Showing 19 items
matching fast rail
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Federation University Historical Collection
Report, Fast Rail Links to Regional Centres Feasibility Studies: Final Report, c2000
... Fast Rail Links to Regional Centres Feasibility Studies...fast rail... bracks transport linking victoria railway fast rail ballarat ...Used by the local branch of the Public Transport Users AssociationRingbound Linking Victoria report of 228 pages steve bracks, transport, linking victoria, railway, fast rail, ballarat corridor, bendigo corridor, traralgon corridor, geelong corridor, level crossings, country rail lines, rail gauge, trains -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Pamphlet, Department of Infrastructure, "Fast Rail Links to Regional Centres", Feb. 2002
... "Fast Rail Links to Regional Centres"... on heavy paper, titled "Fast Rail Links to Regional Centres", dated... colour printed on heavy paper, titled "Fast Rail Links ...Pamphlet - 8 pages, centre stapled, full colour printed on heavy paper, titled "Fast Rail Links to Regional Centres", dated February 2002, outlining the Fast Rail to the regions, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Latrobe Valley by the Labour government as part of its "Linking Victoria" program. Has a image of the proposed Velocity of the front cover Has a forward by Steve Bracks, Peter Batchelor. Covers journey times, benefits, statement by David Vendy, Mayor of Ballarat, train services, benefits, land requirements safety and timetable for construction and contacts. Made by the Rail Projects Group of the Department of Infrastructure.trams, tramways, ballarat, railways, timetables, vline -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Environment Victoria, Driving the Fast Train Further: Integrated Public Transport Across All Victoria, 2001, 05/2001
... fast rail.... transport linking victoria railway fast rail ballarat corridor ...Used by the local branch of the Public Transport Users Association.Yellow soft covered 36 page book outlining the feasibility of a Fast Train for Victoria.transport, linking victoria, railway, fast rail, ballarat corridor, bendigo corridor, traralgon corridor, geelong corridor, warrnambool corridor, level crossings, country rail lines, ararat rail line, trains -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Public Transport Users Association Notes and Press Clippings, 1991-2010, 1991-2010
... fast rail... Association. transport linking victoria railway fast rail ballarat ...Used by the local branch of the Public Transport Users Association.Seven plastic covered display books with press clippings, media releases and notes concerning the Public Transport users Association in the Ballarat Region. .1) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 1 - National Express Review, 1999-2001 .2) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 2 - Press Cuttings, 2001 - 2002 .3) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 3 - Press Cuttings, 2002-2003 .4) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 4 - Press Cuttings, 2004-2005 .5) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 5 - Press Cuttings,2006-2012 .6) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 6 - Other Ballarat Transport Issues, 2001-2008 .7) Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 7 - Creswick, 2000-2010 11729.8 Documents Transport Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 8 -Other Regional Areas Baker, Jean 2000-2010 11729.9 Documents Transport Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 9 - Closure of North Melbounre Station and the impact on Ballarat Commuters Baker, Jean 2014 Book Transport Driving the Fast Train Further: Integreated Public Tranpost Across All Victoria Everingham, Wendy and McPherson 1999-2001 Documents Transport Public Transport Ballarat & Region Vol 3 - Press Cuttings Baker, Jean 1999-2001 transport, linking victoria, railway, fast rail, ballarat corridor, bendigo corridor, traralgon corridor, geelong corridor, warrnambool corridor, level crossings, country rail lines, ararat rail line, trains, jean baker, hedley thomson, coach, national express review, mildura review, public transport corporation, maryborough to ballarat passenger rail service, mildura country rail, john parkin, john mclean, steve bracks, airport rail, john barnes, buses, alstrom, rail crossings, dove downey, curtis street bus terminal, bus interchange, ballarat railway stations, trams, creswick, creswick railway station, ararat, wimmera, mallee, maryborough, clunes, talbot -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Book, Department of Infrastructure (DOI), "Linking Victoria - issue 1 February 2002", Feb. 2002
... , Fast rail regional links, passenger services, new low floor..., Fast rail regional links, passenger services, new low floor ...Book - 20 A4 pages, centre stapled printed on gloss paper titled "Linking Victoria - issue 1 February 2002", published by the Victorian Department of Infrastructure. Includes a message from Steve Bracks Premier and Peter Batchelor Minister for Transport. Looks at Transport Planning, Spencer St Station redevelopment, Fast rail regional links, passenger services, new low floor trams, notes Yarra and M>Tram rollingstock, route 109 to Box Hill, buses and other transport projects underway or planned. Not known if there were further publications with this title.trams, tramways, planning, doi, m>tram, spencer st, public transport, railways -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Newspaper, The Courier Ballarat, "Trams can still pull the crowds", "Trams make way back to Ballarat", 26/09/2005 12:00:00 AM
