The Eltham Library was located at the southern end of the newly constructed southern wing of the Shire Offices at 895 Main Road. The first dedicated library in the shire was the Children's Library built by the Eltham War Memorial Trust (now the Eltham War Memorial Hall). Funds were raised by volunteers to purchase books, the land and construct the building. This library initially opened in the Eltham Public Hall on the corner of Main Road and Arthur Street around 1948. The Children’s Library building was opened in 1961 but the transfer to the Eltham Council of the War Memorial Trust land and buildings in 1965 saw the closure of the children's library, which held over 2,000 books that were then transferred to all the schools in the shire which had participated in the monthly book exchange of boxes of books by use of the railways, bus companies and private cars. In late 1966 the children’s library service was integrated into the Heideberg Regional Library Service and the building was officially renamed the Eltham War Memorial Hall. The Brinkkotter house in Dudley Street became the first of the general library services in Eltham with shelving from the old Heidelberg City Library, staff borrowed form the Heidelberg Library and some use of the 1941 Shire Office in Main Road. By 1971 the 1964 Shire Office had the southern extension added and the Library was located on the lower level with Engineering and Planning on the level above. By 1986 this library was experiencing overcrowding from lack of space and equipment needs. With Federal Government assistance, Council was able to design and build a new library which was located in the Eltham Common and opened in May 1994.Background workings for the funding of a Public Hall at Eltham. The funding was provided by public subscription and the money loaned to Council to build the hall. The hall was part of the new Eltham Shire offices located at the corner of Main Road and Arthur Street. A similar funding approach was used a few years later to provide for the Eltham War Memorial located on the opposite side of Main Road.Printed card 10.5 x 15.7 cmeltham library, eltham library opening, eltham shire council, opening ceremony, r.j. hamer, shire of eltham

Victorian Railways iced vans TP vans In 1958 two wagons, T 297 and 283, had passenger bogies added and were renumbered to TP 1 and 2, for express running from Melbourne to Mildura on the "fruity". In 1959, a further three wagons (393, 381 and 356) were converted to TP 3 through 5. At time of conversion, TPs 1, 2 and 3 had single-width doors added at each end of both sides, but TPs 4 and 5 retained only the centre doors provided on regular T vans. In the late 1970s the vans were fitted with "FOOD TRANSPORT ONLY" signs as health regulations required. The vans were intended to become the VRPY class in the 1979 recoding, but this never happened despite being indicted as such in the 1983 Working Time Table. Vans 1, 2 and 3 were out of service by 1983, and vans 4 and 5 followed the year after. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_iced_vans Victorian Railways . Net TP-1 was scrapped at Totenham in 1979 http://www.victorianrailways.net/freight/freight%20pages/tp/tp.htmlDigital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x6 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencymildura railway station, george coop collection, iced van, tp-1, victorian railways, wagon

Victorian Railways Workmens Sleepers This style of wagon was introduced from 1910 http://www.victorianrailways.net/service%20stock/service%20stock%20pages/w/w.htmlDigital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x9 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, w-21, wagon, workmens sleeper wagon

The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, k-155, k-175, k-182, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, k-155, k-175, k-182, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, k-155, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

The Victorian Railways J class was a branch line steam locomotive operated by the Victorian Railways (VR) between 1954 and 1972. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K class 2-8-0, it was the last new class of steam locomotive introduced on the VR. Introduced almost concurrently with the diesel-electric locomotives that ultimately superseded them, these locomotives were only in service for a relatively short time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_J_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-527, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), railway workshop

R704 departs Bendigo Station with what was probably the Swan Hill passenger service. Note the EJ Holden on the station platform with trailer attached. EJ Holden Production Sedan & Station Sedan: July 1962–August 1963Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, holden ej, r-704, r-class steam locomotive

The Victorian Railways J class was a branch line steam locomotive operated by the Victorian Railways (VR) between 1954 and 1972. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K class 2-8-0, it was the last new class of steam locomotive introduced on the VR. Introduced almost concurrently with the diesel-electric locomotives that ultimately superseded them, these locomotives were only in service for a relatively short time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_J_class The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, d3-640, george coop collection, j-512, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), k-158, k-168, k-182, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway turntable, railway workshop, bendigo railway station

35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)eltham, floods, railway parade

35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)briar hill, floods, para road, railway bridge

Announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan and Member for Eltham, Vicki Ward mad alongside the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge. MEDIA RELEASE "More Trains And Fewer Delays On The Hurstbridge Line" https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/180801-More-Trains-And-Fewer-Delays-On-The-Hurstbridge-Line-1.pdf Commuters on the Hurstbridge line will have more trains, more seats and fewer delays with a re-elected Andrews Labor Government to continue its massive upgrade of the Hurstbridge line. The Andrews Labor Government said it would deliver locals in Melbourne’s north-east more peak hour train services and less time stuck at boom gates, and we have. The first stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade has been delivered – six months early and on budget. This includes the new Rosanna Station, duplicated track between Heidelberg and Rosanna and the removal of the dangerous level crossings at Alphington and Rosanna. There’s more to do and only Labor will deliver the next stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade to give local commuters more train services and a more comfortable commute. The $530 million project will include a brand new train station at Greensborough and the duplication of three kilometres of track between Greensborough and Montmorency, and 1.5 kilometres of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen to allow more train services during the morning peak. This will allow trains to run every six and a half minutes at Greensborough, every 10 minutes at Eltham and Montmorency, and every 20 minutes at Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen – as well as two extra Hurstbridge express services. Locals on the Labor Government’s new Mernda line will also get five extra train services during the morning peak, with a major upgrade of the Clifton Hill junction where the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines connect. Labor will also protect the Eltham Trestle Bridge – the last remaining timber bridge on Melbourne’s electric train network – which has local heritage protection and is an important part of the area’s character. The Liberals will leave this bridge to rot and demolish the nearby childcare centre and football club with their under-cooked and under-costed promise to upgrade the Hurstbridge line. Only Labor will protect this important piece of Melbourne’s history with planning work to be carried out for a long-term solution as part of the project. Stage two of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade will create more than 950 jobs, with construction to start in 2020 and finish by 2022. Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews “We said we’d upgrade the Hurstbridge line and remove dangerous and congested level crossings at Rosanna and Alphington and we did – but there’s more to do.” “Only Labor will deliver the next stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade with a new Greensborough Station and more trains, more often.” Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan “The former Liberal Government promised new train lines but didn’t deliver a single kilometre of track – now they’re promising a half-baked upgrade of the Hurstbridge line with rubbery figures that don’t add up.” Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward “As a fifteen year old hopping on Red Rattlers at Eltham I wanted to do something to make the Hurstbridge line better. It’s taken me a few decades but finally our line will offer the frequency of services that are expected and needed in a 21st century city.”Born digital image (qty 27)jacinta allan, minister for public transport, panther place, premier daniel andrews, press announcement, railway line construction, trestle bridge, vicki ward mp for eltham, victorian parliament

Looking southwest towards the Burwood Road overpass on the Camberwell line. GC took this photograph as he liked the laciness of the bridge supports. It is GC's assumption that shortly after the Granville disaster in NSW (18 January 1977) where a train derailment wiped out the bridge supports causing the bridge to collapse and crush the train, that bridges of this kind were replaced to have a single arch bridge structure and that the opportunity was taken when the third line went out the Camberwell, Box Hill, Lilydale lines. There are now three lines there. Back then there used to be the old line coming from Hawthorn to Kew across Barkers Road behind Xavier College and into what is now the VicRoads building in the heart of Kew and a single carriage train like the shuttle service between Eltham and Hurstbridge operated on this line.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white transparency458m, burwood road, camberwell line, elgin road, hawthorn, lilydale line, overpass, red rattler, tait train,

c.1962 photo of original Victorian Railways photo From Vicsig.net Loco: C17 In service Tuesday, 30th October 1923 Scrapped Thursday, 30th June 1955 Livery Black Owner VR Operator VR Gauge BG Status ScrappedDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white transparencyc17, c-class steam locomotive, steam engine, victorian railways

The Harris trains operated in Melbourne 1956-1988. They were full of asbestos and were taken out of service, wrapped in plastic and buried in land fill near ClaytonDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Safety 5063 black and white transparencyharris (blue) train, eltham, silver street, overpass

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)diamond valley railway, eltham lower park

Shillinglaw Cottage and Railway Trestle bridge in background35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)bulldozer, duplication, eltham, main road, road construction, trestle bridge

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, railway bridge, sherbourne road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, sherbourne road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, sherbourne road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, railway bridge, red rattler, sherbourne road, tait train

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, railway bridge, sherbourne road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, railway bridge, sherbourne road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road, simms road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road, simms road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road, simms road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road, simms road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbriar hill, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road, simms road

Construction of new realigned Sherbourne Road railway overpass following realignment construction works for intersection of Sherbourne Road and Para Road.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)briar hill, bridge construction, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road

Construction of new realigned Sherbourne Road railway overpass following realignment construction works for intersection of Sherbourne Road and Para Road.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)briar hill, bridge construction, overpass, para road, railway bridge, road construction, sherbourne road