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Depot Diary No. 106 1 Blue Mountains Division

January – June 2011 New South Wales Rail Transport Museum

1. VETERAN RETURNS TO LIFE

Alco fanatics would have thought all their Christmases had come at once late last year with the return to active service of Australia’s first mainline diesel locomotive in 4001.

The NSW Rail Transport Museum realised the significance of the 40 Class late in their working life when it became known that the Railways had committed to trading in the 20 members of the 40 class for the newer 442 class. Negotiations commenced with A E Goodwin to purchase a complete example for scrap value.

Unfortunately, this was not possible.

4001 was ultimately chosen as the class representative and purchased by the NSW Rail Transport Museum from A E Goodwin in 1972. At the time, 4001 was purchased as an incomplete exhibit as some of its mechanical components were used in the construction of the newer 442 class.

After many years of sitting stored as an unloved silent rail hulk at Thirlmere, 4001 has been bought out of retirement to the delight rail enthusiasts young and old. Although belated, the Members of the Blue Mountains Division pass on their sincere congratulations to Ian Gregory and his team who have dedicated so much of their time to overcome the many hurdles to bring this veteran back to life.

NEWSLETTER OF THE VALLEY HEIGHTS LOCOMOTIVE HERITAGE MUSEUM BLUE MOUNTAINS DIVISION OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES RAIL TRANSPORT MUSEUM ABN 25 000 570 463

ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE SECRETARY, VALLEY HEIGHTS LOCO DEPOT HERITAGE MUSEUM, P.O. BOX 484, SPRINGWOOD, N.S.W., 2777 Web Site: www.infobluemountains.net.au/locodepot

No. 106 Jan – June

2011 The Depot Diary

All Advertisements in this Newsletter are free, in recognition for the people and companies who have helped us in our activities.

Beautifully restored diesel locomotive

4001 arrives at Valley Heights with the

RTM Members train on Saturday 5th

December 2010. Photo: Glenn Hargraves.



We hope our members find the following account of 4001’s restoration of interest.

May we all enjoy the efforts of Ian’s team with many years of active service from 4001.

4001 – An Introduction

The 40 class were the first mainline diesel locomotives to enter into mainline service in Australia.

Built in Montreal Canada by the American Locomotive Company, 20 members of the class were imported and entered service for the NSW Government Railways in 1951.

All the 40 class were painted Verdant green upon arrival in Australia.

4001 entered service on the 29th November 1951, along with 4002. Both these locomotives commenced operations in goods service the following day between Enfield and Broadmeadow.

4001 was withdrawn from service on the 17th November 1971, just 12 days short of 20 years of working life. It was rebuilt & re-launched 39 years & 3 days after withdrawal from service.

Interesting Facts about members of the 40 class

4001 & 4002 were painted blue for Queen Elizabeth's royal tour around NSW in February 1954. That is the reason we chose the blue, because of its unique role of 1954 & the historical significance of the Royal tour.

4017 was the first Locomotive to run 1 million miles in revenue service.

Electrically, these locos were only compatible with another 40 class, because they only had a 21-pin jumper and manual transition. So, that meant if it had to attach to another loco other than a 40 class, both locos had to be manned & driven separately.

Originally, for the first 6 months they only hauled freight, but on the 15th June 1952, 4020 & 4019 hauled the Brisbane Ltd from Sydney to South Brisbane cutting 3 hours off the running time. On the return journey they were coupled to a freight train & cut 12 hours off the Brisbane to Albury running time.

After that, the 40 class mainly worked passenger trains until late in their working life where they were relegated to mundane trip trains & light freight trains, but were still used exclusively on the North Coast Daylight Passenger. They were also known to haul the Central West Express on the rare occasion.

Sister locomotives 4002 and 4006 were sold to Cliffs/ Robe River in 1972 where they were used on construction trains in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Reclassified with numbers 9401 (4006) and 9405 (4002) both these sister locomotives still remain in preserved life. 9401 (4006) is statically displayed at Wickham in WA, while 9405 (now renumbered back to 4002), is preserved by the Pilbara Railway Historical Society in their museum at Dampier.

Restoring 4001

The project started on the 7th April 2003 with electrician Col Parry, Jeffrey Snedden and Ian Gregory.

Work commenced with eight days of intensive electrical repairs & the modifications required to bring it to compatibility with all other locos, culminating in testing the control circuits by coupling 4001 to 4803 on one end then 4520 on the other, to prove the through wiring. This became the first success story of the eight year long restoration program.

The replacement motor was saved from the scrap heap at AIS (Australian Iron & Steel) Port Kembla in 1978 by Allan Leaver, Bill Parkinson, Arthur Tubby & the late David Howarth.

The motor was placed into an S truck and it was transported to Thirlmere where it remained until 2004.

Above: Leader of the Restoration Team Ian Gregory stands beside 4001’s replacement motor during its overhaul on 24/08/2009. Picture: Courtesy of Ian Gregory.

Above: Christmas Eve 2009 saw the replacement motor lifted and onto the locomotive. Picture: Courtesy of Ian Gregory.

The team encountered many challenges which they had to overcome to successfully bring the locomotive back to life.

As you can imagine many of the locomotives parts had been removed in the time it sat lifeless in the Museum’s



collection. Finding all the necessary missing parts, both major and minor, was a major hurdle to overcome as no one knew where these parts had been stored or if in fact they had.

