Man in the signal box is believed to be Mr J Rasmussan and the assistant stationmaster, Mr Tom Keating. Published in book 'Surrey Hills in Celebration of its Centenary: 1883-1983', compiled by the History Nook and edited by William Chandler.Black and white photo of Surrey Hills railway station on Empire Day in 1909. Signal box and station are decorated with bunting and lanterns. Gates are closed and there is a man in the signal box. There are approximately 9 men on the platforms including the stationmaster, assistant stationmaster, Mr Tom Keating and other railway officials.transport, empire day, railways, surrey hills station, mr tom keating, mr j rasmussan

The property in the foreground is 'Edgeware' at 171 Union Road, a house built by the Zeplin family. It became the home / residence of Dr Percy Liddle and later Dr James Landells Blakie. By the time this photo was taken Dr Blakie had moved across the road to 174 Union Road. In the background behind the 2 houses in the foreground is the Surrey Hills Stationmaster's house, sitting behind a picket fence. The Alan Holt register gives a build date of c1915 for this house, which fits stylistically. The first stationmaster was probably Michael Ginnane, who stayed in the area after he retired, moving to 1 Russell Street. This property was listed as 8 Bedford Avenue, the only house on the south side of the road. It was demolished in c1972 to make way for widening of the rail track with a third line. The photographer Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s, in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo taken from the steeple of Holy Trinity Church looking across housing towards the railway line and Albany / Windsor Crescents and on towards Canterbury Road. Surrey Hills Primary School and St Stephens Presbyterian Church feature prominently on the horizon. The stationmaster's cottage is centre left adjacent to a large conifer-like tree, with a white fence delineating the railway yards.On back of original: "6-11-21" and in a different hand in biro: "from tower of Holy Trinity Church"albany crescent, windsor crescent, st stephens presbyterian church, surrey hills primary school, railways, stationmasters' houses, bedford avenue, norman carter, edgeware, dr percy liddle, dr james blakie

Black and white photograph of platform and buildings at Linton Railway Station. The stationmaster's house can be seen on the right-hand side of the photograph.linton railway station, buildings, stationmaster's house linton

Part of railway collection from closed Numurkah Railway StationBlue woven cloth covered book, with "window" cut into front cover. Inside window is "To the Stationmaster Numurkah". Pink ribbon is tied to the side of the front coverAs per title / as per photograph

Appeared in the Ringwood Mail 5th August 1954Newspaper photo of the Railway Station Staff, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia in 1891. Clipping from The Mail newspaper, 5 August, 1954. Porters G. Hazeldine, F. Neil and D. Mackay, Guard W.C. Roberts, Signalman Sullivan, Stationmaster J.K. Turnbull, Asst Stationmaster W.B. Johnson, Porter J. Jenkins, Clerk M. O'Keefe, Guard T.H. Swindon and Porter G. King.Clipping includes caption: This old photo was forwarded by Mrs. I. Roberts, Sth. Yarra, widow of William Robers, who died 10 weeks ago. The late William Roberts as the son of Guard W.C. Roberts and lived in Ringwood when a boy. He joined the Telegraph Office, Spencer Street, and worked his way up to the top. He retired 6 years ago. Some of the staff may be remembered by the older Ringwood residents.

Drawing by William Tibbits of Canterbury, 1882 .Includes Canterbury Railway Station, Stationmasters House and Shrublands. Black and white drawing (copy)canterbury, canterbury road, rochester road, balwyn road, shrublands, canterbury railway station, stationmasters house, trees, steam trains, tibbits> william

It is not known when the photograph was taken. The photograph was printed from the negative in 2016.Black and white copy of original photograph which shows the Linton railway station buildings and stationmaster's house in middle-ground to right. A picket fence in foreground, and a tree on rhs. View is of Linton from Slaughterhouse Hill.linton railway station, linton station master's house, houses, buildings

Compilation of several newspaper articles 1936-1942 about Mr J. Andrews, Assistant Stationmaster at Greensborough Railway Station, nicknamed "Dynamite" owing to his behaviour towards railway travellers.2 pages,typescript.j. andrews, andrews family

Photo taken from Menzies Road, Menzies Creek, looking towards the railway station. On the left is the house which served as the first official post office. The station is in the centre, with what appears to be a down train in the station. On the right is the stationmaster's house in its original position.

Black and white photograph (2 copies- 1 large, 1 small)Typed below photograph: "Maroondah Highway looking east from old town hall - 1958". Image shows Clocktower to left, stationmaster's residence in centre.

