Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Branchline Society The Members Newsletter of the Castlemaine and Maldon Railway May 2014 Preservation Society

Thank You to the Victorian State Government

The Hon. Damian Drum MP enjoys the company of VGR volunteers and staff at the announcement of the grant for the Takeuchi hi-rail gear.

The Victorian Goldfields Railway in Maldon will upgrade its track-layer and sleeper-replacement machine with the help of $50,400 from the Victorian Coalition Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.

Member for Northern Victoria, Damian Drum MLC, pictured above with a group of VGR volunteers, said the machine would be able to operate on all railway gauges currently in use in Australia.

“The Victorian Goldfields Railway has identified an opportunity to create a unique work team to operate the only Takeuchi Hi-Rail track machine in Victoria,” Mr Drum said.

“The VGR is experiencing an ageing volunteer workforce and the acquisition of specialist machinery will remove some of the burden from the volunteers.

“As well as maintaining the VGR’s rail system into the future, the project will maintain two full-time jobs and generate income for the VGR through contract work at various tourist railways, including the Maldon Castlemaine tourist railway and tracks like Puffing Billy, and Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

“The machine will be designed and built in Bendigo by engineering company McCullochs.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the Coalition Government funding towards the $67,200 project to upgrade the Takeuchi Track Layer would be provided through the Regional Growth Fund to the Victorian Goldfields Railway, which will contribute $16,800.

“The Regional Growth Fund is investing in community-led projects to strategically drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Ryan said. “Since it was established in early 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has invested more than $394 million to support almost 1,400 projects across regional and rural Victoria, leveraging over $1.57 billion in total investment.” Mr Ryan said.

In Mount Alexander Shire, the Regional Growth Fund has provided $2.94 million to 16 projects, leveraging $4.55 million in total investment. Those projects include:

$822,000 towards the Walking & Cycling Strategy Implementation (Castlemaine to Newstead Trail) $250,000 towards the $1,457,000 Newstead Multipurpose Sports and Recreation Pavilion; and $30,000 towards the $60,000 Enhancing Community Awareness for Bushfires Project

The upgraded track layer is expected to be operating by August 2014. May 2014 Page 2

President’s Column It will be seen elsewhere in this newsletter by Michael Vines economic benefit to the town. that we have achieved our goal in regard to the excavator. We launched the appeal to Since the last newsletter we have been in our membership to raise funds in November discussion with the Railway of last year and I want to thank all members about return of our railmotor, RM61. Nearly that contributed which has seen a bit over 5 years ago the railmotor went to the SGR $25,000 raised to date. The balance of funds on a plan that intended that we would receive needed to fit out the excavator has come the DRC railmotor from Seymour. This never from a grant from Regional Development eventuated for various reasons so in many Victoria which was announced at Maldon on ways we ended up being a benefactor for the 13th of April 2014. As previously advised South Gippsland without getting anything in the excavator has been to McCulloch’s in return. As a result of recent discussions a Bendigo for preliminary measurements in plan has been put in place that will see the readiness for the fit out which will now railmotor returned to us by the 1st of proceed. It will be apparent that next to the December this year. Unfortunately the grant funds the amount that came in from our railmotor has been inoperable at South membership was more than the contribution Gippsland for sometime so the initial steps of we were required to make so the balance has the plan will be to assess the work required gone to meeting the ongoing lease payments to return it to an operating state. The for the excavator as required. I am very railmotor will then be moved to Newport for pleased that this project has moved so the work to be undertaken and then it is speedily because it sits very squarely in the hoped that it will return to our railway via forefront of our plans to generate extra the mainline. All of this I should emphasize income for the railway as previously advised. will happen at no cost to ourselves so I connection. regard this as an extremely good outcome. It We are now turning our minds to the grant became apparent in the discussions that took funding needed for the next stage of Secondly are our plans to operate heritage place that the rail motor was really, in many infrastructure projects for the railway. It has trains from Southern Cross to Castlemaine ways, in a fairly poor state when it left our been determined that this should be the with our joint venture partner, Steamrail. The railway about 5 years ago. It seems to me that completion of the carriage shed at tourist potential for the goldfields region for the outcome of this process will be to have it Castlemaine and the construction of this is clearly there and in pushing our cause back to us in very good condition and it will locomotive servicing facilities there as well. I with the government this aspect will be be particularly useful to us in the summer have talked about this previously but the highlighted. I should also say that we will have season with the capacity for it also to haul a reasoning behind pushing to achieve both is, significant timetable advantages in operating passenger carriage as the did on branch lines firstly, because of our stated resolve to the branch line from Castlemaine which in the past. I want to thank the Registrar of operate the branch line from Castlemaine would give passengers more time to spend at Heritage and Tourist Railways, Adrian rather than Maldon. There are a number of Maldon between morning and afternoon Ponton, for his assistance in reaching this advantages that will flow from this but trains and so more time to enjoy the shops, outcome. particularly that we will be operating from a eateries, hotels and tourism benefits that major regional town with a mainline exist there and therefore provide a greater (Continued on page 3)

