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

2014 Steamrail Open Day On the March long weekend our friends at Steamrail held put on a wonderful display for their biennial open day at . Seven locos were in steam and all running at various times singly and double headed on the demonstration freight train, locos were regularly turned on the turntable, special lineups were set up for photographers.

Perhaps a highlight was seeing the A2 in steam minus cab and motion being pushed up and down the yard.

Our own K 160 was not left out as it was second engine to K 153, albeit not in steam, on some of the freight runs.

Carriage sets were set up to recreate typical Steamrail weekend, regular train and party train consists.

The VGR set up a tent in what should have been an ideal location next to Steamrail’s catering and souvenir sales and near the turntable. However the weather was less than ideal being very hot and gusty wind so our display suffered badly. We even tied the tent to a car on Sunday night to make sure it did not blow away. However we had a lot of interest and did make a good amount from souvenir sales. A number of VGR members looked in and special thanks are due to Joe Kellet for untiring help over two days and also to Will Maylor and Russell Chapman for looking after the stand on the Monday.

It was a great chance to see just what a tremendous facility is at Newport Workshops and would really recommend a visit in 2016 when we will make sure we set up inside the workshop buildings!

Photos courtesy of Alf Batchelder March 2014 Page 2

President’s Column Our joint venture partner Steamrail had its by Michael Vines period of over a month where we had very open day at Newport on the recent long little income at all did not help. Things are weekend. I attended on Monday the 10th of starting to pick up and we are assisted by March 2014 and was very pleased to see not members who are promptly getting in their only a tent advertising our cause but similar renewals and also accommodating us with the stalls for other preservation groups. The $20 levy as requested. cooperation amongst the various groups in is clearly developing and is the way The other piece of news is that the excavator to go for us all to prosper and survive. The has now gone to McCulloch’s in Bendigo to day itself was a spectacular advertisement for start fitting the HiRail equipment which will the preservation movement in general. There indicate to members that we are on track to were 8 locomotives in steam including A2 raise the necessary funds for us to do so. I 986 (not yet completed) for which I have thank all members who have made donations particular affection as I travelled behind it as a to this cause and if there are any members 5 year old with my late father on one of its who have not done so I would be grateful if last trips in 1963. Unfortunately our they would consider the importance of locomotive, K160, had blown an internal getting the excavator out on external steam pipe in the days leading up to the event contract work to increase our income as so it was on static display. It was good to planned. This is a crucial part of the have a chat to various members of other reorganisation of our business in the wake of groups including the Steamrail people. I was the collapse of the hiring income that was particularly interested in the virtual computer coming from El Zorro. display of V 499 traveling the Healesville branch. Whilst the weather was somewhat I plan to be up in Maldon for the week leading oppressive on the Monday I came away 2014. For me it was a long overdue chance to to the Easter long weekend. This is always a feeling the event was a great success. travel on the line and I found the day very busy time for us when passenger particularly enjoyable. Like the Steamrail numbers will be high. We will be on show to Members may also be aware that the event it was good to catch up with some of the general public and I am confident that we Daylesford Spa Railway has recently reopened our preservation friends at Daylesford and on will present very well given that J549 is fully its line back to Bullarto. This was the section behalf of the VGR I want to congratulate operable ( with K 190 ) and we have a fleet of of line severely damaged in the bushfire them on their persistence and endeavor in carriages that both externally, and internally, around the Musk area a couple of years ago. restoring the line. put us in a very good light. I hope to catch up A huge amount of effort has gone into with members/volunteers over this time and, rebuilding the line and it is a great credit to As for our railway I am glad that we are back as I have said before, our “door is always their members and volunteers that the track in full running mode because it has been open” in relation to positive suggestions and has been restored. I attended with our particularly difficult over the summer period, comments as to how we can further improve Secretary, Andrew Naylor, and Civil Branch particularly during February when we ran our tourism product. Manager ,John Shaw (who was also involved virtually no trains at all. As I have indicated to in the reconstruction work) for their opening members previously our cash reserves are Michael Vines ceremony on Saturday the 15th of March somewhat depleted at the moment so a President

