Historical information

Used by Victorian Railways at stations on the Orbost-Bairnsdale line. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987.

Orbost Railway Station was opened on Monday 10 April 1916 as the terminus of the Orbost railway line, and closed in 1987. The station was located on the west side of the Snowy River despite the town of Orbost being on the east side of the river, in order to save on the costs of a bridge over the river, which at the time had highly variable levels.

Significance

This item is 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.

Physical description

A thick, hexagonal shaped pencil made of wood, painted dark blue, containing blue graphite marker.

Inscriptions & markings

VICTORIA RAILWAYS written in gold lettering
Emperor, Made in Australia