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
This locomotive was built for Sydney suburban passenger duties, originally carrying the number S 1240 of the S 636 class and entered service in 1914. It became the (C)30 class in the 1924 renumbering scheme, with S 1240 renumbered to 3112. Locomotive 3112 was one of the last (C)30 class locomotives in NSWGR service when withdrawn in February 1972. In October 1974 it was purchased by the Lachlan Vintage Village, Forbes which was not financially successful. In 1986 it was forced to auction off its locomotives. 3112 was purchased privately by the late Barry Tulloch and subsequently restored for main line duties at Cowra Depot with the assistance of a group of supporting volunteers. 3112 was very active in the NSW steam scene from 1988 onwards
As part of the Australian Bicentennial celebrations 3112 attended the AusSteam '88 event in Melbourne, travelling south in the company of 1210. 3112 was supposed to have left Goulburn, bound for Melbourne early on 14 October 1988, but failed with a hot axle box that prevented it from departing on time. The locomotive was repaired and later that day, ran south to join 1210 at Albury on 15 October, to continue the journey to Melbourne. After this Locomotive 3112 saw extensive rail tour use.
3112 changed hands in 2007 and the new owner arranged storage in Canberra on a private siding adjacent to the Canberra Railway Museum. Although nominally operational, it is not currently in use.
Inscriptions & markings
On side of locomotive "3112"
Subjects
References
- Australian Steam - Preserved Steam Locomotives Down Under - 3112 An extensive data base of Australian preserved steam locomotives and their history.
- 3112 A detailed history of Locomotive 3112
