Victorian Government: Return The Leongatha Pass/South Gippsland Train | Community
Victorian Government: Return The Leongatha Pass/South Gippsland Train
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25.01.2022 ON THIS DAY: 39th Anniversary Since the Last Yarram Pass (Sat. 06/06/1981). Image Caption: Victorian Railways T336 is pictured awaiting departure from Yarram with the last scheduled Up Yarram pass bound for Melbourne on Saturday the 6th of June 1981. A general view of yard from the Melbourne end looking towards Woodside covers the background. This image was taken by Richard Kepert and was released as a printed slide by the Train Hobby Collection. It was on this day 39 ye...ars ago years since the withdrawal of passenger rail services to Yarram 60 years after being opened to traffic in 1921. Richard Kepert photographed T336 with an assortment of 4 wooden-bodied passenger carriages before it departed Yarram for the final time. This was not to be a Mixed service as had been operated as a trial since the 1970s to increase the economic viability of the train for Down services to Yarram. The line to Yarram survived until 1987 for rail freight services, while passenger rail services were reinstated as far as Leongatha by 1984 before being withdrawn a second time in 1993.
25.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 172: (Jeetho) K153-K183 attack the Bena Bank passing through Jeetho on an immaculate autumn day in May 1993. IMAGE CAPTION: Steamrail Victorias K153-K183 running in tender to tender configuration hauling the down Korumburra/Leongatha Double Header K Class steam special are pictured passing through Jeetho along the Bena Bank on Sunday the 2nd of May 1993. This image was taken by David Hurst. On Sunday the 2nd of May 1993, Steamrail Victoria advertised a... Triple Header K Class steam special to Korumburra and Leongatha, something which had unlikely ever occurred on the line in the past. K190-K153-K183 with a mix of 11 wooden bodied E-type and W-type carriages and open coal wagon attached to the rear made up the consist. On the outbound journey from Steamrail Victorias Newport Workshops disaster struck for K190 at Caulfield railway station. As reported in the Newsrail July 1993 edition K190 had suffered a defective main internal steampipe failure. This would therefore mean that K153-K183 would double header for the journey along the route from Caulfield to Leongatha and return. The itinerary for the journey included breaks and photostops at most of the railway station along with a couple of shuttle trips between Korumburra and Leongatha later in the day. At Nyora, K183 would be turned so that it could perform push-pull shuttles with K153 between Korumburra and Leongatha. This meant that the train was operating in a rarely performed tender to tender configuration with K153 leading from Nyora to Leongatha as illustrated in David Hurst photograph. The train is pictured 100 kilometres into its journey at Jeetho situated between Loch and Korumburra. Interestingly many photographs and a couple of videos including on of this tour have emerged with the double header Ks climbing the Bena Bank prominently featured. Although a triple header would have been out of this world, the double header K Class working in unison certainly put on a performance to remember despite the failure of K190. Rather sadly it did not eventuate due to overhauls of the preserved K Classes occurring during the time that the closure of the South Gippsland railway line was imminent. In addition, K183s accident close to a decade after this steam special also adds to the animosity given the numerous appearances it made on the line between after it was fully resorted in late 1992.
25.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 183: (Barry Beach) 58RM shunts tanker wagons fouling points at Barry Beach on an ARHS Tour to Welshpool in May 1990. IMAGE CAPTION: Former Victorian Railways DERM58RM is pictured at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal fuel point on the down journey of ARHS Tour to Welshpool via Barry Beach on Saturday the 12th of May 1990. Both of these images were taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. Backed by pop...ular demand from a post last month. This image captured by Wilf Williams in May 1990 reveals the fuel unloading site at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal, owned by EssoMobil at the time. This was situated on the northern side of the marine terminal with the run around track stretching to Main Access Road inside the facility. The Australian Railways Historical Society tour with assistance from the SLSPG (Seymour) was run by D.E.R.M 58RM. It happened to be one of the final passenger specials to operate beyond Leongatha. The tour was destined for Welshpool via Barry Beach on Saturday the 12th of May 1990. A midday lunch at Meeniyan railway station and dinner at Korumburra railway station were features of the tour. This turned out to be a month prior to the closure of the line at Barry Beach Junction, Agnes to Welshpool on Tuesday the 5th of June 1990. Numerous photostops along the route took place, with the longest aside from stations and Barry Beach being at the Franklin River trestle bridge at Bennison, located between Foster and Toora. There were also crosses with pretty much every train running on the line at the time. Those being the Leongatha pass twice, an Australian Glass Company sand train and a night scheduled Saturday Korumburra Goods hauled by an X class and double Ts. 58RM hauled guards van 2ZL for the journey due to safeworking requirements on the line. Though briefly also had to shunt the tanker wagons at Barry Beach. The reason why? The oil pots were fouling the points at the access gate end of the facility. 58RM shifted these clear, though good luck hauling those oil pots all the way back to Melbourne! The VTQF/Y tanker wagons (with EssoMobil logos once very noticeable) pictured with 58RM would deliver diesel, petroleum and bunker fuel supplies for the large sea vessels servicing the facility. The weekly deliveries averaged 1 million litres of fuel supplies in the latter years prior to the closure of the line beyond Leongatha in June 1992. By the 1980s until the early 1990s the oil trains ran on Mondays and Fridays with occasional mid-week services depending upon demand of the fuel supplies.
25.01.2022 "The Victoria state government is planning to expand its rail network to cope with population growth". Very wise. But why then is the same government overseeing removal of the railway line in transport-impoverished South Gippsland?? Please explain Jane Garrett MP, Jordan Crugnale MP, Jacinta Allan, Dan Andrews? #vandalism #hypocrisy #regionalrail #publictransport
24.01.2022 ON THIS DAY: Mothballing of the line beyond Cranbourne (Wed. 29/04/1998). IMAGE CAPTION: Last photo of the afternoon and the sun finally comes out as K190 steams through Cranbourne, no doubt the last steam locomotive to work through here. About to cross over the South Gippsland Highway level crossing at Cranbourne on Wednesday the 29th of April 1998. This image was taken by Peter Weickhardt and one of several that he captured. Another photograph has emerged of one of the l...ast movements on the South Gippsland railway line beyond Cranbourne thanks to Peter Weickhardt. This was the last time that a steam locomotive run on the line with K190 returning to Steamrail Victorias Headquarters at Newport Workshops from the South Gippsland Tourist Railway based at Korumburra. The line between Cranbourne and Nyora would be mothballed given the cessation the Australian Glass Company Sand Trains to Koala Siding, Lang Lang earlier in January 1998. There was one final movement in December 1999 on this section, which will be featured later this year and also was photographed by Peter Weickhardt.
24.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 182: (Merinda Park) Sprinter railcar 7001 at Merinda Park in July 1995. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Line Sprinter railcar 7001 in the PTC Teal & Sunflower livery is pictured at Merinda Park railway station while on an ARHS Tour to a variety of locations on the Melbourne Metropolitan Network on Saturday the 1st of July 1995. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. On Saturday the 1st of July 19...95, the ARHS organised a tour to a couple of locations on the South Eastern Metropolitan sections of the Electrified Railway Network in Melbourne. The itinerary included visits to Dandenong station, platform three at Oakleigh station, the Cranbourne line and the now lifted and redeveloped Springvale Crematorium line. Wilf Williams captured variety of photographs at these locations and sections from this day with the large number of the places visited from this tour having significant changes 25 years on. Merinda Park is one of the youngest railway stations on the former south eastern mainline that was built in the vicinity of the former Thompsons Road level crossing. It opened on Friday the 24th of March 1995 in conjunction with the electrification of the line between Dandenong and Cranbourne. To serve the growing patronage between Dandenong and Cranbourne, the electrification of the line also enabled the construction of an additional station north of Cranbourne. This was secured through Australian federal funding under The Better Cities Program by the Paul Keating Labor government in April 1993. Following on from the removal of the Thompsons Road level crossing a few years prior, the station is set to have changes. Work is currently underway for the duplication of the Cranbourne line along with a secondary platform at Merinda Park. 7001s visit to Cranbourne is another that draws attention given the conjecture over whether Sprinter railcars ventured along the South Gippsland railway line or were let alone specifically designed for it. V/Lines DMU 1990s built Sprinter railcars are one of a large variety of diesel electric railmotors to have travelled on at least a portion of the former South Eastern mainline. During 1993 prior to introduction into passenger rail traffic, they had been tested on a large variety of metropolitan and regional railway lines across Melbourne and Victoria with Cranbourne claimed as one. These trains continue to service Victorias regional rail network and originally had Leongatha as a destination in their on board system.
24.01.2022 PHOTOS: Hedley to Yarram. On the day that marked the 39th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Yarram pass, a selection of photographs from Saturday the 6th of June 2020 between Hedley and Yarram have been shared. Gelliondale undoubtedly was the most photographed given the fact that rails were still in place and the former pub across the old level crossing site still exists. ... Most station sites are totally unrecognisable, especially Yarram which was reached right on sunset time. The timing of that can be put down to making an attempt to find a suitable way to approach the Albert and Jack River trestle bridges west of Alberton. However, that was postponed and will be for another time.
24.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 197: (Yarram) ‘K153 on the Last Train to Yarram runs around its train at the terminus from the Woodside end for the final time in October 1987’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘Steamrail Victoria’s K153 with the last train to Yarram on Saturday the 24th of October 1987. K153 is pictured running around its train at Yarram and has momentarily paused at the yard limit of the railway station which once extended to Woodside’. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collect...Continue reading
23.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 188: (Toora) A Walker Railmotor at Toora via Barry Beach in August 1981. IMAGE CAPTION: Victorian Railways 280hp Walker Railmotor 89RM is pictured on the Down RTA special to Barry Beach at Toora railway station on Saturday the 5th of August 1978. This image was taken by the Steve Bucton and notes that the regular railmotor service to Leongatha was extended as a special to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal and return to Leongatha. Toora is situated 184km so...uth east of Melbourne and is known for being a setting with spectacular views across Corner Inlet with Wilsons Promontory often in sight. The name is the base for 2 other locations that South Gippsland bound trains passed through which included Tooradin and Toorak. The weatherboard built station was similar to the buildings west along the line at Foster and Meeniyan but unfortunately no longer survives like the once impressive guest house across the road from the station. The yard at Toora contained four track roads and rail access to the massive Unigate Australia Milk Products Factory. While a staffed station, it was regular to see train crosses occur on the section between Foster and Yarram. Victorian Railways 89RM operated a Rail Tourist Association passenger service special to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal return as an extension of the regular diesel rail motor service to Leongatha on Saturday the 5th of August 1978. This was one of several special tours that utilised a Walker Railmotor on the line between the 1960s and 1980s. There were a variety of tours to Yarram, Barry Beach and Wonthaggi. Steve Buctons photograph shows 89RM at Toora looking in the western or up direction 3 years prior to the withdrawal of Yarram passenger rail services in June 1981. The Victorian Railways 1948 to 1955 built Walker Railmotors were regularly used for passenger rail services on the South Gippsland railway line. The 280hp Walker Railmotors were generally used for Leongatha passenger rail services. With a total seating capacity of 94 passengers between the two units and distinctive first and economy class sections, they were typically suitable for peak services to and from Leongatha. They also made many journeys along the Wonthaggi Branch Line, however, were a lot rarer compared to the 153HP single unit Walker Railmotors.