... a item on the Ballarat line fast rail service and level crossings... a item on the Ballarat line fast rail service and level crossings ...Two newspaper clippings from The Courier, Ballarat, 26/9/2005 of the BTM's 100th Anniversary celebrations on 25/09/2005. Photos by Eugene Hyland. 3149.1 - Top part of front page featuring newspaper banner and a part photo and caption "Trams make way back to Ballarat" leading to item on page 3. 3149.2 - Photo of Roger Salen standing by door of 28 with headline ""Trams can still pull the crowds", and smaller photo of Clydesdales Darcy and Prince on the horse tram. Quotes President Stephen Butler about the celebrations. Under the item has a item on the Ballarat line fast rail service and level crossings that help to improve safety.btm, horse trams, 100 years of electric trams, level crossings -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Shovel Truck, Shovel Loading Rail Truck, circa 1950s
This item shows the excavation of the side of a railway track using a pneumatic shovel and a rail mounted truck by two workmen. The period covered was well before State Health and Safety requirements, such as helmets, became law. It also details that the workmen were from European heritage as their head coverings were a handkerchief knotted at each corner. This was typical for workmen of this heritage, others used caps or hats or no head covering at all (the macho male look)The photograph of this item was one of many depicting great achievements and opening up the region. A visual link or time capsule of the 1950s rural/mining sectors clashing with the established rural industriesThis photo depicts the time (1950's) and place (Bogong and Mount Beauty) where construction workers had an immense impact, not only on the physical environment but also on the social and economic development of the Victorian Alps region. The fast expansion of smaller settlements brought about increased pressures on the welfare viability of certain subgroups within the region e.g. farming, droving and commerce (caravan hawkers versus static shops). These changes brought about a heightened awareness by both local and State Governments to upgrade not only facilities within the region but also access to the region. Black and white photo of two workmen on a rail mounted shovel truck. The photo is of good definition allowing a clear view of the subject matter. The paper is semi gloss.On the back of the photo, paper suppliers etchings are "Kodak XtraLife II paper"mining, hydro electricity, victorian alps, construction camps, earth moving machines -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Standardization of Australia's Railway Gauges, 1945, 1945
Sir Harold Winthrop Clapp KBE (7 May 1875 – 21 October 1952) was a transport administrator who over the course of thirty years had a profound effect on Australia's railway network. In two decades as its Chairman of Commissioners, he revolutionised Victorian Railways, with unprecedented attention to customer service and innovations such as more powerful locomotives, air-conditioned carriages, and faster services culminating in the introduction of the flagship Spirit of Progress express train. Seconded to the Federal Government in World War II, he played a pivotal role in the manufacture of fighter aircraft in the defence of Australia. As Director-General of Australia's Land Transport Board, he presented a report on railway gauge standardisation that ultimately led to the eventual linking of all Australian mainland capital cities by a uniform rail gauge. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Winthrop_Clapp, accessed 02/10/2013)Grey, soft covered, stapled report of 89 pages. "Standardization of Australia's Railway Gauges" by Harold Clapp is a report and recommendation regarding the standarization of Australia's railway gauges. The contents include: * Lines suggested for conversion or new lines to be constructed * scheme of conversion of tracks and structures * scheme of conversion of locomotives and rolling stock * Estimated costs * Associated works * Estimated manpower which the project will absorb in its various phases *Standardization of rolling stock * Other considerations associated with the project * Estimated time involved in the various phases of the work. The report includes 8 maps: * Map of Australia showing the various proposals referred to *Map of Australian railways showing extent of standard gauge if proposals are carried out * Map of Australian railways as of 30 June 1944 *Map of Australia showing principal mileages referred to in the report * Railway Map of Western Australia, 1945 * Railway Map of South Australia, 1945 * Railway Map of Victoria, 1945 * Railway Map of Melbourne Suburbs, 1945 railway, guage, standardization, standardisation, fremantle, perth, kalgoorlie, peterborough, silverton, tramway, tram, train, townsville, dajarra, bourke, cunnamulla, charleville, blackall, longreach, winton, hughenden, townsville, gajarra, birdum, darwin, narrow gauge -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceramic - Soap dish, circa 1883
