The Refreshment Services Branch was established in 1920, and initially focused on providing station-based refreshment rooms and the dining car service. Its scope expanded to include diverse activities such as stall rental; sales of advertising space on railways infrastructure; laundry services; operation of a hair-dressing salon, a bakery, a butchery and a poultry farm; and the management of the chalet guesthouse at Mt Buffalo. The majority of staff worked in refreshment rooms and dining cars, both of which were a popular feature of the railway service. Previous to 1920 refreshment services had been provided by contractors, but after many complaints the Department decided to provide a standardised service across the system. It grew quickly: five years after it was established the Branch employed approximately 500 staff. Station refreshment facilities ranged from elaborate dining rooms to decorated push-carts. They were staffed predominately by women, who provided everything from a cup of tea to a three course meal. Most refreshment room services were closed in the 1970s. Reference from : Fielding, K. (2012) Victorian Railways - Refreshment Services Branch in Museums Victoria Collections http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/11470Historic - Replica of a a Victorian Railways Refreshment Services Serving Trolley used on Puffing Billy Railway Replica large wooden serving cart with fitted wooden cabinet featuring sliding glass doors and one glass shelf. Cart has chrome handles, two wooden shelves, a wooden drawer with chrome handle and a small chalkboard adhered to end. Cart has four small black rubber and metal wheels and a metal foot brake.puffing billy, serving trolley, replica, dining cart, refreshment services, victorian railways

The building with the white picket fence is the Beulah Tea Gardens opened by Eliza Hand c1904 at The Gap (now FiveWays). The building is still operating as a cafe. The Tourist Road does not yet exist. Old Coach Road comes into the picture from the right and the horse and cart is heading up Ridge Road. The elm trees can be seen on the left. The building up on the hill is the Mountjoy Guest House. ‘Mountjoy’ was built by the Paynter family in 1905. It had fourteen bedrooms, a dining room and sitting room, kitchen with a big wood burning range and verandahs on three sides. There were commanding views of the eastern ranges and the city to the west. Ellis Jeeves purchased ‘Mountjoy’ in 1908 and it soon became a popular tourist destination, the coach yards making it a centre of the district. ‘Mountjoy’ is a central feature of many photographs of Kalorama in the 1900s. The building burned down in 1975. Mt. Dandenong North was renamed Kalorama c1932.Black and white postcard showing a horse and cart on road between two buildings.On front ; Mt. Dandenong North. Showing "Mountjoy."postcard, mountjoy, guest house, beulah tea room, beulah, mt dandenong north, kalorama

Photograph of western end of High Street, Charlton showing the Bank of Victoria, Malcolm's Flour Mill, Egan's, Golden Fleece Hotel, Johnson's Bridge Store, Dining Rooms and the Bank of New South Wales. c. 1883Early photo of High St, western end streetscapeSepia photograph of western end of High Street, Charlton showing the Bank of Victoria, Malcolm's Flour Mill, Egan's, Golden Fleece Hotel, Johnson's Bridge Store, Dining Rooms and the Bank of New South Wales. c. 1883. Man standing in front of the Bank, two ladies also standing on the footpath. Horse and cart in front of Johnson's store. Damage to the lower third of photo.bank of victoria, charlton, high st, malcolm's flour mill, egan's, golden fleece hotel, johnson's bridge store, dining rooms, bank of new south wales