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.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 large rectangular shaped paper map of all railway stations in Victoria. It is dated 1st August 1965. It is divided into grids. Stations are listed around the map. A key is provided and each station has a grid reference.map-railway victorian-railways

These two sheets show the 1897 plans drawn up by the Victorian Railways for the erection of the Warrnambool Railway Station building. It is a two-storey building still existing today. The railway came to Warrnambool in 1890 and they must have used temporary buildings for seven years before this railway building was erected. It had offices, booking counter and public facilities on the ground floor and housing for the Station Master on the first floor. The building erected was a typical design for country town railway stations and many of similar design were erected in the 1880s and 90s. These plans are important because they show clearly the design of the Warrnambool Railway Station buildings when they were first erected in the 1890s.They will be very useful for researchers. The coming of the railway was a significant event in Warrnambool’s history and did much to make the port and shipping a less viable proposition.These are two architect’s plans and drawings of the Warrnambool Railway Station building (1897). The drawings are black and white and the first plan shows the ground floor plan and the first floor plan and the outbuildings. The second plan shows drawings of the building with its elevation to the platform and its elevation to Merri Street. There are two stamps of the Railways Department, Melbourne. These are copies, not originals. ‘Victorian Railways, Warrnambool, Station Buildings, Scale 8 feet to one inch, Contract No. 6379B (Nos. 1 and 2)’warrnambool, railway station buildings

The Centenary-Jubilee Train. The Centenary-Jubilee train was one of the outstanding successes of the Centenary and Jubilee celebrations in Victoria. The train, attractively painted green and gold, consisted of eleven cars, and toured Victoria to take to people in the country exhibits of interest associated with the celebrations. National Art Gallery paintings, rare manuscripts and pictures were displayed, as well as models showing the history of gold production, and models and illustrations of national projects controlled by the various departments of this State. The Commonwealth section included displays by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Post Office; a war materials exhibit from the Supply Department; and diagrams and maps of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric scheme. The Railways exhibit portrayed the century's growth and development of railways in Victoria and their influence on the prosperity of the State. During its 6,000 miles tour, from 1st February to 30th June, the train visited 168 stations and was inspected by 547,978 people. An entertainment unit accompanied the train and gave 100 performances which were attended by 96,400 people. Source: Report of The Victorian Railways Commissioners for the Year Ended 30th June 1951Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, n-430, n-class steam locomotive, victorian centenary jubilee 1951

The Centenary-Jubilee Train. The Centenary-Jubilee train was one of the outstanding successes of the Centenary and Jubilee celebrations in Victoria. The train, attractively painted green and gold, consisted of eleven cars, and toured Victoria to take to people in the country exhibits of interest associated with the celebrations. National Art Gallery paintings, rare manuscripts and pictures were displayed, as well as models showing the history of gold production, and models and illustrations of national projects controlled by the various departments of this State. The Commonwealth section included displays by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Post Office; a war materials exhibit from the Supply Department; and diagrams and maps of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric scheme. The Railways exhibit portrayed the century's growth and development of railways in Victoria and their influence on the prosperity of the State. During its 6,000 miles tour, from 1st February to 30th June, the train visited 168 stations and was inspected by 547,978 people. An entertainment unit accompanied the train and gave 100 performances which were attended by 96,400 people. Source: Report of The Victorian Railways Commissioners for the Year Ended 30th June 1951Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, n-430, n-class steam locomotive, victorian centenary jubilee 1951

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Paperback. Front cover has an illustration of a steam train sitting on railway tracks. There is a fold-out map of Victoria in the middle of the book.Stamp of Marysville & District / Historical Society Inc / P.O. Box 22 / Marysville 3779victorian railways, tourism, history, victoria

The Victorian Railways promoted tourist destinations around Victoria. A folded paper tourist brochure about Lorne The front cover is a coloured painting of Lorne from above the Erskine River towards the main beach. , on the back is a black and white sketch tourist map of the roads, tracks and beauty spots. Inside the first fold are 6 black and white photographs, Cumberland River, Mt St George, Phantom Falls, Cumberland Cliffs, Teddy’s Lookout, leafy walk towards the pier. Inside contains written descriptions of the highlights of Lorne and six black and white photographs, four general views of Lorne, Lover’s Walk, Erskine Falls . souvenirs, victorian railways, publicity

Railways began in the 1850s and were privately owned and operated. Later they were taken over by the Victorian Government reaching a peak in the early 1940s.Steam trains were followed by electric trains with both running after the war in 1945.Bright was the closest station to the Kiewa Valley but road transport was used more often as the Kiewa Valley Highway was improved with the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. To travel to Melbourne or Sydney by train residents went via Wodonga/Albury where they also did their shopping.Plastic on parchment with detailed railway routes (in green) across Victoria including each district's 'Road Foremen' and 'Depots'. There is a length of flat wood attached by 10 tacks across the top of the mapvictorian railways 1945, trains, transport

