2006 News

2006 News

12/ 12/06

Mussel Pool Branch reopened to Full Use after Fire Damage

3/12/06 Whiteman Park Fire (Click Here)

2/12/06 BBR Annual Dinner

The BBR Annual Dinner was once again held at the railway and was well attended by the membership. Approx 80 members were on hand for the evening which started out with pre dinner drinks, before climbing on board our 6 car train for a run down to Mussel Pool.

	After a short stop at MP we headed back to Whiteman Village Junction Station where a brief stop was made to top up drinks before heading out for a run around the bushland loop.


On return to WVJ attendees made themselves comfortable in the pleasant surroundings of the WVJ station forecourt at tables provided. In the dimming light of a perfect summer evening, Chairman Jamie Wallis and Secretary Bob Baker got the proceedings underway with presentation of Merit Certificates to Dave Cochrane, Terry Melville and Ronald Applin for Commitment to Running Midweek Train Services Jill Wallis for Managing the souvenir shop and receiving FOTTE phone bookings.
	After the presentations were made it was time for dinner with a lovely meal being served by the Village Caf'e.

Much good food, chat and drinking was had before a blast from the Fowlers 5 chime horn was heard signifying time too return to the train for an evening trip around the loop.

Rolling back into WVJ station saw time for coffee, cake and more chat allowing the evening to drift by under the platform canopy and Subiaco signal box lights. For those keen enough another journey was later made around the loop whilst others retired home for the night.

29/11/06 New Pages uploaded

Upper Quadrants

Safeworking equipment

Crossing Protection

Freight Wagons

Mussel Pool Station

8/11/06 New Website Uploaded

4/11/06 Group BBQ with ARHS & SIGWA

On a stormy Saturday 4th of November, a get together of BBR, ARHS and SIGWA members was held at Whiteman Park on the Bennett Brook Railway. Members gathered at Whiteman Village Junction station at 3pm where tea and coffee was available. Attendees were invited to freely visit the Revolutions museum before boarding a train to Mussel Pool for a workshops visit. Newly aquired "Ashley" and its 3 toast rack coaches, was the train used. Members wandered around the BBR workshops and carriage sheds before returning to Mussel Pool station to board the Big Train, consisting of DM 0-6-0 Fowler "Rosalie", V goods van, open R, 2 rooved R wagons, AQ open coach and Z brakevan. A brief stop was made at WVJ to pick up late comers before heading out onto the Loop via Kangaroo Flats and Zamia, with our train slowing for enthusiasts to inspect the "Wig Wag" crossing and then a stop at Zamia to inspect the recently installed Upper Quadrant Signals. A Run past was intended at Zamia but the thunder storm that had been looming to the north got the better of time and whilst the train was backing out of sight the skies opened up causing all to shelter in the old Belmont Park Building. On return of the train to the platform and a rush into the coaches it was off again towards WVJ and a BBQ under the platform canopy and lights of the old Claisebrook Station building, before another journey in the drizzling rain around the loop for a night visual of the signals, tea and coffee and goodnight to all. A good night was had by those in attendance.

1/10/06 October FOTTE Day

Sunday 1st of October was BBR's 19th Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine day.

A bright sunny day was turned on for the intending passengers. The Fat Controller was on hand to keep his trains in order and encourage visitors to also travel on the Buses and partake of the various other activities available. BBR had 4 trains operating throughout the day. On the Mussel Pool Branch, Perry steam locomotive BT1 top and tailed with Planet #1 on the corridor coach set and Maylands and Yellow Rose top and tailed the original small set of coaches. On the loop, Fowler "Rosalie" was in charge of a 6 Car train. Sharing the loop services was former Harvey Fruit Bowl/Dizzy Lamb locomotive "Ashley" having been reunited with its original coaches for the first time on the BBR. Ashley was very popular this day with everyone wanting a ride in the Toast Rack style coaches. Due to the low nature of the coaches, to enable easy boarding and disembarking, Ashley was required to depart from platform 3.5 on the flat area just north of Platform 3.

The Track Gang at work with the 'new' compressor

Using our new compressor, we managed to plate, drill and spike 72 sleepers in about 2.5 hours. The slowest part of the operation was the drill, we now have a new type of drill bit that should speed up things some more. We are also making additional modifications to the air system on the QBB to improve the drilling and spiking operation.

The work train.
The Crew at work.

Upper Quadrant Signals at Zamia Station.

During the weekend of 27 and 28 March 2005, the signals at Zamia Station (Previously known as Maine) were erected by an able crew led by Bob Baker, our signalling Guru.

Click the links below for a picture.

Caution
Both signals
The Able Crew
(That is Bob at the left)

North Section of the Loop is open!!!

On September 27, 2004 the Last Spike was driven on the loop near Maine Station. That day we also installed the first of our steel sleepers.
It has been a heroic effort by our mid-week crew, almost 2500 sleepers were replaced, in addition to the 700 done by the outside crew.

The East and West points at Kangaroo Flats were re-sleepered and realigned on Wednesday, 29 September with the day's operations culminating with the declaration by Gary Howieson (Track Manager) that the Loop was open for traffic. A very tired but satisfied crew returned to the workshops after dark, do you have any idea how dark it gets in the bush?

Southern Section of the Loop is open!!!

On September 4, 2004 the Last Spike was driven on the loop near the bridge. The following day Gary Howieson, the Track manager, certified the track for speed restricted operation. This restriction will be lifted after the track has seen some traffic and it is re-inspected.

On Father's day the track was used for a Top - Tail operation from Kangaroo Flat to Maine for a total of 7 trips.

The Week Day crew is hopeful of having the full loop in operation on FOTTE day (Oct. 3, 2004) so volunteer for that day and get to ride the loop!

Click for a view of the worktrain

The Fowler is back on wheels!

Starting Tuesday 18 May 2004 the crew put back the wheels on the Fowler locomotive "Rosalie". Ron Watson prepared the axle boxes while the crew built up a lifting rig for each axle set. The axles where lifted into place with our crane over Tuesday and Wednesday. Simon Mead assisted us with the forklift, to get the side rods in place. On Thursday the big (50 Ton) crane arrived and put the Fowler back on the track. Rosalie will be taking Part in Friend of Thomas Day.

Click below for pictures.

The rods going into place.
We have lift off!
Touch Down...

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