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 March 2014 Page 3

Our Proud Sponsors March 2014 Page 4

Cumbres and Toltec by Alf Batchelder

Early on June 1, 1991, I was in a sleeping berth areas of south-western Colorado. Since the the drive wheels placed between the main aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief as it stopped Pass has a 1:25 grade in parts, the journey frames, and the running gear to the outside. in Dodge City, Kansas. Unfortunately, the between Denver and the boom town of The K-36 engines are among the most nearby historic part of the town, dating from Silverton took 31 hours. In 1951, the powerful narrow-gauge locomotives ever the wild days of the Old West, was on the unprofitable passenger service from Denver used in the United States. Since my visit, the other side of the train, so I was unable to get to Durango was dropped but the quest for C&TSRR has acquired the former standard a glimpse of the Boot Hill Museum and the natural gas and oil in the San Juan Basin kept gauge K-37 497 from cowboy movie star once-notorious Front Street. Nevertheless, freight traffic alive until 1968 when Rio Gene Autry, while K-27 463, built by Baldwin this brief stop was a reminder that, once, Grande closed the line. Keen to emulate the in 1903, returned to service in 2013. lawlessness had prevailed here in the "wildest, success of tourist operations on the Durango- wickedest and woolliest" of the cowtowns – Silverton branchline, the Colorado and New Although the train had some very and that, at times, the railroads were caught Mexico governments purchased the 64 miles comfortable coaches, I went down to the very up in it. of track between Antonito and Chama to end where there was an open wagon, with establish the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic deluxe stand-up seats, for an uninterrupted My final destination for the day was Chama, Railroad. The United States Congress then view of the magnificent mountains of New Mexico, where I would ride the created a commission to oversee the railroad, northern New Mexico. As there was not a Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad to Osier which was claimed to be the world’s longest breath of wind, the tall fir trees on their and back. Like the Durango and Silverton tourist railway. slopes stood absolutely motionless, while the Narrow Gauge Railroad, this is a fragment of first touches of spring foliage could be seen the network built by the Denver and Rio My journey to Osier on June 2, 1991, was on the thin white trunks of the aspens. At the Grande Railway, which had originally intended unquestionably one of the best days I have foot of these spectacular slopes, the train to operate a 36-inch narrow gauge railway ever had behind steam. I arrived at the Chama moved through grassy meadows with fast- from Denver to El Paso, Texas, some 875 station straight after breakfast to photograph flowing streams and, in parts, sprinklings of miles to the south. Instead, the company the action in the railyards. It was a calm, yellow flowers. It was only a short distance spread throughout Colorado, New Mexico sunny morning, with the smell and sight of from Chama that 488 encountered the 1:25 and Utah. In doing so, the Rio Grande became steam in these conditions bringing more than grade which would be present for most of the embroiled in right-of-way disputes with the a touch of excitement. Although parts of the journey to Cumbres Pass. A little later, traces Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The roundhouse, warehouses and parking lots had of snow could be seen, adding to the postcard situation became so bad that, apart from been changed, the Chama yard nevertheless quality of the landscape. Then, at about 9000 buying politicians and going to court, both retained the ambience of half a century ago. feet, snow started to fall, gentle flakes my sides hired gunslingers to protect their The presence of former Rio Grande rolling jacket at first, before chilly winds brought a interests. In June 1879, the Santa Fe hired Bat stock and locomotives, along with a large more vigorous flurry that forced everyone Masterson, Dirty Dave Rudabaugh, steam-powered rotary snowplow, adds to the inside. Undaunted, passengers opened their Mysterious Dave Mather and more than fifty authenticity. As I moved around this veritable windows on the leeward side, to watch as the other “heavies” to defend its roundhouse in time capsule, I was careful not to exert engine continued its advance through a very Pueblo. According to one report, the Rio myself, for Chama’s altitude is 7500 feet and wintry scene. Grande paid the mercenaries to leave, though we were therefore advised not to do anything the presence of a cannon might have too strenuous. Though the spectacle of 488 working in these encouraged their departure. conditions was exciting, I felt that the day was Finally, at 10.30, the former D&RGW 488 starting to shape as a disaster – the prospect Fortunately, the 1880 Treaty of Boston was ready to depart. Built by Baldwin in 1925, of continual snow storms was not quite my resolved the conflict, and the mainline over the 2-8-2 Mikado was one of four K-36 idea of railfanning at its best. Amazingly, once the Cumbres Pass between Antonito and locomotives then running with the Cumbres the train passed the old boarded-up station Durango was completed in August 1881, and Toltec. Weighing 286,600 pounds with its and its watertower at Cumbres (elevation adding another rail link to the rich mining tender, 488 has an outside-frame chassis with 10015 feet), we were on the other side of the mountains, and, almost instantly, the weather cleared, so it was back to the open wagon. Standing there in the sunshine, amid the serenity of the stunning meadows, I didn’t want the journey to end.

We pulled into Osier around one o’clock, just as engine 489, leading the consist from Antonito, appeared from the opposite direction. Because of the time and distance involved, some visitors choose to travel in only one direction on the train, while others prefer a return trip to and from Osier. Consequently, while the two trains exchanged locomotives, hungry hordes descended on the restaurant, reviving memories of days when railway refreshment rooms used to produce hundreds of meals in the minutes before departure. Fortunately, I was served quickly, so I was soon back outside to enjoy the remaining time in Osier, which, apart from (Continued on page 5) March 2014 Page 5

(Continued from page 4) the dining facility, is nothing more than a dot on the map, with an altitude of 9631 feet. The half hour that followed was unforgettable. I walked through a meadow, under a warm and vivid blue sky where big white clouds floated above the fir-clad mountains. For much of the time, I was quite alone, and it was wonderful to be well away from the line, with this wonderful scenery all to myself.

