Carriage Sign - Puffing Billy Museum Advertising This board was used to advertise the Menzies Creek Museum after it opened in 1970. This particular sign was displayed inside, on the end of the Puffing Billy NBH type carriages. Historic - Puffing Billy Railway - Carriage Sign - Puffing Billy Museum Advertising fitted to NBH carriages.Carriage Sign - Puffing Billy Museum Advertising metal signVisit the Puffing Billy Steam Museum you can see - Steam Locomotives - Working Exhibits - Early Rolling Stock - Souvenirs available the museum is located at Menzies Creek & opens every Sunday 11am to 5pmpuffing billy, puffing billy museum, carriage sign

Historic - early period - Puffing Billy Railway Museum Sign Historic - early Puffing Billy Railway Museum Sign Puffing Billy Museum Entry Sign Large painted metal Puffing Billy Museum Entry Signpuffing billy, entry sign, puffing billy museum

The Museum was first considered in 1963 when it was felt that Victorian narrow gauge railway history was quickly being destroyed by progress. Originally it was planned to only cater for two locomotives and some rolling stock associated with the Moe and Walhalla Railway. Construction of the site commenced on Labour Day Weekend in March 1964, the area was then fenced. The first exhibit arrived soon after and companies with locomotives and other railway features offered items to the Museum. When interesting exhibits from the "Steam Era " were known to be coming available,discussions were held with the owners in an attempt to obtain the item for preservation. In 1965 an Umbrella style shed was built and by May, the first locomotive ex Erica State Saw Mill (CLIMAX) had arrived. The Museum was opened to the public in November 1970 but was officially opened by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe on Saturday 7th April 1973.Historic - Puffing Billy Museum Entry SignPuffing Billy Museum Entry Sign Rectangular hand painted sign in use from 1970.Puffing Billy Museum This is one of the Volunteer activities of The Puffing Billy Preservation Society Preserving part of our National Heritage Proud to Help Preserve Australia's Heritage puffing billy, menzies creek, sir rohan delacombe, narrow gauge, steam

Blacksmith grinding wheel - stone is original but stand has been made by Puffing Billy Museum volunteers stand scrapped - damaged - Feb 2018Historic -Industrial Tool - Grinding wheel Blacksmith grinding wheel - stone is original but stand has been made by Puffing Billy Museum volunteers Wheel made of stone and wrought ironblacksmith grinding wheel, puffing billy

NKS Type Gangers Trolly - Victorian Railways 2'6" gauge trolley - a KS series Section Car oftern called the Kasey Jones The narrow gauge version of the broad gauge KS series cars. They were classed NKS with two stroke motors. These cars were built by the Spotswood Workshops, with castings coming from the Newport Workshops. KS is lighter car capable of carrying 4 men or sevenhundredweight Trolly 9 was built for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria for use on their metre gauge railway of Yallourn. It was sold to a preservation group at Walhalla and regauged to 2 foot 6 inch. It came to the Puffing Billy Railway in the early 1980s.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Track Patrol Vehicle used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria for use on their 900mm gauge railway of Yallourn. And then at Walhalla Railway where it was regauged to 2 foot 6 inchMotorised small rectangular trolly made of wood and wrought iron - currently stored dismantled Engine Type: 1 Cyl. reversible Fuel: 2 stroke Transmission: Belt driveNKS 9puffing billy, puffing billy museum, trolley, narrow gauge, 2'6" gauge, victorian railways, state electricity commission of victoria - yallourn., trolly

Cordite Wagon - 18½-inch (460mm) gauge wagons came from the Commonwealth Explosives factory at Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Both have gun-metal wheels, as avoiding sparks was understandably a priority in an explosives factory. Both wagons also have water tanks to drip water on the wheels as an added precaution. Cordite, an explosive used in artillery, was manufactured and pressed into thin sheets, which still contained a quantity of acetone solvent from the manufacturing process. The sheets of cordite were laid in racks of perforated trays in the cordite wagons, which were hand-pushed to the cordite drying-house where the trucks were coupled together in rakes and warm air was blown through them. The acetone, being very volatile, was evaporated out of the cordite and recovered to be re-used in the manufacturing process. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Commonwealth Explosives factory, Maribyrnong, Victoria, AustraliaCordite Wagon - Rectangular yellow wagon made of wood and brass with aluminium traysThe number 77 is on the endspuffing billy, wooden wagon, 18½-inch gauge, explosives, maribyrnong cordite factory, maribyrnong explosives factory, puffing billy museum, industrial narrow gauge railway

