August 2011

HRSA August Meeting Report

The meeting was held at Peterborough Rail Heritage Centre and thanks go to Horst and his team for their hospitality.

Boiler Code

The RISSB boiler code is now available le on the RISSB Web Site as a Code of Practice for use by organisations involved with steam locomotives. It has been agreed to commence work on a further code dealing with “operations” of the boiler and to this end approval his been given by RISSB for the task to commence although at this stage there is no funding available for face to face meeting so important with this type of work.

Lesson Plans

The first of the ATHRA Lesson Plants covering both steam and diesel loco drivers, fireman, diesel observer, guard, tram driver and safe working with an appendix for brake testing has been completed and is about to be posted to the ATHRA web site pending the transfer to the RISSB web site in the future. These are generic documents with a need for each organisation using them to customise them for their own use,

Rail Safety

Recently the NTC released their documentation on the Single Rail Regulator and held a number of seminars around Australia. In Adelaide the seminar was on Friday 27 July with many from the T&H sector unable to get time from work to attend. As a result Derek Heneker kindly made available his time and with Nic Doncaster ran a session for the sector dealing in some more specific detail with aspects affecting the sector. This was much appreciated and we have thanked Derek for his efforts.

Organisations were asked for comment on the documentation provided within a week and half of the session. Given that when the three documents were printed a ream of paper was gone gave little time to really digest all of the documents. At no time did the NTC address the draft Regulations which form a very important part of the organisation’s safety management system.

ATHRA, on behalf of the entire sector Australia wide made a response with input sought throughout the sector. At a state level I prepared a response on behalf off the SA groups with some of the members groups also, making their own submissions. All expressed concern at the lack of time. Other issues raised included the fee structure, fatigue management, drug and alcohol programmes, work place competencies and costs of medicals.

A meeting of the Government COAG group on mid August consisting of the Federal and State leaders agreed to continue with the project despite claimed concerns being raised in respect of some of the issues from Western Australia and Victoria. In Victoria a decision has already been made to exclude their tram system from the National Regulator. A number of the T&H groups in Victoria have also sought to remain with their local rail system manager.

Why a single Regulator? Under the present system some wanting to operate or own a railway in more than one State have to be involved with the Rail Safety Regulator from each of the States in which they wish to be involved and for main line operators and maintainers this is a cost and time problem. For those in the industry such as the T&H sector in this state there is no advantage however the practicalities of having a separate state and federal system would be hard to manage and more cumbersome than at present and not to mention the cost issues.

Discussions also took place about the involvement of DTEI and the sector with workshops on a variety of topics relative to rail safety and as sought by the sector. It was agreed that time should be spent at each meeting on some specific topics which may not just relate to rail safety but involve more than those attending the meeting as HRSA members.

With the next meeting to be held at St.Kilda the morning session will be devoted to discussions on Governance in relation to the Rail Safety Act and Associations Incorporations Act as well as to Management of Change which many organisations both in the T&H sector and commercial area are having problems with.

State Level Crossing Advisory Committees

There have now been two meetings of the sub group developing an Interface Document which can be used by all rail organisations to obtain an interface agreement with the Councils and DTEI for level crossings in their area. Separate undertakings need to be in place for “occupational level crossings” with the land owner concerned. Part of the main documentation will include a list of who is responsible for what at the level crossings For example the road owner is responsible for advance warning signs whilst the railway is responsible for signage at the level crossing etc.

The SA Rail Safety Act has been amended to require these interface documents to be in place and draws in the local government etc who until now have not wanted to know anything about level crossings – it was all too hard and if ignored might go away.

The next meeting of the main committee is scheduled for 25 August whilst the sub group have a meeting scheduled for 31 August.

Marketing

HRSA members have agreed to be involved in the production of a joint brochure detailing the T&H groups in this state. Recent publications have been made in both Tasmania and Western Australia where the costs have been met by the respective governments. In SA the organisations have to meet the costs and this will be done on a shared basis. National Rail Museum will be making available facilities for the development of art work and other associated productions to enable the costs to be kept to a minimum

Unfortunately HRSA lacks personnel with marketing skills to help the member organisations.