The ride back to Chama behind 489 was just as spectacular as the morning’s journey had been. Again, I stood on the open wagon, which was now right behind the locomotive and its occasional bursts of soot, but, like most of my fellow travellers, I wanted to make the most of this priceless outdoor experience. An unexpected moment of drama came when a carriage left the rails as the train was rounding a hairpin bend on a large meadow. With the use of a “frog” that is carried for such eventualities, the crew had the carriage back on the tracks in about twenty minutes, and we arrived at Chama half an hour late at five o’clock.

Since that day in 1991, the C&TSRR has had its problems. In 1999, the lease of its operator, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Corporation, was terminated “due to a failure to properly maintain the railroad and its equipment” and make rental payments. Three years later, the Federal Railroad Administration ordered a shutdown until specific track bed issues were resolved. At the same time, extremely dry conditions and fears that the locomotives would cause fires led the US Forest Service halt operations for most of the summer. After a fire at the Lobato Trestle in 2010, full services on the line did not resume until the following summer. Since 1970, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission has entrusted operations on the Cumbres and Toltec to seven different bodies, with the most recent change of hands taking effect in 2013. In sharing stewardship of the line, the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad aim “to preserve and interpret the railroad [for] the tens of thousands of visitors who come to be transported back in time through the beauty of the San Juan Mountains.” They have succeeded admirably.

References: Personal Diary Sumner, David: High Rails Over Cumbres, Sanborn Souvenir Company, Commerce City, Colorado.

Right - the icy watertower at Osier at an altitude of 9631 feet March 2014 Page 6

Good Friday Wine & Cheese Train Friday April 18th 2014 - 7:00pm

Includes Complimentary Cheese Platter. Drinks at Bar Price on Board. No BYO. Musical Entertainment. First Class - $48pp / Economy - $38 pp

Step aboard - relax, enjoy the entertainment, the company and the special atmosphere of the steam train as we take you on an autumn evening journey from Maldon to Castlemaine and back to Maldon. Enjoy the unique ambience of a great evening steam train journey.

Bring a friend - bring a group - for a great start to the Easter break. Bookings are essential on (03) 5470 6658 We’re Getting Closer to the Half-Way Thinking About Mark Volunteering?

We’ve had another successful month with the Takaeuchi Appeal now The railway is a great place to volunteer and reaching over $24,000 through either donations or pledges. We’re there are opportunities for people of all continuing to work hard to gain the rest of the funds needed to backgrounds to be part of the team that complete the Takeuchi. The excavator will shortly be sent off to our keeps the railway running. suppliers to have detailed design work done for the hi-rail gear. People often ask how to get involved and the If you can assist with this appeal, please send a cheque or money order answer is simple - contact our Volunteer Co- made out to “Victorian Goldfields Railway” and make sure you ordinator, Christine Gibb who will put you in mark on the envelope that your donation is for the Takaeuchi Appeal. touch with the relevant department manager. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. If each member were to Christine can talk to you about the various contribute $150 each, the Takaeuchi could be gliding along the rails in roles on the railways and the areas where we no time! have a particular need for enthusiastic volunteers. Some of these roles include: www.vgr.com.au/takeuchi_appeal.php  Booking Officers  Conductors Members Events for 2014  First Class Stewards  Retail Staff Please make a note of the following events Money raised will be donated the Cancer that will be held during 2014. A number of Council. High Tea will be served at  Boiler Makers / Fitters volunteers have expressed to me the need to Maldon Station. $30 per head  Carpenters / Painters hold other events outside the railway  Guards / Signalmen happenings so as everyone could socialise  Sunday 19th October - Anzac Centenary more, so hence the following, Re Enactment of the Embarkation Train  Drivers / Firemen (more details to follow)  Bus / Heavy Vehicle Drivers  Saturday 31st May - A Presentation  Mower / Slasher Operators evening will be held at the Castlemaine  Saturday November 15th - Volunteers  General Admin Staff Station telling us about the RAAF. A light Christmas Breakup. BYO Picnic tea. supper will be served after. (more details Sweets provided The only requirements are a friendly later) th  December – 10 Anniversary of the re- disposition and a willingness to obtain a opening of the line through to  Saturday 26th July - Christmas in July Working With Children check for those Castlemaine. Details of celebrations to be Train (more details later). volunteers dealing with members of the advised. public. Saturday in July or August – Date to be  There will be also be Steam Train 4 kids advised – AGM and Members Train to weekends and Mucklefest so please don't To contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Castlemaine and Return hesitate to contact us if you could spare some please either call Christine Gibb on time to help out with any of these occasions  Saturday 16th August - Trivia Night to be 0428 810 633 held at Castlemaine Station $10 per head. Christine Gibb Supper provided. Make your own table up or via [email protected] Volunteer Co ordinator Please note that you might not hear from us or mix with others on the night 0428 810 633 for a number of weeks (it’s a very busy time  Sunday 14th September - Pink Train. [email protected] leading up to Easter) Stolen Station Sign - Can You Help? On Monday 17th March a volunteer at the Bellarine Railway noticed that one of their station signs had been removed from a location known as Marcus Station which once boasted a Mallee type shed and separate goods platform. The sign was cut from its supporting posts by a saw of some description and it is not clear why anyone would do such a thing. The sign is made of solid timber and edging painted black with white painted raised wood lettering “MARCUS”. Our friends at the Bellarine Railway are asking for anyone with information on the sign’s whereabouts so it can be restored to its former location. Anyone with information should notify the Victoria Police at . March 2014 Page 7 March 2014 Page 8

