April  2003

General News

Obituary

Vale Gary Mc Donald 14 August 1948 - 25 April 2003

We have to advise that that the Tourist  Railway Industry has lost one of its greatest supporters with the death of Mr Garry George McDonald.

Gary was the first Chairman of this Association being elected to this position in 1989. The Association was formed at the inaugural meeting held in the Ministry of Transport on the 16th June after a meeting of executive officers of the then tourist railways in Doncaster earlier in the year.

Gary was the Chairman of the Geelong Steam Preservation Society which was the first of the next generation of Tourist railways to be formed in Victoria.  Gary was at that time a bank manager and brought his considerable financial skills to the Association as well as his organisational abilities. Gary started with the GSPS in 1976 and became president of that Society from 1984 to 1994 when with other friends from the railway, he left to form the West Coast Railway which runs the Melbourne to Warrnambool railway. At the time of Gary's death he was Treasurer of the GSPS. In addition to his work with both the GSPS and West Coast Railway,  he also had railway interests in New Zealand. 

Gary became Chairman  of the ATR for a second term in 1994.  

Gary had a formidable reputation as a negotiator with government and was most astute in setting up the GSPS and West Coast Railway's finances. Gary was a person who would not say die  and was enthusiastic in all that he did. He had a great love of steam and ensured that steam would continue on the mainline with the operation of regular steam hauled trips on a Saturday to Warrnambool.

Gary will be sadly missed by all his family and friends in the tourist railway industry.

Insurance

Yes, Insurance still is a major problem for leisure activities in Australia. The Heritage Railways and Tramways have been hurt by this and several interstate Heritage Railways are still not running because of not being able to afford Public Liability Insurance. In Victoria, the State Government has come to our rescue and the State Treasurer has issued a Deed of Indemnity, which provides us with the necessary insurance cover. Seventeen of our members are operating under this cover and the rest will be forced to take up this policy by the end of the year unless able to obtain either affordable insurance or become covered by local government as part of their activities.

From what we can hear interstate, the same scenario is being played out with offers of policies from commercial insurers with the premiums being greater than the year’s income from all sources.

 Medical Standards

This is another area of debate with several rail accidents on the commercial networks causing governments to re-examine medical standards for all rail personnel. The heritage rail scene is not exempt from this and we have been having great difficulty in getting understanding that our trains operate with a minimum of three crew members and run at very low speeds.

 Our present medical standards have stood the test of time and our safety record is exemplary right throughout Australia.

Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum

The Museum has been able to obtain a Harman steam logging winch. The winch was last used by Feiglin & Sons, was obtained by the late Lloyd Gould, and was then obtained on long-term loan from Mrs Gould. It is hoped to restore it to operating condition and place it in the log-yard of their projected sawmill at Alexandra.

The museum has two Malcolm Moore engines. The first (No 1049) was in rather poor condition but was able to run most mid week trains. The second engine (No 1023) was an unused locomotive chassis with all the parts needed to repair the train engine. So, the “works” from 1049 were removed from its frame and set up in that of 1023’s chassis. After lining up and a lot of hard work the hybrid engine was ready to take up the task. The old chassis of 1049 will be repaired and the wheels built up. It is hoped to rebuild a Ford V8 engine from a number already obtained into an operating engine and allow 1049 to run once again.

The railways steam engine, Fowler 11885 of 1909, has been prepared for its boiler examination and a refurbished injector has been fitted. The engine is running well. The new workshop has received some extra machinery from an estate and this has been installed. The large wheel lathe is to be moved from storage and installed in the workshop.

Ballarat Tramway Museum

The Ballarat Begonia Festival was the quietest one since 1992 for the Museum. The tramway provided a service within the gardens precinct linking all the exhibits and is an invaluable link. Operationally it was a great success with the trams and crews performing faultlessly. The traditional street parade was held at 5.00 pm on Labour Day and Wendouree Parade was closed to traffic all day. This resulted in a more pleasant environment without cars.

