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.Signal Box B was located on the south-east side of the High Street level crossing and controlled the High Street gates. A big wheel was used to operate the gates. The Signal Box B was demolished on May 10th, 1964, when the standard gauge line to Albury was completed. On front of building "WODONGA B"railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga signal box b

This image is representative of many photographs illustrating the level crossing in the centre of Wodonga. Since its opening in 1873 the railway line had crossed High Street, originally called Sydney Road. It bisected the city with level crossing gates frequently stopping the flow of traffic and pedestrians as trains passed through. Signal Box B stood on the eastern side of the High Street level crossing and a big wheel closed and opened the gates. On 17th September, 1961, it was replaced by boom gates and flashing lights. The railway crossing was removed from High Street as part of the Wodonga Rail Bypass project. This involved a 5.5 kilometres bypass, the elimination of 11 level crossings and the relocation of the Wodonga station. It was moved from its original central location to a position on a new line on the northern edge of the town. The old station closed on 8 November 2008 and the new station opened on 25 June 2011.This image has local and statewide significance as it captures the former crossing in a major railway system. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.A black and white photo of the railway level crossing in High Street, Wodonga with gates closed. The Melbourne to Sydney railway line went through the centre of Wodonga and trains frequently held up internal vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the main street. railways wodonga, wodonga railway relocation, high st wodonga rail crossing