Railway construction gang with horses possibly working on the Eltham to Hurstbridge line extension near Eltham North, c.1910Black and white printrailways, workers, horses, eltham north, butty gang, construction gang, plough, railway construction

Group of men, a railway construction gang, some with shovels, pose beside an old R-Class 0-6-0 steam locomotive (built by Phoenix Foundry) during construction of the Heidelberg to Eltham line circa 1899-1901. The first wagon contains track ballast and the sides have been lowered for the men to shovel it out for distribution on the track. The tall man without hat beside the tender is "Mrs Batherway's Grandfather". Mr Harry Batherway lived in Bridge St, Eltham, between Tillings Timber and Joslyn's and is the original source of this photo about 1970 when photos were collected from the community for the Eltham "Pioneers & Painters" history publication.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection'. It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg B&W Print 18 x 25 cm B&W Print 16 x 21.5 cmsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, railway construction, railway gangers, railways, steam locomotive, workers, old r-class 0-6-0 steam locomotive

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

At its peak the Beech Forest railway employed more than 21 staff between Colac and Crowes. Gangers (men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked in the original construction gangs of 1900-1902 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (2), and Lavers Hill. However, track gangs lessened as the line shortened. After 1954, the sole surviving track gang, in charge of Paddy Balcombe, stayed until the line closed.A railway track gang, with helper, trolleying to a work site, on 14 December, 1955.beech forest; railways; track gang;

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

The Silver Street Bridge, 1901 Butty Gang workers excavate a rock cutting near the Silver Street bridge prior to laying of track. The Butty Gang system versus the Contract System was subject to public debate regarding cost benefits at the time of the Eltham line construction. Butty gang workers were a group of men who take a contract for a part of a work, as in the construction of railroads, etc., the proceeds being equally divided between them, with something extra to the foreman. Some hold picks, a couple of horses and carts are lined up probably for carting the broken rock away, dirt, rocks and shale lay at the bottom. A pair of small wooden buckets are evident, most likley to provide drinking water. The timber Silver Street bridge crosses the cutting in the background. The opening of the railway line from Heidelberg to Eltham took place on the 6th June 1902. Similiar to 810. Source: Mrs. Dandy, Montmorency and Miss McColl, 8 Anderson St., HeidelbergThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 120 format B&W negativeshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, railway workers, 1901, butty gang, overpass, railway construction, railway line construction, silver street bridge

This is a photograph of a railway camp, set up to house workers and their families when building the Bairnsdale to Orbost Railway from 1914-1916. The man in the foreground was one of three men killed in an explosion "noon on the railway construction works at Hagen's Cutting, about two miles from Orbost, three men being killed. The victims were John Carroll, con- tractor, his son, Peter Carroll, and John Sullivan, a navvy. The gang had just finished work, and the three stayed behind to draw a blasting charge, which had missed fire yesterday. J. Carroll was using a pick, and it is presumed that the tool struck a percussion cap, and fired the charge. He and Sullivan were killed instantly, Carroll being literally blown to pieces. Fragments of his body and garments were recovered from the surrounding bush, and the main portion of the trunk, with leg attached, was hurled a distance of 200 yards. Peter Carroll was terribly- injured, and he died before medical aid arrived." (from The Mercury Saturday March 114 1914) The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. Orbost Railway Station was opened on Monday 10 April 1916 as the terminus of the Orbost railway line, and closed in 1987. The station was located on the west side of the Snowy River despite the town of Orbost being on the east side of the river, in order to save on the costs of a bridge over the river, which at the time had highly variable levels. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A black / white photograph of a campsite. There is a kitchen outside a rough construction. Men and women are standing in the backgroundd with one man and a dog in the foreground.on back - "Man with dog killed in explosion"orbost-railway transport railway-bairnsdale-orbost explosion-railway