The Victorian Railways began in 1854 and in the first 14 years up to 1868 had managed to complete about 250 miles of track. The next 60 years saw the system expand to nearly 3000 miles. By 1931 every town with a population over 500 had its own railway station. Early Victorian railway maps indicate that the extension from Colac to Warrnambool and then onwards to Koroit, occurred in the period of the 1880’s when the act known as the Octopus act saw a rapid expansion of lines. At the time there was much debate over where the expansion of the lines should take place, with one of the prime considerations for Warrnambool was the impact it would have on its port.The building of the railway to Warrnambool and onward to Koroit was a significant event for the town. Green cloth cover with tan suede corner points and spine. Title printed in gold on front cover. Title printed in gold on red on spine. 92 pages. The contract is printed and includes handwritten entries with specifications.Handwritten on front cover and inside front cover ” Copy for Engr in Chief” .On Page 2 transferred to Allan Reid * 24/1/88 Co Briscoe & Co Little Collins Street, Melbourne.warrnambool, railways, warrnambool to koroit railway, victorian railways contract no 2937

Cardboard map of Victorian railway system in 1930. Maps out all train-lines in Victoria and into New South Wales. map, railway, train-lines, victoria, victorian railways, railway lines

Victorian railways map: Nth Bendigo junction signalling diagram no 480 showing signal and interlocking arrangements. Large paper map, A F chief electrical engineer 9.1.1980. Black ink diagram and writing.document, memo, railway, nth bendigo junction signalling diagram no 4'80

Railway map - Victorian lines 1973 with list of stations and grid reference for location of stations. Inset for detail of Ballarat and Melbourne lines and stations. Shows distance from Melbourne (Spencer Street station).railways, bendigo to melbourne, stations

Picturesque Victoria and how to get there, a handbook for tourists containing information regarding railways, coaches, steamboats, fares, etc. Issued by the Victorian Railways December 1907. Printed by D W Paterson Co Melbourne, contains 246 pages with maps and black and white illustrations.books, natural history, victoria

Victorian Railways advertising brochures x 12. Glossy fold-out map and collage of old railway photos (without notations). Articles include 'growing Victoria and various aspects of Railway life, celebrating 150 years of the Victorian Railways C 2004.books, magazines, v/r advertising

Railways Collection-1946 glossy paper Railway Map of Victoria Australia Reproduced courtesy of V/Line by the Railway Museum North Williamstown Victoria 1988 price 3 pence. The maps shown are Railway Map of Suburban Lines Melbourne and Railways map of Victoria Showing Victorian Government Railways in red.map, victoria

RAILWAYS COLLECTION - Victorian Railways train times country and interstate - winter issue 1965 - as at May 3, 1965 price 6d - glossy cover in orange, black and white showing a Diesel train on the front. Back page has a fold out map of rail routes.railways, bendigo to melbourne

Timetable - 60 page book, centre stapled titled "Country Time-Tables - Victorian Railways November 1957". Shows train services to Ballarat at the time and for the VR. Relevant pages including fares and a VR map have been scanned. See Reg Items 6824, 8116, 8117 and for 1998, 1957, 1981, 2021 respectively.ballarat, railways, vr, victorian railways, timetables

Book - 40 pages including card covers - the history of the Brighton Electric Line by Leon Marshall-Wood, published 1966, 3rd edition revised and enlarged. Gives a brief history of the electric tramway operated by the Victorian Railways between St. Kilda Station and the Brighton Beach railway station, that commenced operation in 1905. Also a short history of the Sandringham - Black Rock - Beaumaris - Cheltenham tram electric and horse tram lines. Includes maps, rolling stock and ticket notes. Published by Traction Publications. Has details of the AETA on the back cover and listing of some publications. See Reg Item 1146 for 1956 edition.Has the stamp of the "Technical Book and Magazine Co" on front cover.trams, tramways, vr, melbourne, brighton, st kilda, sandringham, black rock, horse trams

.1 - Twenty page booklet on the history of the Brighton Electric Line by Leon Marshall-Wood, published 1956. Gives a brief history of the electric tramway operated by the Victorian Railways between St. Kilda Station and the Brighton Beach railway station, that commenced operation in 1905. The booklet was priced 2/-, published by the Traction Publications. Has 18 photographs, map 1905 and present day (when printed), rolling stock roster and notes and on the rear cover has details of the AETA. Front cover has horizontal crimson stripes. Has details of the AETA on the back cover and listing of some publications. Second copy from Ian Stanley added 24-1-2016. .2 - as for above - second edition, 1958, similar text, different photo layout and different front cover photo. See Reg Item 7631i for a scan of the 1966 edition.On front cover of first copy of .1 - top right hand corner; "N.Z.R.L.S / with compliments" and initials. Under title of book, "Price to Society 18/- Aust. per doz. / Retails 2/-" On page 3 of second copy of .1 - "Ian J Stanley 28 Park Road, South Camberwell, SE6, BK3746" On page 3 of .2 - "Ian J Stanley" in ink.trams, tramways, vr, melbourne, brighton, st kilda