23.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 195: (Korumburra) 'J515 on the ex-Foster turntable at Korumburra and moments after derailing in October 1995'. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘J515 is pictured on the 70’ ex-Foster Turntable reinstalled at Korumburra and moments after derailment on the ARE South Gippsland Steam Safari special on Saturday the 14th of October 1995’. All of these images were taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. 1995 was a year that h...ad a number of interesting happenings take place on the South Gippsland railway line. How appropriate that the post number is 1/10th away from the number that this event occurred in This post features the Association of Railway Enthusiasts South Gippsland Steam Safari tour hauled by J515 to visit the local Tourist Railway based between Nyora to Leongatha. It was conducted with the assistance of volunteers and rollingstock provided by the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. The South Gippsland Tourist Railway had a variety of its rollingstock on display at Korumburra and Nyora and in operation with DERM 55 and an assortment of ex-South Australian Railways Redhen railcars ferrying passengers. The tour featured on Steam Media Productions ‘1995: The Victorian Year in Steam’ release. The occasion also attracted Victorian politicians and candidates given that the state election was set to be held in early 1996. Victorian Transport Minister and Wonthaggi local MP Alan Brown was a notable attendee. There was also strong community support for the occasion and this lead to Korumburra railway station receiving a donation of $6000 towards its continual restoration. The memory that always sticks out for those who attended was the minor derailment of J515. The J Class steam locomotive had its leading wheels briefly come off the tracks when leaving the turntable at Korumburra. The cause was the lack of a check rail as the 70’ foot turntable had been reinstalled in the yard after being relocated from Foster in the year earlier from 1994. This was the second time since the 1970’s that the J Class had graced the rails to South Gippsland. The most recent prior was J515 combining with T368 to haul the ARE Barry Beach/Welshpool Special on Saturday the 11th of November 1989, which coincided with the 100th Anniversary of opening from Dandenong to Loch. Rather fortunately, a report, photographs and video footage of this tour are available to view online. Attributions and links to Graeme Reid, Geoffrey Oliver and David Bromage are provided below this text. VIDEO: ‘J515 on the South Gippsland Railway’ (Graeme Reid): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM8PqSDDdiQ IMAGES: Geoffrey Oliver - 'Geoff's Railway Album September to December 1995 Photos’: http://geoffsrailpix.com/sep1995.html REPORT: ‘ARE Leongatha tour report’ (David Bromage): https://groups.google.com/forum/
22.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 193: (Cranbourne East colloquially named Casey Fields) ‘T345-T342 bound for the Royal Melbourne Show pass near Berwick-Cranbourne Road with no signs of outer suburban growth in September 1997’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘T345-T342 work a special train to the Royal Melbourne Show on behalf of Great Southern Railway Society near Berwick-Cranbourne Road on Thursday the 25th of September 1997’. This image was taken by Peter Weickhardt. There are many settings on the forme...r South Gippsland railway line that have changed post removal of infrastructure or even modernisation for few. Though due to vast outer suburban development, the section from Dandenong to Clyde has seen change that is unlikely to return to what it once was prior to the turn of the millennium in 2000. Currently the section from Cranbourne to Clyde is disused though earmarked for a suburban extension during this decade. A comparison of Peter Weickhardt’s photograph from 1997 to 2020 just shows how rapid such a scene east of Cranbourne changed across a generation. The location is near Berwick-Cranbourne Road. The land surrounding this area now contains the Casey Fields sporting complex and housing estates adjacent to the railway line stretching to Clyde. In the past, this level crossing was one of numerous upgraded from unprotected signage in the 1970’s to being equipped with flashing lights. A few years prior to traffic ceasing on the line, the Cranbourne side of the level crossing had an overhead gantry boom installed given increased vehicle traffic on the road. Come 2012, the level crossing was removed with Berwick-Cranbourne Road duplicated and certain to be grade separated with the Clyde extension. On Thursday the 25th of September 1997, the South Gippsland Tourist Railway operated a heritage diesel hauled passenger special from Leongatha to Spencer Street for the Royal Melbourne Show at Flemington Showgrounds. This was one several Great Southern Railway Society and later South Gippsland Tourist Railway specials that operated up until 1997 with a variety of steam and diesel locomotives used. The double header First Series Flat-Top T Class T345-T342 would be assembled for the final time. This journey was also used as a transfer of T345, returning to Melbourne after 10 months at the South Gippsland Tourist Railway since December 1996 before it would be put into service with the Great Northern Rail Services rail freight operator.
22.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 177: (Yarram) T365 terminating at Yarram with the down pass in 1974. IMAGE CAPTION. Victorian Railways T365 is pictured on arrival at Yarram with a down pass on Saturday the 2nd of February 1974. This image was taken by the late Keith Atkinson. The Victorian Railways withdrew passenger rail services from Melbourne to Yarram via Leongatha on Saturday the 6th of June 1981. The last week of service was remembered for a couple of protests with locals blockadi...ng one of the last trains at Yarram and railway unions taking industrial action in retaliation to the state governments orders of withdrawal and potential closure of the line. The service to Yarram in its later years was a passenger train that ran to Melbourne in the morning and returned very late at night as a mixed goods and passenger service. The journey from Melbourne to Yarram could take as little as 4 hours and 45 minutes with a connecting service to Wonthaggi included into the timetable until December 1977. The arrangement for the experimental Yarram Mixed between the 1970s and 1980s to make it more economically viable was to attach a small amount of freight rollingstock to the down pass. This typically contained VOFX open wagons conveying superphosphate and at times louvre wagons with a combination of other forms of goods delivered along the line at various stations. The rollingstock that was detached from this train would be later picked up by freight trains returning from Yarram. Therefore the up pass from Yarram with a scheduled departure in the early morning still remained as solely a passenger rail service and not a mixed train. This also generally occurred on weekend services as depicted in Keith Atkinsons photograph of T365 in February 1974. It must be noted that from Keith Atkinsons photograph that Yarram railway station is pictured from the Woodside end of the yard looking towards Melbourne. Some accompanying goods rollingstock and the former derrick crane can also be seen in the background despite being slightly obscured.
22.01.2022 ON THIS DAY/PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 186: (Hoddle) ‘K153-K184 climb Hoddle Bank on the ARE Foster & Barry Beach Special in August 1976’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘Victorian Railways K153-K184 with the ARE (Association of Railway Enthusiasts) steam hauled passenger special returning from Foster and Barry Beach is pictured climbing the 1 in 40 Hoddle Bank between Foster and Fish Creek near the summit’. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE Presid...ent Bruce McLaren. Possibly one of the best vantage points in South Gippsland is the Hoddle Range about 140km southeast of Melbourne. It stretches along the rolling green hills amongst the townships of Fish Creek and Foster with the terrain rising from Shallow Inlet and Corner Inlet elevating north towards Dollar. This location was deemed most practical for the construction of the railway line through South Gippsland by construction engineer Andrew O’Keefe. Although not as lengthy as the Bena Bank on the same railway, the Hoddle Bank was one of the most arduous sections of mainline in Victoria. The 12km section between Fish Creek and Foster contained a gradient of 1 in 40 either side of the summit near the Fish Creek-Foster Road Bridge at Hoddle. This was the most practical compromise considering that the vast team who built the Great Southern Railway Line avoided the much steeper Foster and Dollar Hills east of Meeniyan. On Saturday the 7th of August 1976, the ARE (Association of railway Enthusiasts) organised a double header K Class train run to Foster involving K153-K184 with an extended journey to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal and return. For the short return trip from Foster to Barry Beach, K184 hauled the train solo while K153 remained at Foster until the return journey to Melbourne with both of the K Class steam locomotives turned on the 70 foot turntable at Foster. There are further details of this tour available to read on the Victorian Rail Tours Wiki website with a link provided below. 'Sat.7.8.76: ARE Foster': http://www.railtourist.com.au//inde/Sat.7.8.76:_ARE_Foster Wilf Williams captured a large variety of photos of this tour despite the gloomy and wet conditions that former ARE President Bruce McLaren has uploaded to Facebook. Those weather conditions and elements most evident in the scene of K153-K184 climbing Hoddle Bank on the return journey to Melbourne. Despite the mist hovering over the landscape and obscuring Wilsons Promontory, where the railway once went along with Corner Inlet looking towards Foster can be seen in the background. The two K Class entered preservation in the 1970’s and have had different fortunes with K153 still operations while K184 has been out of service since Easter 1980.
22.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 166: (Koonwarra/Gwyther Siding) The Barry Beach Goods sweeps past the Gwyther Siding site in March 1986. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Line and ex-Victorian Railways T363 with the Up Barry Beach Goods is pictured between Koonwarra and Leongatha, in the vicinity of the former Gwyther Siding on Wednesday the 19th of March 1986. The train was conveying six empty VTQY Tanker Wagons and a CA guards van. This image was taken by Steve Bucton. The sweeping curves and scen...ery along the South Gippsland railway line are evident in Steve Buctons photograph from March 1986. The location is not far from Gwyther Siding that was situated between Koonwarra and Leongatha that is not far from the Leongatha Saleyards at Koonwarra. The white whistleboard that T363 can be seen approaching was for the Gwyther Siding Road level crossing while the line of trees obscured the railway line from the South Gippsland Highway. The section between Leongatha and Koonwarra consisted of several undulating 1 in 40 along with a few smooth and flat portions. From the north of Koonwarra it meandered towards the Tarwin River West Branch and Meeniyan requiring numerous curves and deep cuttings. The condition of the track and Blue and Gold livery that T363 still retained could be easy to mistaken it from as early as 20 years prior. In mid-1968 the line had received significant track upgrades with the 94lbs heavy rails appearing very shiny and track bed in great condition for the period of time. T363s venture in March 1986 involved hauling a load of steel pipes on the down journey to Barry Beach and returning with empty tanker wagons on the up back to Korumburra. A CA guards van was attached to the train but by the late 1980s these were being phased off freight rail services across the state on a number of routes. T363 is one of 3 surviving Third Order High Cab T class diesel locomotives that remains in active service with rail freight operator Southern Shorthaul Railroad. Interestingly it has had 4 major paint schemes since losing the traditional Victorian Railways Blue and Gold Livery not long after this journey to Barry Beach. Between 1986 and 1992 prior to closure and post the completion of the facility development and oil rigs being installed in Bass Strait, once to twice weekly EssoMobil oil supply trains were the main source of freight. It was typically common for all freight rollingstock excluding the tanker and steel wagons to be left at particular locations along the line whenever goods trains ventured to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal along the branch line. Although goods trains ran beyond Leongatha generally on Mondays or Fridays in the later years, there were occasions it ran mid-week with some terminating at Korumburra on the return journey and running back to Melbourne on a following day.
22.01.2022 Why are the South Gippsland Shire Council administrators proceeding to destroy a vital publicly-built transport link, when so many other regional councils are fighting hard to restore and upgrade their own railway lines? Why havent administrators been listening to, and advocating for, community members who want the South Gippsland Railway preserved & reopened? Why dont they develop a sensible long-term plan for a rail trail that doesnt damage the chances of returning a rai...l service? Why are they rapidly proceeding to rip up tracks when they dont have funds to build or maintain their proposed rail trail? Why make it a (false) choice between rail trail & railway? Why such a different approach to other regional councils? So many questions to ask (South Gippsland Sentinel-Times, ABC Gippsland), but yet so few good answers... See more
21.01.2022 Elsewhere in Victoria, regional MPs and local newspapers amplify community calls to return passenger trains to their regions. Yet in Gippsland, governments ignore community sentiment and rip up railway tracks, while local papers sit quiet... Why such parallel universes? Jane Garrett MP, Harriet Shing MP, Danny OBrien MP, Jordan Crugnale MP, Melina Bath MP, Jacinta Allan, South Gippsland Sentinel-Times, The Great Southern Star?