By1880 most railway crossings were identified by a sign, although at very busy crossings a watchman was posted. Eventually most stations were manned and gates were installed. The watchman was generally housed in a small wooden or brick building with a clear view of the single line. The next stage was mechanical closing of the gates, using a lever situated in a shed behind the gatehouse. By 1956 automatic barriers had been installed. A working model of the gate style crossing can be seen at New Street Brighton.A collection of 12 black and white photographs of the Windsor family who lived in the gatehouse next to the Tunstall station. The stationmaster Ernest Windsor was also responsible for track maintenance between Ringwood and Middleborough Road Box Hill. His wife Betty Jean Windsor was gatekeeper for 2 years. On the back of each photograph are the names of the family members in the photo.Catherine Ann Windsor (born 1897), John Ernest (Ern) WIndsor, Catherine (Kitty) Windsor (born 1919), Patricia Janette WIndsor (born 1935) Tunstall Railway Gatesstationmasters, tunstall station, windsor ernest, windsor catherine, windsor patricia, windsor betty, windsor catherine (kitty)

Dudley Charles Seymour Courtney , with a fellow worker, was trapped on the Orbost Raailwaay Station roof until rescued by an army duck. These photographs were his. He worked on the railway in Orbost from 1942 - 1952 approximately. During the 1952 flood nearly half of Orbost rail way station is washed away. The stationmaster and four members of his staff were rescued by police using army ducks.This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the history of Orbost.Nine small black / white photographs of a derailed train at a railway station. Derailed trucks and floodwaters can be seen. The photographs have a narrow white frame. Some are portrait and others landscape.on back of 3082.8 - hand-written in blue pen :"The floods worked the line from under the trucks in a couple of hours"floods-orbost orbost-railway-station rescue courtney-dudley-charles-seymour

Came from the Station Master's house at Mitcham Railway Station. Stationmaster was Mr Tom Hutchison who with his lived in the house. Harold Bakes obtained permission to remove them . Shirley Jones had first mentioned them and helped Harold to remove them, put them on the board and fill up all the holes. Mr Eric Sunderland helped to cut them out, quite a job.Large ceiling rose -plaster mould from the Station Master's house at Mitcham Railway Station.buildings, fittings

Black and white photographImage shows excavator digging trench for water main on Main Road (Maroondah Highway. Towards the west, near the corner of Warrandyte Road. The Ringwood Stationmaster's house is on the left, Bamford's timber yard, Coffee Palace and other shops on right.

The Original Station Master's House, Circa 1905, Eltham Auction; Diamond Valley News, March 17, 1992 The advertisement states the house is circa 1905 which is approximately correct. When the railway first came to Eltham in 1902 there was no appointed Stationmaster. The Guard on the train was the general oddsbody who did everything including sell tickets and station master duties. There was some discontent about this situation. It was probaly a few years before a permanent stationmaster was appointed but no reference to that has yet come to light. The house form photos dated in 1983 certainly had the appearance of an Edwardian style (1901-1910). The advertisement also states the house was in the centre of Eltham till 1985 before it was shifted from its original site to 58 Park Road.. The auction date is scheduled for Saturday April 4th - which would have been 1992. Essentially the house was sold in 1986 for $1 to save it from demolition and was then relocated to 58 Park Road. A Bill McGilvray was Stationmaster and lived in the house in the 1960s. A check of the 1968 Electoral Roll (via Ancestry) shows William John McGillivray, Station Master at the Station Residence, Eltham. Also at the same address in 1968, Marjorie Jean McGillivray, home duties, Station Residence, Eltham and Dianne Marjorie McGillivray, teacher, Main Road, Eltham. From the available records digitised, William first appears at the Station Residence in 1963. William and family were still in the residence in 1977 but by 1980 William, still Station Master, was living in Bible Street, so not sure who was in residence if anyone between 1980-1986. A property report shows the site at 58 Park Road was sold in 1983 and the relocated house on the site was then sold in 1992, then 2000 and most recently in April 2022. 58 park road, 967 main road, auction, auction sale, businesses, eltham, eltham railway station, houses, main road, park road, property, real estate advertisement, station masters house, station master's house eltham

Photos of watercolour paintings of Menzies Creek by Les Cope. - based on a photograph of Menzies Creek in the early 20th Century. It shows Kings' store, the railway station, and the stationmaster's house, as seen from Menzies Rd. - image of the Menzies Creek store around the 1950s. It shows a man and woman talking on a bench, a red postbox, a telephone box, and a streetlight. - based on a photo of Menzies Creek, c.1900. It shows Kings Store and Post Office, with a postman on horseback and a group of adults and children in front of store.