Trackwork has taken place following the end of the Begonia Festival and tram services north of the gardens loop have been suspended while works were undertaken. Some 44 sleepers were placed in the track and the line is to be lifted some 50-60 mm to bring it up above flood level. No longer will the trams have to paddle through the water in the depth of winter.

Tramcar Ballarat No 21 has moved from a property near Daylesford to storage in Bungaree. This was done in co-operation with the T.M.S.V. who took delivery of a Z class tram at Bylands. 

Scrubber tramcar No 8 has received some TLC in preparation for repainting it in MMTB green and cream. No 27's second traction motor is almost completed and wire replacement and bearing assembly has been done.

 Bellarine Tourist Railway

This railway has honoured Mr Gary McDonald by naming V1209, the largest engine on their railway, the Gary G. McDonald in Mr McDonald’s presence. Unfortunately, Gary is very ill but was able to enjoy the day. Gary was a President of the railway in years past and is presently treasurer. He was at one stage President of the ATR. Many tributes were made by Gary’s friends and colleagues and the Minister for Transport sent a letter of congratulations.

Track maintenance has been the subject of a major effort with 224 sleepers replaced in one day. The section from the MAFRI building to the 2.5km marker was reconditioned. The plan is to re-sleeper to Suma Park by November.

Rail awareness and shunting training has been conducted and other safeworking and running staff are being encouraged to attend these classes.

Projected workshop effort is the conversion of the Queensland carriages to dual braking to improve the flexibility of operations of this set. Three steam engines are operational and work is progressing on T251 and M6. PB15 454 remains stored, as very major work is required to rebuild this engine. The cost of a new boiler is presently beyond the finances of the railway.

Puffing Billy

Modified spark arrestors are being fitted to all the NA class engines and other steam engines. The first set was fitted to 12A, which performed very well and is now being extended to all other steam engines.

The railway had a Vice regal visitor in February when the Governor of Victoria, John Landy A.C, M.B.E. visited the Shire of Cardinia and rode the train from Cockatoo to Gembrook.

Arrangements are going ahead with the 22^nd Great Train Race, which will take place in May. The race starts in Belgrave near the station and uses public roads with little traffic to reach Lakeside station.

 Work is steadily progressing on 8A and G42. Work is about to start on extensions to the Belgrave workshops to improve conditions. The Belgrave running shed has been enclosed and now resembles a traditional country VR engine shed.

The North Australian Railway - Adelaide River Northern Territory

With the advent of the standard gauge railway in the town later this year the Railway is busy is busy preparing to lay the tracks across the big bridge and through to Coach Road. This bridge was built in 1884 and has been passed for service. The seven smaller bridges have also been inspected and passed.

NSU63 has returned to the town and is residing beside the Stuart Highway at Adelaide River. It is to be repainted into Commonwealth Railway livery and they are seeking the specification of the Commonwealth Railway’s maroon paint.

The Museum is open with the help of local volunteers and more people are needed to ensure that the burden is reduced on the present workers. A business plan is being prepared and a grant from the NT government for the preparation of a heritage Conservation and Management plan has been made.

 Negotiations are proceeding for rolling stock from several locations in Australia. The railway hope to operate over 8 kms of the former North Australia Railway from Adelaide River to the old armaments Depot at Snake Creek

The Central Highlands Tourist Railway

Like all railways, the CHTR has been busy re-sleepering and late last year was able to replace 150 sleepers over one weekend. More seating has been placed on the station platform at Daylesford and the ambience of the station gives the impression that you are moving back to a time when things were more leisurely done.

91RM has received attention and has a repaired radiator. The No2 and No4 cylinder heads had leaking head gaskets. These were resurfaced and with the fitting of a flexible hose to the oil cooler, the oil leak has been cured.

63 RM has had a new exhaust muffler fitted and has had some attention to its wiring. The motor will receive an external repaint and roof repairs in the shed.

