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 in 1878 by Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester, England. It arrived in Sydney on August 19, 1878 and began its working life as No 120 of C[79] class on the southern and western lines of NSW in September that year. On 24 May 1914, when the new branch line to Canberra was completed, the locomotive unofficially opened the track by pulling the first train to the construction site of the national capital. The engine was given the new number 1210 in the 1923 re-classification of NSW engines.

Locomotive 1210 continued in use until 1958 when it was finally withdrawn from service. The NSW Steam Tram and Preservation Society appealed to the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) and the NSW Railways to assist in the locomotive's preservation. As a result of the Society's appeal the locomotive was purchased by the NCDC for 800 pounds.
The locomotive was relocated to the Canberra Railway Museum in 1984. It was restored with funds received from the Australian Bicentennial Authority. It was a requirement of the Bicentennial Authority Grant that the engine be operational. The locomotive was re-commissioned by the Member for Canberra, the Hon Ros Kelly, on 19 September 1988. As part of the Australian Bicentennial celebrations Locomotive 1210 attended the AusSteam '88 event in Melbourne, travelling south in the company with Locomotive 3112.

It is claimed by the Australian Railway Historical Society that No 1210 is the oldest operational main line steam locomotive in the world.

Inscriptions & markings

On front of locomotive "1210"