B”H

Train Pics

All photos © Les Brown. Not to be used for Publication without permission.

Black & White Images

ROLL A	The Early Days. Caulfield, Warragul, Colac, Jolimont Sidings, Melbourne Goods Yard, South Dynon. 1962-1965.
ROLL B	Puffing Billy, February 1965.
ROLL 1	Menzies Creek, 22^nd May. Newport Workshops, 23^rd May 1965.
ROLL 2	Puffing Billy, June 1965.
ROLL 3	Puffing Billy, 31^st July 1965.
ROLL 4	Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham, September 1965.
ROLL 5	Ballarat, Hamilton, Maroona, Ararat, 3^rd - 5^th January 1966.
ROLL 6	Ararat, Stawell, Warracknabeal, Ballarat, 5^th- 7^th January 1966. McKinnon, 9^th January 1966.
ROLL 7	Flinders Street, Spencer Street, Newport, September 1966.
ROLL 8	A.R.E. Excursion to Fyansford, 10^th September 1966.
ROLL 9	A.R.H.S. “Farewell N-Class”, Excursion to Ballan, 8^th October 1966.
ROLL 10	Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham, 18^th December 1966.
ROLL 11	McKinnon, 1^st January 1967. Echuca – Deniliquin, Bendigo – Eaglehawk, 2^nd - 3^rd January 1967.
ROLL 12	Korong Vale – Kulwin, 3^rd – 4^th January 1967.
ROLL 13	Korong Vale – Robinvale, 4^th – 5^th January 1967.
ROLL 14	Koondrook - Kerang, Swan Hill – Kooloonong, 6^th January 1967.
ROLL 15	Dimboola, Pimpinio, St. Arnaud, Pinnaroo, 11^th – 12^th January 1967.
ROLL 16	A.R.E. Excursion to Timboon, 11^th February 1967.
ROLL 17	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Ballarat & Suburbs via Geelong & Ballan, 25^th February 1967.
ROLL 18	A.R.E. Excursion to Stratford, 22^nd April 1967.
ROLL 19	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Mortlake, 6^th May 1967.
ROLL 20	A.R.E. Excursion to Culcairn, 20^th May 1967.
ROLL 21	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Echuca, 11^th June 1967.
ROLL 22	Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham, 2^nd July 1967. Glenroy, 4^th July 1967.
ROLL 23	A.R.E. Excursion to Skipton, 22^nd July 1967.
ROLL 24	Newport Workshops, Geelong, 30^th July 1967.
ROLL 25	A.R.E. Excursion to Bittern, 5^th August 1967. Spencer Street, North Ballarat, 13^th August 1967.
ROLL 26	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Hurstbridge, 26^th August 1967.
ROLL 27	V.S.R.C.A. Excursion to Healesville, 30^th August 1967.
ROLL 28	A.R.E. Excursion to Wonthaggi, 9^th September 1967.
ROLL 29	Flinders St., Spencer St., Caulfield-Glen Huntly, 8^th, 14^th & 21^st October 1967.
ROLL 30	A.R.H.S. Excursion to St. Arnaud – 100^th Tour, 18^th November 1967.
ROLL 31	A.R.H.S. Excursion to St. Arnaud – 100^th Tour, 18^th November 1967.
ROLL 32	McKinnon, Flinders St., Spencer St., 29^th November 1967. Vintage Train Excursion to Queenscliff, 2^nd December 1967.
ROLL 33	Seymour, Bowser – Peechelba East, Bowser – Beechworth Lines, 1^st – 2^nd January 1968.
ROLL 34	Bowser – Bright & Wodonga – Cudgewa Lines, 3^rd – 4^th January 1968.
ROLL 35	Cudgewa, Geelong & Ballarat, 4^th – 7^th January 1968.
ROLL 36	Murtoa, Stawell, Ararat, 8^th January 1968.
ROLL 37	Sale, Dandenong, Stony Point, Mornington, Cobram & Tocumwal, 10^th – 12^th January 1968.
ROLL 38	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Shelbourne, 20^th January 1968.
ROLL 39	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Waubra, 29^th January 1968.
ROLL 40	A.R.E. Excursion to Deniliquin, 3^rd February 1968.
