Historical information

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.

Significance

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.

Physical description

Engine Instructor Geoff Williams walking beside Locomotive 1329 to lift the hand brakes.

The T class were a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville, NSW for the Victorian Railways between 1955 and 1968. Locomotive T329 was part of the first order completed and entered service in June 1956. At that time, they became the most numerous diesel loco in Victoria.
In 1984, the 13 first series T class locomotives were sent back to Clyde Engineering Plant at Somerton in Victoria for a complete rebuild after which they became the P class numbered P11 to P23. This included locomotive T329 which became Locomotive P12. The P Class have proven to be a reliable and dependable class, seeing service across the state in both passenger and freight duties. They often operated in push-pull mode, with a locomotive at each end of the train.
The P class locomotives ceased being used for regular passenger operations in November 2012. Although locomotive P12 (T329) is primarily in storage it is still operational and can be hired for special events and as recently as 2017 was also used as an infrastructure maintenance train.

Inscriptions & markings

At top of train between headlights "T329"
In centre Victoria Railways logo "VR"