This photograph was taken by James Bray who worked as a professional photographer in Camp Street Beechworth from 1870-1891. He was one of four men who photographed the Kelly gang after the siege in Glenrowan in 1880. He is also renowned for his previous work photographing members of the Kelly gang. The photograph depicts pieces of the Kelly gang's armour crafted from plough mouldboards which are arranged on the ground. The exact relation of each piece of armour to the Kelly members was unclear for many years following the siege because the suits were disassembled without documentation and rearranged by guesswork. It was through photographs like this one, which depict the armour very soon after the siege that enabled researchers, in 2002, to reunite each of the suits with their correct pieces. This image is identified as a "Cabinet Portrait". This refers to a photograph mounted on a hard piece of cardboard. They are larger and thicker than the Carte de Visite and gradually replaced the latter in popularity after the 1860s. Identifying features of the Cabinet Portrait is on the front of the image which is generally embossed (or printed) with the details of the photographer. In the case of this image, James Bray is identified as photographer. The image is yellow in tone which compliments the gold coloured mount of the photograph. This photograph is part of the Burke Museum "Kelly album" which includes a significant collection of photographs and artefacts connected to Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang. Ned Kelly and his gang have become ingrained in Australian popular culture and thus many museums, art galleries and private collections house material connected to the Kelly story which allows the events and people to be researched and interpreted. Artefacts and photographs pertaining to the Kelly gang are particularly valuable for Australian museums. This particular photograph is significant for its connection to Beechworth photographer James Bray who is responsible for many images depicting members of the Kelly gang. The photograph is also of artistic significance as an example of a Cabinet Portrait dating to 1880. This image was commissioned by the police shortly after the defeat of the Kelly gang at Glenrowan. The armour was collected and placed on the ground for photography. No care was taken to retain the correct grouping of the armour and therefore, the identity of each piece to the correct owner was unclear for many years. Photographs of the armour taken at the time, like this one, helped researchers to reconstruct the correct armour and identify which pieces belonged to which member of the Kelly gang which is significant for Australian history. This photograph has the capacity to provide important information about the construction of the armour used by the Kelly gang at Glenrowan and importantly dates to 1880.This photograph is a cabinet portrait commissioned by the police depicting the Kelly armour arranged on the ground at Glenrowan following the siege by Ned Kelly and the Kelly gang in 1880. The armour includes helmets, breastplates a rifle and the inner knitted helmet worn by Ned Kelly. kelly album

This photograph was taken by James Bray who worked as a professional photographer in Camp Street Beechworth from 1870-1891. He was one of four men who photographed the Kelly gang after the siege in Glenrowan in 1880. He is also renowned for his previous work photographing members of the Kelly gang. The photograph depicts pieces of the Kelly gang's armour crafted from plough mouldboards which are arranged on the ground. The exact relation of each piece of armour to the Kelly members was unclear for many years following the siege because the suits were disassembled without documentation and rearranged by guesswork. It was through photographs like this one, which depict the armour very soon after the siege that enabled researchers, in 2002, to reunite each of the suits with their correct pieces. This image is identified as a "Cabinet Portrait". This refers to a photograph mounted on a hard piece of cardboard. They are larger and thicker than the Carte de Visite and gradually replaced the latter in popularity after the 1860s. Identifying features of the Cabinet Portrait is on the front of the image which is generally embossed (or printed) with the details of the photographer. In the case of this image, James Bray is identified as photographer. The image is yellow in tone which compliments the gold coloured mount of the photograph.This photograph is part of the Burke Museum "Kelly album" which includes a significant collection of photographs and artefacts connected to Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang. Ned Kelly and his gang have become ingrained in Australian popular culture and thus many museums, art galleries and private collections house material connected to the Kelly story which allows the events and people to be researched and interpreted. Artefacts and photographs pertaining to the Kelly gang are particularly valuable for Australian museums. This particular photograph is significant for its connection to Beechworth photographer James Bray who is responsible for many images depicting members of the Kelly gang. The photograph is also of artistic significance as an example of a Cabinet Portrait dating to 1880. This image was commissioned by the police shortly after the defeat of the Kelly gang at Glenrowan. The armour was collected and placed on the ground for photography. No care was taken to retain the correct grouping of the armour and therefore, the identity of each piece to the correct owner was unclear for many years. Photographs of the armour taken at the time, like this one, helped researchers to reconstruct the correct armour and identify which pieces belonged to which member of the Kelly gang which is significant for Australian history. This photograph has the capacity to provide important information about the construction of the armour used by the Kelly gang at Glenrowan and importantly dates to 1880.Sepia rectangular photograph printed on cardReverse: Mrs. E. E. Smith / Loch St. / Beechworth / 1880 / JAMES E. BRAY / Photographer / BEECHWORTH / R. & M. HARVEY / AUTHORISED NEWSAGENTE / AND GIFT SHOP / BEECHWORTH PHONE 114 / (upside down) P/C Neg / 41 --np of armour & / (torn sticker with)fle. Ned Kellys Riflekelly album, ned kelly, kelly armour, armour, rifle