ATHRA

ATRA is due to meet on 13 and 14 October in Melbourne prior the International Rail Safety conference. A recent phone hook up of members brought members up to date with various activities. One major issue is the varying attitudes of State Regulators towards competencies and the involvement of Registered Training Organisations. (RTO’s)

Requests are being made on interstate groups to prove the competencies of their maintenance personnel and to want to see evidence as to how the organisations are aware of the competencies of their workers. A big issue is which RTO have the skills themselves to teach subject such as white metaling of bearings, maintenance of timber track and bolted rails, guard’s duties, steam loco driver’s etc and if they do exist who is going to pay the cost of their services?

This will be a feature discussion at the October meeting especially in light of the content of proposed legislation for the Single Regulator.

WATRAIN

There has been no recent news from WATRAIN and the 2012 conference. Details will be emailed to your organisation when received

Brian Busch,
HRSA President

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Group Reports

Peterborough Report

Financial Year 2010/11

SHRC exceeded the set goals for the last financial year, achieving in its first financial year of operation targets which have been set to be achieved in 2016.  SHRC had 10,250 paying customers through the gates of which 3,000 attended the Sound & Light Show, which operated on 355 nights out of 365 potential nights. SHRC was able to increase overall their volunteer base too, to conduct restoration/maintenance work as well as guided tours.

T199

On Sunday 4th March 2012 T199 turns 100 and SHRC is in the process of planning a weekend full of activities which will include the naming of the Round House  (William Alfred Webb Round House) to which the US Consul  General has been invited to. For Saturday night 3rd March 2012 a Silver Service Dinner is scheduled to be held in the Diesel Shed in front of T 199. Anyone linked to T199 or having photos etc. can contact SHRC so it can be included in the celebrations.

W 907 and train consist

Plans and schedules are being prepared to reposition W904 from the workshop to the entry of SHRC as a major Railway Icon, to attract more of the passing trade into the Centre. At the same time it is envisaged to put together a train consist (lead by a NSU class loco) on an already specially prepared narrow gauge track in front of the Diesel shed.

One of the gas struts on the bonnet of Simplex loco Farleigh is being replaced.
W907 still has an intact boiler and anyone interested in it should contact the SHRC Management Committee.

Display improvements

Display improvements continued to take place over the past months, installing automatic sensor lights into the various carriages (Lounge Car, Baby health Car, Twin-bed sleeper, and a number of other carriages) to which soon an audio track will be added to enhance the atmosphere.  Professional signs have been installed, replacing old and hand written signs in front of various displays. Missing original parts (tin sheets and windows) which have been part of the Round House cladding have been found and will be re installed next to Bay No.1 bringing it back more to the original appearance

Cobdogla Report

After our last open day in July, we have removed the turntable from Mudge's Loop and returned it to the museum to fit some additional cross bracing to it before its relocation to Scotty's Loop. The centre pivot was dug out and the concrete jack hammered off. Apart from the check rails, the new set of points for the turntable has been completed. It is hoped to have the turntable installed for the October Open Day.

A start has been made on the chassis for a 20 foot long flat top works wagon. We will use a set of passenger bogies on this as a temporary measure until we have the chance to put springs under the two unsprung foundry wagons. These will then be used as the bogies for the flat top works wagon.

The oil tank of the Bagnall tender has been drained, an accumulation of thick sludge removed and the tank cleaned. The burners were also cleaned.

One of the gas struts on the bonnet of Simplex loco Farleigh is being replaced.

Work on the bonnet for Simplex loco Peter has been completed, soda blasted and primed. It is currently being "bogged" ready for painting.

With the completion of the cottage, we now have a live in caretaker on site.

National Railway Museum

Another Successful Thomas Event at NRM – July 2011

Held over nine days during the July 2011 School Holidays, the recent Thomas Event was again successful.  Despite crowd numbers being slightly down (poor weather on two days and ongoing and worsening car parking problems on week days) spending on site and train ride passenger numbers were high.

