September 2009

Castlemaine and Maldon Railway

Preservation Society Members

Newsletter

Picnic at Muckleford A Fantastic Community Event

Saturday 5th September marked the second annual Picnic at Muckleford. This fantastic event is one that is hosted and run by the railway but is actually a community event, with many local groups and traders taking the opportunity to show what they do. The day started early with many stall-holders arriving and setting up before eight o’clock. There was also a steady procession of performers arriving, including local bands, acapella singers, boot-scooters and more. The event was also very well supported by lots of car clubs who came to show off their magnificently restored and maintained vehicles. In addition, we were fortunate enough to have several exhibitors display their unique collection of machinery. We had mixed fortunes with the weather, with early occasional showers delaying the arrival of many members of the public, however in the afternoon, the public certainly showed their enthusiasm for the event by turning up as the skies cleared. Society volunteers worked hard in lots of different areas, from vehicle marshalling, ticketing, train operations, catering, souvenir sales and much more. Special thanks go to George Young who kicked off the planning last year and to Trish Barry for running the event in the latter stages of preparation as well as managing the event superbly on the day.

Popular railway volunteer John McEwen is also a talented blacksmith and his craftsmanship certainly drew many interested onlookers.

The day included something for everyone - our younger visitors enjoyed the clowns who spent some time both at the event and on the trains

Many of the vintage cars proved that they weren’t just static museum pieces with several owners taking them through the Muckleford forest chasing the train - quite an accomplishment considering there was a substantial amount of mud on the track!

Local pipers certainly added to the celebrations on the day, dressed in their fine traditional dress. Their stirring rendition of many traditional songs echoed around the festival site.

Planning is already underway for next years Picnic at Muckleford. If you would like to attend a de-brief on this years event and to be part of the planning team for next years event, please register your interest by calling Trish Barry on

0439 856 967

Page 2 September 2009

President’s Column with Paul McDonald

Recently I was fortunate to be able to spend some time in Queensland where I managed to chase the Queensland 150th. Anniversary Steam Train on part of journeys to Quilpie and Wallangarra. It was a pleasure to watch a triumph of organisation obviously backed by the State Government. The event attracted significant local community interest, even to School children from small schools having the opportunity to climb up in to the cab of the Steam loco which doubtless many had never seen before. It was also a pleasure for me to be able to make contact with the Heritage Adviser to Queensland Rail, Greg Hallett, and to be able to talk to him on matters of like interest was an added bonus. Greg indicated that he would be visiting Victoria in the near future and I have extended an invitation to him to visit our Railway where we may hopefully repay some of the hospitality shown to us “southerners”. As some of you may be aware, Society Vice-president George Young has not been well of late and we wish George a speedy recovery and also extend the best wishes of Society members to his wife Rosalie, and family. Also in this issue you will find coverage of our recent Picnic at Muckleford event. I commend to all members the huge amount of work put in by Board members George Young and

Trish Barry who so ably took on the organisational role when George was taken ill. The response from all involved has been positive and Picnic has become a fixture in the local calendar with considerable encouragement from the community for this to become an annual event. A big thank you to all who gave up their time to help out with setting up, on the day and cleaning up after. I have also again to mention the financial

