Old film of Beechy Line shot from Train and from near the line.History of Narrow Gauge Lines in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. They include the Colac and Beech Forest lines. Shot in the 1960s.beechy line

June 2012 represented 50 years since the Colac to Beech Forest to Weeaproinah narrow guage railway was closed. The last goods train ran on 27 June 1962, and the last passenger excursion train on 30 June 1962. The railway was the lifeblood of the West Otways for several decades, enabling farmers and saw millers to bring into economic production the natural wealth of the region. Timber, butter, wool, livestock, potatoes, fodder and minerals flowed out for the benefit of Victorian consumers.Closed 50 years ago. The Colac to Beech Forest narrow guage railway. Commemorative booklet - 30 June 2012. Norman Houghton. Norman Houghton; Geelong (Vic); 2012. iv, 52 p.; illus., maps. Soft cover.colac; beech forest; weeaproinah; railway;

Shows footage of G42 at work in the Otways.Brief history of Australian narrow gauge lines including G42. Film of G42 at work through the Otways.g41 narrow guage railway

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often prepared extensive drawings for him. This detailed drawing is by Roy Field who swapped many photographs with Wal Jack. The drawing details the railway or narrow gauge (2') tramway that served Mossman and Port Douglas, Queensland. Most of this is now used for cane trains, though a small tourist operations runs out of Port Douglas. Details of Roy are included record 8561.Demonstrates some of the correspondence that Wal Jack received from around the world and that of Roy Field.Drawing - pen and ink red and black on foolscap sheet of the "Mossman Steam Tramway"letters, wal jack, tramways, drawings, roy field, railways, mossman, port douglas, narrow guage

Van 14 NUU - Louvred Truck (11) Untrafficable - Belgrave Station Yard VR Service History 15/ 7/1911 NWS Built new 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 1898 - 1911 Number Built 14 In use 5 To be restored None *NUU 14.VA - 15/ 7/1911 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NU 14.VA - NU 14.VA - circa 1926 - Modified AC Malco 1/10/1977 - Off Register To E.T.R.B. RS77/4223 Puffing Billy Service History or Notes Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Rolling Stock - Louvered VanWooden Louvered Van - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame14 NUpuffing billy, 14 nuu, louvered van, victorian railways, 2'6" guage, narrow gauge rolling stock

The NQRs were the standard Medium open goods wagon. Generally the sides and ends were removable thus providing a totally flat truck. Three long drop-down doors formed the sides thus allowing easy loading and unloading. 218 of these goods vehicles were built between 1898 and 1914 ? numbered 1 - 218​. Originally, these wagons carried the code letter R​ as they were built with sides and ends. They later had the R removed. Unlike the Broad Gauge, VR's 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge network never had four-wheeled wagons (aside from a handful of trolleys). Because of this, a single design of open wagon emerged and this was the only type of wagon ever used on these lines. This was the NQR class, a wagon with the same length and loading capacity as a Broad Gauge four-wheeled open wagon to make transferring freight between the gauges easier. The wagons, numbered 1 through 218, were built between 1898 and 1914. The wagons used the same underframe as most other non-locomotives on the VR Narrow Gauge. Letters and numbers were originally painted only on the end bulkheads and doors, both of which could be removed as traffic dictated, and this made wagon identification difficult until the decals were transferred to the underframes of each wagon In the 1910s some NQRs were provided with removable wood and steel frameworks with canvas roof canopies and side curtains, and internal seating to supplement the rest of the passenger stock during busy holiday periods. Puffing Billy has re-created these for emergency capacity. Five more NQRs, numbered 219-223​, were built between 1990 and 1992 initially for passenger use so were fitted with the removable frames In the 1960s the Puffing Billy Railway added grids in the floor of some to enable them to be used to drop ballast on the track where needed. Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 5 tons Capacity 11 tons Built 1898 - 1915 (1992) Number Built 218 (223) In use 14 To be restored 6 103 NQR - Open Medium Truck 16/12/1909 NWS Built new Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 5 tons Capacity 11 tons Built 1898 - 1915 (1992) Number Built 218 (223) In use 14 To be restored 6 VR Service History *NQR 103.VA - 16/12/1909 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NQ 103.VA - Puffing Billy Service History or Notes Untrafficable at ClematisHistoric - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge Rolling Stock - NQR Open Medium TruckA large rectangualr open good wagon, with removable sides and ends creating a flat-bed. There are three long drop-down sides and eight narrow guage wheels. The wagon is 7671mm long and 1905mm wide with steel couplings at either end. The wagon is painted crimson (faded) with the words '103 NQR' stenciled in white at both ends. 103 NQRpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , 103 nqr - open medium truck, victorian railways, narrow gauge rolling stock, nqr wagon