Accompanying sheet reads as follows, "Shows a goods train arriving from either Croydon or Bayswater, probably the former. The Stationmaster is holding up his hand to take a large electric staff indicating that it was taken between 1899 and 1912. The signals also indicate that it was taken before 1912".

Victorian Railways "S" circular, number S2038/74 advising of a BTPS excursion from Ballarat to Maryborough on Thursday 26/9/1974 (Melbourne Show Day). Noted that about 20 passengers travelling on the 12.45pm goods from Ballarat to Maryborough and returning on the 4.15pm rail car, a passenger carriage was to be attached to the goods train at the rear, next to the brake van. Also, a bulk ticket would be issued by the Stationmaster at Ballarat and signed by M.W.B. Ronald as Chief Traffic Manager. Issued on 16/9/1974. Printed on quarto size paper.btps, tours, maryborough, special trains

Black and white copies of photographs - 2 copiesHeading above photograph reads, "Ringwood Station Staff, 1891". Listed below are the following names, "L. to R.: Porters, G. Hazeldine, F. Neil, D. Mackay, Guard W. C. Roberts, Signalman Sullivan, Stationmaster J. K. Turnbull, Assist. Stationmaster W. B. Johnson, Porter J. Jenkins, Clerk M. O'Keefe, Guard T. H. Swindon, Porter G. King. This old photo was forwarded by Mrs. I. Roberts, Sth. Yarra, widow of William Roberts, who died 10 weeks ago. (Date unknown) The late William Roberts was the son of Guard W. C. Roberts and lived in Ringwood when a boy. He joined the Telegraph Office, Spencer St., and worked his way up to the top. He retired 6 years ago. Some of the staff may be remembered by the older Ringwood residents".

A collection of five tickets which were issued to Chris Grigg of Linton between 1968 and 1971 for travel on the Linton-Ballarat school train. Tickets were issued for each term of the school year. They consist of a small card designed to fold in two, to be stored in wallet or similar. Outside of folded ticket is yellow, with year and term number. On the front, printed in red, the words "Victorian Railways /Second class travel by school train only / Ballarat country travel", and on the back, the year, and the words: "This Ticket must be surrendered to Stationmaster on expiry / Not transferrable to another person / Penalty $40". Inside has the words "Victorian Railways / Student's Free Ticket" and the ticket number, the student's name and age, signature of issuer, date of issue and expiry date. Note: the ticket issued for Term 2, 1971, is actually a ticket printed for 1969. On the inside of the ticket the date has been altered.victorian railways, linton school train, tickets, chris grigg

Situated at 965 Main Road adjacent to the Eltham Railway Station, the Country Art Store was originally a hairdresser and Tattersalls agency In 1968 Pam Robinson and Caroline Shenton opened a small shop on the corner of Main Road and Napoleon Street. Four months later a damaged fire hyrdant flooded the store and ruined all their stock. The pair moved to the former hardresser shop at 965 Main Road, adjacent to the Eltham Railway Station, opposite the Stationmaster's house and opened the Country Art Store and adjacent gallery. At the time the only other shop selling pottery was the Potters Cottage in Warrandyte. During the 1970s the gallery was the Wiregrass Gallery. In 1993, after 25 years operating the Country Art Store, the pair decided to sell up and move to warmer climates. During the course of their business a number of craft shops and galleries opened and closed in Eltham. One such shop was Bimbadeen, next to Ansell and Muir's chicken shop opposite Eltham Lower Park. That business run by Don Brown, then a local artist was taken over as River Clay run by Leo Haanappel and Coeny Dommers but ultimately sat in a flood plain and was demolished. When the Country Art Store became available in 1993, Leo Haanappel and Coeny Dommers took it over. The premises became Platform 3095 cafe around 2015.Old Property at Eltha Station E. Foremanart store, country art store, country art store (eltham), eltham railway station, platform 3095, restaurants, shops, wiregrass gallery

