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

Malcolm Moore No. 1015 One of a Batch of 92 such rail tractors built. Builders Number 1015. Built for the Australian Army in 1943 Built for the Australian army - delivered to Army on the 3 March 1944 and was sold to the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission at Red Cliffs, Victoria. - used at the Red Cliffs Power station to haul briquettes from the rail siding Red Cliffs to the Red Cliffs Power Station and also used for shunting and some haulage from the Red Cliffs siding.. This rail tractor was originally powered by a Ford side valve V8 petrol engine. It arrived at the Museum from Red Cliffs in 1977 and is operational. Originally equipped with a Ford side valve V8 Later replaced by a Fordson Major diesel tractor engine.Historic - Narrow Gauge Industrial Railway - used by the Australian Army, and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission at Redcliffs, Victoria, AustraliaMalcolm Moore No.1015 - Malcolm Moore Rail Tractor 0-4-0 Malcolm Moore Rail Tractor - Steel (Painted)Malcolm Moore Rail Tractor 0-4-0 Malcolm Moore 2' Gauge 1015puffing billy, malcolm moore, ford v8, rail tractor, fordson, australian army, state rivers and water supply commission, 2' gauge, industrial narrow gauge railway

Malcolm Moore No. 1013 Four wheel Diesel Rail Tractor Gauge 2'0" Malcolm Moore rail tractor (Builder’s Number 1013) It was built for the Australian Army in 1943. It was sold to the Inkerman Sugar Mill in Queensland around 1948 for hauling cane and shunting at the works. This rail tractor was originally powered by a Ford side valve V8 petrol engine. It was purchased from the Inkerman Mill of Pioneer Sugar Mills in 1982. Historic - Industrial narrow gauge Railway - Diesel Rail Tractor - used by the Australian Army and Inkerman Sugar Mill in QueenslandDiesel Rail Tractor made of iron and wrought irondiesel rail tractor, puffing billy, inkerman mill, industrial narrow gauge railway, gauge 2’0”, inkerman sugar mill, australian army

TACL-Tractor Appliance Company Limited TACL rail tractors manufactured by Malcolm Moore of Port Melbourne Located in the Parishes of Moondarra and Telbit, Gippsland, the tramway terminated at Collins Siding on the Moe Walhalla 2'6"gauge branch of the Victorian Railways. Its construction by the Forests Commission of Victoria was to facilitate the extraction of timber from the Southern and Western slopes of Mount Erica and to replace the outlet tramways destroyed during the disastrous forest fires of February 1926. Tyers Valley Tramway The line, following the Eastern arm of the river, passed Ingrams Siding (7m.) to terminate at a forest area, known as "Ten Acre Block", 8m. 60c. from Collins Siding. The western branch of the line followed the Western Tyers Valley to Growlers Creek, 13m. 40c. from Collins Siding. THE T.A.C.L. TRACTORS at Tyers Valley tramway. On the 19th January 1928, T.A.C.L. locomotive, purchased from Tractor Appliance Co. Ltd. (Malcolm Moore), was delivered. This unit had a 20 h.p. Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles, providing a tractive effort of approx. 2000lbs. Wheelbase was 5’ and weight was four tons. It was intended that the two tractor locomotives, working with the grade, would deliver timber from the branch lines to Tyers Junction, from which place it would be steam hauled out to the Collins Siding transfer point. Following a breakdown of the steam locomotive, haulage during the early months of 1928 was carried out by the T.A.C.L. unit, supplemented by the Nattrass, which was, by this time, becoming unreliable. During April 1928, after ensuring that no suitable locomotive was available in Australia, an order was placed with the Climax Manufacturing Co., U.S.A. for the supply of a geared locomotive. A second T.A.C.L. engine was purchased during May and, on the 27th, the local mill owners, having obtained running rights on the tramway, commenced haulage with the Harman. The three tractor units worked the branch lines and transported ballast, whilst the Harman hauled the timber to Collins Siding in rakes of eight trucks (56 tons). The weekly loading of the line for the first, second and third weeks were 54, 62 and 71 trucks respectively. info from : http://www.nmra.org.au/tyersvalley/Tyers-Tram.html Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railway - Timber working - Rail Tractor used by the the Forests Commission of Victoria on the Tyers Valley TramwayRail Tractor with Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles - made of steel and wrought ironerica sawmill, puffing billy, tacl, rail tractor, tractor appliance co. ltd. (malcolm moore), industrial narrow gauge railway, tyers valley tramway, forests commission of victoria