position of the Railway since, despite the best efforts of the management team we are struggling with certain aspects of the operation. In particular, on the cost side, we are way over budget for fuel both for coal and oil, and frankly if we continue the way we have been going we will go broke! I appeal to all crews to be as economical as circumstances allow in locomotive operation and perhaps we could all take note of some of the exhortations which appeared for many years in the “brown” book (V.R. Handbook for the guidance and use of Enginemen) to “save the coal”. Similarly, when working an oil burning locomotive there is little need to blacken the country side to make the machine go. From the management perspective, a budget review is likely to take place in the near future however as fares have been recently increased to the maximum level which we believe the market will stand and with other marketing initiatives there is little extra we can achieve on the revenue side so it appears that some cost cutting may have to be pursued. More of this to come over the next few months. There have been instances recently where boiler treatment has not been added to boiler water when tenders are topped up during a running day or at the end of the day, or else, where insufficient treatment is added. I do not, I believe, need to stress to all crews how important this is. There is a note to all crews immediately above the sign on book in the Workshop which sets out the amount of boiler treatment to be added and we begin to wonder if all crews are taking the time to read the notices. May I remind you that all crews are to sign on at the appropriate time, peruse the notices that may affect the locomotive or train running for the day, etc, etc and please note that the excuse that there was no time will only be an indication that crews are not giving themselves sufficient time to do the job properly. Remember, for firemen especially, that there is no substitute for being early on the job. Please note that there may be more to come regarding the Working with Children check, especially since other Societies have recently raised this issue. Previously the Society had received advice that this check would not be required and until this can be checked and verified we will not pursue any requirement for our volunteers to undergo the process. Magnificent timber bridges aren’t unique to Victoria, and here we see the QR150 train “in the

tree-tops” crossing one of these bridges. The photo was taken by Paul McDonald during his recent trip to the Sunshine State

Page 3 September 2009

Welcome Grant for the VGR from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

The Victorian Goldfields Railway recently received a very welcome funding boost from the ‘Seeds of Renewal’ program. This grant is funded by ANZ and independently administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. (FRRR ) The Railway is one of 60 projects that have received funds this year to strengthen community enterprise . Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Adams said : “We’ve been completely overwhelmed with the interest generated by the program this year. While we are unfortunately not able to provide grants to everyone, we focused on projects that will assist in the wellbeing and growth of local communities.” Rob Fletcher , VGR’s treasurer was delighted to receive the grant . “ We are thrilled to receive this support from the Seeds of Renewal program”, he said. This is a great addition to the funding of our plans to provide adequate rest room facilities for our patrons and users of the walking track. The facilities at Maldon have needed an upgrade for quite some time and this grant will go a long way to achieving that goal.” ANZ Manager North West Region, Neville Page said, “ We are committed to supporting our local community in the good times and the more challenging times. We trust this grant will provide the Castlemaine & Maldon Railway with the boost they need to complete their project.”

ANZ Manager North West Region, Neville Page and ANZ Personal Lending Manager, Kate Gablek present the ANZ Seeds of Renewal Grant to a very happy VGR treasurer, Rob Fletcher in front of J515 at Castlemaine Station.

The volunteers of the Mechanical Branch have been busy working on our locomotives, carriages and other equipment around the railway - including track machines and our hi-rail vehicles. Members who have not visited the railway for some time may not be aware of the status of our passenger rolling stock. Currently, our carriages are: as follows: 39 AW - In service. 23 AW - In service. 42 BU - In service. 41 BU - Is undergoing exterior restoration under the loving care of John Cole. One side has been completed and the carriage has now been turned so that work can be undertaken on the other side of the carriage 29 BCPL - In service. 30 BCPL - Restricted use due to poor body condition. 43 BPL - In service. TAMBO - In service. LOWANA - In service after some maintenance has been done on the generator.

The next mechanical branch workdays will be held on Saturday 10th October & Sunday 11th October from 9am at the Maldon Locomotive

Shed. Please wear sturdy footwear and old clothing (overalls ideal). There is plenty of work that can be undertaken on carriages as well as locomotives. Contact Brian Frewin on 0409 434 808 for details on the

workdays or Michael Compagnoni on (03) 5475 1451 if you can assist during the week.

Mechanical Branch Update Can You Identify This Streamlined Locomotive?

Most railfans will have seen pictures of our very own streamlined Victorian locomotive - the magnificent S class that provided excellent service between 1928 and 1954, however the locmotice pictured above didn’t see service on the Victorian Railways! For the answer, see page 6………………….