Carriage Department Update Our regular eight members of the carriage department have been busy as always. Some of the recent progress has included:

80 BW (Kiosk Carriage) - The exterior paintwork and detailing is now complete. Many rusted interior roof panels have been removed and await replacement when suitable sheet steel can be obtained. Some timber panels need repair/replacement and much work lies ahead before it returns to traffic.

25 ABU - The roof is now sealed and one accommodation compartment is almost completed. We understand few examples of an ABU carriage still remain and when the exterior is repaired and painted this will become another “showpiece” for the railway.

ZLP VAN - One side is completed with the exception of a window frame to be installed and sections of rot to be repaired. Work continues on scraping, sanding and filling and undercoating. The ZLP is always available to be pressed into service when needed. Alf Batchelder captured J515 leaving the locomotive compound at Maldon during 2013. J515 is available if required, however J549 and K190 are the two locomotives that are being rostered on Upcoming Anniversary for duty over the coming months, so it is unlikely that J515 will see service in the short term. At 4:30pm on Saturday December 12th 1914, DD 893 was steamed out of the works and into the Thompson’s Foundry sidings. This Celebrating 10 Years of Running to Castlemaine was a major celebration with Victorian December 2014 marks ten years since the Victorian Goldfields Railway commenced running to Railway Commissioners and Government Castlemaine. The lead-up to the opening was marked by many thousands of hours of volunteer Officials coming by special train from work in terms of working to raise the funds required to re-build the line, including a large Melbourne, Foundry Management and number of bridges. Employees along with many interested townsfolk were all there to witness the Plans for celebrations are being worked on at the moment and details will be communicated via Steaming Out. Branchline. One of the key events will be an explanation of the process of re-building the line; the challenges, the triumphs, the milestones and some of the red-tape that we had to work We’ll be conducting a celebration of the through. Delivering these recollections will be former President, Tony Llewelyn. A date is yet to anniversary and details will be provided over be finalised for this address, however it is likely to form part of the Annual General Meeting. the coming months Victorian Goldfields Railway Safe-working Training Sign On at Maldon General Office and Marketing Course - April / May Please note that all crew sign-on is now in the safe-working room at Maldon Station. P.O. Box 51, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 st 2014 As of the 1 of March, ALL crews (Guards, Phone: (03) 5470 6658 This year's course will be run over two Signalman, Driver, Fireman, Trainees, Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 practical days, with all theory completed Conductors, First Class, O.I.C etc.) will sign outside of class this year. We will begin at on in the Safe-working room at Maldon Email: [email protected] for bookings, 9.00am on Saturday 26th April at Maldon Station before the commencement of duty. Train Times & Fares information or Station for induction / familiarisation and [email protected] for all other enquiries shunting practise. A sign-on book is provided as is a whiteboard (with markers too!) for you to place your Our second session will be on Sunday 11th name and contact details upon. This will Castlemaine Railway Station ensure that all staff can obtain contact details Kennedy Street, Castlemaine May 2014, we're we'll depart Maldon at 9.00am on a special train to simulate two on the operating day if required. Phone: (03) 5470 6658 Facsimile: (03) 5470 6272 crosses with the normal service. At the same time all operational, safety and policy / board directive notices have been Maldon Railway Station This training and subsequent assessment is required for future guards, track patrollers, moved to the safe-working room for all to Hornsby Street, Maldon see. We will be going back to the system we Telephone: (03) 5475 1451 loco crews and signalmen. had in the past of once you’ve read the latest Please contact Will Maylor on notice you will sign the rear (or attached www.vgr.com.au [email protected] or 0438 037 346 if sheet) to say that you’ve read and acknowledged it. [email protected] you're interested in attending.