Hardcover. Shows Mick Taylor making last-minute adjustments to the rigging of a large log about to commence its journey down the incline to the Marysville Timber and Seasoning Company No.1 mill. Back cover has a photograph of a rail tractor towing a timber trolley along a timber tramway.non-fictionA history of the timber mills along the Yarra Track from Narbethong to Matlock.timber, timber mills, yarra track, narbethong, matlock, marysville, wood's point, wilks creek, great divide, cathedral range, cumberland, foresters, sawmillers, peter evans

Hardcover. Shows Mick Taylor making last-minute adjustments to the rigging of a large log about to commence its journey down the incline to the Marysville Timber and Seasoning Company No.1 mill. Back cover has a photograph of a rail tractor towing a timber trolley along a timber tramway.non-fictionA history of the timber mills along the Yarra Track from Narbethong to Matlock.timber, timber mills, yarra track, narbethong, matlock, marysville, wood's point, wilks creek, great divide, cathedral range, cumberland, foresters, sawmillers, peter evans

Also another copy 13 x 20cm, good conditionBlack and white photograph of three men working on original wooden piers at the entrance to Bass Strait. Rail tractor built by J A Day and Son especially for New Works project, powered by dredge car engine, pulled three rail trucks loaded with rocks to reinforce original wooden piers. Three men not identified. Lakes Entrance Victoria public works, construction

NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive Built in 1951 to a gauge of 3', this Ruston diesel locomotive or rail tractor operated on the State Electricity Commission of Victoria’s Kiewa scheme. Some years later, it was regauged to 2'6" and was operated by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works. NRT1 is a Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive, built in England in 1951 to a gauge of 3 feet, and was initially employed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. It was later re-gauged to 2' 6" and ended it's working life in 1977 when it was transferred to Puffing Billy. In 1977, it was taken to the P.B.P.S. Steam Museum and stored until 1978 when it was taken to the Emerald Carriage Workshops. Later in 1983 it was returned to service as NRT1 following the V.R. classification procedure as a narrow-gauge rail tractor, but it had number plates installed and was painted Hawthorn green. It will eventually be painted the red of V.R. rail tractors with the number & class painted on in black. This type of locomotive was popular in many industrial locations, with their unique clutch-less 3 speed gearbox meaning the driver could control them whilst walking alongside, a bonus when shunting. Adjustable tie rods meant that as the axles moved on the springs, they followed the radius of the drive chains, reducing the chances of chain snatch LOCOMOTIVE DETAILS NRT class No. originally constructed : No. in service : 1 No. stored: Wheel arrangement : 0-4-0DM Roadworthy weight : 9T 3cwt. Maximum axle load : 4T 15cwt. Tractive effort (85%) : Length overall: 15' 6" Height overall: 10' Driving wheel diameter: 18" Date of manufacture: 1950 Manufacturer : Ruston Hornsby Place of manufacture: Lincoln, England Locomotive type : Diesel Mechanical Manufacturers classification : 48 DL Historic - Industrial narrow Gauge Railway - Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive used by State Electricity Commission of Victoria - NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive made of steel NRT1 ruston & hornsby diesel locomotive, nrt1 diesel locomotive, nrt1, puffing billy

These photographs are of the final train to leave Orbost railway Station on August 21 1987 signalling the closure of the line. 3105.12 shows Locomotive T408 and on the side is written "LAST TRAIN EX ORBOST 24.8.87". These photographs are 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. The closure of the line was a significant event in Orbost's history.Fifteen black / white photographs of the last train to leave Orbost Railway station.3105.1 - on back - "Last Train leaving Orbost Railway Station on Friday August 21. 1987. SRM August 26 1987 Last train from Orbost, Friday last saw the end of an era when the last freight train to pull out of Orbost Station at about 4.co pm. A symbolic wave from engineer, Bill Buckley, was the only ceremony to mark the passing of rail transport for East Gippsland." 3105.2 - on back - " Last train prepares to leave from Orbost on August 21, 1987." 3105.3 - on back - " The Orbost railhead following the departure of the last train on Friday August 21, 1987. Shows spectators who farewelled the last train." 3105.4 - on back - "From Grandview, Newmerella, shows the last train from Orbost crossing the timber Trestle (sic) viaduct across the Snowy River flats on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.5 - on back - " A pair of Series 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives which were used to haul the final train from the Orbost Rail Head on Friday, August 21, 1987. Goods shed on right" 3105.6 - on back - " VFTY Timber Wagons at the Orbost Railway Station. 30 of these large wagons were built for the timber traffic between Orbost and Melbourne. Part of last train to leave Orbost on August 1, 1987." 3105.7 - on back - "The Fordson powered Rail Tractor which was used during shunting at the Orbost railway station, hooked up behind the second locomotive for its final journal from Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987." 3105.8 - on back - "Two Series 3 "T" Class Locomotives (Diesel Electric) were used to haul the final train from Orbost - T408 and T347, T408 was the leading locomotive. Orbost Goods Shed is on the left. Last train left on Friday August 27, 1987." 3105.9 - on back - " 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives often used in pairs to haul the timber trains out of Orbost. This locomotive was used to lead (haul) the final train from Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.10 - on back - "The Gantry at the Orbost Railway Yards - capacity 10 tons. The last wagons before being hooked up to the locos for their last trip out of Orbost on Friday August 21, 1987" 3105.11 - on back - " Station Masters Office and Goods Shed at Orbost Railway Station. The two Series 3 "T" Class Diesel Electric locomotives waiting to haul the final train from Orbost on Friday 21 1987" otrbost-bairnsdale-railway east-gippsland-railway orbosr-railway-closure