ROLL 41	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Ararat via Cressy, 17^th February 1968.
ROLL 42	A.R.E. Excursion to Port Melbourne, Glen Waverley, North Fitzroy Lines, 2^nd March 1968.
ROLL 43	McKinnon, Toorak, Montague, Flinders St., 30^th March – 20^th April 1968.
ROLL 44	North Melbourne & South Dynon, 20^th April 1968.
ROLL 45	Carey G.S. Excursion to Yallourn, Traralgon, Mirboo North, 4^th May 1968.
ROLL 46	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Beaufort Steam Traction Engine Rally, 10^th May 1968.
ROLL 47	S.K.A.R.E. Excursion to Patchewollock, 8-10^th June 1968. Flinders St. Station, 16^th June 1968.
ROLL 48	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Port Melbourne, Windsor, Warragul, 16^th June 1968.
ROLL 49	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Fyansford, 6^th July 1968.
ROLL 50	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Fyansford, 6^th July 1968.
ROLL 51	Sunbury, Clarkefield, Carlsruhe, 29^th July 1968. Ormond, 4^th August 1968. South Dynon, 10^th August 1968.
ROLL 52	Daylesford Line, 10^th August 1968.
ROLL 53	A.R.E. Excursion to Maryborough, 17^th August 1968.
ROLL 54	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Daylesford, 31^st August 1968. Traralgon, 7^th September 1968.
ROLL 55	McKinnon, Ormond, 21^st September 1968.
ROLL 56	Railway Museum North Williamstown, Aspendale, 29^th September. Exhibition; “Railways on Review”, 8^th October 1968.
ROLL 57	A.R.E. Excursion to Ballarat and Trams, 12^th October 1968.
ROLL 58	A.R.E. Excursion to Ballarat and Trams, 12^th October 1968.
ROLL 59	Yea, 19^th October 1968. Ballarat, Ararat, Murtoa, 26^th – 27^th October 1968.
ROLL 60	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Bolangum, 27^th October 1968.
ROLL 61	A.R.H.S. Excursion; Last Train to Heathcote, 9^th November 1968.
ROLL 62	Spencer St. & Heathcote Junction, 23^rd November 1968. Caulfield, 24^th November 1968.
ROLL 63	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Wonthaggi, State Coal Mine, Kirrak, 14^th December 1968.
ROLL 64	Murtoa, Horsham, Dimboola, Serviceton, 23^rd – 24^th December 1968.
ROLL 65	Horsham – Goroke, 24^th December. Ararat, 25^th December 1968, Dimboola, 25^th – 26^th December 1968.
ROLL 66	Yaapeet Line, 27^th December 1968. Oaklands Line, 29^th December 1968. Penshurst Line, 31^st December 1968.
ROLL 67	Penshurst, 31^st December 1968. Yanac, 1^st January 1969. Hamilton-Horsham Line, 2^nd January 1969. Newlyn Line, East Ballarat Loco, 3^rd January 1969.
ROLL 68	Portland, 7^th & 9^th January. Casterton, Ararat, 8^th January. Coleraine, 9^th January, 1969.
ROLL 69	Heywood – Mt Gambier Line, 10^th January 1969.
ROLL 70	Bendigo, 6^th January 1969.
ROLL 71	Traralgon, 11^th January. Albury, 12^th January. McKinnon, 19^th, 26^th January & 15^th February 1969.
ROLL 72	Ballarat, 3^rd January. Horsham, 5^th January. Korong Vale, Bendigo, 6^th January 1969.
ROLL 73	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Orbost, 22^nd February 1969. Altona, Geelong, 16^th March, 1969.
ROLL 74	Railway Postage Stamps, 21^st February 1969.
ROLL 75	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Timboon, 29^th March 1969.
ROLL 76.	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Timboon, 29^th March 1969.
ROLL 77	A.R.E. Excursion to Yarram, 12^th April 1969.
ROLL 78	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Ballarat, 20^th April 1969. S.P.C.C. Excursion to Healesville, 4^th May 1969.
