This hand operated drill was used to drill holes in the rails so that with fishplates (metal joiners) the rails could be bolted together to form a continuous length.Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Hand Operated Rail Drill Hand Operated Rail Drill made of cast Metalpuffing billy, hand operated rail drill

Hand Rail Drill Out on the track in the old days, it was sometimes required to drill some holes in a piece of rail so that two rails may be joined together by a metal joiner – called a fishplate. Before the use of generators and oxy cutting, the only way to do this was with a hand drill. This is the machine operated by two people, that would drill a hole in the rail. With two to three holes to be drilled in each rail end (ie 4 or 6 holes), it was a tiring, back breaking job. And then there was usually the rail on the other side of the track to be done! Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Hand Rail DrillHand Rail Drill made of metal puffing billy, hand rail drill

Photograph included in book "Victoria: Gold and Minerals" issued by Mines Department Victoria, 1935Photographvictoria, underground drilling, pneumatic drill, rail tracks, hand pushed cart, gold mining, mining, tools

Hand Operated Rail Saw Out on the track in the old days, it was sometimes required to cut a piece of railway track. Before the use of generators and oxy cutting, the only way to do this was with a hand saw. This is the machine operated by two people, that would cut a piece of rail in half. And when the rail was cut, it was usually required to join it to another rail which required putting in 4 to 6 holes in the rail with a Hand Operated drill. Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Hand Operated Rail Saw Hand Operated Rail Saw made of cast metalpuffing billy, hand operated rail saw

This drill was used in the construction of the Eltham-Hurstbridge Railway extension in 1911. The device was placed over the wooden sleeper to drill holes for the iron spikes which held the rail down. Example of tools needed to build railway in early 20th Century in the Diamond Valley.Drill mechanism mounted on wooden frame. Mechanism tilts to enable holes to be drilled vertically (normal) or at angles up to 45 degrees using double hand cranks and gears. A rack can be engaged to raise and lower the mechanism and drill bit. Mechanism appears original. Base frame replaced recently. #drill, #railwayconstruction, #sleepers, #tilting, #handoperated

Yields information about the construction of trackwork and other Museum infrastructure during 1980.Letter from Dave Macartney to Warren Doubleday, typed on the rear of an Association of Railway Enthusiasts foolscap size train tour booking form for the Albury to Culcairn tour for 20/5/1967. Letter dated 20 May 1980 updates Warren on progress of bending rail, track repairs, purchase of a new Second hand drill and building work.trams, tramways, btps, trackwork, museum