21.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 189: (Leongatha) D3 639 on the SGR at Leongatha in August 1997. IMAGE CAPTION: D3 639 is pictured at Leongatha before departure to Korumburra while at the South Gippsland Tourist Railway on Sunday the 31st of August 1997. This image was taken by Michele Hancock who notes that her late husband Ken Hancock was the fireman of D3 639 on this day. The sound and presence of steam on the former Great Southern Railway Line was a sight savoured for much of the 2...0th century. During the latter decades when steam locomotives entered preservation, this continued, though had a huge resurgence during the 1990s. This was made possible through the South Gippsland Tourist Railway establishing in late 1994 commencing heritage rail passenger services between Nyora and Leongatha by Boxing Day 1994. In the summer of 1995/1996, steam hauled services had commenced with K190 used for the first period painted in an Apple Green livery. By 1997, Steamrail Victoria leased out two more steam locomotives. Those being sister to K190, blue liveried K183 and 1900s built D3 Class D3 639. The D3 Class and in particular D3 639 (which started life numbered D3 658) had been regulars on the South Gippsland railway line and associated branch lines. Steam hauled passenger duties to the mainline terminus station and branch lines along with lighter goods workings made them very common and at depots. Interestingly, after being a veteran for the Victorian Railways and in the infancy of preservation, D3 639 had only run on the line once post the 1970s. That being the last steam hauled train beyond Leongatha when combining with K153 on the Foster Vintage Train in conjunction with the Austeam 88 Festival in Victoria when wearing a Canadian Red Livery. The D3 made a return to South Gippsland in the winter of 1997 after undergoing an overhaul by Steamrail Victoria earlier in the 1990s. Its livery had an alteration as illustrated in Michele Hancocks photograph appearing in a full black livery without the striped Red when running as the Commissioners Train, which has since been repainted. Sadly, the efforts to keep steam alive on the South Gippsland railway line came to a grinding halt with the mothballing of the line beyond Cranbourne to Nyora on Wednesday the 29th of April 1998. This was attributed by the withdrawal of the regular Australian Glass Company Sand Trains to Koala Siding, Lang Lang which ceased operations on Thursday and Friday the 15th and 16th of January 1998. Rather sadly, the South Gippsland Tourist Railway disbanded in January 2016 with the last train running between Korumburra and Leongatha on Sunday the 29th of November 2015. Leongatha railway station, the setting of Michele Hancocks photograph has recently had the removal of its infrastructure after serving as an important location on the former South Eastern mainline.
21.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 181: (Whitelaw) Whitelaws Track contains the Barry Beach Goods in May 1992. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Line T386-T407-T403 on No.9408 up Barry Beach Goods are pictured passing through Whitelaw on Friday the 29th of May 1992. This image was taken by Greg Fitzgerald. On Tuesday the 30th of June 1992, the last regular freight service beyond Leongatha to Barry Beach ceased operation. Interestingly the date happened to be the end of financial year trading for the 199...1-1992 period. V/Lines T class diesel locomotives T386-T396 hauled the last 9407/9408 train to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal return conveying 10 VTQY Tanker Wagons and a couple of Rail Recovery flat cars that had retrieved rails from Welshpool-Barry Beach Junction section. The following day the line was mothballed beyond Leongatha, which took many by surprise as this was announced in April that year and had been rather busy in the early 1990s. Almost a month exactly prior to cessation, V/Lines T386-T407-T403 hauled a typical Barry Beach Mixed Goods Train on Friday the 29th of May 1992 as illustrated in Greg Fitzgeralds photograph passing through Whitelaw north west of Korumburra. Greg notes that this train was carrying superphosphate to Fish Creek and fuel to Barry Beach. On the return it also picked up loaded rail recovery wagons at Leongatha that had retrieved rails from the Barry Beach Junction to Welshpool section of the line. There are two videos of the train pictured in this photograph that operated on YouTube which were uploaded by Gavin McLaughlin in January 2008 with links provided below this text. Barry Beach Goods May 1992: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb8vYWep7GY Up Barry Beach Goods May 1992: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmEmWGjuIxQ The location of Greg Fitzgeralds photograph is Whitelaw, which in the past had a station on the South Gippsland railway line. In the background, the outskirts of Korumburra can be seen along with the adjacent South Gippsland Highway. The section between Bena and Korumburra past the notorious Bena Bank was colloquially known as Whitelaws Track. Although not as arduous as the Jeetho to Bena section of the line, it still contained undulating 1 in 40 and 1 in 50 gradients leading to the highest point of elevation on the mainline at Korumburra. Unfortunately, the track at this section was dismantled for the potential extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail north of Korumburra though still retains spectacular views of the rolling hills meandering through the Strzelecki Ranges.
20.01.2022 ON THIS DAY/PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 170: (Kardella) K183-K190 negotiate the grades and curves neat Kardella with the Double Header K Class South Gippsland Rambler in April 1994. IMAGE CAPTION: Steamrail Victorias K183-K190 are pictured on the up South Gippsland Rambler near Kardella on Sunday the 17th of April 1994. This image was taken by Mal Austin. On Sunday the 17th of April 1994 steam made an appearance on the South Gippsland railway line for the first time since the inf...amous Last Lament to Leongatha on Sunday, the 25th of July 1993. Coincidentally, Steamrail Victorias K190 & K183 hauled that previous steam special and were again given another chance to run to Leongatha. The Double Header K Class South Gippsland Rambler special still managed to draw a heap of attention although the consist for this train was much shorter and were no shuttle trips between Korumburra and Leongatha just like the two prior in May and July 1993. Right on 26 years since this steam special, the South Gippsland Rambler had everything that you expected when traveling on the South Gippsland line. Two former Victorian Railways steam locomotives tackling the grades in their stride, the creaking sound being created by the train running along the sharp curves, water and photo stops at many of the stations, crowds gathering at various locations including the Nyora turntable and plumes of smoke surrounding the train while traversing the picturesque scenery. Mal Austins photograph was one of numerous captured that day with the two negotiating the gradients and curves near Kardealla. The location is just to the west of Kardella and quite close to the Korumburra General Cemetery. The Korumburra to Leongatha section was known for being one of the most arduous portions of track between Melbourne and Port Albert, especially between Kardella and Ruby. Several deep cuttings had to be constructed in order to allow the railway to pass by the inhospitable South Gippsland terrain. A video of this tour was filmed by Graeme Reid and has been uploaded to both Vimeo and YouTube with scenes of the train captured at a variety of locations. Two Ks to Leongatha South Gippsland Railway 1994, Video by Graeme Reid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A08jtCWxRo4
20.01.2022 PHOTOS: Leongatha to Nyora. Following the photos captured between Hedley and Yarram, Leongatha to Nyora was visited on Monday the 8th of June 2020. The scene at Leongatha has certainly changed with msot infrastructure removed along with the Turner St level crossing while Korumburra, Loch and Nyora still retained their rails for the time being. ... *Please note that comments which target the rail removal contractors we are strictly moderating as they were not responsible for the lease acquisition of the corridor.
20.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 190: (Leongatha) ‘The Footbridge serves more than its purpose. K190 takes on water at Leongatha with Vintage Train for the Daffodil Festival in September 1981’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘K190 is pictured being watered, by firehose dangling off the footbridge at Leongatha on Sunday the 6th of September 1981’. The train was on the return journey to Melbourne after running as far as Foster. This image was taken by Steve Bucton. The Leongatha Daffodil Festival is an annu...al event which generally takes place between August and September in the early spring period. In the past, there are records which indicate that the event could be hosted as late as October. Until the early 1990’s, it was fairly common for a heritage train to run from Melbourne to coincide with the occasion along with extra passenger rail services scheduled to run to Leongatha. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, then recently restored and preserved K190 was rostered with the duty of running the Leongatha Daffodil Festival Vintage Train. These steam hauled specials ran beyond Leongatha to utilise the turntable at Foster instead of Nyora. It also provided locals with an opportunity to ride the train in addition to the Melbourne passengers who may have disembarked at Leongatha for the festival. On Sunday the 6th of September 1981, the train was run with a much shorter consist compared to earlier years. A combination of E, V and W-type wooden bodied carriages were used for the journey like in previous journeys. From restoration until 1993, K190 had been painted in a two-tone green livery in complete contrast to the black livery when in service with the Victorian Railways. The locomotive is still preserved and in operational condition with Steamrail Victoria and now is painted in the LMS Red livery. The location of Steve Bucton’s photograph is Leongatha railway station with the station building present in the background. After starting the return journey from Foster, K190 was watered at Leongatha with aid from the local CFA with a firehose dangling off the footbridge. Aside from being a great vantage point for pedestrians and photographers, this just adds another story to the footbridge well regarded by locals at Leongatha.
18.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 191: (Hoddle) ‘K153 tops Hoddle Bank and passes kilometre post 167 on the Vintage Train from Foster in September 1987’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘Steamrail Victoria’s K153 is pictured at the summit of the Hoddle Bank at the 167km post returning from Foster with the Up Vintage Train on Sunday the 6th of September 1987'. This image was taken by Mal Austin. 1987 was a remarkable year for Vintage Train travel in Victoria with many steam hauled passenger specials operating... across the state including South Gippsland. The 'Vintage Train To Foster' was one of those which ran on Sunday the 6th of September 1987. The Newsrail November 1987 edition expressed in a pictorial article of this tour that, ‘the South Eastern Line to Yarram is one of the last remaining branch lines in Victoria and abounds in 1:40 grades, spectacular scenery and trestle bridges’. Coincidentally just under 2 months later, K153 would again be hauling a train to Foster, albeit the last steam train to Yarram on Saturday the 24th of October 1987. The photo that has been shared for this Photo Friday taken by Mal Austin illustrates K153 at the summit of the Hoddle Bank. This was not far from the old Hoddle station site in the vicinity of Lowrys’ Road. Lush green scenery and vegetation obscures the train negotiating the curve that rounded underneath the Fish Creek-Foster Road Bridge. The road paralleled the railway line to the right at this point for up trains with an old telegraph pole just visible. To the left in white is one of the kilometre posts for the railway at 167km. This marked at what point the distance was from Spencer Street (now named Southern Cross) railway station in Melbourne. Although not as lengthy as the Bena Bank on the same railway, the Hoddle Bank was one of the most arduous sections of mainline in Victoria. The 12km section between Fish Creek and Foster contained a gradient of 1 in 40 either side of the summit near the Fish Creek-Foster Road Bridge at Hoddle. This was the most practical compromise considering that the vast team who built the Great Southern Railway Line avoided the much steeper Foster and Dollar Hills east of Meeniyan. Today it now serves as a part of the Great Southern Rail Trail with spectacular views overlooking Shallow Inlet and Corner Inlet including Wilsons Promontory visible on the Foster side of Hoddle.
18.01.2022 Rails that managed to survive dismantling in the late 1980s. Gelliondale railway station site (the mound with vegetation pictured in the background) looking west towards Melbourne taken from Gelliondale Rd on Saturday the 6th of June 2020. More to be posted in the coming days.