ROLL 79	A.R.E. Excursion to Cohuna, 17^th May 1969.
ROLL 80.	A.R.H.S. 50^th Anniversary of Electrification. Sandringham – Essendon, 24^th May 1969. Goulburn Valley Line, 1^st June 1969.
ROLL 81	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Echuca, 15^th June 1969.
ROLL 82	Broadmeadow, 28^th June 1969.
ROLL 83	Broadmeadow, 28^th June 1969. N.S.W.R.T.M. Excursion to Riverwood and Metropolitan Colliery, 29^th June 1969.
ROLL 84	Moss Vale, Sydney – Broadmeadow, 28^th June 1969.
ROLL 85	Goulburn, 30^th June 1969.
ROLL 86	N.S.W.R.T.M. Excursion to Riverwood and Metropolitan Colliery, 29^th June 1969.
ROLL 87	Goulburn, Junee, 30^th June 1969. S.P.C.C. Mystery Excursion, 6^th July 1969.
ROLL 88	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Melbourne Suburban Industrial Sidings, 12^th July 1969.
ROLL 89	A.R.E. Excursion to Picola, 26^th July 1969. Woodend, Daylesford, 10^th August 1969.
ROLL 90	A.R.H.S./A.R.E. Excursion to Linton and Colac, 30^th August 1969.
ROLL 91	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Tumbarumba, 21^st September 1969.
ROLL 92	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Tumbarumba, 21^st September 1969.
ROLL 93	A.R.E. Excursion to Long Island, Naval Base, Stony Point, 27^th September 1969.
ROLL 94	Bentleigh, Graham, Fairfield, 2^nd November 1969.
ROLL 95	Greensborough, Caulfield, 2^nd November 1969. Heathcote Junction, 15^th November 1969. Belgrave, 23^rd November 1969.
ROLL 96	Puffing Billy, 23^rd November 1969.
ROLL 97	A.R.E. Excursion to Merriwa, NSW, 29^th November 1969.
ROLL 98	A.R.E. Excursion to Merriwa, NSW, 29^th November 1969.
ROLL 99	A.R.E. Excursion to Merriwa, NSW, 30^th November 1969.
ROLL 100	A.R.E. Excursion to Merriwa, NSW, 30^th November 1969.
ROLL 101	A.R.E. Excursion to Merriwa, NSW, 30^th November-1^st December 1969.
ROLL 102	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Nyora, 13^th December 1969. A.R.E. Excursion to Queenscliff, 14^th December 1969.
ROLL 103	Albury, Springhurst - Wahgunyah, Murchison East – Colbinabbin, Girgarre Lines, 29^th – 31^st December 1969.
ROLL 104	Numurkah, Seymour, Tocumwal, 1^st January 1970. Swan Hill – Kooloonong, 2^nd January 1970.
ROLL 105	Craigieburn – Seymour, 4^th January 1970.
ROLL 106	Seymour, Numurkah, 4^th January 1970. Katamatite Line, 5^th January 1970.
ROLL 107	Mildura, Merbein, 7^th January 1970. Echuca, 12^th January 1970.
ROLL 108	Echuca, Bendigo, 12^th January 1970. Charlton, Wycheproof, 13^th January 1970.
ROLL 109	Wycheproof-Korong Vale, 13^th January. Wedderburn Junction – Wedderburn, 14^th January. Ararat Line, 17^th January 1970.
ROLL 110	Murtoa, 17^th January. Ballarat, Horsham, 18^th January. Belmont Common Railway, Geelong, 26^th January. Mornington, 1^st February 1970.
ROLL 111	Mornington - Frankston, 1^st February 1970. Geelong, Ballarat, 9^th March 1970.
ROLL 112	A.R.E. Excursion to Stratford, 14^th March 1970.
ROLL 113	A.R.H.S. Excursion to Barry Beach, 11^th April 1970.
ROLL 114	A.R.E. Excursion to Ballarat via Geelong, Ballan, 23^rd May 1970.
ROLL 115	Mansfield, Yea, 15^th June 1970.
ROLL 116	A.R.H.S. S.A. Railway Museum, Glenelg Trams, Adelaide, 3^rd January 1971. Marino, S.A., 4^th January 1971. Puffing Billy, 27^th March 1971.
ROLL 117	Spencer St., Hallam. April 1973.
ROLL 119	South Dynon, April 1973.