In this image a Colt 1855 Revolving Rifle is placed upon a sign detailing an £8,000 reward for robbery and murder. Writing on the rear of the photograph identifies the rifle as having belonged to Joe Byrne. In colonial Victoria, the Colt brand firearm was highly popular. They began their popularity in the goldfields of the early 1850s. Individuals, particularly those coming to Victoria with prior experience in the goldfield, brought with them a means of self-defence because of the prevalence of assault and robbery on the goldfields. In the 1860s, the Colt firearm became popular among the Victorian Police force. It was decided in June 1864 by Chief Commissioner of Police, Frederick Standish that the Colt revolvers were far more practical, being of simpler construction and therefore, more easily cleaned and less dangerous than the revolvers used prior to this: the Adams and Kerr firearms. The Colt revolver remained in use in regional districts of Victoria as late as the early 1880 when they were used at the Kelly siege at Glenrowan. The £8,000 reward was issued in 1879 after the Kelly Gang committed numerous bank robberies at Euroa and Jerilderie. In the year prior, the Kelly Gang murdered three policemen at Stringybark Creek. This resulted in the creation of the “Felon’s Apprehension Act 1878” which enabled an individual, whether a part of the Police force or civilian, to shoot a declared outlaw on sight. After the bank robberies, the Police force of NSW and Victoria increased the existing reward to this £8,000 amount.This photograph is significant for what it can potentially reveal about the Kelly Gang and firearms made in this period. The rifle in the image is a Colt Revolving Rifle which was known to have been used by the Victorian Police force from the early 1850s to the late 1880s. It is also known that the Kelly Gang stole police rifles which they used to practise with and so the identification of the rifle as having belonged to Joe Byrne is of significant importance to researchers studying the firearms of the Kelly Gang. More research is needed to solidify the connection of this particular weapon to Byrne other than the handwritten note on the back of the photograph. The Burke Museum Beechworth is home to a significant collection of photographs connected to Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang. Photographs like this one are valuable for what they can potentially reveal about the Kelly Gang and the Police force during this period. Alongside the study of the other images, photographs from this collection have the ability to further expand current knowledge on this period of Australian history. There is also the capability to provide an analysis of how these firearms and Kelly memorabilia have been received in the past. It could be beneficial to undertake a close study of the use history and reception of these artefacts within the museum context.Black and white rectangular reproduced photograph printed on matte photographic paperReverse: 10268 / Joe Byrne's / Riflekelly album, ned kelly, kelly gang, joe byrne, rewards, outlaw, criminals, bushrangers, colt, police, firearm, beechworth, reward, felon's apprehension act 1878, 1880, glenrowan, colt revolver, revolving rifle, 8000 pound reward, jerilderie, euroa, beechworth goldfield

This photograph shows men working in the gravel pit at Newmerella just outside Orbost. Not long after this photograph was taken an accidental explosion killed three workers. In the newspaper, The Hobart Mercury on Saturday March 1914, There was this report: "EXPLOSION OF BLASTING CHARGE. THREE MEN KILLED. MELBOURNE, March 13 A fatal accident occurred this after- noon on the railway construction works at Hagen's Cutting, about two miles from Orbost, three men being killed. The victims were John Carroll, contractor, his son, Peter Carroll, and John Sullivan, a navvy. The gang had just finished work, and the three stayed behind to draw a blasting charge, which had missed fire yesterday. J. Carroll was using a pick, and it is presumed that the tool struck a percussion cap, and fired the charge. He and Sullivan were killed instantly, Carroll being literally blown to pieces. Fragments of his body and garments were recovered from the surrounding bush, and the main portion of the trunk, with leg attached, was hurled a distance of 200 yards. Peter Car roll was terribly- injured, and he died before medical aid arrived. ' This is a pictorial record of construction workers associated with the Orbost - Bairnsdale railway. This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. A black / white photograph of a large group of men with horses and wagons. Most are holding tools - picks, spades and shovels. Some of the wagons are loaded with soil.railway-construction east-gippsland-railway orbost-railway quarry-gravel-newmerella

Photo shows construction workers involved with the making of Dunkeld/Grampians Road. One man is standing on the running board of a small truck, six men are seated or standing in the tray, another man is standing on the ground at the back of the vehicle.access routes, roads, people, road gang

This photograph was taken near the Nicholson River Bridge. The gang re-laying the rail tracks on the Bairnsdale - Orbost line were working in the Bruthen area. In this photograph the men had just finished work near the Nicholson River Bridge.This photograph is associated with the Easy Gippsland Railway.A black / white photograph of a group of men working on a railway line. There is another group behind them.on back - typed information as beloweast-gippsland-railway nicholson-railway railway-construction

Gang Shed Ganger may refer to: The head of a gang of labourers, especially on canals or railways. They were Men who had the job of track maintenance repair and upkeep or construction for sections of the lines. Gang Sheds were used to keep their tools and equipment and Trollys in. The shed houses and protects the historic trolley and tool collection within. loose based replica Victorian Railways gang shed, permanent way building. Gang Shed constructed of timber and corrugated ironpuffing billy, gang shed, kilmore gang shed, victorian railways, ganger, railway track

Construction of the Colac-Beech Forest railway line commenced in 1900 and the first activities were the work gangs and their camps. About 100 men were engaged in laying and ballasting the track while others formed the earthworks and the building of culverts and bridges. The first camp was established eight kilometres from Colac, the second 12 km south, and the remainder spaced at similar distances as the work progressed. The camps were served by butchers and bakers from Colac that visited them as many times each week to satisfy the mens' requirements. Many of the men had their families with them. They all lived in tents that consisted of a wooden floor around which the canvas cover was built. A calico partition divided the eating and sleeping quarters, and all cooking was done in camp ovens or at open fires.B/W. 158mm x 203mm. Near Colac, a narrow gauge construction camp comprising 21 workmen, a horse, and two tipping trays.construction camp; railways; colac;