Page 4 September 2009

Despite our recent wet weather, we are now preparing for the summer months and the resulting warm, dry conditions. Part of our preparedness for summer includes running fire patrols behind every train. The patrols are operated using either the “dune-buggy” or by our hi-rail, both of which can be equipped with fire-fighting equipment. These patrols are a vital part of the railway being able to operate responsibly. The patrols require someone with Safeworking Qualifications plus one other person. If you are able to assist with Fire Patrols but have not been trained, please contact Brian Frewin who will conduct training sessions when required. Brian can be contacted on 0409 434 808.

Fire Patrols

Steam for Kids - would conductors and loco crews please note that the prize of a ride in the loco cab while the locomotive runs around at Muckleford is to cease immediately. There are too many risks associated with this and while it seems like a worth while attraction for the weekend both the Board of Management and the Safety Committee have decided that we must not continue with this. This will be repeated direct to conductors and train staff on the upcoming weekend. Near misses - please remember that these are notifiable incidents and should be advised to the Station Master as soon as possible after the occurrence. Safety First!! - it's up to all of us!! If you see something that may compromise the safety of any person or equipment please let someone know. It's a team effort and remember when working on the railway you are part of the team

Safety Update

Many members will have enjoyed the columns written in this newsletter by David Barnett. David has recently re-qualified as a Steam fireman on the VGR and has resumed his place on the footplate! Hopefully this will give David more experiences to enthrall readers of this newsletter with! The photo to the right was taken by Geoff Oliver on 24th July in 1965. It captures our own David Barnett firing R 735 between Ararat and Stawell with a down special. More of Geoff’s photos can be seen at:

http://geoffreysgallery.fotopic.net/

Congratulations

Page 5 September 2009

Our Sponsors - The Railway is Generously Supported By The Following Businesses

Victorian Goldfields Railway General Office and Marketing P.O. Box 51 CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 Phone: (03) 5470 6658 Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 Email: marketing@vgr.com.au for bookings, Train Times & Fares information or cmr@vgr.com.au for all other enquiries

Recorded Train Information Phone (03) 5475 2966

Castlemaine Railway Station Kennedy Street, Castlemaine Phone: (03) 5470 6658 Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 Maldon Railway Station Hornsby Street, Maldon Telephone: (03) 5475 1451 Facsimile: (03) 5475 1427 Muckleford Railway Station (only staffed for special events) Muckleford-Walmer Road, Muckleford Telephone: (03) 5470 6014

www.vgr.com.au

Page 6 September 2009

First Class Service Update

Those who have not travelled in our luxurious First Class Service lately, should certainly consider a Sunday on board soon. Our First Class Service has recently undergone a minor overhaul and now includes contemporary, light and tasty dishes as well as an expanded range of drinks and snacks. The kitchen has been re-organised and we now carry a wider range of snacks for our Excursion Class passengers as well.

Identify the locomotive…… (FROM Page 3) Prague, Czechoslovakia 1938. This gleaming monster is the first streamlined locomotive to make its bow in Czechoslovakia, it was put into service in 1938 on the Czechoslovakia state railway

An Accessible Railway Railways are often used by people with physical disabilities to get around as they are easy to access. Our railway is no different - however there are some things that we need to remember. People with disabilities may or may not require

assistance, so make sure you ask if you can assist - don’t just assume that they need help!

We have a ramp that can be used by people in wheelchairs as well as people with prams, frames or other aids.

Guide Dogs can assist people with sight, hearing or other disabilities and can go virtually anywhere a person can, including areas where food is prepared or served - the only exceptions are operating theatres in hospitals and some quarantine facilities. They are certainly welcome on our trains!

Toilets that were previously known as “Disabled Toilets” are now known as “Accessible Toilets”.

Seniors Week Seniors Week is rapidly approaching and if last year is anything to go by, we’re looking forward to welcoming record numbers to the railway! We are running trains both on our normal Wednesday, 7th October as well as an additional day’s operations on Thursday 8th October. Hopefully all our patrons will enjoy their visit to the railway as they did last year!