8HP Blackstone Lamps Start Oil Engine engine number 71076 Engine Details Maximum operating RPM of 240. Fitted with a 3'9" Flywheel Tested on the 6th of November 1908. Shipped to Cluter buck South Australia for installation on concrete base. Recovered and restored during the 80's in South Australia Purchased privately in 2013 in Tailem Bend South Australia and transported to Victoria. Currently on loan to the Puffing Billy Museum at Menzies Creek as an operating exhibit. Blackstone & Co. was a farm implement maker at Stamford, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. In 1896 they built lamp start oil engines. The Lamp or hot-bulb engine (also hotbulb or heavy-oil engine) is a type of internal combustion engine. It is an engine in which fuel is ignited by being brought into contact with a red-hot metal surface inside a bulb, followed by the introduction of air (oxygen) compressed into the hot-bulb chamber by the rising piston. There is some ignition when the fuel is introduced, but it quickly uses up the available oxygen in the bulb. Vigorous ignition takes place only when sufficient oxygen is supplied to the hot-bulb chamber on the compression stroke of the engine. Most hot-bulb engines were produced as one-cylinder, low-speed two-stroke crankcase scavenged units Historic - Industrial - single cylinder, horizontal, 4 stroke, hot-bulb ignition oil engine Blackstone 8HP Oil Engine made from steel, wrought iron and brassOval Plate with Black Stones and Clutter Buck Brass Plaque engine number 71076blackstone, oil engine, clutter buck, black stone, puffing billy, hit and miss, engine, blackstone & co

Sub Nigel Gold Mines No. 3 Wheels: 0-6-0 WT Builder: Orenstein & Koppel Build Date: June 1931 Construction No.: 12331 Empty Weight: 10 tons 7 cwt Weight in working order: 12 I/2 tons Driver Diameter: Unknown Tractive Effort: Unknown Boiler Pressure: 185 lbs Cylinders: Unknown Fuel: Coal Gauge: 2 ft 6 in (760mm) Builders Number 12331 Used to haul gold bearing ore from mine to reduction works at the Sub Nigel Mine at Dunnattar, Transvaal, South Africa. It was the first locomotive fitted by roller bearings by SKF and featured in the SKF catalogue at the time. This interesting 0-6-0WT locomotive was built by Orenstein & Koppel in 1931 as their builder's number 12331, becoming No.3 in the locomotive fleet at the Sub Nigel Gold Mines Ltd, South Africa. No.3 was obtained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society and imported to Australia in the early 1970s. It arrived at the museum on 30th Jan 1973. It has since been displayed at the Puffing Billy Museum, Menzies Creek. Details from http://www.australiansteam.com/ok12331.htm Donated by Gold Fields Property Co. Ltd South Africa in 1973.Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge railway - Steam Locomotive with SKF Roller bearings - used at the Sub Nigel Mine at Dunnattar, Transvaal, South Africa.Steam Locomotive - Steel (Painted)The Sub Nigel Ltd / 12331puffing billy, steam, locomotive, orenstein, koppel, sub nigel mine, skf roller bearings, sub nigel no. 3

Model of Victorian Railways Broad Gauge - Dalhouse Station The Models were hand made including electric motors and cast metal by Desmond Henry Ramsay over 40 years - from the age of 15 ( 1930 ) until his death in 1970. The locomotives and carriages are all replicas of Victorian Railways Broad Gauge. The Dalhouse Station and station yard were inspired by victorian railways design. This Model of Victorian Railways Broad Gauge was kindly donated to the Puffing Billy Railway Museum by the family of Desmond Henry Ramsay - Elwyn Stankiewicz - Vanessa Bourke - Roger Ward. (plaque afixed on case)Historic - Hand made Model of Victorian Railways Broad Gauge by Desmond Henry RamsayModels of Victorian Railways Broad Gauge rolling stock - Hand Made - plastic and cast metal puffing billy, victorian railways, model railway, o scale, desmond henry ramsay

