Showing 13 items
matching the southern aurora
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Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Driver Tom Symonds and Fireman Billy Hyde, 3 August 1986
... The Southern Aurora...At Spencer Street Station on the last “Southern Aurora... Wodonga Railway men G Class locomotives The Southern Aurora At top ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.At Spencer Street Station on the last “Southern Aurora". The locomotive was G516. Driver Tom Symonds was based in Wodonga from 1955 to 1987. He served as AFULE Branch Secretary from 1962 to 1963 and 1966 to 1971. G Class Locomotives - G Class locomotives were primarily intended for hauling freight services, they were also used on passenger trains such as the “Southern Aurora” and the “Intercapital Daylight”. Locomotive G516 came into service in December 1984. After a series of contractual changeovers between companies it was transferred to QR National and is still in operation, The "Southern Aurora", the overnight Sydney-Melbourne express, was one of the icons of Australian railways in the 1960s and 1970s. Uniquely in Australia, it conveyed only First Class passengers, all of whom were accommodated in air-conditioned sleeping cars, all equipped with showers. The Southern Aurora was introduced when part of Australia's rail gauge problem was solved with the construction of a new standard gauge line. The new line was a 317 km long line running from Albury, NSW, parallel to the existing broad gauge line to Melbourne, connecting Australia's two largest cities by standard gauge. The Southern Aurora consisted of 14 stainless steel cars: a luggage van, a power van, a dining car, a lounge car, and ten First Class Sleeping Cars. The total capacity was 198 passengers. For a number of years, there were no intermediate stops for passengers, and the train had the longest non-stop run in Australia, 430 km from Goulburn to Albury. Dining car crews changed at Goulburn and Albury, and locos were changed at Albury. The first train ran from Sydney on Thursday 14th April 1962, with full regular services starting from both Sydney and Melbourne on Monday 16th April 1962. The classic S Class locomotive was used to haul the early Southern Aurora trains. From 1984 it was also hauled by the new G Class locomotives, On the morning of 7th February 1969, the southbound Southern Aurora collided head-on with a northbound goods near Violet Town, Victoria. Nine passengers and crew were killed, and seven carriages were destroyed. A steady decline in patronage saw the withdrawal of the service in August 1986. At top of locomotive "G516". In centre of locomotive, "V" insignia of VLinerailways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railway men, g class locomotives, the southern aurora -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Tronson, Mark, Southern Aurora - The real story behind Australia's greatest express train, 1989
... Southern Aurora - The real story behind Australia's...Railroads - Southern Aurora - Australia... - Southern Aurora - Australia A history of the express sleeper ...A history of the express sleeper passenger train the Southern Aurora between Melbourne & Sydney from 1962 to 1986.ill, p.160.non-fictionA history of the express sleeper passenger train the Southern Aurora between Melbourne & Sydney from 1962 to 1986.railroads - passenger trains - australia, railroads - southern aurora - australia -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Fibre glass fishing rod, John (Jack) Bowden, 1962
... Southern Aurora.... Bowden was the driver of the Southern Aurora when it crashed... was the driver of the Southern Aurora when it crashed with a freight ...This fishing rod was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mr. David Brown who is a retired Victorian Railways driver. It was made for him by Mr. Jack Bowden in 1962. Mr. Bowden was the driver of the Southern Aurora when it crashed with a freight train at Violet Town on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne passenger train was bound for Melbourne. At about 7.05 a.m. the “Southern Aurora” collided head-on with the Melbourne-Albury goods train near Violet Town. 8 people lost their lives in the crash and 117 were injured. Driver John Bowden had died of cardiac arrest at some time before the collision. The driver of the goods train, Lawrence Rosevear, a good friend and workmate of Jack Bowden had tried to apply the brake when he realised the Aurora was not slowing down, but was unable to stop the impact. Lawrence also died in the crashThis was made by a local train driver who was died in the "Southern Aurora" train tragedy.A hand made fibre-glass fishing rod with wooden handle and agate runnersfishing, fishing equipment, recreational fishing, southern aurora -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Flag - VR Flag