It was not until vehicles had to be emptied in preparation for relocation to Broadmeadow that some of the key parts that were missing, were in fact found. The radiator fan together with the safety rings for the radiator fan and the turbo air filter box were hidden under a pile of seats in one such vehicle.

The traction motor blower that fits on the spectacle plate on the main generator was missing. So Jeffrey Sneddon modified an old 48 class Traction motor blower to fit our requirements.

Above: 4001 sits quietly in the new Roundhouse at Thirlmere pondering its future as work progresses on its ultimate return to service. (3/4/2010). Picture: Courtesy of Ian Gregory.

Above: 4001’s motor is sheltered by the restored body panels as work near completion on the locomotive’s overhaul. (14/5/2010) Picture: Courtesy of Ian Gregory.

The Bullring was a major item missing from the rear of the main generator. Sourcing a bull ring gear that drives the auxiliaries off the main generator. We did not have one. Without it, the project basically came to a halt for a few months until Col Parry found one for us through personal contacts. By asking around the Railway circle we were donated the bull ring and the spectacle plate complete, from CFCLA company.

We did not have the original oil filter, so a modified Mischiana standard oil filter to suit our requirements was obtained. New legs had to be fitted and welded into place to suit our oil lines.

Air filters in the side doors were non-existent. It was very important to me that we source filters to fit into each door to keep as much dust out as possible from the engine compartment, generator compartment & compressor & turbo intake areas.

In April 2010, Ian Gregory the Restoration Teams lead visited his daughter in Vancouver, Canada. While in Canada and just a short 50 kilometres north of Ian’s daughter is a place called Squamish where the West Coast Railway Museum resides, but more importantly the original RSC3, No. 561, which is in operational condition. Ian visited the Museum and managed to talk his way into having a detailed look over it. It was not on the Museum site, but in a shed about 500 metres away. Externally, 561 looked good, but the moment I started opening engine room doors I noticed how much dirt is sucked in through un-filtered door louvers. It was filthy! So as soon as I arrived home, I contacted Rainbow Filters who measured & supplied 32 filters for the doors. They are easily replaceable when needed.

A number of spare parts are available in need but, bear in mind these same parts are also used to keep 4306 operational. Currently, the RTM is the only organization in Australia running two locomotives with 244H motors, so we have to be very careful, because we don't have an endless supply.

The team was also fortunate enough to engage the support of external organizations to contribute to the project.

As mentioned earlier, CFCLA donated the required bull ring missing from the rear of the main generator.

The windscreen and side window glass did not meet today’s standards for safety. Contact was made with O’Brien’s Glass who came and fitted the right specification glass to the loco.

Northwest Coachbuilders supplied their time for free. They completely rubbed the locomotive back to bare metal & repainted it into what you see today.

Above: 4001 in the paint shed at Thirlmere ready for priming after having the body work rubbed back to bare metal. (14/10/2010).



Above: Two days later the locomotive is one step closer to receiving its final colour having been primed. (16/10/2010) Picture: Courtesy of Ian Gregory.

Those involved in the locomotives restoration.

The number of team members varied over the 8 years, with only one man, Jeffrey Snedden, sticking with me throughout the whole project.

The Illawarra group of John Knotek, Bruce Chisolm, Gary Reuter, Russell Smith, Bruce Merritt, Gary Woodward and Matthew Reuter worked on the 244H motor from 2003 – 2007.

The RTM staff of Jim Martin, Max Blundell, Phil Davis, Peter Martin, Paul Gray & Ashley Fitton worked on removing the canopy, lifting out the old motor & generator, lifting the locomotive and overhauling the bogies, fitting the Traction motors and fitting locomotive back onto bogies through 2008.

RTM volunteers Luke Dunlop, Dan Barham, Bruce Callaghan, Chris Olsen & Neville Henry helped us with completing the overhaul of the motor, wiring, cleaning, rust removal & cab repairs from 2007 to completion.

The Illawarra Group worked every 2nd Sunday on the motor.

The RTM staff worked on it through the week intermittently as their other work commitments allowed.

The rest of us worked on it any day we could spare, but when something major was to be undertaken, it would be on a Saturday.

We would like to thank Ian Gregory for his assistance in providing the content for this insight into 4001’s successful eight year restoration.

Above: 4001 proudly leads 4520 and 44211 upon arrival at Valley Heights. Picture: Glenn Hargraves

2. MUSEUM CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS

For the last couple of years the Museum’s last two open days for the year have been promoted as Christmas themed days with a visit from Santa. We continued these days again last November and December. Each year a little more has been invested to promote the days and as a result the interest from the community has grown. This year we had approximately 200 visitors over the two days. The November day was considerably wet which saw between 70-80 visitors however the sun was shining for the December day and over 100 people were on hand to see Santa arrive on the 11am Tram.

Parents of the children were noted at saying how the kids were able to interact more with Santa in comparison with the large Shopping Centres where you pay your money have your photo taken and its time to go. While we believe visitors pay a comparable amount to the commercial environment we feel we may be onto a winner having the interaction with Santa and his elf to enhance the customers visit. In some cases parents have been very pleased with the experience, commenting on the fact that they have never been able to get kids photo with Santa previously.