Peronne made 167 shuttle trips 184 kms

Tim Fischer Book Launch – 5th August 2011

About 60 people attended the book launch of Tim Fischer’s latest book Trains Unlimited.  Also present were both Mayors of Charles Sturt and Port Enfield, former Governor Sir Eric Neal, CEO of ARTC John Fullerton, John Geber of the Barossa Wine Train, former NRM Manager Steve York, TV Channel Nine’s Brenton Ragless and many others…   the weekend also saw the showing of historic railway themed 16mm films and a children’s “Budding Authors” hands on activity.

Port Festival – 8th and 9th October 2011

The Port Enfield Council is offsetting museum admissions to the Maritime, Aviation and Railway Museums at Port Adelaide on this weekend, as part of the annual Port Festival – meaning there will be free entry to the public.  NRM will be operating narrow gauge steam train Peronne and broad gauge Red Hen railcar shuttles all weekend.  Again NRM will be offering “Driver Experience” opportunities on board the Red Hen and Peronne – which proved to be a great success last year with a 90%, take up of all available trips.

Railway Museum’s 50th Anniversary - 2013

NRM is offering to HRSA and its members, an opportunity to be involved in a special weekend during 2013 – at which all are encouraged to attend and show their wares and any special or unique displays.  More details will be forthcoming, as the NRM 2013 Committee progresses and fine tunes the proposed calendar of events and participants. It would be great if an exhibit could be “loaned”, even if only for display purposes during most of the year – with the logistics and commercial arrangements worked through.

PICHI RICHI RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY Inc.

Traffic:

Up to July 23rd, passenger numbers were reported 27% up on 2010, possibly due to the “Lake Eyre factor” and / or less available funds to enable visitors to reach more distant destinations!  After a busy and successful July, August is a quieter month, but there are still times when it is difficult to fill gaps in the roster.

A draft timetable for 2012 has been prepared and is due to be finalised at the end of this month. We have also had a steady interest in charter train bookings so far this season.

Marketing

The Quorn Railway heritage and VIC project has now been funded by the national Historic Sites Program, requiring considerable in-kind support from PRRPS and Flinders Ranges Council.  Developments during the past year have been managed by a Section 41 committee of Council, and a joint implementation committee has been formed.  This exciting project will require significant input from our volunteers as the station building must be cleared of many museum items which will require secure temporary storage.  Volunteer labour will also be needed during the off season to assist with the renovations.

Locomotive:

Operational steam locomotives at present are W22 & W934.  The latter is currently based in Port Augusta to run the Afghan services.  W22 has required recent boiler maintenance and attention to its valve gear.  Assessments on the scope of work required to enable NM 25 to be returned to traffic have come to a standstill and we are now seeking an experienced fitter to oversee this vital project.

Both Diesels (NT76 AND NSU52) are operational at present but current track restrictions continue to limit the use of the NSU on the main line.

Brill railcar 106 does a lot of work for us both in regular services and charters, and recently experienced battery problems.  Replacing with a loco type battery will be expensive and generally, routine maintenance of our operating assets is proving a challenge due to lack of human resources.

Work is continuing at the Port Augusta Power Station to finalise the manufacture of the replacement fabricated boiler for the Coffee Pot.  The new boiler plans have been verified and the work, due to begin soon, will be supervised by Bernie Dickinson, boiler inspector.

A second hand replacement mobile crane has been purchased for use at Quorn loco.

Track:

There has been a lot of work achieved this year involving a re-invigorated track gang with some volunteer help from PBPS, particularly on bridge maintenance. The ex QR ballast regulator arrived mid June and will required some work and change advice documentation before it will start to earn its keep. Track work has continued to significantly reduce the number of 5 mph TSR’s, and some valued assistance was appreciated during a Transfield training team in June.  The purchase of a spot tamper (Matissa) is under consideration due to the need to mechanise our track maintenance workload.