... Southern Aurora... of the “Southern Aurora” on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne... of the “Southern Aurora” on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne ...This flag was flying at the Wodonga Station when VR Driver John (Jack) Bowden drove past it whilst at the controls of the “Southern Aurora” on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne passenger train was bound for Melbourne. At about 7.05 a.m. the “Southern Aurora” collided head-on with the Melbourne-Albury goods train near Violet Town. 8 people lost their lives in the crash and 117 were injured. Driver John Bowden had died of cardiac arrest at some time before the collision. The driver of the goods train, Lawrence Rosevear, a good friend and workmate of Jack Bowden had tried to apply the brake when he realised the Aurora was not slowing down, but was unable to stop the impact. Lawrence also died in the crash. A memorial is maintained at Violet Town to commemorate those who died and also recognised those who helped in the aftermath of the tragedy.This flag is connected to the "Southern Aurora" train tragedy in 1969A large blue flag bearing the gold insignia of Victorian Railways. Canvas binding and the rope is still attached on the flag pole side. There is fringing on the other side but there is some fraying due to age.victorian railways, southern aurora, john bowden -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Shunting at Shelley Station, 1961
... Wales gauge of 4’8.5”, in order to operate the new Southern... to operate the new Southern Aurora between Sydney & Melbourne ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. Shelley Railway Station - Shelley was once Victoria's highest railway station, located 781 metres above sea level. The Shelley Railway Station was opened in 1916 and closed in 1979. The railway was used early in its life to transport farmer’s livestock from the Upper Murray to Wodonga. From the 1950s the railway was used heavily to transport equipment and machinery from Wodonga to the Upper Murray to help build the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. The Snowy Hydro Scheme was completed in 1974 and after several years of low level use, the railway was closed. Some remnants of the Shelley Station passenger platform can still be seen today, along with some information boards. The Shelley Railway Station now forms part of the High Country Rail Trail.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Left to Right: Fireman Bert Cadman, Driver Wally Riley, Guard Hugh Fraser. Locomotive S300 - the ‘Matthew Flinders’ The S class diesel locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering in 1957 for the Victorian Railways. Designed as premier express passenger diesels, they assumed the ‘S class’ title from a fleet of steam locomotives. They were also given names of famous Australians. The S300 took the name ‘Matthew Flinders’. In 1962, S300 was converted from the Victorian broad gauge of 5’3” to the New South Wales gauge of 4’8.5”, in order to operate the new Southern Aurora between Sydney & Melbourne. As the locomotive grew older it was removed from these duties and was sold to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA) in 2004. It is now owned by a private owner and is on loan to the Canberra Railway Museum.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, s class locomotive -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - First standard gauge passenger train from Sydney to Melbourne, 13 April 1962
... , the southbound Southern Aurora collided head-on with a northbound goods..., the southbound Southern Aurora collided head-on with a northbound goods ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. S Class Locomotives - The eighteen members of the S Class were ordered in two batches by the Victorian Railways from Clyde Engineering for express passenger and freight workings, with the final eight locomotives ordered specifically to work the North-East standard gauge line. Many were named after prominent Victorians.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.The first standard gauge passenger train from Sydney to Melbourne pulled by Locomotive S314. This was made possible when part of Australia's gauge problem was solved with the construction of a new standard gauge line. The new line was a 317 km long line running from Albury, NSW, parallel to the existing broad gauge line to Melbourne, connecting Australia's two largest cities by standard gauge. S314 entered service on 24 April 1961 and was named after Sir John O'Shannassy who was the second Premier of Victoria. The S314 pulled the first passenger train to travel straight through from Sydney to Melbourne on 13 April 1962. On the morning of 7th February 1969, the southbound Southern Aurora collided head-on with a northbound goods train near Violet Town, Victoria. The Locomotive S314 was hauling the goods train and was destroyed by the impact of the collision. On front of locomotive "S314" On banner below Coat of Arms "FIRST STANDARD GAUGE PASSENGER TRAIN / SYDNEY - MELBOURNE/ APRIL 13 - 1962"railways wodonga, fred rochow, walker rail motor vehicles, wodonga to tallangatta rail service -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Preparing Locomotive S300, 1937