The Victorian Goldfields Railway is supported by some fine businesses. If your company would like to benefit from a sponsorship, please contact our Sponsorship Manager, Rob Fletcher via our marketing office on (03) 5470 6658 May 2014 Page 3

Finally as I indicated in the last newsletter I A Railway Gentleman was up in Maldon over the Easter period. It was very pleasing to see the level of patronage on our trains and so it was apparent that, as expected, Easter was a very busy period for us. Again this is important for the railway because we have moved to a new fare structure since the April 1st and so the revenue stream now coming in from our passengers will be significantly greater. Again this is part of our strategic plan to restore the railway’s finances in the wake of the problems of last year. In the last month or so there has been a significant turnaround in our finances but we still have a long way to go and I assure all members that the Board is working very hard to achieve our stated goals. As I said at a recent Board meeting it will be very interesting to see how the railway stands financially in about twelve months time when all of the measures we have put into place should have had their flow through effect by then.

Anyway that is pretty much it in regard to matters that I want to bring to members John McEwen, a long serving volunteer for well, helping to fire up the farm forge and attention for this newsletter and I hope it will the Victorian Goldfields Railway has put his helping with the working Clydesdale horses. indicate to members that there is plenty that flags in the safeworking box, hung up his is being planned at the moment and needs to guard’s hat and handed in his keys to the be done. John’s interest in the railways, led him to signal box. From now on, John will enjoy contemplate taking up an apprenticeship at riding the rails as a passenger, after many Michael Vines Newport, which would have trained him to years of working on our railway in a variety President be an Engineman. Whilst his parents of voluntary roles. recognized his interest in the railway world, they insisted that he complete his formal Takeuchi Appeal John’s association with the railway world school based education. As mentioned, we have now raised all the began to evolve from an early age, when his funds required to fit the Takeuchi with Hi-Rail family took him regularly on the steam train His continuing formal education led the young gear. A number of donations have been to visit farming friends in the Yarrawonga John McEwen on a different path, but never received after the target was met. These district. His father also took John on a variety extinguished his other interests, which simply donations will go towards paying off the of other steam train journey in his younger lay dormant for a while until re-emerging principal owing to the bank for the purchase days – trips which helped to firmly establish a after several years as an art teacher in various of the machine. love of the sights and sounds of Victorian schools . railway travel in the genuine steam era. Sincere thanks go to the many members who John attended Box Hill Technical School – donated varying amounts. Each contributor The farm visits also formed the catalyst for then Swinburne, where he became engrossed has been a part of making this project a John’s other abiding interests in heritage reality. Whenever you travel over our track, horses and blacksmithing. He remembers (Continued on page 4) or see the machine out working at another railway, you will know that you have contributed to this machine being able to assist our railway to remain viable. May 2014 Page 4