Publicity for this year’s event was spread across the community from Blacktown to the Upper Blue Mountains with paid advertisements in the Blue Mountains Gazette, Penrith City Star and St Marys / Mt Druitt Star. Both Star papers also ran quarter page editorials on the same page as the advertisements in specially printed sections of their papers dedicated to Christmas events. We would like to express our dedicated thanks to the editors of both papers, with special thanks to Tannia Garces of the Star papers (Fairfax Media Group) and Anthony Alcock of the Blue Mountains Gazette (Rural Press) for their assistance in promoting the events.

The 2010 event was the most successful of the three we have held to date, with over 220 visitors coming to visit Santa over the two days.

Planning is now underway for this year’s two Christmas themed days. Our aim is add something new each year to build on our success.

Details of the Christmas days will be circulated to members with the next mail out. Details will also be posted on our website in the near future.

SPRINGWOOD RETRAVISION

66 Macquarie Road Springwood NSW 2777

Phone: 02 4751 7155 Fax: 02 4751 7154 Email: [email protected]



Below: Many happy family photos were taken on the day. Here Santa is kept busy with five members of the one family discussing there Christmas wishes, many of them coming dressed as Santa’s helpers. Look out Elf! Photo: Andrew Tester.

Above: Santa waves to many excited children as he arrives aboard the Tram. (Photo: Andrew Tester).

Above and Left: Some interesting feedback we have had from visitors is how the kids can take their time and interact with Santa rather than the factory production line that exists in the

commercial environment at the large shopping centres. Here Santa meets and greets the children and rides with the visitors on the tram. Santa’s elf also gets in on the act and meets with Santa’s visitors.

Photo’s: Andrew Tester, Margaret Tafe

Above: Upon arrival Santa stumbled across one of his naughty elves who tried to steal Santa’s thunder. Santa got his own back by keeping his elf very busy. (Photo: Andrew Tester).

3. RAILMOTORS 636/736 FADE INTO HISTORY

For many years the Museum has stored (on temporary terms) two 2 car Railmotors sets.

Back in 1989, Railmotors 636/736 and 670/770 arrived behind a special RTM members tour after being collected from Port Kembla.



One set was to be used as a source of spare parts while the second set were obtained for future use by the RTM, should they not be successful in obtaining one to the sets that were at the time, still in service in the Hunter Valley. There storage at Valley Heights came about due to storage restrictions at Thirlmere at the time of being collected.

During their extended temporary storage at Valley Heights the cars became the target of numerous graffiti attacks. The condition of the Railmotors deteriorated during their time at Valley Heights. The only attention either set received by our members was to give them a quick coat of paint to hide the endless attacks of graffiti that these items attracted.

When the Office of Rail Heritage commenced a review of the items listed in their heritage collection, railmotors 636/736 were deemed to be surplus and tenders were called for their disposal.

After a lengthy tendering process and an even lengthy process of negotiations with the successful tenderers 636/736 were shunted to the Ash Sidings in preparation for their final demise.

In days gone by the scrapping of rolling stock was a long manual process using oxy acetylene equipment. Modern day scrappers now use what can only be described as a large mechanical dinosaur. Within 30 minutes of arriving on site the owner, using their dinosaur had the first carriage on its side and the process of cutting the carriage into smaller sections commenced.

Some members were on hand to witness the passing of 636/736 and while for the Museum’s image its is good to have these unattractive and derelict items removed from the site it is in some respect sad that these items could not find a secure home in retirement. Having said that, the opportunity was taken by members of other societies to salvage any reusable parts for future use on their operational fleet, prior to the scrapping of these cars.

Above: After completing its final journey 736 has been uncoupled from 636 as they await their ultimate destiny.

Top Right: Scrapping of both cars was quick using modern day equipment. Scrapping nears completion.

Both Photos: Col Burne.

4. LOCOMOTIVE 603A

In mid September last year former South Australian Railways and Australian National locomotive 603A was attached to a down freight train when it experienced a failed traction motor in the No: 2 end bogie.

The locomotive was taken off the train and stowed in the Tangarra Siding while the train continued on its journey. 603A stayed in that position looking lonely and unwanted for a period of 4 weeks when the locomotives owners GemcoRail (located at Parkes), were forced to move the locomotive, as the siding was required for track work.

Above: Ex SAR / AN 603A sits disgraced in the Tangarra Siding of Valley Heights Yard. The locomotive sat in this location unloved for 4 weeks before its owners were forced to move the locomotive due to track possession. Photo: Andrew Tester.

A mainline transfer at short notice was out of the question as a 40kph speed restriction had been placed on 603A being towed.

GemcoRail contacted the Museum and agreement was negotiated to transfer 603A into the Museum confines where the necessary repairs would take place.

On Friday 15th October 2010, locomotive FL220 (ex NSW 42220), now owned by CFCLA arrived at Valley Heights to shunt 603A from the Tangarra Siding into the Locomotive Depot.



Above: CFCLA owned FL220 (ex 42220) arrived from Sydney to shunt 603A into the Locomotive Depot where repairs were scheduled to make 603A mobile. (Photo: Ted Mullett).

Above: 5711 keeps 603A company while awaiting a bogie exchange. Photo: Andrew Tester.

Prior to this shunt, GemcoRail fitters inspected the locomotive to assess the necessary repairs required to be able to tow the locomotive. It was deemed that the locomotive required a full bogie exchange.

The locomotive’s owners, had to source a spare bogie. A bogie was located in Western Australia and transported to NSW. On Tuesday 26th October GemcoRail crews arrived equipped with the replacement bogie and a large crane, to lift the locomotive and carry out the bogie exchange.

