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

The "Spirit of Progress" on a test run prior to its official launch being hauled by Locomotive S303. It was named the C.J. LaTrobe after the1st Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Charles Joseph Latrobe.

Considered by many to be Victorian Railways' greatest passenger locomotives, the 4 S class steam locomotives were the first 3 cylinder steam locomotives. This small class was built to run the Melbourne to Albury passenger trains and spent their entire careers on the North East line.
They were built unstreamlined and ran in this condition until 1937. The streamlining modifications complimented the all new "Spirit Of Progress" carriages. The S class ran the "Spirit" until 1952 at which time the newly delivered B class diesels took over.

The 4 S class locomotive which were allocated to the "Spirit of Progress" were
S300 - the "Mathew Flinders", withdrawn in September 1954, having covered 1,379,791 miles.
S301 - the "Sir Thomas Mitchell", withdrawn in October 1953, having covered 1,414,367 miles.
S302 - the "Edward Henty", withdrawn in July 1954, having covered 1,446,468 miles and
S303 - the "C.J. Latrobe", withdrawn in May 1954, having covered 1,434,664 miles.

Inscriptions & markings

On the lower front of the Locomotive "S303"