wagon with drums of gelignite regularly slipper type shoes were in a little box built into the inside wall of the wagon....A Special powdervan key was sent from H/OFFICE as a VALUE which each person handling it had to sign for it.....It would arrive on the early down Passenger Train ex Melbourne...then the "P" wagon was unloaded....Prior to the wagon leaving a Railway Internal telegram was sent to the SM @Beaufort giving the wagon number...consignee (owners of dynamite) contents and the KEY number which would be sent....When all unloaded the KEY sent back as a VALUE...a Internal telegram sent as to KEY number and train it was despatched on....fair bit of security.but couldn't afford to lose a KEY as they fitted all the LOCKS used on the EXPLOSIVE "P" wagons whatever Stations they went to.Historic - Victorian Railways - leather soled shoesLeather soled slip-on shoes, with single strap across bridge of foot and featuring stitchwork along edges.VR & arrow symbolpuffing billy, victorian railways, leather soled shoes, railway slippers, explosives, worker safety, linesmen