Once the bogie exchange had taken place it was felt that 603A would soon be collected by its owners. It was another month before GemcoRail arrived to tow away their locomotive. Concern was held and we were beginning to think that 603A had been forgotten about and that we had acquired another exhibit by default.

As a result of the extra time 603A was located in the Museum, it was necessary to move the locomotive to allow our tram operations to continue on Open Days. On one occasion 603A was shunted into Bay 7 of the Roundhouse and became an extra attraction for visitors.

In early December, 603A was finally recovered and was towed to Sydney for further repairs.

The owners of the locomotive made a financial donation to the Museum for the storage of 603A.

Above and below: So that the Museum could maintain its steam operations on Open Days 603A was required to be located in the Roundhouse. 603A is stowed in Bay 7 of the Roundhouse on one Open Day. Photo: Andrew Tester.

5. TRACKWORK PROGRAM UPDATE

Progress to the Signal Box nears closer and closer. Our Perway team has completed work on the short shunting neck adjacent to the signal box. This will be Signal Box terminal for our tramway operations.

All that remains is for a fence to be erected around the terminal so that the tram will be enclosed from RailCorp’s operating lines.

This fence will have to meet RailCorp specifications and quotes have been obtained from suppliers.

Model Railway Proudly

Supported by

Telephone: 02 9809 6954

Email:[email protected]

Webpage: Http://homepage.idx.com.au/austrain/index.htm



Provision for a small platform will also be necessary within the enclosed terminal.

This will allow for a safe environment for our passengers to disembark away from the operational lines so that they can inspect the Signal Box.

We are still aiming to commence operations to the Signal Box during this current calendar year. Stay tuned for further news on this development.

Following the completion of this work, the next major track work required is the section of the Loco Arrival Road from the former Amenities Building back towards the turntable. Many of the timbers in this section are starting to show signs of needing replacement. This work will be significant, as the opportunity will be taken to reinstate a set of points in the Arrival Road that will lead back to the Departure Road. This will be the first step in reconnecting the Arrival Road with the Departure Road and form part of our long term goal to reinstate a passing loop or run around facility within our own yard. This will no doubt increase our operational flexibility.

At the same time as this, opportunity will be taken to carry out some repairs to the Turntable.

Stay tuned for some track working bees being called in the near future.

6. CATTLE WAGON EXCHANGE

The Museum from its inception drafted a list of desired exhibits that were deemed appropriate for display at Valley Heights. Included in this list was a number of 4 wheel fixed wheelbase freight wagons of which included a Cattle Wagon.

Our original source for this exhibit was the NSW Rail Transport Museum as they had duplicate examples of this type of wagon held in their collection.

Delivery of the Cattle Wagon occurred in 2008 when CW 17192 arrived at Valley Heights along with a number of other exhibits.

Built on a steel frame with a fixed wheel base, CW 17192 is an early Cattle Wagon. The condition of CW 17192 when it arrived at Valley Heights would be generally regarded as poor requiring extensive conservation work.

It soon become known that another example of an earlier built Cattle Wagon (coded L 473) was in the possession TRAK (now defunct). This wagon was built on a timber frame and is much better condition than the CW 17192.

With news developing that TRAK were looking at rationalising their collection. TRAK had offered this wagon to the Oberon Tourist Heritage Railway (OTHR) but an expression of interest were made towards obtaining this older example to place in the RTM collection at Valley Heights.

Above: Cattle Wagon CW 17192 in storage at Valley Heights. Photo: Andrew Tester.

A deal was negotiated whereby an exchange of Cattle Wagons would take place so that the more original example previously owned by TRAK would be delivered to Valley Heights at which time CW 17192 would be taken and delivered to Oberon for inclusion in their collection.

The exchange took place on 28/09/2010.

Mr Allan Leaver is the NSW Rail Transport Museum’s Senior Curator. Allan has undertaken some research on wagon L473 and revealed the following information on the vehicles history.

Wagon built new as CW 1622. It was built by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company and placed in service July 1907.

It was transferred to the Service Stock list in November 1941 and renumbered L 473. It became a workman’s van for the Signals and Telegraph Branch, so some body modifications would have been done to make it into a closed van.

L 473 was written off in November 1983.

L 473 when originally built as CW 1622 would have looked similar in appearance to that of CW 674 as pictured below.

Above: Cattle Wagon CW 674 as built. Photo: Courtesy of NSW Arhives.



Below: The operation to exchange to two wagons involved lifting them off and onto a low loader. Here L 473 is lifted from the low loader and placed onto the Arrival Road. Photo: Ted Mullett 28/09/2010.

Below: L 473 is lowered between an S truck and 36 class tender behind 5711, to fill to hole vacated by CW 17192. Photo: Ted Mullett 28/09/2010.

Above: L 473 (formerly CW 1622) is positioned in replacement of CW 17192. Photo: Andrew Tester.

7. CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA – LIBRARY AND SMALL EXHIBITS CATALOGING

The Library Cataloging project continues but some of the group is beginning to divert their attention to the cataloging of our Small Exhibits. This job is just as big if not bigger than the Library cataloging. More details will be reported on this project in the next edition of the Depot Diary.

8. DEPOT CENTENARY PLANNING

The Centenary Committee continues to meet every quarter. The December Meeting was deferred until January and the Committee has also met in March. To date the Committee has identified a schedule of events that we would like to organize to celebrate the Centenary. These Events are scheduled over a period of 8 months and comprise mainly of a series of day events commencing in December 2013 and running through until July 2014.