18.01.2022 ON THIS DAY/PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 194: (Loch & Woodleigh) ‘43rd Anniversary of the last Vintage Train to Wonthaggi (Sun. 02/10/1977)’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘K153 is pictured approaching the South Gippsland Highway west of Loch between Nyora and Woodleigh with the last Vintage Train to Wonthaggi in October 1977’. This image was taken by Mal Austin 43 years ago to date. History has shown that preserved steam locomotive K153 by chance was often rostered on many last Vintage Trains across... Victoria. In 1977, it hauled the final two steam hauled passenger trains on the Wonthaggi branch line. Originally, posts on here mistakenly noted that the ARE Wonthaggi Tour on Saturday the 25th of June as the last steam special. It has been determined that this occurred later in the year. The tour on Sunday the 2nd of October 1977, came almost exactly 2 months prior to the withdrawal of the passenger rail services to Wonthaggi by Sunday the 4th of December 1977. The source that helped with distinguishing the two tours has been accounted for through published images on the Geelong & South Western Rail Heritage Society Collection via Flickr. ‘K153 with the Vintage Train at Wonthaggi, 2 Oct. 1977’: https://www.flickr.com/search/ The photograph featured was taken by Mal Austin and has been identified as the former South Gippsland Highway level crossing which intersected the Wonthaggi railway line to the west of Loch. This was the only time that the road met this branch line unlike the several times it crossed the mainline from Dandenong to Port Albert later Yarram. In the background, the 1 in 50 gradient from Nyora junction can be seen. After reaching the point of undulation around the tree line, K153 can be seen starting brief climb towards the level crossing before the line continues a constant descent towards Woodleigh. The rolling hills that form the western side of the Strzelecki Ranges from Nyora and Poowong are also visible. These days it is harder to picture this location since removal of the railway infrastructure and fact that the Bass Coast Rail Trail has not yet been extended north of Woolamai.
17.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 189: (Leongatha) ‘D3 639 on the SGR at Leongatha in August 1997’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘D3 639 is pictured at Leongatha before departure to Korumburra while at the South Gippsland Tourist Railway on Sunday the 31st of August 1997’. This image was taken by Michele Hancock who notes that her late husband Ken Hancock was the fireman of D3 639 on this day. The sound and presence of steam on the former Great Southern Railway Line was a sight savoured for much of the 2...0th century. During the latter decades when steam locomotives entered preservation, this continued, though had a huge resurgence during the 1990’s. This was made possible through the South Gippsland Tourist Railway establishing in late 1994 commencing heritage rail passenger services between Nyora and Leongatha by Boxing Day 1994. In the summer of 1995/1996, steam hauled services had commenced with K190 used for the first period painted in an Apple Green livery. By 1997, Steamrail Victoria leased out two more steam locomotives. Those being sister to K190, blue liveried K183 and 1900’s built D3 Class D3 639. The D3 Class and in particular D3 639 (which started life numbered D3 658) had been regulars on the South Gippsland railway line and associated branch lines. Steam hauled passenger duties to the mainline terminus station and branch lines along with lighter goods workings made them very common and at depots. Interestingly, after being a veteran for the Victorian Railways and in the infancy of preservation, D3 639 had only run on the line once post the 1970’s. That being the last steam hauled train beyond Leongatha when combining with K153 on the Foster Vintage Train in conjunction with the Austeam '88 Festival in Victoria when wearing a Canadian Red Livery. The D3 made a return to South Gippsland in the winter of 1997 after undergoing an overhaul by Steamrail Victoria earlier in the 1990’s. Its livery had an alteration as illustrated in Michele Hancock’s photograph appearing in a full black livery without the striped Red when running as the Commissioner’s Train, which has since been repainted. Sadly, the efforts to keep steam alive on the South Gippsland railway line came to a grinding halt with the mothballing of the line beyond Cranbourne to Nyora on Wednesday the 29th of April 1998. This was attributed by the withdrawal of the regular Australian Glass Company Sand Trains to Koala Siding, Lang Lang which ceased operations on Thursday and Friday the 15th and 16th of January 1998. Rather sadly, the South Gippsland Tourist Railway disbanded in January 2016 with the last train running between Korumburra and Leongatha on Sunday the 29th of November 2015. Leongatha railway station, the setting of Michele Hancock’s photograph has recently had the removal of its infrastructure after serving as an important location on the former South Eastern mainline.
17.01.2022 ON THIS DAY/PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 184: (Leongatha) 27th Anniversary of the Last V/Line passenger rail service to Leongatha (24/07/1993). IMAGE CAPTION: John Trickey prepares the last passenger train to depart Leongatha on Saturday the 24th of July 1993. P18 has been decorated to mark the event. This image was taken by Bryce Leydon and featured in the Newsrail September 1993 edition, pictorial article Farewell Leongatha passenger trains on page 284. Today marks 27 years sin...ce the withdrawal of the Leongatha passenger rail service. On a cold and overcast winters day on Saturday the 24th of July 1993, a large crowd of passengers packed out the three final services. The consist for the last return service was hauled by V/Line P Class diesel locomotive P18 and attached was four V/Line H-type cars FSH28. Earlier in the day, P23 had hauled FSH28 from Leongatha to Melbourne (Spencer Street) morning service and was swapped over for P18. Infamously, eventual Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor was in attendance when P23 and P18 both swapped over at Spencer Street station and strongly opposed the withdrawal of the Leongatha passenger rail service. The scheduled stops for the passenger rail services were Spencer Street (now named Southern Cross), Flinders Street, Caulfield, Dandenong, Cranbourne (less than two years away from becoming an electrified suburban line), Koo-wee-rup, Lang Lang, Nyora, Loch, Korumburra and the terminus at Leongatha. The train crew for the day was Jim Terry and John Trickey. A reasonably sizeable crowd gathered at Leongatha station to witness the final departure at 3:45pm (15:45). The train crew made one heck of a noise with the detonators that P18 ran over along with its horn blasting towards the McCartin/Roughead Street level crossing. Before that moment, there was a chance for the attendees to capture images of the last train. While veteran locomotive driver John Trickey as shown in Bryce Leydons photograph made his final preparations. P18 was decorated with messages and writing to mark the event and displayed Requiescat In Pace, Last Leongatha Train, 24/07/1993, Lest We Forget. For further scenes and media on this event, please follow the links provided below: ALBUM: Last Leongatha Passenger Rail Service, Saturday July 24, 1993: https://www.facebook.com/pg/swgt.org.au/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1101611416579770 VIDEO: Last Regular Train from Leongatha South Gippsland Railway July 1993 Graeme Reid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsY4FhedqhI
17.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 168: (Lyndhurst) 22RM with a Motor Trailer pass through Lyndhurst with a down Leongatha pass in February 1981. IMAGE CAPTION: Victorian Railways RM22 hauls a trailer into Lyndhurst on the 09 15 (9:15am) Down Leongatha service on Friday the 20th of February 1981. All of these images were taken by Mal Austin. Note that one of these appeared in the Newsrail May 1983 edition Yarram Line Passenger Service pictorial article on pages 106-111. The following pho...tographs taken by Mal Austin illustrate Lyndhurst from 1981. Since the 1980s, the next generation and following two decades has seen the rapid suburban development in Melbournes south east change the landscape that was once this area 38 kilometres from the city. Lyndhurst between 1888 and 1981 once had a railway station on the South Gippsland railway line. With timing passing, the township gradually turned from being surrounded by green scenery and farming paddocks to neighbouring factories and businesses in the Dandenong area. The withdrawal of passenger rail services to Yarram including Leongatha on Saturday the 6th of June 1981 was the last time that Lyndhurst railway station was used. Although the station was proposed for potential reopening since the electrification of the Cranbourne Line by March 1995, this was substituted for the construction and opening of a new station in the suburb of Lynbrook one kilometre down the line 17 years later in 2012. Lyndhurst is also well remembered for the cement traffic which serviced the railways up until 2009. The existing cement silo is currently being used by Boral Cement, who still transport the cement from Waurn Pounds by road transport. Interestingly that silo is the vantage point that Mal Austin used to capture his three photographs at Lyndhurst in February 1981. One shows the station itself from above. While the other two depict both the down and up sides of the track. The second track road that was connected to the former Lyndhurst Cement Siding and duplex signal is evident in the up side shot with RM22 arriving into Lyndhurst. While then Dandenong Hastings Road later known as the Westernport Highway level crossing can be seen in the down side photograph with RM22 departing from Lyndhurst.
16.01.2022 A COMMENT FROM PAGE ADMINS: After some conversations and reflection, weve decided to remove to the most recent post regarding sale of removed South Gippsland rail tracks. We do not believe South Gippslands rail line built with public funds should be ripped up and sold for scrap. It is decision-makers in the Victorian government, and the un-elected administrators they appointed to the South Gippsland council, are ultimately responsible for this. Weve always tried to ...make this point (and the target of our criticisms) clear. However we appreciate that local contractors undertaking current rail removal works felt unfairly targeted in our last post and in comments made on the post by others. For that, and any impacts felt from misguided frustration, we apologise. We have removed the post. We know there are many people who, like us, are angry about the council proceeding so quickly to remove rail infrastructure, especially when: - The Southern Rail Group had developed considerable plans to use it for a tourist railway operation (AND build a rail trail) - Experts who had surveyed the track, determined that previous infrastructure could have been reused for a tourist railway between Nyora and Leongatha, as for a commercial operation not likely. - The council has still not secured sufficient funds to build or maintain the proposed rail trail extension in place of the tracks. We believe there remain important unanswered questions for decision makers regarding the rail corridor, and we will keep asking them. We reject the choice being presented by council administrators and others - between railway and rail trail (or rail trail and nothing). This is a false choice which we believe only causes division in the community. We shouldnt be made to choose between a rail trail and an operating railway now or in the future. Were angry because we see the removal of tracks as a devastating blow to long-running community efforts to see tourist and/or passenger & freight rail returned to South Gippsland. We believe a revitalised rail link offers enormous opportunities for this region, opportunities which might become necessities into the future. However we acknowledge that community members feeling attacked, and the risk of further community division is not helpful, especially in these challenging times. Comments on such are being strictly moderated. We will continue to advocate for a South Gippsland rail service and long-term sustainable transport planning, well continue to hold decision-makers to account, and aim to provide a forum for inclusive discussion and action around these issues. And moving forward we hope to bring more people along for the ride (by bike, foot AND rail).
16.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 185: (Caulfield) K190 and K183 parallel run then assemble for the Last Lament to Leongatha at Caulfield in July 1993. IMAGE CAPTION: K190 and K183 are pictured arriving into Caulfield while performing a parallel run from Melbourne city, then assembling as a double header enroute to South Gippsland with the Last Lament To Leongatha on Sunday the 25th of July 1993. Both of these images were taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by f...Continue reading
15.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 179: (Kilcunda) K153 passes by the Kilcunda Wetlands with the ARE Wonthaggi Tour in June 1977. IMAGE CAPTION: K153 performs a photostop for passengers with the wetlands close to Kilcunda pictured in the background during the return ARE Wonthaggi passenger special on Saturday the 25th of June 1977. This image was taken by Ted Andrews and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. K153s venture to Wonthaggi on Saturday the 25th... of June 1977 June 1977 and return organised by the ARE (Australian Railway Enthusiasts) has been well covered and documented with a vast number of photos and stories. Originally, posts related to this tour have stated that this was the last steam hauled special on the Wonthaggi Branch Line. Though it turns out that a Last Vintage Train special was run on Sunday the 2nd of October 1977 by K153 again, which will be covered later on in the year. The picturesque branch line was surrounded by lush green farming paddocks, several rivers and streams and coastal views facing Bass Strait. The 48 kilometre or 30 mile branch line had its passenger rail services withdrawn on Sunday the 4th of December 1977 and was closed to all traffic on Tuesday the 21st of November 1978. The second last steam train to Wonthaggi is pictured passing by the Kilcunda Wetlands photographed by Ted Andrews on the return journey having being turned at Nyora on the down journey to face chimney first back to Melbourne. The exact location can be found between the Kilcunda Cemetery and turnoff for the Mouth of the Powlett Road on the Bass Coast Highway. The section on the Dalyston side near the Mouth of the Powlett Road happened to have wetlands connected to the Powlett River adjacent to the railway line facing Bass Strait. For the railway line, the terrain gently rises on these sand dunes before the elevation in terrain becomes more noticeable between Kilcunda and Anderson. Depending on the tidal flows from the ocean into the Powlett River and wetlands, this area can at times have no water and can deceptively appear lush and green like the surrounding rolling hills.