(Continued from page 3) The heritage operational manoeuvres and signals - both hand and mechanical - the There are numerous words which could be in Art Metal studies. He then completed a opportunity to be so closely associated with applied when attempting to encapsulate Diploma in Gold Silversmithing and Sculpture the locos and rolling stock of yesteryear the sort of volunteer John has been for the at RMIT prior to commencing a career with and the many good times spent with other Victorian Goldfields Railway. Such terms as the Education Department. volunteers of like mind will be cherished by earnest, interested, helpful, reliable, this great railway volunteer friend. enthusiastic and diligent are a few that come After many years teaching, John’s earlier to mind, but one term that seems to be a interests in blacksmithing were reignited to The Victorian Goldfields Railway, in turn, was unanimous choice among the many volunteers the point of making a life changing decision to the beneficiary of John’s endeavours, as he that know him is ‘ a gentleman’. change careers. He enrolled in the Oklahoma became involved in a variety of railway tasks, Farrier Course and completed this with including Guard, Conductor, Signalman, John has rightfully earned the highest respect distinction. On returning to Australia, John Shunter, Track and Fire Patrols, and for all the years of his great volunteer work set up his own Farrier business, servicing a mentoring and training three recruits in and the Victorian Goldfields Railway extend broad area in Central Victoria. Safeworking. John was also involved in the the very best wishes to him in his post operation of Special Event Days such as volunteering days. We look forward to seeing This dramatic change in John’s working life Mucklefest, where he demonstrated his John around the track and taking a leisurely should not have been be all that surprising blacksmithing skills in an enclosure donated ride on the branchline. considering his long held passion for horses by him and which is a permanent structure at and blacksmithing so fondly embraced in Muckleford. those early farm visits as a youngster. He was often rostered as Guard on our John also revived his interest in steam Driver Experience Days and acted on many railways by joining Puffing Billy as a volunteer occasions as Trolley Driver on our Steam and completed the Safeworking Course so Trains For Kids weekends. that he could participate in the operational aspects of a steam railway. We now have a permanent legacy of John’s metal working skills which he has donated to He then realized there was an opportunity to the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Both his love become involved in heritage railway work of railways and artistic skills are combined in much closer to home as he actually lived in this large, striking work. When next you visit the area where the Victorian Goldfields the Castlemaine Station Refreshment Rooms, Railway was beginning to show signs of take some time to study the wonderful becoming an important heritage tourist copper railway mural at the southern end of railway – What a find ! the room. John originally crafted this work for the Conference Room of the Bendigo Railway

Workshop. Joining the Victorian Goldfields Railway as a regular rostered volunteer brought great satisfaction to John – as here, so close to his Years later, this work was re-discovered in a home base, was the marvellous opportunity store room in Melbourne. John spent to indulge in the very essence of the steam considerable time re-instating the somewhat era that he remembered so vividly from his neglected art work, which now hangs proudly early years. Just a few minutes drive in his in our rooms. The mural depicts the beloved Morris Minor took John right back evolution of locomotive power on the into the wonderful world of steam. Victorian Railways, from the very first mainline loco to the train of the future.

Thank You John for your friendship, your advice and encouragement in your role as a volunteer over the years May 2014 Page 5

Our Proud Sponsors May 2014 Page 6

From the Loco Crew Brian Frewin - Gone but Never Forgotten A special train was run on Friday 11th April with Brian’s family and friends to scatter his ashes. Roster Officer As mentioned earlier in the year, life member, Brian Frewin passed away after a battle with April was a particularly busy month for the cancer. A large number of members attended Brian’s funeral at Eaglehawk and this trip was a Victorian Goldfields Railway. On the chance to say a final farewell to Brian. footplate, there were twenty days of train operations out of thirty in total. In total, 23 The whole railway family expresses its sympathies to Shirley and the rest of the Frewin family as drivers and 25 firemen were required, along they remember a very special railway person who will never be forgotten. with eight trainees also rostered. Longer serving members might like to remember if there has been a busier month of operations in the history of the VGR?

Thank you to all the loco crews for your efforts in this particularly busy period – particularly those who answered the call to cover a vacancy at short notice. It seems to me, from the perspective of the loco crew roster – there are a healthy number of crews to cover future operations.