These events include a number of train visits from fellow Heritage Operators running tours to Valley Heights, opportunities to operate shuttle services for locals, Lapstone Zig Zag walks, Model Railway Exhibition, Railway Film weekend, to name a few.

Celebrations will “officially” kick off in January 2014 when dignitaries will be invited to Officially Open the Museum. This will also serve as a launch pad for the Centenary celebrations.

The committee has set dates for these events and will now be subject to funding.

To engage the interest of local and corporate businesses, the committee will be working on a Business Plan to sell the Museum, the historical significance of the Locomotive Depot and the Centenary Events.

This document will be used to try and seek financial assistance to sponsor the event organized for the

Further information will be communicated via the Depot Diary in the short term however closer to the Centenary a dedicated webpage will be launched with comprehensive details of the individual events included.

9. EXHIBITS

3214 – Work on the Tender of 3214 is well advanced. All needle gunning of the exterior of the Tender tank has been completed with coats of primer and a preliminary coat to the finish colour being applied. Needle gunning of the coal space

on top of the Tender has now commenced. The program to removal asbestos from the boiler and cylinders is yet to commence. This work is to be undertaken by approved contractors and will be engaged by the Office of Rail Heritage. We are waiting confirmation when this work will take place.

MRC – Currently a small band of volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia are working on the MRC. To date a tremendous amount of work has been carried out on sanding the timber clad body of the vehicle and de-scaling rust and road grime from the steel frame and bogies.

Some of the timber panel boards have rotted to the point of requiring replacement and work is currently progressing towards replacement of these timbers.



Above: Sanding back the timber panel boards on the MRC is well advanced. Although some of the boards require replacement most of the external timbers are in remarkably good condition.

10. TIN APPEAL The Museum uses large quantities of tins for painting, cleaning brushes and general storage of small hardware supplies. Presently our supply of tins is very low and would be happy to accept any tins members may be disposing of. The larger tins are of particular interest. Baby formula tins are an ideal size.

If you or you know of anyone who uses tinned Baby Formula, we have a use for the empty tins and would appreciate the donation of same.

11. TURNTABLE

Left: The sandstone bedrock that the Turntable was cut into is clearly visible as Roslyn Reynolds works to clean out the remaining loose soil. Photo: Peter Butler.

Members will recall reading the Turntable Pit has had all the Asphalt removed to reveal the original sandstone bedrock. Following the contractor’s

work, a small amount of loose surface soil was left behind which the excavator could not collect. Our Grounds Maintenance team have been working towards cleaning out the remaining soil, the results of which have complimented the presentation of the turntable, which is a key feature in the Museum and an attraction for our visitors.

Above: Roslyn Reynolds works hard to clean the Turntable pit by hand. Photo: Peter Butler.

12. DAVID TORR – OAM

Many of our members will not have known and as a result will not be aware that the Museum is saddened to report the unfortunate loss of David Torr – OAM, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

David has left a lasting presence at Valley Heights. He served on the Museum’s Executive Committee as the Building Restoration Manager. In his capacity in this role David masterminded the restoration of all the heritage buildings on site.

David’s funeral was well attended with over forty Valley Heights members and additional RTM members present to pay their respects.

Our sincere condolences are extended to David’s family on their loss. The Museum’s thoughts are with you always. You will always be welcome at Valley Heights.

Members can read more about David’s long involvement with the Museum in our tribute on the closing pages of this Newsletter.

How can you help restore 5711? $$$ 5711 RESTORATION FUND $$$

You can contribute to the restoration of 5711 by making a Donation to the 5711 Restoration Fund.

Donations of $2.00 or more are Tax Deductible.

Cheques should be made payable to the NSW RTM — 5711 Restoration Fund

and can be sent to the: Blue Mountains Division NSW Rail Transport Museum PO Box 484, Springwood NSW 2777.

Stay tuned and thank you for your support.



13. MEMBER’S MESSAGES

Wendy Torr (widow of the late David Torr - OAM) and her family would like to express her sincere thanks to the Members of the Museum for their thoughts and expressions of sympathy following the recent passing of David.

Wendy acknowledges the of presence of the many Museum Members in attendance at David’s funeral, many of whom she did not get to speak with and thank in person but wishes to express her appreciation through this publication. Thank you.

Dorothy Ball

Dorothy has been battling cancer for a long period of time

and continues to receive on going Chemo Therapy treatment, in an effort to overcome her battle.

Dorothy has her good and not so good days throughout the course of her treatment but continues to stay determined and strong.

Dorothy – Your many friends continue to think and pray for you and wish you well.

Ted Mullett

Our dedicated and long serving Chairman – Ted Mullett has had a second knee replacement during June. Ted is now back at home recuperating. We wish all the best in your rehabilitation and look forward to seeing you back on deck in the near future.

Vale: Cornelis Geelan

The Museum is saddened to report the passing of Cornelis (Kees) Geelan.

Kees was a local electrician who joined the Museum in its early beginnings and assisted our Building Services Manager with many aspects of reinstating the Electricity supply to the locomotive depot. He often donated goods and services in kind, occasionally providing the services of his own staff and apprentices to assist in this work.

Just six months prior to Kees’s passing he was the benefactor of a kidney transplant. All was going well following this gift of life. Unfortunately, Kees suddenly took ill and his condition did not improve resulting in his tragic passing.