14.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 174: (Nyora) R761-R707 take on water at Nyora with the ARHS Foster Tour and Last Double Header R Class in May 1974. IMAGE CAPTION: R761-R707 take on water at Nyora on the down ARHS Foster Tour, which at the time was the Last Double Header R Class hauled train on Saturday the 18th of May 1974. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. The Victorian Railways 4-6-4 R Class are one of the ...iconic steam locomotives to run in the state. Although one of the heaviest locomotives to grace the rails, they could be found in most regions of Victoria. Between the 1950s and 1970s, they were used for a variety of goods trains on the South Gippsland railway line as far as Foster and Melbourne to Leongatha passenger rail services. In 1974, their future appeared uncertain. On Saturday the 18th of May 1974, the Australian Railway Historical Society organised a tour to Foster, which was thought to be the last double headed R Class hauled train. It was also one of the last occasions that the R Class would venture to the South East prior to their withdrawal by the Victorian Railways. The train had 445 passengers for a 15 hour trip that had a lengthy itinerary given it was also the date of the 1974 Australian federal election. One of the stations that the double R Class had lengthy waiting times at was Nyora on both the down and up journeys. It was at this station were crosses with railmotor and passenger trains were made along with R761-R707 taking on water. Wilf Williams captured the train at a variety of locations throughout the day. R761-R707 are pictured detached from the consist of passenger cars alongside the water tower at Nyora. The station and yard at Nyora was well known for having locomotive facilities that accommodated the operations of steam locomotives servicing both the South Gippsland mainline and branch line to Wonthaggi. At one stage, Nyora had two water towers on the down and up sides of the station. With the South Gippsland railway line between Nyora and Leongatha being dismantled in the present, the site of the former water tower at Nyora is around where removal will go up too. In contrast, fortunately for the two R Class that hauled the ARHS Foster Tour on Saturday the 18th of May 1974, R707 (City of Melbourne) and R761 are both preserved and operational to date despite being withdrawn from service during the mid-1970s until the mid-1980s.
13.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 191: (Hoddle) K153 tops Hoddle Bank and passes kilometre post 167 on the Vintage Train from Foster in September 1987. IMAGE CAPTION: Steamrail Victorias K153 is pictured at the summit of the Hoddle Bank at the 167km post returning from Foster with the Up Vintage Train on Sunday the 6th of September 1987. This image was taken by Mal Austin. 1987 was a remarkable year for Vintage Train travel in Victoria with many steam hauled passenger specials operating... across the state including South Gippsland. The Vintage Train To Foster was one of those which ran on Sunday the 6th of September 1987. The Newsrail November 1987 edition expressed in a pictorial article of this tour that, the South Eastern Line to Yarram is one of the last remaining branch lines in Victoria and abounds in 1:40 grades, spectacular scenery and trestle bridges. Coincidentally just under 2 months later, K153 would again be hauling a train to Foster, albeit the last steam train to Yarram on Saturday the 24th of October 1987. The photo that has been shared for this Photo Friday taken by Mal Austin illustrates K153 at the summit of the Hoddle Bank. This was not far from the old Hoddle station site in the vicinity of Lowrys Road. Lush green scenery and vegetation obscures the train negotiating the curve that rounded underneath the Fish Creek-Foster Road Bridge. The road paralleled the railway line to the right at this point for up trains with an old telegraph pole just visible. To the left in white is one of the kilometre posts for the railway at 167km. This marked at what point the distance was from Spencer Street (now named Southern Cross) railway station in Melbourne. Although not as lengthy as the Bena Bank on the same railway, the Hoddle Bank was one of the most arduous sections of mainline in Victoria. The 12km section between Fish Creek and Foster contained a gradient of 1 in 40 either side of the summit near the Fish Creek-Foster Road Bridge at Hoddle. This was the most practical compromise considering that the vast team who built the Great Southern Railway Line avoided the much steeper Foster and Dollar Hills east of Meeniyan. Today it now serves as a part of the Great Southern Rail Trail with spectacular views overlooking Shallow Inlet and Corner Inlet including Wilsons Promontory visible on the Foster side of Hoddle.
13.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 198: (Yarram) ‘Yarram railway station in the 1980’s’ Mal Austin photograph. The scene of the railway station and yard that was previously at Yarram is almost impossible to trace. For 34 years, Yarram was the terminus of the South Gippsland railway line the sections to Woodside and Port Albert closed by 1953. Near the peak of its usage, the October 1959 edition of the Victorian Railways Newsletter documents that Yarram was the second highest revenue raising ...station and yard on the South Gippsland railway line with 31,574 pounds per annum. This was ahead of Korumburra in third with 26,311 pounds per annum and marginally behind Leongatha with 32,551 pounds per annum. By that period of time the town had also reached over 2,000 people in population figures. The site of the station was situated between both Station and Lawler Streets with the station building accessible on the latter of those two. The station building was a weatherboard exterior containing a variety of designs from various railway stations on the state’s network as illustrated in Mal Austin’s photograph from the 1980’s. This incorporated an arched design at the centre, a veranda and tiled roof. The size of the building was to accommodate for the staff working at the station and in the yard which by the late 1950’s had a stationmaster, signalman, two guards, a ticketing officer, shedman and an assistant for both the assistant stationmaster and signalman. The yard contained four track roads and previously the goods shed and derrick were on the Station Street side. Only a small portion of the goods shed serves as a shelter shed for people in the community who visit the Yarram Tarra Trail Reserve. Since the closure of the line on Monday the 26th of October 1987 the former easement post dismantling by 1989 now contains a skate park and wetlands on the southern side of the former railway station.
11.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 187: (Tarwin River West Branch & Trestle Bridges) ‘T396-T382 cross the Tarwin River West Branch on the Barry Beach Goods in 1990’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘V/Line’s T-396-T382 cross the Tarwin River West Branch east of Koonwarra with an Up 9408 Barry Beach Goods. Circa 1990’. This image was taken by Peter Bass. The early 1990’s particularly between 1990 and 1992 was a rather busy time for rail services in South Gippsland. This was in accordance with track upgrades t...hat took place usually combined with freight services on the line. During the V/Line era, the Barry Beach Goods was combined with superphosphate and oil supplies workings on services beyond Leongatha. Peter Bass’ photograph from 1990 containing the double T combination of T396-T382 can be seen conveying empty VOFX open wagons and VTQF/Y tanker wagons. In regards to the diesel locomotives, the preserved T382 has had restoration completed by Seymour Railway Heritage Centre in recent times while T396 was scrapped by Pacific National in January 2015. The setting of Peter Bass’ photograph shows the first and longest of the two Tarwin River West Branch Trestle Bridges at 152 metres looking towards Yarram. Inclusive of the smaller Blackspur Creek Trestle Bridge, this bridge was the easiest to be viewed. That is if you had to time to look over your shoulder when negotiating the sharp curves on the Blackspur section of the South Gippsland Highway between Koonwarra and Meeniyan. The ground beneath the bridge for parts of the year can be subject to flooding as the soil and grass is noticeably damp in Peter Bass’ photograph. The bridges had been subject to 15km/h speed restrictions for several years during the last decade of operations on the line beyond Leongatha until June 1992. That being to preserve the condition of the bridges due to fairly heavy loading on the down services beyond Leongatha, particularly to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal. Previously the maximum speed limit was 55km/h given the bridges were situated on 20 chain curves. Interestingly, the route through the Tarwin River Valley between Koonwarra and Meeniyan was littered with such curves along with short gradients of 1 in 40. Due to being left derelict since 1994, the trestle bridges situated between Koonwarra and Meeniyan would fall victim to weather and age deterioration and could not be saved. The fate of the two Tarwin River West Branch examples was the removal and rehabilitation of several of the original timber features to create a hybrid structure when the Great Southern Rail Trail completed the ‘Missing Link’ section between Koonwarra and Meeniyan in March 2016.
11.01.2022 Once the line to Wonthaggi. The former Berrys Rd level crossing looking in both directions (top photo Melbourne direction and bottom photo Wonthaggi direction) not far south of the junction at Nyora on Monday the 8th of June 2020.
09.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 176: Alberton Railway Station in the 1970s. IMAGE CAPTION: Alberton railway station is pictured during the 1970s looking in the down direction towards Yarram. In the background, a couple of GY 4 wheeler open wagons and the South Gippsland Highway level crossing can be seen. This image was taken by Ray Jackson. Alberton Victoria, known for being named after Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, being home to the Victoria Hotel and Albert River ...and the famous honour of holding the number one on the register of state schools in Victoria. Until 1948, Alberton was the junction point of the original terminus for South Eastern mainline to Port Albert and branch line to Woodside which included Yarram as its first station. It became the second last station on the mainline to Yarram once section to Port Albert closed in 1948 and the Woodside branch line was cutback to Yarram on Tuesday the 26th of May 1953. The former junction point across from the former South Gippsland Highway level crossing was removed although the sharp curve for trains continuing towards Yarram was retained. Alberton railway station closed to passenger rail services on Saturday the 6th of June 1981 along with all stations between Melbourne and Yarram. The station at Alberton had two track roads for the large majority of its time in service as pictured in Ray Jacksons photograph. The mainline track served the station and the second track road serviced the goods shed and also as a possible passing loop when it was a staffed station. Connected to the second track road was a superphosphate transfer station operated by W&B Gibson and an extension track from the yard on the Melbourne side to assist with shunting. The railways delivered superphosphate to Alberton right up until the year of closure beyond Welshpool in 1987 with predominately GY 4 wheeler open wagons used to transport this goods as can be observed in Ray Jacksons photograph.