Colour Images

ROLL XX	Early Slides. Erica, Thomson, 1966.
ROLL AA	Somerton, Spencer Street, 1973.
ROLL AB	Werribee, Warragul-Moe, Somerton, South Dynon, 1974.
ROLL AC	Caulfield, 1974 & 1975. Heathcote Junction, January 1975.
ROLL AG	Ararat, 1975.
ROLL AH	Windsor, Spencer Street, North Melbourne, Devonport (Tas), 1976.
ROLL AI	Burnie (Tas), 1976.
ROLL AJ	Zeehan, Hobart (Tas), 1976.
ROLL AL	Deloraine, Mole Creek (Tas), 1976.
ROLL AO	Sydney-Newcastle, 1976.
ROLL AP	Newcastle-Broadmeadow, 1976.
ROLL AQ	Sydney, Circular Quay, Melbourne, January 1977.
ROLL AR	Brighton-Penzance (UK), 6^th April 1978.
ROLL AS	Penzance-Bristol, 7^th April 1978. Swansea-Shrewsbury, 8^th April 1978.
ROLL AT	Shrewsbury, Crewe, Liverpool, Ormskirk, Preston-Barrow, 10^th April 1978.
ROLL AU	Barrow-Georgemas Junction, 11^th-12^th April 1978.
ROLL AV	Thurso-Kyle of Lochalsh, 12^th-14^th April 1978.
ROLL AW	Edinburgh, York, 16^th April 1978.
ROLL AX	York-Leeds-Sheffield-Birmingham, 17^th April 1978. Birmingham-March, 18^th April 1978.
1978-08-26	Ireland - Dublin, Belfast, Bangor 26^th August 1978
ROLL AZ	Paris, Derby, Brussels, 1978.
ROLL BA	Munich, 18^th September 1978, Nuremberg 19^th September 1978.
ROLL BB	Nuremburg-Prague, 19th September 1978. Prague, 20th September 1978. Banská Bystrica, 21st September 1978.
ROLL BC	Windsor (UK), London. 1978.

All photos © Les Brown. Not to be used for Publication without permission.

For permission, send email to les@brownfam.com.au

Locomotive Index:

New South Wales

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Victoria

Links to other similar sites:

VictorianRailways.Net

Rob O'Regan

Richard Felstead

Weston Langford

This collection of railway photographs is as limited as any photograph can be. Technically, it is challenging since not only is the subject often moving, but it’s also often very fast and sometimes in very little light. Even if by chance I got the technique right, the picture still couldn’t show the noise and the smells of a large active steam locomotive engine depot. It can’t show the combined taste of railway coffee and fruitcake eaten standing up in haste in a crowded railway refreshment room early in the morning.

I can’t show the difficulties in getting to some of the places to take photos. I once went to sleep in a Z-van rather than miss its 4:00 am departure to Yaapeet. I caught the train o.k. but the guard caught a fright at discovering a body in his van. Then there was the night I slid all over the wooden floor of a ZLP guard’s van, between Ballarat and Mildura, on a fast freight whilst trying to sleep in my sleeping bag. I had so many splinters I felt like a cocktail olive – and I have never woken up so seedy in all my life. We once caught the Rail Motor to Cohuna at night to be welcomed by the largest, most bloodthirsty mosquitoes I had ever seen. We caught the next bus out of town – yes, we were that desperate.