To Kees’s children and extended family we extend our Sympathies to you all.

Vale: Graeme Mollison

The members of the Rail Transport Museum and our own Valley Heights members lost yet another friend in Graeme Mollison during June.

Graeme was heavily involved with electrical work particularly at Thirlmere but also volunteered his services at Valley Heights in our earlier years.

To Graeme’s family we pass on our deepest sympathies and thoughts to you all, in this sad time.

14. RETAIL REPORT

Refreshment Sales – Our Retail staff play a very important role in our visitor experience. To the regulars who continue to support our Retail Manager, Steve Corrigan and his assistant John Carter the Museum expresses its sincere thanks.

Jean Grundy continues to support our Refreshment Team. Jean has proven to be valuable asset to our Sales staff assisting with the handling of food. This enables our sales staff to handle the money separately and eliminates potential health issues associated with handling both. Jean has extensive experience from working in school canteens. This experience has seen us trial new food ranges including small pizza slabs and Sandwiches, which give our customer a greater range of choice and are slowly becoming a popular choice.

A menu board has been installed in the dining area to highlight to our visitors the range of refreshments on offer on Open Days. It is hoped that this will entice our customers and enhance our refreshment sales.

We would like to also thank those who continue to assist in the operation of our Coffee Machine. Thanks to Glenn Hargrave, John Voytas, Robyn Stock, Ted Mullett, Megan Tolhurst and Heather Dickson who continue to assist in this important aspect of our business.

Coffee Machine – We are always on the look out for more up and coming baristas. If you feel you can assist us in this aspect of our operation, our Retail Manager, Steve Corrigan would welcome you with open arms to his rank of helpers. Training will be provided no previous experience required.

DVD & Video Stock Clearance Sale – The Retail arm of the Museum has a range of Video and DVD products reduced to clear surplus stock. The items listed below have been reduced as follows:

Title Product

Original Price

Reduced Price

Various Rowlingstock Titles

Video Various $11.00

Diesel Diary Vol. 13 DVD $39.95 $30.00 Diesel Diary Vol. 15 DVD $40.00 $30.00



Diesel Diary Vol. 16 DVD $40.00 $30.00 Diesel Diary Vol. 17 DVD $40.00 $30.00 Diesel Revival DVD $40.00 $30.00 Diesels in Australia DVD $39.00 $30.00 Diesels South Vol. 1 DVD $40.00 $30.00 Diesels South Vol. 2 DVD $40.00 $30.00 Diesels South Vol. 3 DVD $40.00 $30.00 Diesels South Vol. 4 DVD $40.00 $30.00 Great Diesel Tours DVD $39.95 $20.00 Double Headers DVD $39.00 $30.00 Easter Steam 2000 DVD $50.00 $40.00 NSW in Steam Vols. 1&2 - 2007

DVD $80.00 $60.00

NSW in Steam Vol 1 - 2008 DVD $45.00 $35.00 NSW in Steam Vol 2 - 2008 DVD $45.00 $35.00 NSW in Steam Vol 3 - 2008 DVD $45.00 $35.00 Steam In Australia DVD $39.00 $30.00 Stories of Steam Vol 9 DVD $40.00 $30.00

Calendars – We have a number of 2010 Calendars still available for sale. The year might be over but the pictures used to illustrate the calendars are usually worth this price alone.

RTM 2010 Calendar – Normally $16.00 reduced to clear now $ 5.00 NMRA 2010 - Calendar Steam & Diesel - Normally $18.00 reduced to clear now $11.00

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR 2011 CALENDAR YET?

RTM 2011 Calendar - $16.00 Australian Tram Calendar 2011 (Featuring our very own Steam Tram 103A) - $ 11.95 NMRA 2010 – (Calendar Steam & Diesel) - $18.00

15. WORKS REPORT

Work Hours – The following hours have been logged by our volunteers for the months of December 2010 to March 2011.

Activity December January Services 10 73

Buildings 292 290

Model Railway 27 15

Workshop 164 149

Exhibits 83 83

Landscaping / Grounds 68 134

Publicity 9 2

Retail 67 78

General / Admin 139 97

Perway 113 133

Total 972 1054

Activity February March Services 0 9

Buildings 136 299

Model Railway 6.5 22

Workshop 70 151

Exhibits 103.5 65


Publicity 8 9

Retail 93 66


Perway 300 97

Total 1065 931

Activity April May Services 33 24

Buildings 235 283

Model Railway 15 18

Workshop 49 172

Exhibits 117 191


Publicity 15 12

Retail 201 162


Perway 166 240

Total 980 1372

Reminder – Attendance Register All members please ensure that you register all details relevant to your attendance at the Depot, in the Attendance Register. This enables an accurate record of your time spent on each project to be established. Workers Concession hours are calculated from these records. It is also a requirement for Insurance purposes, should anything unforeseen happen to a worker while on the site.

SHOP ASSISTANCE “We have a need for more people to assist in the shop, so if you like

dealing with people, or you think that you would like to work in the shop area, your help would be very gratefully appreciated. No retail experience necessary. Interested persons will be trained by

experienced staff and depending on numbers volunteering, be rostered once every couple of months or so. Please contact our Retail Manager

Steve Corrigan on 4759 1980 or email: [email protected].”