Rodney Reed Loco Crew Roster Officer

A Heartfelt Plea For Help For quite a few years now we have been relying on the usual volunteers to work on these particular weekends. They have all shown up happily, but the ones that work all weekend go home extremely tired. If you can spare some time on these days it would be most appreciated - even if it’s just for one hour, so our volunteers can have a lunchbreak or coffee break. Our next Steam Trains for Kids weekend is on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July. A valid working With Children Check is required. However this can be obtained at no cost to you as a volunteer at the railway.

Also a call goes out for anyone interested in volunteering in our shops. You get to meet a lot of the passengers and also other volunteers working on the day. If you are interested, l look forward to hearing from you.

Please contact me on 0428 810 633 or via email at [email protected]

Christine Gibb - Volunteer Co-ordinator Civil Branch News Our Civil Branch has been busy as always with a significant amount of work having been completed between Maldon and Muckleford. This work has included:  replacing 75 sleepers in this area and re-gauging a further 180 by cross-boring;  replacing a further twelve sleepers in Maldon yard;  Completing replacement of eleven sleepers between Maldon and the Bendigo Road which had been installed some months ago but never fastened; and  aligning the track in areas where distinct kinks had formed.

Hopefully by the time the next newsletter is published, our Civil Branch will have completed accreditation work for the Takeuchi hi-rail and it will be operating as it has been intended, with the generous support of members and the Victorian State Government. May 2014 Page 7

Victorian Goldfields Railway Garage Sale on the Maldon Platform A very successful Garage Sale was held on the Maldon Station Platform, on Saturday 29th March. Seventy-seven houses around Maldon were involved on the day which saw a lot of people pass through our wonderful town and visit our grand station.

A very big thankyou must be passed onto the volunteers of the carriage restoration crew and their partners, who planned and collected for this occasion and a big thank you to the members who kindly donated their wares, making the day so successful. A big thank you also goes to Deb McDonald for supplying those ever famous cupcakes along with sausage rolls for the guys (& gals) lunches.

The funds raised are being used to restore 80BW carriage back on the tracks. When visiting Maldon Station next, drop in and see the wonderful work that is being carried out on 80BW carriage and other works. The boys would love to show off their hard work!

Owing to the success of this sale, we are asking members if you could save and donate your unwanted goods for the next sale to be held sometime in Spring to help raise funds for items needed for Maldon Station kitchen to help with Catering. Members are asked to drop off items on their day of volunteering in the Station Masters Office at Maldon where they will be put into storage for the big day, so do those cupboards out now!

Now In Stock in Our Shops The Victorian based Association of Railway controversial procurement of the three longer and had been able to sack Clapp we Enthusiasts publishes a quarterly magazine heavyweight Pullman cars (including our would never have seen the iconic Spirit of (Australian Railway Enthusiast) featuring Macedon) from Chicago in 1928. The then Progress or the streamlined S-class locos. The interesting railway and tramway topics. It is commissioner for railways was Harold Clapp, article is accompanied by some splendid probably the most interesting and diverse the most influential public servant of the day, photos including one of the Pullmans being railway publication in Australia. Articles cover who was locked in a very public battle with a unloaded at the docks in Adelaide and a rare an extremely wide range of contemporary tenuous coalition government. One of the shot of two Pullmans hauled by a brand new and historical railway interests and often main disputes was his “illegal” purchase of the unstreamlined S-class taken at Seymour a few feature more off-beat aspects to the hobby. Pullmans without government approval. To weeks after delivery. For instance the latest issue features railway try to curb him the government called a Royal A great read for those interested in social as spirals, then and now photos of Chapel St Commission. Soon after, the government fell well as railway history and a little background Melbourne, a day spent line siding in South and Clapp retained his job continuing for to Macedon. Africa with some splendid photos, a brief many years as probably the most able railway history of a Queensland branch line, book administrator ever in Victoria. The story of Edited by past President and volunteer Alan reviews as well as the Pullman article blatant government interference in the Williams, “Australian Railway Enthusiast” has reviewed below. Articles are written in a very running of the railways is one familiar to us developed into a very well-produced and readable style and the magazine is profusely today. Based on newspaper articles of the day informative journal. It is now being stocked in illustrated in colour. the story is a fascinating one of government our shops and is well worth the $7.95 cover mismanagement and finishes with the thought price. Overall the magazine is thoroughly The last issue features an article about the that if the government had survived a little recommended. Special Presentation - “Who was Eric Harrison?” Saturday 31st May at 7pm at Castlemaine Refreshment Rooms All Members and friends are invited to hear a most interesting talk and visual presentation about a great historical Castlemaine resident who is often referred to as one of the early pioneers of the Royal Australian Air Force. This year celebrates the centenary of military aviation in Australia and Eric Harrison’s role in the early years of military aviation, through his role in the Central Flying School at Point Cook is a great story which will be presented by three expert gentlemen. Come along and enjoy the presentation and good company.