Quite literally, passenger rail travel in those days made you stink, and freight rail travel – especially when steam hauled, made you stink very badly. I would have a shower after a week of travelling by goods train and just watch in amazement as the water turned black for the first few minutes. But I can’t show the joy that sometimes came as a result of my travails as when, for example, travelling between Mildura and Merbein on the Postal Trolley, after a particularly seedy overnight trip, the ganger stopped the trolley between orange orchards, nipped over the fence and grabbed about half a dozen of the largest, sweetest, juiciest oranges I have ever tasted. A night cab ride in an S-class diesel locomotive pulling the Overland, between Serviceton and Ararat was absolute magic. Trying to sleep afterwards in Ararat “A” Box was not, mainly due to the N-class steam locos noisily shunting the yard. Then there was the fun of being offered sleeping accommodation by the local constabulary at Hopetoun in the lockup. I would have gladly accepted the offer but for the fact that it was a hot day and the jail was like an oven, so I slept on a mound of wheat in the railway yard instead. Then there was the kind Station Master at Cudgewa, who took us for a tour around the Snowy Mountains Scheme and the Rail Motor driver, who let me sleep in the Rail Motor at Portland North - a not very often occurrence. The cute girl whose enjoyment as the sole occupant of a compartment was shattered by two extremely dishevelled, rail-fan lunatics such as myself and a mate, and whose assault on her visual and olfactory senses must have been convulsive. She eagerly accepted the offer of mine to turn off the lights to the compartment as we walked out at some ungodly hour at some equally ungodly station. Presumably, she opened the windows as well.

We were conscious that we were recording history, something that would not exist for very much longer. We knew that steam was not going to last more than five years at best. We thought most branch lines would close in the next 10 years – it actually took a little less than 20. We knew that 60-year-old passenger carriages would not last much longer and that wagons and vans whose builder’s plate showed they were built the previous century, were existing on a mix of governmental neglect and inadequate funding. I must admit to now being a little surprised that, aside from interstate and suburban passenger rail, railways exist at all, but those that do are only hanging on by the slimmest of margins. Yet, with the freight task expected to double by 2030, oil demand outstripping supply, and concerns about the environment, rail should be reinvigorated and once again take its rightful role as the main trunk freight carrying service, but government is sadly neglectful despite appearing supportive of rail.

I photographed everything; track, signs, lamps, wheels, signal boxes, railway men and women – a mate of mine specialised in railway station toilets. Anything that was involved with railways was a candidate for a negative. And I collected. Old VR News Letters, Goods Rates books, Rules and Regulations, General Appendixes, Working Time Tables, truck consignment labels, Railways Parcels Stamps, Platform tickets, and my old favourite, the Weekly Notice (I once collected 750 Weekly Notices going back to 1945 that were stored in the roof of Woodend station. I was told that if I came 6 weeks earlier I would have got some going back to the 1920’s). It was anything I could afford or beg a railway staff member to part with. I almost got the Station Master at Rainbow to send me that station’s large old kerosene station lamp stored in the station’s ceiling. I even photographed diesels at a time when most rail-fans shunned anything that didn’t puff great volumes of smoke. Some diesels came pretty close, though.

So here is my collection. They’re not all pretty pictures because I have published the complete roll of film including the blurred, the obscured and the accidental - in fact anything that might be of some interest. It’s a true “warts and all” view with a few good shots in there. I hope you start your own collection. Photograph everything. Soon enough, it too will be gone. History needs to be recorded, because if we don’t know the direction we came from, we have no way of knowing where we are heading.

My thanks to Jeff Bounds, for helping to determine many of the locations of where the pictures were taken.

Les Brown