The Q class were introduced as bogie flatwagons in the 1870's. Large Q wagons as shown were built to the 1920's In the early 1900's, some Q wagons were modified for Pintsch Gas traffic with a small pump motor cabin at one end and a tank for carrying the gas. Other conversions for traffic were as required. Examples were: sheet glass, skeletal underframes between workshops In 1926 the railways built two narrow gauge Garratt locomotives. As normal wagons were unsuitable for moving these locomotives a special skeletal wagon was built. The engines were split into units for transportation. It featured axle bearings and boxes from steam engines, had hinged buffers that could drop out of the way during loading/unloading. It also featured 'strap' rail along the deck. The wagon was Q 129. This wagon was also available for general narrow gauge rolling stock. Q wagons were numbered from 1 to 136. Service History: *Q 129.VA - 1/ 6/1926 NWS Built new H/brake & drop buffers. For traffic of Narrow Guage stock 31/ 1/1931 NWS Into Workshops - 16/ 6/1931 NWS Out of Workshops (50 days) 6/11/1931 NWS Into Workshops - 27/11/1931 NWS Out of Workshops (22 days) 24/ 8/1936 NWS Into Workshops - 10/ 9/1936 NWS Out of Workshops (18 days) 27/11/1936 NWS Into Workshops - 26/ 2/1937 NWS Out of Workshops (Light repairs) circa 1960 - Photograph SL20 p32, loaded with 7NA / /1975 - Photograph #393 / /1976 - Photograph #553, #554 19/ 3/1979 - Condemned - 10/ 4/1979 - Off Register - 10/ 4/1979 - Sold (to) ETR, Belgrave / /1989 EME Body [GRE]. [SXC]: 29/3/92, MEL127E5, Puffing Billy at station Historic - Victorian Railways - Transporter wagon used to carry and transfer 2' 6" Narrow gauge rolling stock over Victorian broad gauge (1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) main lines to the narrow gauge lines. Q 129 was unique, it was built to transport narrow gauge locomotives. Transporter Wagon made of Steel and wrought Iron129Q129q, puffing billy, transporter wagon

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

Upwey Station Sign; Upwey Railway Station is located on the Belgrave line in Victoria, Australia. This railway serves the Eastern region of Melbourne. Upwey Railway Station opened on the 3rd of June 1901. Upwey Railway Station has a crossing loop in the middle of a six kilometre section of single railway track between Ferntree Gully Railway Station and Belgrave Railway Station. The station was originally on the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook narrow gauge line. The Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook Narrow Gauge railway line officially closed on the 30th of April 1954. It saw further use between 1955 and early 1958, when trains were operated by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in co-operation with the Victorian Railways. The Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave section was converted to Broad Guage and re-opened on the 19th of February 1962. This station sign shown here was one of a number used on the Upwey Railway Station while it was Narrow Gauge. Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Upwey StationUpwey wooden rectangle Station name sign pained yellow background with black font.Upweypuffing billy, station sign, upwey station, victorian railways

1NB - (1st Series) Saloon carriage (24) Body and underframe purchased by Puffing Billy Preservation Society from Pakenham In Active Service NB There were three types:- NB Class - Number Built (1st Series) 6 - Number Built (2nd Series) 17 - Number Built (3rd Series) 4 Nos. 1-6 were Saloon cars having end platforms and a ladies toilet, and were built from 1899-1904. Nos. 7-23 were 5-compartment side loading cars, built from 1906-1915. Nos. 24-27 were the former NAB class cars mentioned previously and were also side loading, having 6 compartments and two ladies toilets. VR Service History NBB 1.VA - 4/ 2/1899 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NB 1.VA - *NB 1.VA - / 2/1928 - Modified AC Malco BO 21/10/1930 NWS Into Workshops - 5/12/1930 NWS Out of Workshops (46 days) 30/ 1/1951 - Scrapped Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Saloon carriage (No. 1) Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 The Puffing Billy Rolling Stock Collection1NB Passenger Rolling Stock: Saloon carriage (No. 1) - Made of Timber and steel 1NBpuffing billy, 1nb, saloon carriage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock, 2'6" guage

14NB - Carriage (NB 2nd series) 6 compartments (40) Awaiting restoration NB There were three types: -Nos. 1-6 were Saloon cars having end platforms and a ladies toilet, and were built from 1899-1904. Nos. 7-23 were 5-compartment side loading cars, built from 1906-1915. Nos. 24-27 were the former NAB class cars mentioned previously and were also side loading, having 6 compartments and two ladies toilets. VR Service History *NB 14.VA - 16/12/1912 NWS Built new - / 5/1926 - Modified AC Malco 15/ 7/1931 NWS Into Workshops - 20/10/1931 NWS Out of Workshops (98 days) 5/ 8/1936 NWS Into Workshops - 6/11/1936 NWS Out of Workshops (94 days) 26/ 2/1951 - Scrapped - Body and underframe purchased by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society from Pakenham.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: NB Passenger carriage Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 The Puffing Billy Rolling Stock Collection Passenger Rolling Stock: Passenger carriage 14NB - Carriage (NB 2nd series) 5 compartments - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame Awaiting restoration14NBpuffing billy, 14nb, nb passenger carriage, 2'6" guage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock

NB Class - Number Built (1st Series) 6 - Number Built (2nd Series) 17 - Number Built (3rd Series) 4 26 NAC - Former NB Class (3rd Series) - Carriage 3 compartments and van (24 pass.) In Active Service - Belgrave Station Yard NAC COMBINED NB PASSENGER CAR AND GUARD'S VAN. A compartment NB which has had a guard's compartment temporarily added in one end. Due to the temporary nature of the guard's compartment, this vehicle retains its number in the NB numbering sequence, but has been classed NAC to differentiate it from the standard NBC. The use of the A is a recognition of the car's original NAB classification. VR Service History NABAB 2.VA - 1/ 7/1907 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NAB 2.VA - *NAB 2.VA - circa 1910 - Reference Photo SL20 p20 20/ 8/1923 FTG To NB 26.VA - NB 26.VA - /12/1927 - Modified AC Malco BO 27/ 9/1934 NWS Into Workshops - 30/10/1934 NWS Out of Workshops (34 days) 17/12/1954 - Scrapped Body to Eng. Spcl Works, RS55/707 Purchased by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society as a body & underframe. Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Passsenger carriage Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 The Puffing Billy Rolling Stock Collection Passenger Rolling Stock: 26 NAC - Passenger carriage - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame 3 compartments and van (No. 26)26 NAC puffing billy, 26 nac, nac passenger carriage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock, 2'6" guage

Van 2NBC - 1 compartment and van (7 & 4 ton capacity) In Active Service - Belgrave Station Yard NBC COMBINED SECOND-CLASS PASSENGER CAR AND GUARD'S VAN. Six cars, numbered 1-6, were built during 1898-1905 and originally classed NBDBD. The D was previously the letter code for Brakevans/Guard's Vans, but was changed to C when the double-letter code was dropped in 1910. A final NBC numbered 7 was added to the fleet in 1910. VR Service History : NBDBD 2.VA - 3/10/1899 NCL Built new - circa 1900 - Photograph R101: as N2BDBD circa 1910 - To NBC 2.VA - *NBC 2.VA - / 5/1926 - Modified AC Malco circa 1955 - Condemned -Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Passenger and Guard's Van carriage Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 The Puffing Billy Rolling Stock Collection2NBC - Combined Second-Class Passenger Car And Guard's Van. - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame 2NBC - 1 compartment and van (7 & 4 ton capacity)2NBCpuffing billy, 2nbc, 2nbc - combined second-class passenger car and guard's van, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger and guard's van rolling stock, 2'6" guage

24 NB - Carriage (NB 3rd series) 6 compartments (36) Vehicle Length 29 feet 6 inches ( 8992 mm) Coupled Length 31 feet 4 inches (9550 mm) Width 6 feet 7 inches (2007 mm) Height 9 feet 9 inches (2972 mm) Weight 11 tons Capacity 40 passengers, or 36 with guard's compartment. Built 1906 - 1915 Number Built (1st Series) 6 Number Built (2nd Series) 17 Number Built (3rd Series) 4 In use NB 24 VR Service History NABAB 4.VA - 18/ 9/1909 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NAB 4.VA - NAB 4.VA - 18/ 6/1917 - To NB 24.VA - *NB 24.VA - / 6/1926 - Modified AC Malco 19/ 1/1932 NWS Into Workshops - 10/ 5/1932 NWS Out of Workshops (113 days) 21/ 6/1933 NWS Into Workshops - 17/ 8/1933 NWS Out of Workshops (58 days) 28/ 8/1934 NWS Into Workshops - 13/ 9/1934 NWS Out of Workshops (17 days) 9/ 2/1937 NWS Into Workshops - 17/ 3/1937 NWS Out of Workshops (37 days) 31/ 5/1940 NWS Into Workshops - 5/12/1940 NWS Out of Workshops (189 days) 27/ 1/1948 NWS Into Workshops - 29/ 7/1948 NWS Out of Workshops (185 days) 12/12/1954 - Scrapped Body to Eng. Spcl Works 17/ 8/1957 - Traced at Stocktake STET - Return to Register Puffing Billy Service History or Notes NB (3rd series) The Puffing Billy Railway built a guard's compartment built in 24 NB. This reduced the passenger capacity to 36. The car retained its classification as NB in an attempt to emphasise that this was only a temporary conversion. The NBC classification was already in use. One day the guard's compartment will be removed and the vehicle returned to the classification of NB. The guard's compartment has a radio, air brake taps and gauges but no hand brake.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: NB Passenger carriage Passenger carriage 24NB - Carriage (NB 2nd series 6 compartments), Timber body on a steel frame 24NBpuffing billy, 24nb, nb passenger carriage, 2'6" guage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock

Van 1 NBC - 1 compartment and van (7 & 4 ton capacity) - awaiting Restoration Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 10 tons Capacity 7 passengers, 4 tons of goods Built 1898 - 1910 Number Built 7 In use NBC 2 To be restored NBC 1 & 6 VR Service History NBDBD 1.VA - 4/ 2/1899 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NBC 1.VA - *NBC 1.VA - / 4/1926 - Modified AC Malco 5/ 7/1937 NWS Into Workshops - 16/ 7/1937 NWS Out of Workshops (12 days) 13/ 3/1941 NWS Into Workshops - 5/ 4/1941 NWS Out of Workshops 24 days / 1/1954 - Sold (to) - circa 1955 CAC Body (v) / /1995 EME Note in Workshops Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Passenger and Guard's Van carriage. Used on first official train between Wangaratta and Whitfield in 1899.1NBC - Combined Second-Class Passenger Car And Guard's Van. - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame 1NBC - 1 compartment and van (7 & 4 ton capacity) - awaiting Restoration1 NBC puffing billy, 1nbc, 1nbc - combined second-class passenger car and guard's van, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger and guard's van rolling stock, 2'6" guage

Van 3 NUU - Louvred Truck (11) VR Service History 3/12/1900 NWS Built new 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 1898 - 1911 Number Built 14 In use 5 To be restored None *NUU 3.VA - 3/12/1900 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NU 3.VA - NU 3.VA - circa 1926 - Modified AC Malco 1/10/1977 - Off Register To ETRB Sec76/3630 RS77/4223 NUU The standard louvre van design for the Victorian narrow-gauge lines, the NUU vehicles were constructed in three batches; the first seven from 1899 to 1901, an eighth in 1906 and the last six in 1911, for a total class of fourteen. They looked very similar to the U vans of the Broad Gauge, although two photographs[1][2] of NUU 1 show that its body may have been white for some time. NU In 1926 the class was relettered to simply NU, with no changes to numbers. NU 4 was scrapped in 1938, but otherwise the class remained intact until 1954, when seven members (2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12) were sold to Coulston & Hyder, who dispersed the wagons among locations on the Wangarrata to Whitfield line. As of 1996, vans 7 and 12 were at Moyhu, while van 11 was destroyed by fire in 1978. Wagons 6 and 1 were scrapped in 1957 and 1958 respectively, while in 1954 van 13 was recorded as being sold to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. In 1977, the remaining vans 3, 10 and 14 were handed over to the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, and removed from Victorian Railways records. The Puffing Billy Railway now posesses vans 3, 8, 10, 13 and 14. Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Rolling Stock - Louvered VanWooden Louvered Van - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame3 NUUpuffing billy, 3 nuu, louvered van, 2'6" guage, victorian railways, narrow gauge rolling stock

NB Class - Number Built (1st Series) 6 - Number Built (2nd Series) 17 - Number Built (3rd Series) 4 6 NB - Saloon carriage (24) Body Length 20 feet 6 inches ( 6248 mm) Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Height 9 feet 5 inches (2870 mm) Weight 8 tons Capacity 16 passengers Built 1898 - 1904 Number Built 6 In use NB 1. NBD 2, 5 Awaiting restoration NB 6 VR Service History NBB 6.VA - 22/ 8/1904 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NB 6.VA - *NB 6.VA - / 4/1926 - Modified AC Malco 4/ 3/1938 - Scrapped - Puffing Billy Service History or Notes NB (first series) NB - There were three types: -Nos. 1-6 were Saloon cars having end platforms and a ladies toilet, and were built from 1899-1904. Nos. 7-23 were 5-compartment side loading cars, built from 1906-1915. Nos. 24-27 were the former NAB class cars mentioned previously and were also side loading, having 6 compartments and two ladies toilets. Rescued by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society from Ocean Grove Victorian in Nov 2010 Nov 2010 Two carriages have been rescued from Ocean Grove where they had been built into a house. They are now at Emerald, one being a platform NB carriage and the other a swing door NB carriage. Storage of these vehicles is being considered. Many people were involved in the move: thanks go to Raymond and Thelma Cotter for providing tarps to protect the cars from the elements. Dec 2010 Two carriages rescued from Ocean Grove are now at Emerald, one being a platform NB car (6NB) and the other a 2nd Class swing door carriage. Minor refurbishment has taken place along with covering with Tarpaulins.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Saloon carriagePassenger Rolling Stock: Saloon carriage 6NB - Made of Timber. 6 NBpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , 6 nb, puffing billy, 6nb, saloon carriage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock, 2'6" guage