Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Driver Fred Rochow with his grandchildren
... as a crack express locomotive with the New South Wales Government... as a crack express locomotive with the New South Wales Government ...
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.
Locomotive 3801 - The iconic streamlined engine was built by Clyde Engineering in Granville, entering service in January 1943 and leading a distinguished career as a crack express locomotive with the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR). It was withdrawn from regular service in October 1965. One of its most famous achievements was setting a record (2:01:51) for non-stop running between Sydney and Newcastle on 28 June 1964 which stood for a quarter of a century. 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.Train driver Fred Rochow and driver David Brown, along with 3 grandchildren on the restored Locomotive 3801 during one of its visits to Albury. On the side of the locomotive, the insignia of Clyde Engineering above the number 3801fred rochow, david brown engine driver, steam locomotives australia, locomotive 3801