All images on this site are © Copyright and remain the property of the photographer. These images may be downloaded and used for personal non-profit use. Any other use of these images is strictly forbidden without the prior written permission of the photographer.
<< Go Back
Yarrawonga 1936:
|
Our collection's most significant vehicle, double ended Leyland rail motor 53RM turns 80 years old next February (2006). Here it is almost 60 years ago with trailer at Yarrawonga in 1936. Hopefully some progress towards its eventual restoration will be made during 2006. (Photo: )
|
Cathkin 1988:
In February 1988 money was tight ("like its not now!" I here you say) but back then we were struggling to get the railway up and running so any opportunity was taken when the chance arose to acquire material free of charge. As such a number of expeditions were undertaken to the branchlines then being dismantled to salvage track bolts. We had done so some years before when the Hamilton - Penshurst - Koroit line was being pulled up.
The photo here shows the CHTR expeditionary force at Cathkin on the Mansfield line. The day was in the high 30s but the next week when we took the junction and went along the Alexandra branch to the down side of Victoria Gap it was in the low 40s and the nuts when spun off with the impact wrench were so hot the grass started smoking! Over a number of weekends we got just on a 1000 bolts and arranged the purchase of 40 lengths of 60AS rail which we thought would be better put to use on our railway rather than be melted down and sent to Japan.
But I hear you say "why go all the way to Cathkin when you have a railway (Bullarto - Carlsruhe) about to be dismantled on your door step!" Those who were there well remember the Winter of 88. If only we had had a hovercraft.
|
Volunteers at Cathkin on the Mansfield line, February 1988. (Photo: Barry Fell)
|
Bullarto 1935:
Seventy years ago in 1935, Bullarto was much different to that of today. The building closest to the camera is the corrugated iron lamp shed, then there is the van goods shed, unusual in that it has a fire place, and in the centre a standard 1887 40' x 14' station building. The well maintained shrubs and rock gardens evident on the platform are an indication that the station caretakers green thumb.
|
Bullarto station in 1935. (Photo: Mr Alf Headland, DSCR Collection)
|
Moving DRC40:
It is 10 years since the DSCR acquired DRC40 by public tender in 1995, the DRCs having been withdrawn from service a year earlier. The price of $6,000 was quite reasonable for a fully functioning railmotor, however the $11,000 cost of moving it to Daylesford soon put that into perspective!
|
Here DRC40 has just been lifted from it's bogies and the float is being backed under the vehicle at Ballarat East Loco prior to being moved to Daylesford. (Photo: Barry Fell)
|
Gap between Daylesford and Musk:
It is 20 years since the DSCR received a $53,000 Community Employment Grant (Work for the Dole in 2005 speak) to employ 6 people to replace the "gap". This was the 1/2 mile section of track stolen between Daylesford and Musk in 1979 and which trapped the railway for so many years to the first mile and quarter from Daylesford.
|
Here the gap is pictured from the Musk end in May 1986 with the work gang just out of view around the corner. (Photo: Barry Fell)
|
<< Go Back