YOUR MUSEUM NEEDS YOU



16. EMAIL Do you have email access and would like your copy of the Depot Diary emailed to you? Please let us know of your email address. If you already receive the Depot Diary by email, please ensure you advise us of any changes to your email address. If you no longer wish to receive the Depot Diary by email please advise. This will ensure you continue to receive your copies of the Depot Diary. Please contact the Museum’s Membership Officer, at our Postal Address with your revised details.

What are the advantages of getting the Depot Dairy by email? Receiving Depot Diary by email, you will not only get it quicker than through the conventional mail system, you will also receive a colour copy of the Newsletter.

17. NEW MEMBERS

We welcome the following new members who have joined and trust that they have a long and enjoyable association with the Museum.

Name Membership Number

Diane O’Donovan, Winmalee 68

Adrian Duffy, Colyton 69

Robert Carruthers, Woodford 70

18. CHANGING ADDRESS?

Are you moving home or changing your contact details? Please ensure that you keep us informed of your correct details. This will save the Museum money in postage and will ensure that we can continue sending you copies of the Depot Diary.

19. MUSEUM ADMISSION FOR MEMBERS

Just a reminder for the benefit of members of Valley Heights, the RTM, STaRPS and the Springwood Historical Society, in order to gain free entry to the Valley Heights Museum on Open Days, please have your current Membership Card / Badge ready for presentation to shop staff when asked to do so.

Failure to present your Membership Card/Badge when requested will require payment of the Admission charge applicable.

Visiting members of Valley Heights, RTM and Springwood Historical Society are advised that while your Membership entitles you to unlimited free Admission to the Museum this does not include Tram/Trike Rides. Unlimited Member’s rides cost – Adults: $6-00, School Students $4-00, Seniors/Concessions $4-00.

20. FUTURE DEPOT DIARIES

If any members have any features that they would like to include in the Depot Diary please contact our Publicity Officer to submit an article. These can be reports of work carried out at the Museum to items of Railway Interest in general.

21. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY Effective 1 January 2012, new legislation governing Occupational Heath and Safety takes effect. Currently OH&S legislation from state to state and the new legislations will uniform and bring the legislation into line nationally. The current legislation does not classify a volunteer worker, as not being an Employee. Under the new legislation any worker whether they be employed,

contracted or working in a voluntary capacity will be deemed as an employee. This will place a greater emphasis on volunteer organisations to ensure a safe working environment for all. As an organisation we will have to take a good look at where we can improve our work areas to minimise any risk of a workplace accident. To ensure we maintain a safe workplace for all we need to ensure we keep our eyes open to any possible problem, report it and take some immediate preventative action. No doubt, non compliance with the Act, could bring about penalties to the Organisation and potentially members, Lets ensure we all keep an out for our fellow members and friends. Your Museum will need the assistance of all members to ensure we stay on top of Safety.

22. JOINT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

The Museum’s Joint Operations committee comprising of representatives from the Museum, STaRPS and the Springwood Historical Society has recently reconvened after not meeting for some time The Committee meets to discuss Safety and Operational issues of the Museum and Tramway together with planning of events. Where necessary recommendations to the Museum’s Executive Committee are submitted in cases where funding is sought. This group is an important channel to maintain two way communications between all occupants on the site. We are seeking the services of two new members to represent the Valley Heights Museum on the committee. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who would like to get involved in the administrative side of the Museum who is aiming to perhaps becoming involved with the Executive Committee in the future. Should you be interested in joining the Joint Operations Committee please express your interest by contacting Andrew Tester on ph: 0414 732 675.

As you can appreciate, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is very much a part of our daily lives particularly within our working environment.

Even as a volunteer organisation we (as a Museum) have a duty of care to our visitors and working members who offer their services to ensure that their Safety is not at risk at any time while on site.

The Museum has a Joint Operations and Safety Committee (JO&SC) that is made up of members of the Museum, STaRPS and the Springwood Historical Society whose job it is to ensure that operational issues and items of safety are discussed and addressed accordingly.

Members are advised that when working onsite it is important that you sign on for duty in the Sign On book located in the member’s Meal Room at the rear of Road 5 of the Roundhouse. Likewise at the end of your time, please ensure that you remember to Sign Off before you leave for home. This is important for Workers Insurance

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY



purposes, as it is a record for when you were on duty at the Museum should something unforseen occur.

Important Safety for all Members to be aware of when on site.

• General Safety

When you are the only person working on site, a phone call should be made to a Museum officer, to advise them that you are on site and an approximate time that you will be leaving. A list of Museum contacts is in the Ticket Office near the phone. When you have finished make another call to the same officer to tell them you are locking up.

No heavy work (including heavy lifting, track work) is to be performed when on site alone.

If you know that you are going to be onsite to do any form of heavy work or need to use certain tools or pieces of equipment ensure that you make prior arrangements for someone else to be on site with you.

• Mobile Plant and Tools

Use of heavy machinery such as mobile plant (tractors, forklifts, compressors, ride on mowers) and certain tools (welders, oxy acetylene) are not permitted unless there is a second person on site at all times.

Tractors and Forklifts - Authorised Tractors and Forklift operators are to ensure that a second person (preferably another authorised operator) accompanies the operator at all times when the Tractors and or Fork Lifts are lifting and transporting loads.

• Safety Clothing

We ask that when you come to work for the Museum that you come appropriately dressed for the work that you intend to do. If you are working with or near any operating plant we ask that High Visibility clothing (Tee Shirt or Vest) is worn. Like wise if you are working on track work particularly in close proximity to the Main

Line that orange High Visibility clothing is worn. (Red clothing must NOT be worn).