DRC40 has been running well and the 1^st class seats have been recovered with new material and look very smart.

Tramway Museum Society of Victoria

The Society has celebrated its 40^th anniversary with a tour by bus to Bendigo to help with the celebrations of 100 years of electric trams in that city. Two of the Society’s trams are to attend the festival through the courtesy of the Minister for Transport. These were the M class tram No 8 (which was SEC Bendigo tram No 3) and Birney No 217.

The Society has also taken delivery of a Z class tram at Bylands. This is one of the most modern vehicles in a museum anywhere in the world. Z (1) No5 was the vehicle given to the Museum and was taken out of service on 6 February 2003 and arrived at Bylands on Tuesday 18 February. After unloading and the fitting of trolley poles, a short demonstration test was made under power.

Work has been proceeding on the trackwork connecting the new Vehicle Maintenance building to the running lines and this is now almost complete. Tram maintenance has continued and SW2 644 and W6 902 have returned to service. Work is continuing on SW5 739 and W 996, which will be back in service shortly. This will give five serviceable trams for use on the demonstration track.

GreenTRail

The tenure of the right of way of the railway is about to change with Freight Australia to surrendering their lease of the line back to the State government. In turn, this will allow GreenTRail to become responsible for the control of their very own right of way.

The recent bushfires in the North East affected patronage very badly on the line over the summer and the railway is looking forward to Easter to help replenish their funds. Local people at Wahgunyah have suggested that the railway be extended as a tramway to the Murray River terminating at Wahgunyah beach.

The railway has received a grant for the re-establishment of indigenous flora species at risk in the surrounding countryside. The funding will allow for some fencing, construction of pathways and viewing areas in sensitive areas.

Steamrail

Work is continuing on the restoration of A² 986. The wheel journals have been machined and the pony truck is being disassembled. Work is going on the safety valves and superheater header.

 J550, which is in a park at Warragul, has had some preliminary work done to allow the engine to have a full repaint. This engine was swapped for A² 986 on the condition that it was repainted.

The carriages are also receiving attention with 18CE being repainted in VR blue and gold. 7ABE is in for a full repaint and overhaul. 46BE is to be lifted and to have its bogies overhauled. When this is completed, it also faces a full repaint. Moorabool likewise is having a lift and a full refit.

Seymour Railway Heritage Centre

Preparation is underway for the annual “Easter at Yarrawonga" trip that will be diesel operated because of the continuing fire risk Track number I8 in the “new” yard is completed and operational

A new hot water service is being installed in the "Mitta Mitta" car.

 Transfer of the administrative functions to the former Operations (Loco) office in Oak Street has occurred and the improved level of amenity and convenience is much appreciated by those concerned.

 Depot works currently under way include rebuilding of the elevated viewing platform associated with our clubroom, (the “Mitchell Room") and installation of a storage tank for the retention of locomotive boiler water

The Depot has a new web site at http://www.srhc.org.au and a new email address at info@shrc.org.au. 

Yarra Valley Tourist Railway

The railway is heavily involved in planning the needs for the next one to two years and developing a detailed submission for government funding.

Part of the works to be done is the laying of new tracks into the number one shed and once this is completed, then work will start on number two shed. The tracks at Healesville have been upgraded to allow the transfer of vehicles into the new shed and this will follow once approval is received from the DOI.

 Track works underway and completed are the ballasting of the Donovan’s Over-bridge restoration, resleepering and lifting of the up approaches to the Watts River Bridge and sleeper renewal in the Healesville Station yard. It is proposed to commence tie renewal between the level crossing and the Watts River Bridge. About 300 sleepers will be needed to bring this section to full train standard. Other works are also planned.

Lineside clearance is receiving attention and views have been opened up after years being hidden by weeds. The blackberries on the line have been sprayed three times this season and the weeds along the line are at an all-time low.

 Updated 5 May 2003