Please indicate your attendance by contacting Christine Gibb on 0428 810 633 or via email at [email protected] May 2014 Page 8

A Ticket to Silverton by Alf Batchelder In 1949, Twentieth Century Fox produced the color film A Ticket to Tomahawk. If the movie is remembered today, it is for the presence of a blonde actress performing in a small chorus line. Even though she was not listed in the cast, her brief appearance indicated that Marilyn Monroe had an indefinable “star” quality. However, in an age when few movies were made on location, the film received considerable attention because, as one review put it, many of its action scenes were “played out against some of the most gorgeous Colorado scenery ever captured on Technicolor.”

For the struggling Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, A Ticket to Tomahawk was a timely lifeline. Though the company had already been trying to promote tourism, the film triggered an influx of visitors who came to enjoy the stunning scenery of the narrow gauge line that runs from Durango to Silverton. Their interest was subsequently reinforced by films like Across the Wide Missouri, Viva Zapata! and especially the block- buster Around the World in 80 Days, ensuring the survival of a line that is surely one of the great railway journeys of the world.

The line is a fragment of an ambitious but unsuccessful project aimed at operating a 36- inch narrow gauge railway from Denver to El Paso, some 875 miles to the south. The original plans were eventually amended to include extensions throughout the booming mining country of central and southwestern Colorado. When the Denver and Rio Grande Railway reached Durango in August 1881, the town had a population of about 1000, as well as 59 liquor outlets and one Episcopalian church. Eleven months later, the track had advanced 45 miles north to the boom town of Silverton. In the decades that followed, this branchline would carry at least $300 million in precious metals from the mines. Nevertheless, survival was an almost constant struggle for the company that, after 1921, was known as the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. It battled against annual snowslides, several major floods and the decline of the mining industry, as well as insignificant passenger revenue and competition from trucking. Consequently, it K-28 476 prepares to leave Durango with a mighty column of steam and smoke was primarily the influx of tourists after World War II that shielded the Silverton run to Silverton, but the four K-36 locos, route from closure. Indeed, by 1963, so many The D&SNG now uses two classes of former made by Baldwin in 1925, had previously been visitors were arriving that a second daily train Rio Grande 2-8-2 Mikado locomotives on its operated by Rio Grande only between to Silverton was added. Even so, as freight tourist services. On both types, the chassis is Durango and Antonito. (The K-37 locomotive traffic continued to fall, the company sought of outside-frame design with the drive wheels 497 was used on the Silverton route for seven government approval to abandon the line, placed between the main frames, and the years, but was traded to the Cumbres and only to have the Interstate Commerce running gear to the outside. Weighing more Toltec Scenic Railroad in 1991.) The Durango Commission refuse the request on account of than 250,000 pounds when loaded with coal and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which the growing tourist patronage. As the and water, these engines are among the most is now owned by American Heritage Railways, Silverton branch neared its centenary in 1981, powerful narrow-gauge locomotives to be operates throughout the year, sometimes Florida citrus grower Charles Bradshaw used in the United States. Under Rio Grande making as many as five trips a day, and has purchased the right-of-way and its equipment ownership, the railroad’s three K-28 engines, museums in Durango and Silverton. to establish the Durango and Silverton built by the American Locomotive Company The nine-hour round trip between the two Narrow Gauge Railroad. in 1923, had long been familiar sights on the (Continued on page 9) May 2014 Page 9

(Continued from page 8) towns attracts about 200,000 patrons annually. Return fares range from $85 to $189 for travel in the Presidential Class luxury of Cinco Animas, where “the Victorian splendor of a bygone era awaits you onboard one of the most legendary and historic private cars to ever grace the narrow gauge rails.” The Tuscan red carriage, built in 1883 as a very basic immigrant sleeper, allows passengers “to relax in built-in Pullman berth seating, or enjoy the views out the rear from the Observation Parlor Room.” In addition, “a large outdoor viewing platform is exclusively available to those who choose this car.” For the really big spenders, a 3½-hour one-way cabride is available for $1000.