Rail tractors were popular with Victorian sawmillers. They were generally cheaper than a steam locomotive, required no special qualifications to drive, and used proven power plants for which spares were available locally. The tractor was constructed by Day’s Engineering of South Melbourne which, although better known for its pumping equipment, built more than fifty rail tractors for Victorian sawmillers and other industrial tramway users. W. Day & Sons is believed to have constructed its first light railway locomotive in 1926. From then until the mid 1940s, the firm appears to have built at least fifty locomotives at its premises in South Melbourne, of which roughly half were four-wheel locomotives and roughly half were six-wheel locomotives like the restored Day’s rail tractor formerly operated by Ruoak Timbers. Of the four-wheel locomotives, ten were 2-ft (610mm) gauge locomotives similar to this one. Today, only two survive, a complete example at the Puffing Billy Railway Museum at Menzies Creek, and one at Alexandra Timber Tramway Museum This 2-ft gauge 4wPM locomotive is believed to have been one of two Day's Petrol Rail tractors formerly used by Cheetham Salt, possibly at the Moolap works near Geelong. Service History :owned by Cheetham Salt, Moolap ( dates unknown ) Geelong Steam Preservation Society , Belmont 1973 ? Puffing Billy Steam Museum , Menzies Creek Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railway - Rail Tractor used by Cheetham Salt Company works at Laverton, Moolap and Geelong, Victoria , Australia Petrol Rail Tractor made of Iron , wrought iron, steel puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, rail tractor, days engineering, cheetham salt,, petrol rail tractor

0-6-2 Tank Locomotive No.1 "Delta" Gauge 2'0" Identification: 1 Delta Type: 0-6-2T Builder: Perry Engineering, Mile End, South Australia Builder's number: Perry 7967.50.4 of 1950 Building date: 1950 Current status - Static Exhibit Wheel Arrangement 0-6-2T Cylinders (Diameter X Stroke) 10 inches X 18 inches Boiler Pressure 180 psi Driving Wheel (Dia.) 28 ½ inches Weight 16 tons Coal Capacity 27 cubic feet Water Capacity 500 gallons The Perry Engineering Co, Mile End, South Australia built a total of 18 locomotives for the 2’0” gauge tramways used by the sugar industry in Queensland. This 0-6-2T locomotive was built by Perry Engineering Co. Ltd. of Mile End, Adelaide as their Builder's No. 7967.50.4 of 1950. It was used at Qanaba Mill, Bundaberg where it was known as No.1 "Delta". / Qanaba Mill No.1 No. 1 “DELTA” 0-6-2 TANK LOCOMOTIVE Gauge: 2 foot Built by Perry Engineering Company of South Australia in 1950 (Builder’s number 7967.50.4), “DELTA” is a medium sized Australian designed locomotive featuring Walschaert’s valve gear driving piston valves. Weighing 16 tons (16.3 tonnes) it was one of the post-war narrow gauge steam locomotives, which worked in the canefields of Queensland until 1978. “DELTA” worked at various sugar mills in the Bundaberg area and was finally withdrawn from service at Quanba Mill after a life of 28 years. Obtained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in 1981. Delivered to Australian Estates Co., Kalamia Mill named DELTA in 1950. Purchased by Fairymead Mill as No 20 DELTA. Purchased by Millaquin Sugar for Qanaba Mill as No. 1 DELTA, 1970 Withdrawn from service, 1978. Obtained by Puffing Billy Preservation Society for display at the Puffing Billy Museum.Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Steam Locomotive used in Queensland in Sugar Mill service. Locomotive No.1 "Delta" - Steam Locomotive - made of steel, and wrought ironDelta0-6-2 tank locomotive no.1 "delta" perry engineering - puffing billy railway perry 7967.50.4 of 1950, puffing billy, qunaba sugar mill, bundaberg, perry engineering, delta, steam locomotive, 0-6-2 tank locomotive no.1