This fence post is from the original Snowy River Station stock yards which were where "Merindah" stands today. It was probably owned by the Marshall family at the time of transfer to "Merindah" in 1985. It was lifted out by Geoff Stevenson with a bucket on a tractor in 1986. The post was originally twice the length. The Snowy River Station was established in 1842 by Peter Imlay. In 1845 the land was sold to Norman MCLeod who named the area Orbost. After financial difficulties in the 1870's the run was taken over by W.J.Clarke and known as Orbost Station.Peter Imlay established the first white settlement in 1842 settling on the eastern side of the Snowy River where the township of Orbost now stands. This settlement was the Snowy River Station. A corner post from a post and rail fence. It is possibly made of red box.. On one side are three rectangular sections cut out with a similar one on the other sides. The post is hollow and has metal staples in the sides for attaching wires.orbost-station mcleod fence-post

Although the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was first proposed in 1911, construction did not commence until 1938. As part of the push to cut electricity costs and diversify supply, the Victorian Government (circa 1930) initiated the conversion from primarily brown coal supply to hydro – electricity. Field investigations during the 1940’s resulted in a new proposal for a scheme that had more than double the capacity of the 1938 scheme. The Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme became the largest scheme of its kind in the State Of Victoria and the second largest scheme in Australia. The number of personnel involved in the planning and construction of the scheme increased dramatically. During the late 1940’s, most activity centered around the construction of the West Kiewa Power Station, Rocky Valley Reservoir, McKay Creek Power Station and the Bogong Creek Aqueduct.A common thread across all the larger hydro scheme constructions was the need for workers, both qualified and unqualified who came from around the world seeking a new life for themselves and their families. New accommodation and facilities were required for the army of workers engaged in construction in often remote and wild areas. The SEC had a high demand for timber, and set up the first of a number of sawmills at Bogong Creek in 1939 and set up the first hardwood logging in the headwaters of the Kiewa River. These new ‘towns’ such as Mt Beauty and Bogong, survived, serving the needs of operational personnel and their families, and expanding with growth of new industries. Mount Beauty, and to a lesser extent Bogong, are among these places. Large A3 size spiral bound display folder containing photocopied black and white photographs of various aspects of the early days of the Kiewa Valley Hydro-electric scheme including equipment, various work sites and photographs of workers and their families. 1-Breakdown in Circuit Breaker (Isolating Contacts) 2-Big Hill Bench- Site of No 5 Devlopment 3-No 1 Power Station 4-No 1 Pipeline, Anchor No 8 5-Push Dozing-RD8 Tractor 6- Tractor and driver at work 7- Workmen in unnamed tunnel 8- Front page of Journal of SECV Vol 15. Photograph of No 1 pipeline viewed from McKay Portal 9-Rocky Valley Dam Core Wall 10-Workmen working inside tunnel loading rocks into a rail truck. 1-Breakdown in (generator) Circuit Breaker (Isolating Contacts) Handwritten underneath (This is not a picture of any part of a generator. It is a circuit breaker Signed Ron White Ron was the Principal Hydro Engineer of the SEC Kiewa Scheme Page number 39 2-Big Hill Bench – Site of No. 5 Development (abandoned) Page number 40 3-No 1 Power Station Page number 41 4-No. 1 Pipeline, Anchor No. 8 Page number 42 5-Push Dozing – RD8 Tractor, 12 cubic yard Carryall and FD Cletrac Tractor Page number 43 6-No marking Page number 44 7-No marking Page number 45 8-Journal of State Electricity Commission of Victoria SEC Vol 15 No… April-May, 19… No 1 Pipeline-A view from McKay Portal G Hempenstall and D Sutton stiffening pipe section for transport during construction (….indicates missing text) Page Number 46 9-Rocky Valley Dam Core Wall Page number 47 10-No markings Page number 48 secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; construction area; power stations; reservoirs; aqueduct; mt beauty; bogong