Since Durango is 6512 feet above sea level, the railroad offers the following advice to intending travellers: To help thwart altitude sickness (headache and nausea) guests are encouraged to get The Animas River is a 204 kilometer long river which is part of the Colorado River system. plenty of rest, drink lots of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Whenever possible, try to acclimate to the altitude by arriving a day as it moved through increasingly spectacular the winter months, the D&SNG travels only early. scenery, where, in some places, the engine as far as Cascade Canyon, 26 miles from The station is located at the southern end of and its yellow carriages snaked around Durango.) town, just a few blocks from the residential frequent 24-degree curves. The most area. As a result of complaints from the locals memorable moment came as the train wound Just before noon, the country became more about the large amounts of smoke produced its way on to “The Highline”, where the most open, and we were in a wide valley, with by the coal-fired locomotives, the D&SNG unforgettable scene in Around the World in 80 Silverton visible in the distance. Located 9288 uses wood pellets for overnight fuel and relies Days was filmed: 400 feet above the Rio de las feet above sea level, with high mountains all on diesels to move rolling stock. With the Animas de Perdidas, “the River of Lost Souls”, around, the town seems to have changed little line crossing several of Durango’s main the narrow track has near-vertical red granite from the days in the late nineteenth century thoroughfares, traffic police are on duty near walls on its left – and a very precipitous drop when a miner reputedly coined its name, the station when trains are departing and on the right. When the line was built, saying “We may not have any gold, but we returning. workers were paid $2.25 a day to dangle on have silver by the ton.” Literally miles from ropes down the thousand-foot rock face to anywhere, parts of Silverton resemble the set On June 3, 1991, my train left at 8.30 sharp, drill, blast and chip out a shelf for the track. of a western movie, and it didn’t take much hauled by K-36 engine 481. Like all of the The project was so risky that the Denver and imagination to envisage the sheriff and a posse locos that I saw in Durango, 481 produced an Rio Grande president, General William riding down the street. Places like the Shady incredible display of smoke and steam as it Palmer, constructed the route in secret, Lady Saloon (a former brothel) and the Bent moved through the town and out into a wide fearing that his fellow directors would veto Elbow Restaurant (once a bordello with valley, where high mountains with rich rust- the plan before he could safely complete it. fourteen beds upstairs) add to that coloured strata rose in the east. For the first The general was probably also nervous about atmosphere. Since 1963, the train has not ten or twelve miles, there was nothing the finances involved – construction of the stopped at the “dee-po”, as the locals call the remarkable about the trip, but, after about Highline is reputed to have cost about station, but travels on to East 12th Street, so forty minutes, that started to change as the $100,000 per mile. This precarious ledge was that passengers don’t lose time walking into train approached Hermosa, which was once widened when heavier rails and new sleepers town. While visitors enjoy the sights, the rail the site of a construction camp described in were installed to accommodate the K-36 class yards become a hive of activity, as there can the April 1882 issue of Harpers Magazine: after 1981. Looking down at the river far be three trains waiting to be turned on the Presently we came upon one of Mr. below, I fervently hoped that there would not wye. Wigglesworth’s construction camps – long, low be a derailment. (About two miles to the buildings of logs with dirt roofs, where grasses north, where the track is much lower, a Despite the chilly weather, the return journey and sunflowers and purple asters make haste double-headed mixed, bound for Durango, to Durango was as enjoyable and spectacular to sprout, are grouped without order … left the tracks in 1919, killing fireman John as the morning’s ride, but I couldn’t help Beside the larger houses, inhabited by the Conner. Incredibly, the two locos were thinking that it was quite amazing that the line engineers, foremen, etc., you will see numbers repaired and returned to service.) was even operating. On the morning of of little huts about three logs high, roofed flatly February 10, 1989, a spectacular fire had with poles, brush and mud, and having only a For the remainder of the journey, the Animas destroyed the Durango roundhouse, with window-like hole to creep in and out through; River was our trackside companion, no longer temperatures near the roof reaching 2500° to or into a sidehill will be pushed small caves a distant sight, but close alongside, and always 3000°C. Since all six of the D&SNG’s with a front wall of stones or mud and a bit of fast-flowing and white. The surrounding serviceable engines were inside at the time, canvas for a door – in these kennels the mountains, sparsely covered with pine trees, the future had looked incredibly bleak but, laboring men find shelter. towered above the line, with Mt. Garfield and working largely in the open, the roundhouse other peaks reaching more than 13,000 feet crew were able to have locomotives ready to Between Hermosa and Rockwood Cut, 481 as they rose steeply from the river’s banks. It start the summer season in May. In February started to work harder – and ever harder. is in this area that snowfalls prevent trains 1990, a new roundhouse was brought into For half an hour, the loco battled a 1:40 grade from reaching Silverton – in 1993, at Elk Park service, at a cost of more than $2,000,000. It Siding, 120 feet of snow covered the track. (In (Continued on page 10) May 2014 Page 10