Locomotive Head Board - Emerald Tourist Railway Board 1977 - 2017 40 Years Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Locomotive Head Board used in the Celebration of Emerald Tourist Railway Board 1977 - 2017 40 Years EMERALD TOURIST RAILWAY BOARD 1st October 1977 - 1st October 2017 Today marks the 40th anniversary of when the Emerald Tourist Railway Board took over the ownership of Puffing Billy from the Victorian Railways. Since then Puffing Billy has gone from strength to strength with the last few years seeing a huge increase in passenger numbers. A major investment over the next ten years will see a number of infrastructure projects being completed. A new (restored) locomotive and extra carriages will come into play and hopefully soon, the reopening of Puffing Billy's museum at Menzies Creek. Puffing Billy has been around since 1900. With a minor hiccup in the 1950s and the rebuilding of the railway from Belgrave from the late 1950s to the early 1960s and onwards, the preserved heritage steam railway will hopefully continue to operate for many generations to come. This photo was taken early this morning. The required loco's for the day were still being prepared and all shunting movements had been completed. The first of many passengers were just starting to arrive. Photo & Info : Robert Smith : Past 2 Present A gleaming NA locomotive 14A had the honour of hauling the first E.T.R.B. train while 7A had the last train by the Victorian Railways, both on the 1st October 1977. 7A left Belgrave at 11.10am for Lakeside and 14A left Belgrave at 2.10pm.This train also to Lakeside included the ex Mt Lyell carriage NBL1 for the conveyance of the official party. Both loco's are still operating today. Photo: John E. Thompson (NG #67) Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Locomotive Head Board used in the Celebration of Emerald Tourist Railway Board 1977 - 2017 40 YearsLocomotive Head Board - Emerald Tourist Railway Board 1977 - 2017 40 Years Circular steel sheet with vinyl stickers.Emerald Tourist Railway Board 1977 - 2017 40 Yearspuffing billy, head board, emerald tourist railway board, emerald, 40 years

geared steam locomotive Built by the Lima Locomotive Works, USA in 1912 (Builder’s Number 2549). “Class B” 13 Ton (13.3 tonne) . This locomotive hauled freight on the Ali-Shan Forest Railway in Taiwan and is capable of pulling 90 Tons (91.8 tone) loads over steep gradients at low speeds. . This A-type Shay locomotive was built by Lima Locomotive Works, Ohio (builder's number 2549 of 1912) for the Alishan Forest Railway, Taiwan. The Alishan Forest Railway featured a large fleet of Shay locomotives and many still survive, together with a portion of the railway which is now a tourist operation. Alishan Shay No.14 was imported to Australia for preservation in approximately 1974 and is displayed at the Puffing Billy Museum at Menzies Creek. Being of 2' 6" gauge, perhaps one day this interesting locomotive could be restored for operation on the Puffing Billy Railway details from http://www.australiansteam.com/Lima2549.htm Loco: Shay No.14 ( Shop Number 2549 ) Class: A 18-2 ( 2-cylinders / 2-trucks Class A ) Built for: Alishan Forest Railway Bulit by Lima Locomotive Corporation In service 22 June 1912 Livery Brown Owners: Samuels, Samuels & Co., Ltd. (D), Taipei, Formosa (Japan); For: Alishan Forest RY #14, Kirun (Keelung), Formosa, (Japan) (1945) Alishan Forest RY #14, Keelung (Chilung), Taiwan (12 Oct 1971) Puffing Billy RY #14, Belgrave, Victoria, Australia Gauge 30" Status Preserved - In Storage at Museum There is only one original LIMA mark left on any of the Alishan RY Shays and it has no number. All of their Shays have been re-built, changing much of the original Lima product. Most were renumbered for various reasons without regard to Lima Shop Numbers over the years. "Girder Type Frame" details from http://www.shaylocomotives.com/data/lima3354/sn-2549.htm Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Geared Steam Locomotive which worked on the Alishan Forest Railway, Taiwan.geared steam locomotive - Class: A 18-2 ( 2-cylinders / 2-trucks Class A ) - made of wood and iron and wrought iron, Glass14puffing billy, shay, geared locomotive, steam locomotive, industrial narrow gauge railway, 2'6"

Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway.

Early postcard of Puffing Billy on trestle bridge Faded sepia photograph/postcard depicting Puffing Billy on Trestle BridgeFront: text, Belgrave Train on 'Tressel' Bridge Back: Handwritten text: 13/01/1914? Emerald - Dear Mother we are at Emerald, on our way to L. Pa? Everything is going well. Crarj/ys? are going Dande (Dandenong?) Father slept all night. Will write in a couple of days. Jesse's in good form stocking up provisions. No need to worry, Loving son Blair ?puffing billy, belgrave, whiteside

Photograph/postcard of Puffing Billy crossing the trestle bridge over Belgrave/Gembrook Road, SelbyPhotograph/postcard - Rose Series (p. 343) depicting Puffing Billy crossing the Trestle Bridge BelgraveFront: The Rose Series P 343 Train Crossing Horseshoe Bridge Back: Manufacturer's details as per listed puffing billy, rose series postcards