09.01.2022 ON THIS DAY/PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 186: (Hoddle) K153-K184 climb Hoddle Bank on the ARE Foster & Barry Beach Special in August 1976. IMAGE CAPTION: Victorian Railways K153-K184 with the ARE (Association of Railway Enthusiasts) steam hauled passenger special returning from Foster and Barry Beach is pictured climbing the 1 in 40 Hoddle Bank between Foster and Fish Creek near the summit. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE Presid...ent Bruce McLaren. Possibly one of the best vantage points in South Gippsland is the Hoddle Range about 140km southeast of Melbourne. It stretches along the rolling green hills amongst the townships of Fish Creek and Foster with the terrain rising from Shallow Inlet and Corner Inlet elevating north towards Dollar. This location was deemed most practical for the construction of the railway line through South Gippsland by construction engineer Andrew OKeefe. Although not as lengthy as the Bena Bank on the same railway, the Hoddle Bank was one of the most arduous sections of mainline in Victoria. The 12km section between Fish Creek and Foster contained a gradient of 1 in 40 either side of the summit near the Fish Creek-Foster Road Bridge at Hoddle. This was the most practical compromise considering that the vast team who built the Great Southern Railway Line avoided the much steeper Foster and Dollar Hills east of Meeniyan. On Saturday the 7th of August 1976, the ARE (Association of railway Enthusiasts) organised a double header K Class train run to Foster involving K153-K184 with an extended journey to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal and return. For the short return trip from Foster to Barry Beach, K184 hauled the train solo while K153 remained at Foster until the return journey to Melbourne with both of the K Class steam locomotives turned on the 70 foot turntable at Foster. There are further details of this tour available to read on the Victorian Rail Tours Wiki website with a link provided below. Sat.7.8.76: ARE Foster: http://www.railtourist.com.au//inde/Sat.7.8.76:_ARE_Foster Wilf Williams captured a large variety of photos of this tour despite the gloomy and wet conditions that former ARE President Bruce McLaren has uploaded to Facebook. Those weather conditions and elements most evident in the scene of K153-K184 climbing Hoddle Bank on the return journey to Melbourne. Despite the mist hovering over the landscape and obscuring Wilsons Promontory, where the railway once went along with Corner Inlet looking towards Foster can be seen in the background. The two K Class entered preservation in the 1970s and have had different fortunes with K153 still operations while K184 has been out of service since Easter 1980.
08.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 173: (Koo-wee-rup) Double P Class cross the Koo-wee-rup swamplands with a return Drought Relief Hay Train in April 1997. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Line P16-P21 with a rake of empty VOFX open wagons are pictured coming into Koo-wee-rup across one of the lengthy Armco culverts through the swamplands on Saturday the 19th of April 1997. This image was taken by Peter Weickhardt. In the autumn months of 1997, numerous special drought relief known as Fodder trains were... run to several regions in Victoria. This included the South Gippsland region where farming supplies, namely hay were delivered to farms situated in the surrounding area along the South Gippsland railway line to Leongatha. These trains were organised as a consequence of the summers of 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 in Australia, in particular Victoria where new records for maximum average hot temperatures were set. These weather conditions like the summer of 1994/1995 in Australia, were at the start of the over decade long Millennium drought that greatly affected the nation during 1997-2010. Drought Relief Fodder and Hay Trains had operated during the summer months of 1995 where loads of hay bales and farming supplies transported from Korumburra to Numurkah. Except in contrast 2 years later, they now delivered farming supplies and hay bales to farms in the surrounding area along the South Gippsland railway line between Korumburra and Leongatha. Multiple V/Line P Class diesel locomotives and lengthy consists of open VOFX open wagons were used with the South Gippsland Tourist Railway volunteers also contributing while having the lease on the Nyora to Leongatha section. Peter Weickhardt photographed these trains at a number of locations during April 1997, with P16-P21 working one of those movements at Koo-wee-rup returning from South Gippsland. The location of this photo is on the down side of Koo-wee-rup situated by the neighbouring swamplands. It is also where rail trail in the township of Koo-wee-rup ends to the east. The Armco concrete culvert bridge is one of several that was built in the 1970s to replace the ageing timber trestle bridges along the South Gippsland railway line. Though they mostly replaced smaller bridges predominately between Dandenong and Foster, some more lengthy bridges as far as Leongatha were upgraded, including this bridge at Koo-wee-rup and the Allsop Creek east of Loch.
08.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 178: (Fish Creek) Frost a plenty as the third last Barry Beach Goods arrives into Fish Creek with T342 destined for Nyora in June 1992. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Lines T396-T410-T407 & T342 drift into Fish Creek with a 9407 Down Barry Beach Goods with plenty of frost around that morning on Wednesday the 17th of June 1992. This image was taken by Peter Bass. Frosty and cold wintery conditions, typical of a June 17 day in this part of the world. One of the admins... of this page can back that up when celebrating their birthday on that date. On this date back in 1992, the last superphosphate working on the South Gippsland railway line operated with a lash up of quadruple T class diesel locomotives on the 9407/9408 Barry Beach Mixed Goods. The train attracted attention as it had T342, a First Series T class Flat-Top very visible in a canary yellow livery. Having worked with the Victorian Railways until the early 1980s and later the Maryvale, Gippsland Paper Mill until the early 1990s, it found a new home at the Great Southern Railway Societys headquarters ay Nyora. T342 would spend a decade on the South Gippsland Tourist Railway before returning to Victorian mainlines in the mid-2000s. It is still a preserved locomotive that is being restored by the Victorian Railways Preservation Group. The curve and grade on the west side of Fish Creek is where Peter Bass photographed this train with the outlined weather conditions evident on the landscape. Situated 170km by rail from Melbourne, Fish Creek railway station was well serviced by a combination of passenger and freight services along the line. Although superphosphate was unloaded here close to closure later in the month, the quadruple T Class only had to pick up empty wagons on the return working at Buffalo. For the down journey they were conveying 9 VTQF/Y Tanker Wagons loaded with diesel fuel destined for the EssoMobil Barry Beach Marine Terminal. For a number of years prior, trains heading east of Fish Creek used the yard to detach any additional rollingstock or excessive tonnage to ease the journey traversing the arduous Hoddle Bank between Fish Creek and Foster containing 1 in 40 gradients. The reason for the cessation of the superphosphate freight trains on the line was due to V/Lines contract with Pivot Fertilisers expiring and being handed over to private road transport companies. The Pivot Fertilisers Transfer Station at Buffalo was where the final shunting of the train took place between 12:10pm and 12:40pm. This was also the last time that the Freightgate at Korumburra was used as a regular goods facility. This train was filmed by Gavin McLaughlan at numerous locations during this lengthy operation and a link to the his video entitled Leongatha Line Goods 1990 93 Part 1 video uploaded to YouTube on May 23 2009 has been included below this text. Barry Beach Goods 1992: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZFLV_nOjlI
07.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 192: (Anderson) ‘The Wonthaggi goods waits for a cross with the pass at Anderson in September 1977’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘Victorian Railways T354, working the up Wonthaggi goods, had been into the loop at Anderson to cross the down Walker 31RM. Here it seen preparing to depart, and approaching the up-end points on Thursday the 15th of September 1977’. All of these images were taken by John Dennis. Branch lines in Victoria, they may be almost a distant memory. Th...ough thankfully many memories being passed on over generations and photographs are still appreciated. Despite the rails being removed along the Wonthaggi branch line in 1988, it is still well remembered for its scenic views and relics of the line still surviving to give some perspective. The Wonthaggi goods train post the years of coal traffic on the line around the 1960's was well known for having a variety of rollingstock and freight for a line that was starting to become quieter in activity. Superphosphate deliveries and dairy products were the main freight transported. Post closure in November 1978, superphosphate was transported on the South Gippsland mainline by rail to the Korumburra Freightgate centre then shifted by road to places that were once served by the Wonthaggi branch line. The scheduling of the Wonthaggi goods in the later years was generally a Wednesday and Friday working across the week in addition to daily railmotor services up until December 1977. It was fairly common to see a single T or Y Class diesel hauling a goods train right on their maximum tonnage limits for the ruling gradients on the branch line. The second series T Class order known for their distinctive High-Cab design such as T354 were regulars on the line. That alteration in cab design was the main change from the first order Flat-Tops as they were mechanically similar and also retained horizontal radiator grills along the long end. Only the preserved T356 survived of the 10 built with T354 withdrawn by 1988 and scrapped in 1992. The former Anderson railway station is well known as the closest railway station on the Great Southern Railway Line and associated branch lines to Phillip Island. Right up until the closure of the Wonthaggi branch line, Anderson had an interlocked and staffed station. Goods trains in later years generally could work from Nyora to Anderson direct without the need to stop with several stations closing due to the winding down of traffic on the line. The station layout situated on a curve is shown in John Dennis’ photograph from September 1977. There were 3 track roads with the third serving the goods shed and overhead freight crane gantry. The wooden road bridge that is now a memory served Railway Rd, which provided access to the station. Anderson for number of years was the northern terminus of the Bass Coast Rail Trail towards Nyora, until it was extended to Woolamai.
07.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 171: (Loch) T376-T400 climb towards Nyora from Loch on the up Barry Beach Goods in May 1992. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Lines T376-T400 climb out of Loch, with an up 9408 Barry Beach Goods on Friday the 1st of May 1992. This image was taken by Peter Bass. For Photo Friday, the Loch to Nyora section along the South Gippsland railway line has rarely been covered. This section contains picturesque dairy countryside with undulating 1 in 50 gradients. Although the ri...se in terrain is more noticeable when heading towards Nyora instead of Loch. Peter Bass photograph from May 1992 depicts double T Class T376-T400 hauling an Up Barry Beach Goods with empty VOFX open wagons that had superphosphate unloaded on the line beyond Leongatha. There were a few winding curves and particularly some between Berrys Road and Loch station like at this particular location resembled S-curves. The dense vegetation in the background gives away that the train had just passed over the Bass River and Allsop Creeks just north of Loch. Up until the 1970s the two waterways were crossed by two uniquely built tall timber trestle bridges. These were replaced with steel girder and concrete pier structures and can still be seen from Ferriers Road which parallels most of this section. Although commercial freight services ceased in the next two months at the end of June 1992 and passenger by July 1993, trains last used this section in 2013. The South Gippsland Tourist Railways heritage and tourist trains stopped running between Korumburra to Nyora for over 2 years prior to disbandment in January 2016. From 1991, the Barry Beach Goods was the only remaining freight train on the South Gippsland railway line beyond Nyora. With the cessation of weekend Korumburra Goods Trains in February 1991, superphosphate and oil supplies were combined together for the vast majority right up until the last running of the Barry Beach Goods on Tuesday the 30th of June 1992. There were occasions were only one form of freight was conveyed for a portion of the journey like is illustrated in Peter Bass photograph with the empty VOFX open wagons and VTQF/Y Tanker Wagons not attached to the consist. The only other form of freight still running on the line at the time was the Australian Glass Company Sand Trains servicing the sand mines at Koala Siding, Lang Lang.
06.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 196: (Nyora) ‘K184 climbs the Nyora Bank with the Royal Silver Jubilee Appeal towing bouncy passenger lounges in October 1978’. Photo Friday features another Mal Austin photograph at a fairly secluded section known as Nyora Bank. In his words like stated in an earlier photograph of K153 in 1977 at the same location, Nyora bank was always a challenge as there was no road in there. You either walked a long way and missed half the rest of the trip catching up ...or you compromised and went somewhere within touch of a longer lens. The section contains a 4 kilometre continuous climb for down trains heading towards Nyora railway station from the Australian Glass Company’s Koala Siding or descent for up trains heading towards Lang Lang. This portion was predominately a 1 in 50 gradient with a minimum of 1 in 62 and had a few minor winding curves that still accommodated for fast track speeds through the Koala State Forest. Saturday the 14th of October 1978 was the date for this special to raise funds for the Royal Silver Jubilee Appeal. However, K184 running to Nyora was not the only train running as K153 hauled a passenger special to Moe with an extension to Traralgon to coincide with the occasion originally planned to take place earlier in the year on May 20. K153 and K184 would parallel run between Richmond and Caulfield before heading to their respective destinations both hauling PL carriages, predominantly the BPL cars, colloquially known as the ‘Bouncing Passenger Lounges’. Passengers would be transferred by bus between Nyora and Moe for the return journeys. Rather fortunate for passengers of those trains to ride specials on both the Gippsland and South Gippsland mainlines on the same day! There are further details of this tour available to read on the Victorian Rail Tours Wiki website with a link provided below. ‘Sat.14.10.78: ARHS and VR Moe/Traralgon K153; Nyora K184’: http://www.railtourist.com.au///Traralgon_K153;_Nyora_K184 K184 was a regular for hauling steam specials on the South Gippsland railway line between the 1960’s and early 1980’s. However, this steam locomotive has been out of service since Easter 1980 after 44 years of duty for the Victorian Railways. It is still stored at Steamrail Victoria’s Newport Workshops depot while sister locomotives K153 and K190 remain operational.