(Continued from page 9)

was another extraordinary achievement in the history of this remarkable railway.

References: Personal Diary Osterwald, Doris B.: Cinders and Smoke, Lakewood, Colorado, 1990 edition.

Queens Birthday Long Weekend We’ll be operating on Sunday 8th June as well as Monday 9th June. Long weekends are always popular times to visit the railway, so why not bring your family, bring your friends A new steel gate has been erected on the Maryborough line, just to the west of Maldon Junction, and enjoy a relaxing trip between Maldon and Here, Tony “Ashcat” Marsden captures a picture of the gate from the cab of K190. Several level Castlemaine. crossings on the line between Maldon Junction and Maryborough have also been removed, to prevent further road damage. Booking Officers - Your Help is Important! We are working hard to promote Driver Experience packages and your assistance in getting the message out there is invaluable.

Why? Driver Experience packages are one of the most profitable products that we offer. They’re also one of the packages we can offer with only 3 volunteers—A Driver, Fireman and Guard—so they aren’t as taxing on our volunteers as a regular running day.

How we’re promoting Driver Experience packages? Over the past two years, we’ve used a number of methods to promote these packages, including:  A radio campaign on 1116 SEN in Melbourne  Three Facebook advertising campaigns, directed at motoring enthusiasts, women around Valentines Day as a gift for their partner and around Christmas as a gift idea.  Setting up two new websites being:  www.driveatrain.com.au  www.driveasteamtrain.com.au  Designing, producing and distributing promotional postcards and business cards  Having a staffed stand at the Steamrail Open Day

How you can help? We’re hoping that every Victorian Goldfields Railway person who purchases a General Office and Marketing ticket leaves with one of our P.O. Box 51, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 business cards (as shown, right). The thought is that Phone: (03) 5470 6658 they will put it in their purse Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 or wallet with their credit card and then find it later Email: [email protected] for bookings, on—probably when they’re Train Times & Fares information or at home. Hopefully they’ll [email protected] for all other enquiries then remember the enjoyable trip they had with Castlemaine Railway Station us and be curious enough to Kennedy Street, Castlemaine jump on the website where Phone: (03) 5470 6658 all the details are located.. Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272

Our target Maldon Railway Station We know that if one in Hornsby Street, Maldon every thousand passengers were to book a Driver Experience package, that would be an extra Telephone: (03) 5475 1451 17 packages per year and hence a really significant source of revenue that can be allocated towards restoration and refurbishment of our equipment, rolling stock and infrastructure. We have just received over 7,500 business cards, so there is no shortage of them and no restriction www.vgr.com.au on who we give them to. [email protected]

Thanks for your assistance as ambassadors of the railway!