The Rose Series P. 4284 post card Taken from near what would be present day CLC car park looking southwest across Diamond Street, present-day Andrew Park to the railway station and developing Eltham shopping precinct. Arthur Street visible, Pryor and Luck Street not evident. Sunnybrook, the Taylor home is visible at the top of the hill in Bible Street. Only three residences visible in Arthur Street on the southern side, two of these are the David Harbison Rest Home at 10 and 12 Arthur Street (built and opened in November 1919), present day site of Eltham Mall. There are none on the north side of the street. Based on 1945 aerial view there are 8 buildings on the northern side between Main Road and Bible Street which and given the extent of commercial development on Main Road, it is estimated this image is circa 1925. Luther Haley was the first to build an open a baker and General Store in this location next to the railway station in 1902. However, it took nearly twenty years until the early to mid-1920s when a period of significant growth in the Eltham shopping centre happened with many businesses relocating their operations from the original town centre of Maria Street in Little Eltham as well as new businesses opening. Other stores/buildings noted (L-R) are: Stationmaster's House built circa 1910 Eltham Hardware Store opposite the railway station first opened on Main Road opposite the Railway Station around late 1922. An advertisement placed in the Hurstbridge Advertiser advised that the Hardware Store had just opened with a varied stock of Saws, Hammers, Nails, Shovels, Screw Drivers, and every article required in a house or on a farm. People were also encouraged to try their Jams, Pickles, Sauces, Cups and Saucers, etc. Newsagency with 'Leader' advertising on awning - E. J. Andrew opened his newsagency shop opposite the station in March 1923, advertising for sale stationery, school requisites and periodicals. Bird Brothers Cash Grocer & Fruiterer opposite the railway station offering summer drinks and confectionery a specialty with a full Stock of groceries of the best quality always on hand at city prices opened December 1921 William Capewell's Butcher shop at the corner of Dudley Street. Capewell previously had a small shop in front of the station opposite Luck Street. He enlisted in the AIF during WW1 and returned home in 1919. He re-applied for a slaughtering license in February 1920 and was advertising by October 1922 supplying all districts. Not visible (or not yet identified) but in business by October 1922 were: J.H. Fraser, Carpenter and Builder at Luck Street opposite the station George A. Danslow, Hairdresser and Tobacconist opposite the railway station Miss Barber's 'Blue Gum' Soda Fountain opened October 1922 opposite the railway station (hidden behind Stationmaster's House). It was so named due to its proximity to a tall Blue Gum tree G.H. McDonald Boot Repairer opposite the railway station In December 1923 the first portion of the main street to be formed from Dudley to Arthur streets was almost completed. This is the section in front of Capewell's Butcher shop though it is difficult to fully make out from the photoDigital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 2 Sep. 2022michael aitken collection, eltham, postcards, arthur street, david harbison rest home, electrine candles, eltham railway station, eltham shopping centre, lloyd's general store, red rattler, rose series postcard, rose stereograph company, tait train, velvet soap, andrew park, bible street, bird brothers cash grocer & fruiterer, bird brothers cash grocer and fruiterer, butcher, diamond street, dudley street, eltham hardware and timber, eltham hardware store, eltham mall, main road, station masters house, stationmaster's house, sunnybrook, w.j. capewell, w.j. capewell butcher shop

A biographical history by Dorothy Selby (nee Emerson) recollecting the people she came into contact with during her time in Surrey Hills from 1915-1937.A4, comb binding, 9 pageshouse names, kookaburra, albany crescent, surrey hills, (miss) dorothy emerson, (mrs) dorothy emerson, warrigal road, boundary road, st stephen's presbyterian church, (mrs) - gillies, (mr) tom ward, dentist, (mrs) - bowen, edwardian style, royal hotel, broughton road, (mrs) - brogan, (mr) - brogan, (mr) - tuckett, tacey's butcher, (mr) james tait, draper, (mr) alfred rose, state savings bank, surrey college, tower house college, balmoral crescent, (mr) - clewett, (mr) percy blood, stenning and holyoak, grocers, (mr) - pell, greengrocer, confectioner, fishmonger, (mr) tommy everon, (miss) beatrice bligh, (mr) - lyons, (mr) - ray, surrey hills station, transport, (ms) kitty mcewan, golfer, taxis, (mr) - collins, surrey hills primary school, (dr) (mr) - forsythe, (dr) (mr) - gandever, windsor crescent, valonia avenue, victoria avenue, (mr) john blogg, progress association, rechabite hall, (mr) claude wardle, (miss) beatrice oakley, empire day, (mr) robert gordon menzies, girl guides, (ms) nancy steele, (ms) hattie steele, (dr) (mr) - blaikie, (mr) - richards, stationmaster, crime, (mr) - cockerill, (mr) horrie breedon, first enlistment, (mr) (rev) brazier, (mr) (rev) - oakes, (mr) (rev) - gillies, (mr) (rev) - mudford, (mr) (rev) - millikan, (mr) (rev) - cockett, (mr) (rev) alfred gifford, (mr) (fr) david gleeson

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future.

The house was the former station master's residence. When the photograph was taken it served as a restaurant. In the late 1990s it was demolished to make way for larger commercial development.The former stationmaster's residence was one of the important buildings in Sunbury.A coloured photograph of a cream weatherboard house with light green trims surrounded by a garden. Four cars are parked outside the house.sunbury railway station, stationmaster's residence, brook street