This ceramic soap dish was recovered from the wreck of the 1882-1883 George Roper between the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. It is one of the shipwreck artefacts in the John Chance Collection. Soap dishes were often part of a wash set that also included a water jug and wash bowl. The holes in the dish allowed water to drain out of the dish, keeping the soap dry for next use. The GEORGE ROPER 1882 - 1883 - The George Roper was a 4-masted iron sailing ship built in Liverpool, England, in 1882 for fast international trade with Australia. The large vessel was launched in February 1883. The ship was on its first trip, departing Liverpool for Melbourne, captained by John Ward and a crew of 31. She had almost reached her destination on July 4 1883, approaching Port Phillip Bay and being towed by the steam tug William. The weather changed to rough with fog and both the George Roper and the William hit the dangerous Lonsdale Reef at Port Phillip Heads. The Captain and crew were eventually rescued and taken to Queenscliff. Salvage syndicates were able to recover a lot of the cargo before the George Roper broke up and sank. Amongst the cargo was soft goods, draperies, household items, spirits of malt and distilled liquors, chemicals, dynamite, and 1,400 tons of steel rails for the Victorian Government. Also in the hold were Russell Stourbridge bricks, as paying ballast. This 1880s soap dish is an example of personal hygiene accessories and may have been part of a set comprising jug, bowl and dish.. The soap dish is also significant as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver from the wreck of the George Roper in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. The soap dish is significant for its association with the barque George Roper, which is considered historically and archaeologically significant and as such, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database, VHR S286. The George Roper is an example of a vessel built specifically for fast travel to and from Australia with a large shipment of cargo. Its cargo of steel rails adds to the historical significance of international trade to the growing colony of Australia and Victoria in particular, with rail transportation soon to become a faster and safer form of transportation between colonial towns. Divers can still access parts of the scattered wreck and other artefacts recovered in the 1970s and 1980s can be viewed in both public and private collections. Soap dish; glazed white porcelain. Round shallow bowl with blue patterned border, resembling butterflies. Two raised, concentric rings are moulded into the base. Six pierced holes are evenly spaced between the rings, five holes are in the centre of the dish.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, west coast trader, george roper, captain john ward, russell stourbridge bricks, port phillip heads, lonsdale reef, dive wreck, vhr s286, coastal trader, ceramic, vintage, personal hygiene, bathroom accessory, soap dish -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceramic - Cover, circa 1883
This ceramic cover was recovered from the wreck of the 1882-1883 George Roper between the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. It is one of the shipwreck artefacts in the John Chance Collection. The purpose of the cover is unclear. The holes could be for ventilation. The cover may have been used to protect food or keep it at an even temperature. It may also have been used for covering fragrant petals, allowing some scent to escape through the holes. The residue around the underside of the holes and their random placement indicate that the cover could be partially handmade. The discolouration could have come from its time in the sea. The GEORGE ROPER 1882 - 1883 - The George Roper was a 4-masted iron sailing ship built in Liverpool, England, in 1882 for fast international trade with Australia. The large vessel was launched in February 1883. The ship was on its first trip, departing Liverpool for Melbourne, captained by John Ward and a crew of 31. She had almost reached her destination on July 4 1883, approaching Port Phillip Bay and being towed by the steam tug William. The weather changed to rough with fog and both the George Roper and the William hit the dangerous Lonsdale Reef at Port Phillip Heads. The Captain and crew were eventually rescued and taken to Queenscliff. Salvage syndicates were able to recover a lot of the cargo before the George Roper broke up and sank. Amongst the cargo was soft goods, draperies, household items, spirits of malt and distilled liquors, chemicals, dynamite, and 1,400 tons of steel rails for the Victorian Government. Also in the hold were Russell Stourbridge bricks, as paying ballast. The ventilated cover is as an example of domestic ceramic ware of the 1880s. The cover also holds significance as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver from the wreck of the George Groper in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. The George Roper is considered historically and archaeologically significant and as such, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database, VHR S286. It is an example of a vessel built specifically for fast travel to and from Australia with a large shipment of cargo. The George Roper’s cargo of steel rails adds to the historical significance of international trade to the growing colony of Australia and Victoria in particular, with rail transportation soon to become a faster and safer form of transportation between colonial towns. Divers can still access parts of the scattered wreck and other artefacts recovered in the 1970s and 1980s can be viewed in both public and private collections. Cover; unglazed white ceramic, oval shape. The cover has holes randomly poked through its surface, one large hole is a six pointed star shape. Underneath there is a narrow rim placed slightly inside the edge. There is residue on the underneath around the holes. There is orange-brown discolouration and areas where the surface is lighter coloured. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, west coast trader, george roper, w. h. potter & sons, w.t. dickson and son, captain john ward, russell stourbridge bricks, port phillip heads, lonsdale reef, dive wreck, vhr s286, coastal trader, ceramic, vintage, ventilated cover, domestic item -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - RAILWAYS COLLECTION: COLOUR PHOTO OF ELPHINSTONE TUNNEL
RAILWAYS COLLECTION 2 x -Colour Photos of Elphinstone Tunnel (this photo was used by Jim Evans in his booklet -Melbourne to Bendigo Railway 1862-2012 and quotes the Photographer as Geoffrey Russell). The photo is printed on quality paper showing an entrance to the tunnel which is in fair condition with bricks and stone on the face and has two train tracks running through.Geoffrey Russellphotograph, landscape, elphinstone tunnel long rail laid bendigo, wednesday.—one of the most unusual operations undertaken by the victorian railways took place on the bendigo-melbourne line at the elphinstone tunnel this afternoon, when two rails, each 1, 710ft. in length, were placed in posi- tion in the tunnel. these rails were the longest ever laid in victoria, the previous greatest length being 225ft. the tunnel, which is 1, 254ft. in length, is the longest in the state, and forms an historic link with the early railways of victoria, being constructed in 1862, three years after the first train ran in australia. the object of the work is to improve the track for the fast train services and to reduce the cost of maintenance. by putting in a welded rail right through the tunnel the use of "fish plates" will be eliminated. for the new undertaking 110lb. rails are being used to replace the 80lb. rails at present in use. the rails, each weighing 30 tons, were made from 38 sets of rails of 45ft. each, the welding taking place on the site of the work. hauled by an x35 locomotive the long rail was placed in position 3½ minutes after the first pull. the work was carried out without any in- terruption to traffic. -
Puffing Billy Railway
1 NH, Powder & General Goods Van, June 1910
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 -
Puffing Billy Railway
Bender - Light Rail
Light Rail Bender Most rails are produced straight. While they to easily bend and appear flexible, they are required to bend for some curves, at rail joins on curves and at point (turn-out) junctions. For a safe transition around curves and in the finer areas of the point, this use to be done with a manual rail bender. Sometimes referred to as a Buddah, the rail bender attaches its two claws to the rail. In the middle of the two claws is a screw that is slowly tightened using a crow-bar to bend the rail. Tightening the screw too fast or too tightly may not give the structure of the rail time to redistribute and the rail may break if not done properly. Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Light Rail Bender Light Rail Bender made out of cast wrought ironpuffing billy, light rail bender -
Puffing Billy Railway
Tool - Rail bender
Railway tracks are produced straight. They may appear to be easy to bend and may appear flexible, but are required to be bent for curves, at rail joins on curves and at point (turn-out) junctions. For a safe transition around curves and in the finer areas of the point, this was required to be done with a manual rail bender. Sometimes referred to as a Jim Crow, the rail bender attaches its two claws to the rail. In the middle of the two claws is a screw that is slowly tightened using a crow-bar to bend the rail. Tightening the screw too fast or too tightly may not give the structure of the rail time to redistribute and the rail may break if not done properly.Victorian Railways Permanent Way and Works track equipment Light Rail Bender narrow GaugeCast iron semi-circular tool, with hooked ends and central screw shaft.puffing billy, rail bender, jim crow -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Book, LERHS, Rail Trail, 2015