... ”, in order to operate the new Southern Aurora between Sydney... Wales gauge of 4’8.5”, in order to operate the new Southern ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Preparing Locomotive S300 for travel. Driver George Padgett, Fireman S Salvin, Cleaners George Lynch, A. Milne and Jack Dawe. Locomotive S300 - the ‘Matthew Flinders’ The S class diesel locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering in 1957 for the Victorian Railways. Designed as premier express passenger diesels, they assumed the ‘S class’ title from a fleet of steam locomotives. They were also given names of famous Australians. The S300 took the name ‘Matthew Flinders’. In 1962, S300 was converted from the Victorian broad gauge of 5’3” to the New South Wales gauge of 4’8.5”, in order to operate the new Southern Aurora between Sydney & Melbourne. As the locomotive grew older it was removed from these duties and was sold to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA) in 2004. It is now owned by a private owner and is on loan to the Canberra Railway Museum. rochow collection, railways wodonga, locomotive s300 -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - George Henry Lynch and Jack Anderson, 24 November 1937
... it was decided to combine the Spirit of Progress and Southern Aurora... it was decided to combine the Spirit of Progress and Southern Aurora ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Driver George Henry Lynch (standing) with Fireman Jack Anderson. This photo was taken the day after the first regular run of the "Spirit of Progress". The Spirit of Progress was the premier express passenger train on the Victorian Railways in Australia, running from Melbourne to the New South Wales border at Albury, and later through to Sydney. From its introduction in November 1937 until April 1962 the train service ran on 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge line from Melbourne's Spencer Street station to Albury, on the New South Wales / Victorian border, where passengers changed to a New South Wales Government Railways train (the Melbourne Limited Express). Following the completion of the standard gauge line between Melbourne and Albury in April 1962 the Spirit of Progress was extended to Sydney. With declining passenger numbers it was decided to combine the Spirit of Progress and Southern Aurora into one train, the Sydney/Melbourne Express. The Spirit of Progress ran for the last time on 2 August 1986. V/Line rostered S301 Sir Thomas Mitchell to haul the last journeys in Victoria.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, george henry lynch, jack anderson, spirit of progress -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Fred Rochow Railways Collection - Driver George Judge, 1974
... as replacements for the two S Class locomotives lost in the fatal Southern... as replacements for the two S Class locomotives lost in the fatal Southern ...The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Driver George Judge standing on front of Locomotive X38 special train "Spirit of 96" The X class are a class of mainline diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering Victorian Railways between 1966 and 1976. X 38 was part of the second order. It entered service on Friday, 8th May 1970. X 37 and X 38 were built as replacements for the two S Class locomotives lost in the fatal Southern Aurora crash at Violet Town in 1969. It was later sold to Pacific National and rebuilt as XR550. "Spirit of 96" was a passenger train specially designed for cast and crew of the Australian 0-10 Network series “Number 96”. It was used to travel from Sydney to Melbourne for the annual TV Week Logie Awards. It was a silver, multi-carriage train with the Commissioner's carriage hooked up at the rear for VIPs. The 16 and a half-hour overnight journey, left from the centre of Sydney at 4.30 pm with a farewell party, complete with red carpet and jazz band in attendance. It featured whistle stop visits at country sidings and stations. Thousands of people turned out to see their favourite stars, before it arrived at Spencer Street station. The rail service of the time was keen to promote its overnight tourism packages, and for the journey the train was christened as the "Spirit of 96”. On front of locomotive "X38" On red black and white sign attached to the front rail of the locomotive "O/The Spirit of 96/Sydney-Melbourne/1974"railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, x class diesel locomotive, george judge, spirit of 96 -
Freemasons Victoria - Southern Cross Lodge No. 24 (Maldon)
Meeting Card, Reed and Co. Print, 1957 Bendigo and District Craft Lodge Meetings, 1957