06.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 180: (Barry Beach) DERM 62 at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal in June 1985. IMAGE CAPTION: Former Victorian Railways DERM 62RM is pictured at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal on the down journey of the DERM Tour to Yarram via Barry Beach on Saturday the 29th of June 1985. Both of these images were taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. This Photo Friday takes us to a place that is off limits to th...e public these days and even in the past. The Barry Beach Marine Terminal for over half a century has been a significant driver of economic development in the South Gippsland region. It opened in the 1960s and had its own 4.2 kilometre or 3 miles branch line spurring off the South Gippsland railway line at Agnes open on Wednesday the 2nd of April 1969. It was also the most southern-most mainland section of Australias linked railway tracks to a capital city and had spectacular views of Wilsons Promontory across Corner Inlet between Toora and Welshpool. The railway servicing the Barry Beach Marine Terminal was significant as it supplied the facility with the essential structural steel and pipes along with heavy duty equipment to assist with the construction and development of the marine port. The railway also was pivotal in the delivery and installation of the oil rigs situated to the south of Corner Inlet in Bass Strait. Post completion of these important projects by 1986, once to twice weekly EssoMobil oil supply trains were the main source of freight until 1992. The track layout is hard to imagine these days, though some photos show that the rails went most of the length of the facility to accommodate for the traffic on the branch line. Although freight was its main purpose, there were a number of special passenger hauled or even railmotor journeys that ventured to Barry Beach. On Saturday the 29th of June 1985, DERM 62RM paid visit to Yarram via Barry Beach and return. This was the second last time that a railmotor ventured beyond Leongatha come 58RMs tour to Welshpool and Barry Beach in May 1990. The prominence of railway heritage and enthusiasts tours starting in the early 1960s meant that the DERMs visited many locations across the state and the South Gippsland railway line especially beyond Leongatha was no exception. 62RM is currently at the Central Highlands Tourist Railway based at Daylesford and pending future restoration.
06.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 169: Photostop at Buffalo captures R707 with J512 out of shot on the ARHS Foster and Barry Beach special in April 1970. IMAGE CAPTION: R707 is running a photo stop at Buffalo on the return journey of a fan trip from Foster Sat. 11 April 1970. This image was taken by Peter Enlund. Tomorrow will mark 50 years since the ARHS ran a steam tour to Barry Beach on Saturday the 11th of April 1970. This was the first passenger special tour on the Barry Beach Bra...nch Line which had opened just over a year prior on Wednesday the 2nd of April 1969. Victorian Railways steam locomotives J512-R707 would double header the train between Nyora and Foster, then return to Korumburra. R707 worked solo from Melbourne then had J512 assist with the steep gradients to Foster and return to Korumburra. At Foster, J512 ran solo to Barry Beach as the R Class were not permitted to run beyond. This particular tour has been covered in a number of books, articles and people with 237 passengers accounted for in the 7 car consist. There were numerous photostops and opportunities for passengers to appreciate stations and picturesque sections of the line. One of these was at Buffalo on the return journey with R707 leading an obscured J512. Peter Enlunds photograph depicts the railway station in the background as it was right up until closure. Buffalo was the typical rural single wooden exterior design with a tin roof and accompanying water tank resting on the platform. Once rationalisation policies came into effect by the 1960s, Buffalo was a request stop for passenger rail services servicing Yarram until Saturday the 6th of June 1981. The station in the later years was often remembered for being one of the main superphosphate transfer stations on the line beyond Leongatha with Pivot Fertilisers serviced until June 1992. Regarding the two steam locomotives. The R Class, R707 named City of Melbourne was in particular often used for railway enthusiasts tours on the line during the 1960s and 1970s. For the last R Class run on the line to Foster in May 1974, it combined with R761 and both have since been preserved to haul special tours to this day. Between the 1950s and 1970s, they were used for a variety of goods trains on the mainline as far as Foster and Melbourne to Leongatha passenger rail services. The J Class were also a regular visitor during the same period as the R Class servicing all the way to Yarram and even the Wonthaggi Branch Line. However, better suited for the steep gradients and sharp curves along the line not requiring as higher speeds due to their lighter build and comparable tractive effort.
05.01.2022 Alberton railway station site with the platform mound pictured looking east towards Yarram taken from Russell St on Saturday the 6th of June 2020. Note that the shed pictured to the left was previously used as the superphosphate transfer station operated by W&B Gibson until 1987.
04.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 167: (Dandenong) H4 leaves the Australian Window Group Siding with RTA Sand Train Soiree in 1996. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Line H4 is pictured leaving from Cranbourne past the Greens Road level crossing on the down Rail Tourist Associations Sand Train Soiree mixed passenger and freight special to the Australian Glass Companys Koala Siding, Lang Lang on Saturday the 23rd of March 1996. The train consist contains Steamrail Victorias 38BE carriage and 8 empty V...HSF/Y mineral sand hoppers. This image was taken Michael Bray and is available to view in full on his Flickr account. Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98252514@N07/29674497326/ On Saturday the 23rd of March 1996, a one off mixed passenger and freight train formed the operation of the Australian Glass Companys Sand Train from Dandenong to Lang Lang. V/Lines H4 hauled the Rail Tourist Associations Sand Train Soiree with use of Steamrail Victorias 38BE carriage. The train ran direct from Newport to the Australian Window Group Siding serving Pilkingtons ACI (Australian Consolidated Industries) Glassworks Plant at Dandenong. From there H4 would attach the empty sand wagons for the journey to Koala Siding and return with a load of minerals and sand. Interestingly, there was no sand hoppers that needed to be attached at the Australian Glass Manufacturing Siding at Spotswood. In Michael Brays photograph, H4 can be seen leaving the Australian Window Group Siding that serviced the ACI Pilkington Glassworks Plant at Dandenong. The location of this siding was 300 metres away from the Greens Road level crossing on the Melbourne side of the existing Cranbourne Line. This double track portion of the line was known as the Dandenong Through Siding, which allowed access to the Australian Window Group Siding as well as the Kimberley Clark and Bombardier Sidings. Both the dual track and Greens Road level crossing can be seen in Michael Brays photo. This scene is unrepeatable for several reasons. H4 most recently owned by Pacific National was scrapped earlier this year in January 2020. The JSF/X & VHSF/Y Sand Hoppers suffered the same fate back in late 2008. The last is that the track leading into the ACI Pilkington Glaasworks at Dandenong was dismantled by July 2002, four years post the withdrawal of the Australian Glass Company sand train in January 1998. This is despite the fact that this crossing loop still exists on the active Cranbourne Line open to electrified Melbourne metropolitan passenger rail services. However, it will be interesting to see how this area changes in the coming years with the Greens Road level crossing set to be removed and grade separated by 2023.
03.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 175: (AGM Siding Spotswood) The V/Line Pass Livery ventures to Koala Siding in May 1996. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Line Pass liveried P11 is pictured at the Australian Glass Manufactures Siding, Spotswood in May 1996. This image was taken Michael Bray and is available to view in full on his Flickr account. Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98252514@N07/14260036342/ ... This photograph captured by Michael Bray at Spotswood may be a long way from South Gippsland, though it is one of a number of locations where trains originated from before venturing to the South East. Come the era of dieselisation post the 1950s, a large quantity of the South Gippsland railway lines started their journey in Melbournes western suburbs or even at Geelong. The vast number of industrial sidings between Melbourne and Newport included those requiring coal, oil and sand, which Gippslands railway lines provided. Though for superphosphate, further to west at Geelong. The location is the Australian Glass Manufactures Siding at Spotswood, 9km from Melbourne by rail. This was a freight spur line on the Melbourne side of the station that lead into what was originally known as the Melbourne Glass Bottle Works. Koala Siding, Lang Lang is one of the main locations that Spotswood received sand deliveries after the 1950s. Remarkably portions of the track into the Glass Manufacturing Plant still remain in place two decades post the withdrawal of the Australian Glass Companys sand train on Thursday the 16th of January 1998. In addition to Spotswood, V/Lines block sand trains also serviced Pilkingtons ACI (Australian Consolidated Industries) Glassworks Plant at Dandenong. V/Line had been going through a stage of transition in the mid to late 1990s with the anticipation of privatisation. Numerous passenger and freight withdrawals along with line closures occurred and the South Gippsland railway line was one of those notably impacted from 1992 to 1998. The transport operator would be split into two entities, V/Line Passenger and V/Line Freight by 1997. In 1995, this visually started to become apparent when the V/Lines passenger rail fleet had been undergoing repainting into a new livery with the colours red, white and blue replacing orange and grey. Some of V/Lines P Classes hauling sand trains bound for loading at Koala Siding ran in this livery to Koala Siding, Lang Lang. Michael Bray photographed this once in a blue moon occurrence, with V/Lines P11 and empty VHSF/Y Sand Hoppers pictured during May 1996.
03.01.2022 'All aboard for Wonthaggi' by Peter Cliff posted on 15/10/2020. IMAGE CAPTION: 'The first passenger train arrives at Wonthaggi Station, 1912'. Being shared around and a discussion on the topic is available on the blog post's website.... LINK: https://www.basscoastpost.com/poi/all-aboard-for-wonthaggi
03.01.2022 ON THIS DAY: 27th Anniversary of the Steamrail Victoria Last Lament to Leongatha Double Header K Class K190-K183 to Leongatha (Sun. 25/07/1993). IMAGE CAPTION: K183-K190 are pictured tender to tender preparing to depart from Leongatha with first of the shuttle trips between the station and Korumburra during the Last Lament To Leongatha steam special on Sunday the 25th of July 1993. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE... President Bruce McLaren. It is the 27th Anniversary since Steamrail Victorias second Double Header K Class steam special Vintage Train on the South Gippsland railway line to Leongatha in 1993. This tour occurred the following day after the withdrawal of V/Lines passenger rail services to Leongatha on Sunday the 25th of July 1993 and was advertised as the Last Lament to Leongatha. K190-K183 hauled 11 wooden bodied ex-Victorian Railways E and W type carriages with coal wagon attached on a very wet and miserly cold winters day. The Double Header K Class hauled a couple of shuttle trips between Korumburra and Leongatha during the afternoon in a combination of tender to tender and chimney first running. The train made a spectacular departure from Leongatha station at 6:25pm later that night during the last shuttle trip and hauled the return special back to Melbourne. This tour was supposedly going to be the last steam hauled passenger special to South Gippsland. However, this continued until 1997, before the line beyond Cranbourne was mothballed to all regular traffic. Two videos and photographic albums that captured K190 & K183 heading to Leongatha have been included in this post below. Last Steam Train Down South Gippsland Railway uploaded by SGR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXcdT9SgDPE K190 and K183 to Leongatha South Gippsland Railway 25/07/1993 uploaded by Graeme Reid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ap89oBqTqo Victorian Steam Trains Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Victoriansteamtrains/photos/?tab=album&album_id=196656873871911 Geoffrey Olivers Steam, Electric and Diesel Railway Albums: http://www.geoffsrailpix.com/jun_sep1993.html
03.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 188: (Toora) ‘A Walker Railmotor at Toora via Barry Beach in August 1981’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘Victorian Railways 280hp Walker Railmotor 89RM is pictured on the Down RTA special to Barry Beach at Toora railway station on Saturday the 5th of August 1978’. This image was taken by the Steve Bucton and notes that the regular railmotor service to Leongatha was extended as a special to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal and return to Leongatha. Toora is situated 184km so...uth east of Melbourne and is known for being a setting with spectacular views across Corner Inlet with Wilsons Promontory often in sight. The name is the base for 2 other locations that South Gippsland bound trains passed through which included Tooradin and Toorak. The weatherboard built station was similar to the buildings west along the line at Foster and Meeniyan but unfortunately no longer survives like the once impressive guest house across the road from the station. The yard at Toora contained four track roads and rail access to the massive Unigate Australia Milk Products Factory. While a staffed station, it was regular to see train crosses occur on the section between Foster and Yarram. Victorian Railways 89RM operated a Rail Tourist Association passenger service special to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal return as an extension of the regular diesel rail motor service to Leongatha on Saturday the 5th of August 1978. This was one of several special tours that utilised a Walker Railmotor on the line between the 1960’s and 1980’s. There were a variety of tours to Yarram, Barry Beach and Wonthaggi. Steve Bucton’s photograph shows 89RM at Toora looking in the western or up direction 3 years prior to the withdrawal of Yarram passenger rail services in June 1981. The Victorian Railways 1948 to 1955 built Walker Railmotors were regularly used for passenger rail services on the South Gippsland railway line. The 280hp Walker Railmotors were generally used for Leongatha passenger rail services. With a total seating capacity of 94 passengers between the two units and distinctive first and economy class sections, they were typically suitable for peak services to and from Leongatha. They also made many journeys along the Wonthaggi Branch Line, however, were a lot rarer compared to the 153HP single unit Walker Railmotors.