As volunteers we cannot enforce what clothing we want you to wear but have listed below items of minimum protective clothing we recommend members wear while working onsite. These include:

• Work Boots (preferably steel capped).

• Overalls or appropriate full length work clothes

• High Visibility Tee Shirt or vest (when required).

• Gloves

When working in the workshop or around noisy machinery we ask that members wear suitable ear and eye protection. While the Museum does have a limited supply of goggles, ear muffs and dust masks we recommend you consider supplying your own for your personal use.

If you suffer from an injury while working onsite, please ensure you report the injury to a fellow worker onsite and that the nature of the injury is recorded on an Injury/Incident Report. These are located in the Member’s Meal Room.

The Safety of our Members and Visitors at Valley Heights is of paramount importance. If you are concerned over any aspect of onsite safety please ensure that you inform the

Duty Officer at the Museum or any member of the Museum’s Executive on the day you notice the potential safety risk, so that corrective action can be implemented as soon as practicably possible.

All Rail Safety Workers (those who have been accredited by STaRPS and issued with Certificates of Competency) and members of the Museum involved in track work and the movement of rollingstock should make themselves familiar with the Penalty Notices Facts Sheet and accompanying documentation, copies of which can be provided on request.

2011

JULY Open Days

Sundays 10/7 & 24/7/2011

Retirees Week Mon – Fri 11/7 to 15/7/2011

AUGUST Open Days

Sundays 14/8 & 28/8/2011


SEPTEMBER Open Days

Sundays 11/9 & 25/9/2011


OCTOBER Open Days

Sundays 9/10 & 23/10/2011


Annual General Meeting Saturday 29/10/2011

NOVEMBER Open Days

Sundays 13/11 & 27/11/2011 (Santa Visits – 27/11/2011)


DECEMBER Open Days

Sundays 11/12/2011

(Santa Visits – 11/12/2011)


RAIL SAFETY WORKERS - REMINDER

UP COMING EVENTS



Vale: David Victor Torr – OAM

David Torr joined the Rail Transport Museum volunteer workforce in the 1960’s. At the time

the RTM was very much in its infancy but David soon became one of the driving forces behind

building the Museum both at Enfield and Thirlmere.

In the early Enfield days, David could be seen performing various tasks on exhibits in the

Roundhouses that once housed the Museum’s collection.

In the mid seventies the government of the day decided that the Enfield site was to be

redeveloped and as a result the Museum had to be relocated. The government announced that

land was available for the Museum at Thirlmere in the Southern Highlands.

The site at Thirlmere was simply a bare paddock with a solitary tree, adjacent to the Picton-

Mittagong Loop Line. There were no buildings or sidings to accommodate the collection. The

Museum had to start from scratch.

Again David set about coordinating the relocation of the Museum from Enfield to the new site

at Thirlmere. Many long days and nights were had in meetings planning the relocation of the

Museum, coordinating working bees at the new site while organizing the transfer of the

collection and dismantling buildings at Enfield that will later be re-erected at Thirlmere.

Once settled at Thirlmere, David was instrumental in the initial construction of the Main

Exhibition building, which accommodated about 30% of the collection. David continued to

work at Thirlmere well into the 1980’s performing building maintenance and exhibit work.

Upon the formation of the Museum’s Blue Mountains Division and after securing a lease on the

former Valley Heights Locomotive Depot, David moved his Museum interests to their activities

at Valley Heights.

Although David had a desire to restore a carriage, he immediately set about focusing on the

enormous task necessary to repair the buildings, all of which were in poor condition.

Possessing the knowledge in building and skills in carpentry needed, David stepped forward to

guide the Blue Mountains Division in the conservation work required for their Buildings.



He immediately set about masterminding a program of works to deal with each building

individually. Over the years at Valley Heights, David has led and guided an enthusiastic group

of Retirees. They have banded together and achieved some fantastic results under David’s

leadership. Their achievements included:

• Reconstruction and extension of the toilet block to accommodate Ladies Gents and

Disabled facilities.

• The rear wall of the former railway employees Amenities Building required total

rebuilding after which the interior of this building was refurbished to suite the

Museum’s needs.

• The former Chargeman or District Locomotive Engineers Building required complete

reconstruction work.

• Our 98 year old Roundhouse has had 70% of its roof at its highest point and 60% of the

main Rear wall rebuilt. This has included the repair of approximately 49 window sashes

containing a total of 392 panes of glass.

Applications for Heritage funding were made to assist with the completion of this work. Again,

knowing what was required, David completed the applications, submitted the paperwork and

was successful in most cases.

Through all of this work, David researched original plans to ascertain the materials required to

undertake the necessary repairs and sourced these materials at the best possible price. David

has also maintained extensive records for each of the buildings he has led work on.

In 1998, David was recognised for his service to the community and the Rail Transport

Museum through being nominated and ultimately awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

In 2009, David and his band of Retirees were nominated and successfully awarded the Office

of Rail Heritage Award for Rail Heritage Conservation, Preservation, Restoration or

Reconstruction. An award for which David was extremely proud of as leader of this group.

To David’s wife Wendy and his sons Simon and Owen we extend our deepest of sympathy’s to

you and your families. David will be missed by his many Museum friends but we can all be

comforted by our fond memories we hold. The Legacy David has left to the community

through his Museum involvement will live on forever.

David Torr OAM – Rest In Peace.

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