... Freemasons Victoria - Southern Cross Lodge No. 24 (Maldon ...Offset Printed bi-fold card with lodge meetings in Bendigo Districtgolden & corinthian, mount alexander, mount franklin - st. george, mackenzie, st. george, southern cross, zetland, heathcote, aurora, zenith, eaglehawk, st. johns, rochester, trentham, kyneton, sadhurst, corona, wedderburn, gisborne, campaspe, carisbrook, harcourt, bendigo city -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Manual - Collection of VLine operating instruction manuals for diesel electric locomotives, 1980s
... they hauled were the Southern Aurora and the Spirit of Progress. From ...The manuals refer to the following locomotives:- Westrail L Class (November 1983) originally built by Clyde Engineering from 1967 for the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) for use on the Eastern Goldfields Railway between Perth and Kalgoorlie. In 1983, three were leased to V/Line to haul services on the standard gauge Melbourne to Albury line, sometimes extending through to Sydney.A class (January 1984) were initially used for "Intercity" passenger services within Victoria. In this service, they operated at speeds up towards 125 km/h. Later, they were also used for freight services.N class (September 1985) produced by Clyde Engineering and entered service in 1985 and still operating in 2023. 422 Class diesel-electric locomotives (August 1983), designed by Clyde Engineering were introduced in January 1969. Following crew training, the engines entered service on the Main Southern line between Sydney and Albury and the Illawarra line from Sydney to Port Kembla and Moss Vale. Among the passenger services they hauled were the Southern Aurora and the Spirit of Progress. From 1982, they began to operate through to Melbourne. This ceased in February 1990 when non-air-conditioned locomotives would no longer be accepted by Victorian drivers.A collection of Locomotive operation manuals. All are paperback and feature an image of the relevant locomotive on the cover. Relevant illustrations are included in each publication. Cover is of card and they are bound with staples.fictionThe manuals refer to the following locomotives:- Westrail L Class (November 1983) originally built by Clyde Engineering from 1967 for the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) for use on the Eastern Goldfields Railway between Perth and Kalgoorlie. In 1983, three were leased to V/Line to haul services on the standard gauge Melbourne to Albury line, sometimes extending through to Sydney.A class (January 1984) were initially used for "Intercity" passenger services within Victoria. In this service, they operated at speeds up towards 125 km/h. Later, they were also used for freight services.N class (September 1985) produced by Clyde Engineering and entered service in 1985 and still operating in 2023. 422 Class diesel-electric locomotives (August 1983), designed by Clyde Engineering were introduced in January 1969. Following crew training, the engines entered service on the Main Southern line between Sydney and Albury and the Illawarra line from Sydney to Port Kembla and Moss Vale. Among the passenger services they hauled were the Southern Aurora and the Spirit of Progress. From 1982, they began to operate through to Melbourne. This ceased in February 1990 when non-air-conditioned locomotives would no longer be accepted by Victorian drivers.railways victoria, diesel-electric locomotives -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - Changing Trains : A Century of Travel on the Sydney-Melbourne Railway, Phil Belbin and David Burke, 1982
... , the Limited, the Spirit of Progress, the Southern Aurora ...This book is the story of the hundred years of the Sydney-Melbourne railway connection. It is about the trains - the Express, the Limited, the Spirit of Progress, the Southern Aurora - and the locomotives that pulled them.non-fictionThis book is the story of the hundred years of the Sydney-Melbourne railway connection. It is about the trains - the Express, the Limited, the Spirit of Progress, the Southern Aurora - and the locomotives that pulled them.sydney-melbourne railway, train travel australia, railways australia -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Banger, Chris, Southern Aurora: And the Melbourne Express & Sydney Express 1962-1993, 2012
... Southern Aurora: And the Melbourne Express & Sydney Express... of the Southern Aurora passenger train and the subsequent Melbourne ...A history of the Southern Aurora passenger train and the subsequent Melbourne & Sydney expresses between Melbourne and Sydney from the 1962 to 1993.ill, p.216.non-fictionA history of the Southern Aurora passenger train and the subsequent Melbourne & Sydney expresses between Melbourne and Sydney from the 1962 to 1993.railroad travel -- new south wales -- sydney -- history, railroad travel -- victoria -- melbourne -- history