Information on the construction of the railway from Bairnsdale to Orbost, the stony creek, trestle bridge also plans for the very fast train from Melbourne to Sydney Lakes Entrance Victoriatransport, bridges -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Anglo-Australasian Photographic Company, Township of Lorne, and Loutitt Bay, c. 1876
Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The 60 photographs that comprise the series were issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.‘Township of Lorne, and Loutitt Bay’ : Views of Victoria (General Series) No.60 : Albumen silver photograph | Photo on card with Title and Description on reverse | Mounted 24 x 30 cm; Photo 12 x 17 cm.On Reverse: ‘Loutitt Bay is fast becoming one of the most fashionable Watering-places in Victoria, partly from its easy access by Rail, combined with the magnificent scenery to be found in the Cape Otway Ranges, and the very moderate charges of the houses of accommodation. The large house near the foreground is that of Mr. Mountjoy, which is a Restaurant. Duncan’s Hotel can be seen in the distance, on the brow of the hill.’nicholas caire (1837-1918), lorne (vic), duncan's hotel, loutitt bay, landscape photography - victoria -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, D716 steam train at Mont Albert Station, 1919, 1919
The photo was taken at 8.15am on Friday 12 September 1919. The D class was a passenger and mixed traffic steam locomotive which operated on the Victorian Railways from 1902 to 1974. Originally it was introduced on mainline express passenger services, but they were quickly superseded by the much larger A2 class and were relegated to secondary and branch line passenger and goods service, where they continued in service for the next fifty years. The D716 was probably built at the Newport Workshops, post 1910 and before 1914. The expansion of Melbourne's population into new suburbs early in the 20th century, and the delay of the suburban electrification project, meant there was the need for faster and more powerful steam locomotives for the suburban rail network. In 1908, the basic design was adapted to create a more powerful locomotive. They were put to work on longer and hillier suburban routes including the Lilydale line. A total of 58 were built between 1908 and 1913. See wikipedia for a more detailed history of the D class locomotives. Electric trains replaced steam in 1922. Mr William Holmes of 'Lugano', Mont Albert Road was in charge of the design and introduction of the electrification of the Melbourne rail system.Black and white photo of a steam train approaching the platform at Mont Albert station. Rear in blue biro in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting: "Hamilton St Mont Albert / probably 1919".mont albert station, railways, trains, d class locomotives, norman carter, steam trains -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Booklet - Driving the Fast Train Further, Wendy Everingham and John McPherson, May 2001
This document is a response by Environment Victoria to the Fast Train Report. It advocates the establishment of an integrated transport approach in Victoria including the need for a Rural and Regional Planning Strategy to be developed in conjunction with the Metropolitan StrategyA publication of 34 pages produced by Environment Victoria Inc. It has brown cover featuring an image of a locomotive superimposed over an outline map of Victoria. It consists of 36 pages including appendices, references, a map of an Environment Victoria Enhanced Victorian Passenger Rail Network and a map of the Victoria's Regional and Rural Bus service.fiction This document is a response by Environment Victoria to the Fast Train Report. It advocates the establishment of an integrated transport approach in Victoria including the need for a Rural and Regional Planning Strategy to be developed in conjunction with the Metropolitan Strategyrailways environmental impact, victorian railways, environment victoria -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Railway Commissioner Harold Clapp and Mrs. Clapp, 1938
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.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.Railway Commissioner Harold Clapp and Mrs. Clapp ready to leave Albury on the "Spirit of Progress" in 1938. The Driver is George Lynch Snr. and the Fireman is E. Finley. Sir Harold Winthrop Clapp (7 May 1875 – 21 October 1952) was a transport administrator with the Victorian Railways who over the course of 30 years revolutionised the railways in Victoria. Clapp introduced faster services and more powerful locomotives, supported the farming sector and presented a report on standardising rail gauges which then led to a uniform rail gauge across capital cities. His most well-known project was the upgrade of the Sydney Limited service into the all-steel, all-air-conditioned, non-stop, high-speed express streamliner, Spirit of Progress which was launched on 17 November 1937. Clapp became Chairman of Commissioners of Victorian Railways in 1920 and remained Chairman until his retirement in 1951. Harold W Clapp was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1941 in recognition of his contribution to public service.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, s class locomotive