General

It is with sadness that we note the passing last month of Mr K.A. Smith OBE, foundation member number 1, and our Patron when the Society formed in 1973.  We are seeking interested members to form a planning committee for our 40th anniversary in 2013.  This will be a significant milestone for us.

St Kilda Report

The original tram shed has now been demolished. Built in 2 stages, the running shed in the early sixties and the workshop extension in 1971, the elements and termites have done their worst!

The trams that were inside the shed have either been put into other sheds in a massive cramming shuffle or are sitting outside in the yard. All machinery has been placed in the body shop or tractor shed and all stores items are either in sheds or in trams not in public service during the demolition and construction period.

The overhead wire has been removed from the shed, rolled up into coils and are placed on the roof of the trams in the yard.

The museum is still open to the public but departures now take place from the front of the large green shed as the main depot yard has now been electrically isolated with plastic fencing around the trams.  “Grey Nomads “have been invited to camp on site during demolition/construction period to act as a physical presence security.

 There was an opportunity given for photography of the first five trams to arrive at the site, the trams being positioned in the old shed where they were craned and lowered in 1959. They were then also parked outside in the same order for daylight shots.

A party was held in the shed recently, prior to demolition, and founder member Chris Steele spoke to those gathered about the history of the shed. Once demolition tidy ups have occurred then the new shed contractors can move in.

SteamRanger

Further to my report at the last meeting re elections positions on the Board of Management have been filled with the exception of Marketing where a new focus is proposed.

With the return of Rx 207 to traffic in March patronage has increased considerably especially on days when steam is used on the Cockle Train or in conjunction with the Southern Encounter. Several passenger surveys indicate the public wants steam whilst over 85% of passengers have travelled before. By far the most popular “advertising” is “saw or heard train”.

September marks the 75th anniversary for locomotive 621 and a weekend on steaming is planned for 17th and 18th September. On 17th September a “first class” train will operate from Mt. Barker with one economy carriage attached where those passengers will have lunch at Goolwa included. Sunday 18th September is our regular Southern Encounter with a true “1935 Centenary consist” - Rx 207 will also be used on this day. Already bookings for the 18th are high and we anticipate a sell out for that service.

The recent July school holidays saw a real assortment of motive power with Rx 207 and DE 507 working head end trains whilst other day’s Brill 75 and trailer or the Red Hens provided the service. Overall our income was up on last year.

Locomotives

Work continues on the return to service of loco “621” At the time of preparation of this report a hot water hydro had been completed and once welding of tubes has been completed the loco will be ready for a steam test. Some minor mechanical work is still to be completed with a return to service for either the 21 August or 4 September anticipated.

With the return to service of Rx 207 work has concentrated on the return to service of loco 621This has involved repairs to the tube plate and replacement of some of the inner firebox. Tubes and flues have now been fitted using an outside source. It is hoped to have the loco ready for service in August. In September this loco has its 75th anniversary and planning is being undertaken for a special event to mark the occasion.
In the meantime Rx 224 waits its turn for restoration.

Rolling stock:

With the colder weather at Mt. Barker at this time of the year painting of GB 4420 has been held over until the warmer weather with most of the other work now completed. Service are being undertaken to carriage 503 and Finniss both to be used on 17th September

Infrastructure

Cyclic sleeper replacement continues with work of recent times being around Wistow in the Adelaide Hills. SteamRanger has been advised of funding to be made available for changes at Canoe Tree level crossing. Whilst the funding is being made available under black spot funding but is in fact due to roadway realignment in the area with the current road alignment being planned to run through the middle of the current control box – more a road issue than a level crossing upgrade.

Archive Newscasts
Newscast 11 - Nov 2011
Newscast 10 - August 2011
Newscast 9 - March 2011
Newscast 8 - Nov 2010
Newscast 7 - Sept 2010
Newscast 6 - June 2010
Newscast 5 - May 2010
Newscast 4 - October 2009
Newscast 3 - August 2009
Newscast 2 - June 2009