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.Walker rail motors were a type of diesel railcar operated by the Victorian Railways. After World War 11, the Victorian Railways undertook a major rebuilding program known as Operation Phoenix. One of the first tasks was the upgrading of passenger services on country branch lines. An initial order of twelve 102 HP railcars, six 153 HP railcars with trailers, and twelve 280 HP railcars was placed with Walker Brothers, England. The power units were manufactured in England, but the units were assembled in Victoria. The first rail motors were delivered in 1948, with additions to the fleet running through to 1955. According to a Victoria Railways Memorandum issued on 24 May 1949, regarding the allocation of the new 102 HP Walker Diesel Motor Rail Vehicles, No 10 was to be allocated to the Wodonga to Tallangatta line as soon as it was available. No 10 entered service on 22 November 1949. The passenger rail motors had room for 18 First class and 22 Second class seated passengers. The last passenger service from Wodonga to Tallangatta ran on 30 September 1961 with a 102hp Walker Rail Motor.railways wodonga, fred rochow, walker rail motor vehicles, wodonga to tallangatta rail service

This photo was taken the same time as EDHS_04673-36 an A2-class Steam Locomotive 987 sitting on the other side of the platform at Spencer Street Railway Station. 280HP Walker Railmotor Walker Railmotors are diesel railcars, or train sets, that were designed to improve the passenger services on Victorian branchlines in Australia. They were practically a bus service on rails. These motors entered service in 1948 with the 102 hp and the 154 hp units. The 102 hp units were built until 1955 and the 153 hp units stopped being built one year before. The 280 hp units were built from 1950-1951. The engine and drive systems were built by the Walker Railcar Company in Wigan, England, and the bodies were built by Martin & King in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The railcars were put together by Victorian Railways. The railcars were, in the end, gradually replaced by a diesel electric railcar from 1978 on. Amazingly these railcars survived to this time, even though they were in direct competition with the bus service. By 1980 no Walker Railmotor cars or trainsets were in service. Very few are preserved. REF: Walker Railmotors, https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/Walker_RailmotorsDigital TIFF file Scan of black and white 620 format contact printgeorge coop collection, spencer street railway station, walker railmotor