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 photo was taken at Wodonga Railway Station shortly after the introduction of corridor carriages in the early 1900s. Colligan and Donovan were the first two conductors appointed.
Back Row, left to right: J. O'Neill (Traffic), W. Benson (Traffic), D. Fraser (Per Way); J. Wilson (Per Way). Second Back row, left to right: ? Prosser, Mat Ryan (Loco), J. Trembath (Loco), E. Fitch (Traffic); J. Colligan (Traffic), ? Hanna (Express Guard); F. Schuman (Loco). W. Coy (Express Guard), W. Wark (Loco), (unknown).
Seated left to right: ? McKenna (Driver In Charge), G. Fogarty (Per Way Inspector), J. Broadbent (Station Master), J. Rowe (Assistant Station Master), ? Beaumont (Clerk). Boy behind: Ray Broadbent.
Front Left to right: (Unknown); J. Cotter (Traffic), Dinny Donovan (Traffic), (Unknown), R. Prentice (Traffic).
Children in front: ? Colligan, ? Colligan, J. Donovan, ? Weiss.
Boys in the roof: Eric Broadbent and W. Mahoney.

(Per Way is an approved person with responsibility for regular permanent way inspection to ensure the safety of the line)