03.01.2022 ON THIS DAY: ‘33rd Anniversary since the Last Train to Yarram Australian Railway Enthusiasts and Steamrail Victoria’s Yarram Vintage Train’ (Sat. 24/10/1987). IMAGE CAPTION: 'On Saturday the 24th of October 1987, K153 with BCE1-BE25-ABE3-ABE7-BW60-BW80 is pictured awaiting departure from Yarram railway station for the last time with a crowd of locals and enthusiasts are seen observing from the station'. Two days later on Monday the 26th of October 1987, the line beyond We...lshpool to Yarram was officially closed with the Australian Railway Enthusiasts and Steamrail Victoria organised Vintage Train special the last ever along this section. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. Yarram railway station opened on the 8th of February 1921 and remained the terminus of the South Gippsland railway line from late May 1953 up until the line was cutback to a new terminus at Welshpool in late October 1987. This was despite the fact that the passenger rail services usually combined with the mixed goods and freight service had ceased on Saturday the 6th of June 1981.
02.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 190: (Leongatha) The Footbridge serves more than its purpose. K190 takes on water at Leongatha with Vintage Train for the Daffodil Festival in September 1981. IMAGE CAPTION: K190 is pictured being watered, by firehose dangling off the footbridge at Leongatha on Sunday the 6th of September 1981. The train was on the return journey to Melbourne after running as far as Foster. This image was taken by Steve Bucton. The Leongatha Daffodil Festival is an annu...al event which generally takes place between August and September in the early spring period. In the past, there are records which indicate that the event could be hosted as late as October. Until the early 1990s, it was fairly common for a heritage train to run from Melbourne to coincide with the occasion along with extra passenger rail services scheduled to run to Leongatha. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, then recently restored and preserved K190 was rostered with the duty of running the Leongatha Daffodil Festival Vintage Train. These steam hauled specials ran beyond Leongatha to utilise the turntable at Foster instead of Nyora. It also provided locals with an opportunity to ride the train in addition to the Melbourne passengers who may have disembarked at Leongatha for the festival. On Sunday the 6th of September 1981, the train was run with a much shorter consist compared to earlier years. A combination of E, V and W-type wooden bodied carriages were used for the journey like in previous journeys. From restoration until 1993, K190 had been painted in a two-tone green livery in complete contrast to the black livery when in service with the Victorian Railways. The locomotive is still preserved and in operational condition with Steamrail Victoria and now is painted in the LMS Red livery. The location of Steve Buctons photograph is Leongatha railway station with the station building present in the background. After starting the return journey from Foster, K190 was watered at Leongatha with aid from the local CFA with a firehose dangling off the footbridge. Aside from being a great vantage point for pedestrians and photographers, this just adds another story to the footbridge well regarded by locals at Leongatha.
02.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 185: (Caulfield) 'K190 and K183 parallel run then assemble for the 'Last Lament to Leongatha' at Caulfield in July 1993’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘K190 and K183 are pictured arriving into Caulfield while performing a parallel run from Melbourne city, then assembling as a double header enroute to South Gippsland with the ‘Last Lament To Leongatha’ on Sunday the 25th of July 1993'. Both of these images were taken by Wilf Williams and his collection has been shared by f...Continue reading
02.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 199: (Kilcunda) ‘A Flat-Top T Class hauls an Up Wonthaggi Goods across the Bourne Creek at Kilcunda in January 1977’ Wilf Williams Photograph shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. One of the most famous heritage listed structures and even sights in Victoria is the Bourne Creek Timber Trestle Bridge at Kilcunda. The bridge stands at a height of 12 metres adjacent to the Bass Coast Highway and Bass Strait. It has for many years has been a photographe...r’s choice of location as Wilf Williams photographed in January 1977. Thanks to this image being shared by former ARE President Bruce McLean, a Victorian Railways first generation and series Flat-Top T class can be seen hauling an Up Wonthaggi Goods train. The former Wonthaggi Branch Line for close to 3 kilometres happened to be built on the top of these sand along the section south of Kilcunda station up to the Mouth of the Powlett Road Dalyston. Wednesday the 8th of November 1978 has often been known as the date that the final train ventured along the Wonthaggi branch line. Though, history indicates that there was two takes of the final train in November 1978 prior to the official closure of the line on Tuesday the 21st of November 1978. On Friday the 3rd of November 1978, another Flat-Top T Class T325 hauled the final revenue train on the line. This particular train perhaps did not receive as much coverage as T361's final run 5 days after and is documented in the Newsrail Magazine October 1985 edition in the 'Vale Wonthaggi' article. The Wonthaggi Goods post the years of coal traffic on the line around the 1960's was well known for having a variety of rollingstock and freight for a line that was starting to become quieter in activity. Superphosphate deliveries and dairy products were the main freight transported. Post closure in November 1978, superphosphate was transported on the South Gippsland mainline by rail to the Korumburra. The scheduling of the Wonthaggi goods in the later years was generally a Wednesday and Friday working across the week in addition to daily railmotor services up until December 1977.
02.01.2022 ON THIS DAY/PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 200: (Tarwin River West Branch & Trestle Bridges) ‘D3 639-K153 perform a photostop for photographers across the Tarwin River West Branch in November 1988’. IMAGE CAPTION: ‘D3 639 (Canadian Red Livery) and K153 are pictured performing a photostop across the Tarwin River West Branch Trestle Bridges east of Koonwarra. The Vintage Train to Foster was the last steam train beyond Leongatha in conjunction with Austeam 88 on Sunday the 13th of November 1...988’. This image was taken by Wilf Williams and has been shared by former ARE President Bruce McLaren. The Tarwin River Trestle Bridges for many years were a feature spot for photographers to visit when trains were running on the South Gippsland railway line. The West Branch contained two lengthy bridges in conjunction with a smaller example across the Blackspur Creek. Wilf Williams photographed both D3 639 and K153 crossing the first and longest bridge at 152 metres looking towards Melbourne during one of several photostops enroute to Foster. A scene of this photostop and train crossing the bridge can be seen on symphonyofsteam’s video ‘D3 639 & K 153 Foster South Gippsland’ uploaded to YouTube in 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCbjHMGQL4w On Sunday the 13th of November 1988, a very hot day greeted those who travelled on the last steam hauled passenger train beyond Leongatha on the Yarram line to Foster. Only a matter of weeks earlier in late October, rail enthusiasts across Australia were celebrating the Austeam '88 Festival in Victoria. This event was in conjunction with the Australian Bicentenary Anniversary since Federation in 1788. Steamrail Victoria's D3 639 (originally 658) in its Canadian Red Livery and K153 were the steam locomotives used for this special journey and would haul a lengthy consist of former Victorian Railways E-type and W-type wooden bodied carriages bound for Foster. Due to being left derelict since 1994, the trestle bridges situated between Koonwarra and Meeniyan would fall victim to weather and age deterioration and could not be saved. The fate of the two Tarwin River West Branch examples was the removal and rehabilitation of several of the original timber features to create a hybrid structure when the Great Southern Rail Trail completed the ‘Missing Link’ section between Koonwarra and Meeniyan in March 2016. Meanwhile, Steamrail Victoria still maintain the fleet of wooden bodied carriages and both K153 and D3 639 with the latter steam locomotive painted in the Black with striped Red to represent the ex-Commissioner’s Train livery.
01.01.2022 PHOTO FRIDAY NO. 187: (Tarwin River West Branch & Trestle Bridges) T396-T382 cross the Tarwin River West Branch on the Barry Beach Goods in 1990. IMAGE CAPTION: V/Lines T-396-T382 cross the Tarwin River West Branch east of Koonwarra with an Up 9408 Barry Beach Goods. Circa 1990. This image was taken by Peter Bass. The early 1990s particularly between 1990 and 1992 was a rather busy time for rail services in South Gippsland. This was in accordance with track upgrades t...hat took place usually combined with freight services on the line. During the V/Line era, the Barry Beach Goods was combined with superphosphate and oil supplies workings on services beyond Leongatha. Peter Bass photograph from 1990 containing the double T combination of T396-T382 can be seen conveying empty VOFX open wagons and VTQF/Y tanker wagons. In regards to the diesel locomotives, the preserved T382 has had restoration completed by Seymour Railway Heritage Centre in recent times while T396 was scrapped by Pacific National in January 2015. The setting of Peter Bass photograph shows the first and longest of the two Tarwin River West Branch Trestle Bridges at 152 metres looking towards Yarram. Inclusive of the smaller Blackspur Creek Trestle Bridge, this bridge was the easiest to be viewed. That is if you had to time to look over your shoulder when negotiating the sharp curves on the Blackspur section of the South Gippsland Highway between Koonwarra and Meeniyan. The ground beneath the bridge for parts of the year can be subject to flooding as the soil and grass is noticeably damp in Peter Bass photograph. The bridges had been subject to 15km/h speed restrictions for several years during the last decade of operations on the line beyond Leongatha until June 1992. That being to preserve the condition of the bridges due to fairly heavy loading on the down services beyond Leongatha, particularly to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal. Previously the maximum speed limit was 55km/h given the bridges were situated on 20 chain curves. Interestingly, the route through the Tarwin River Valley between Koonwarra and Meeniyan was littered with such curves along with short gradients of 1 in 40. Due to being left derelict since 1994, the trestle bridges situated between Koonwarra and Meeniyan would fall victim to weather and age deterioration and could not be saved. The fate of the two Tarwin River West Branch examples was the removal and rehabilitation of several of the original timber features to create a hybrid structure when the Great Southern Rail Trail completed the Missing Link section between Koonwarra and Meeniyan in March 2016.
