News Aug-Sept07
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News Aug-Sept07
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24/09/07 Friends of Thomas Day - 23rd September 2007 Sunday 23rd of September dawned cold, but bright and sunny. A great start to what was to be the biggest Friends of Thomas event so far held by the Bennett Brook Railway. The first of the steam crews arrived at the Mussel Pool depot around 5.30am and commenced preparation of the locomotives. A steady trickle of members continued to arrive busying themselves with their duties ensuring all would be ready for the 9am start. From about 8.30am, the crews and their locomotives started to roll out of the depot and began attaching to their respective coaching stock consists and heading for Whiteman Village Junction station.
Trains operating for the day were : Ng123 "Fremantle" and "Windy Wyndham" on a 4 coach train running from WVJ to Zamia on the southern loop section. "Ashley" and "Planet had a 6 coach train of all of the small stock running from WVJ to Kangaroo Flats on the northern loop section. "Betty Thompson" and "Rosalie" ran an intensive service on the shorter WVJ to Mussel Pool branch. Approximately 60 return journeys were operated by BBR trains throughout the day.
Unusually, it was a slow start to the day, but once the public started to arrive, they came in droves. 10am came round and the 3 trains operating were full to capacity. By midday all car parking spaces available in the park were at a premium at both the Village and Mussel Pool locations. Considered to be one of the biggest crowds seen in Whiteman Park
Keeping control of the event for the day at WVJ was Station Master "Peter G" who ably assisted "Sir Topham Hatt" with the large numbers of people cramming the platforms, whilst at Mussel Pool, Station Master "Malcolm " and Signalman "Garry" kept the crowds from the platform edges. The Fat Controller was of course also kept very busy with all his adoring fans. As well as the Trains, a good range of attractions were on hand to entertain the public. Busses from the Bus Preservation Society of WA were on the park roads carrying passengers via the village between WVJ and Mussel Pool stations as well as from Zamia Station to the Model Aeroplane Centre where the skies were buzzing with aircraft. At WVJ station our resident Jazz Band played sweet tunes for those perusing the souvenir shop, food stands and the sideshow attractions available. At Mussel Pool there were pony rides, Incredible Creatures farm animals, vintage busses on display from the Bus Preservation Society and vintage Fire Engines courtesy of the WA Fire Brigade.
A great day was had by all but it could not be done without all assistance from the Bennett Brook Railway members who work extremely hard in the lead up to any Thomas Day as well as during the day itself. A BIG Thank You goes out especially to all of our Ladies who attend to the duties of Ticket Selling and Souvenir Sales as well as many other unseen duties on Fotte Days.
Of course without our operational roster crews we could not run the trains required. The BBR midweek crew also puts in many hours of hard work in preparation and throughout the day Thank you to all who help make this event work and be available for the wider community.
FOTTE Feedback To: Steve Gordon 6PR Radio Station Sent: Sun 23/09/2007 6:55 Pm Gidday Steve, love your programme. Well it was sensational, extremely well organised and great
fun. I am 41 and the smell of burning coal sure
18/09/07 Just a couple of snaps from the weekend. Ng123 was in use on Sunday 16th. At the end of the day the Ng was turned on the only active turntable in preservation in W.A. - the ex W.A.G.R. Midland Junction 80ft turntable at Whiteman Village Junction station. Turning of the locomotive is required for the upcoming Friends of Thomas Day on the 23rd September, which will see the Ng working chimney first onto the Southern leg of the loop to Zamia.
For more information about the 80ft turntable click here
15/09/07 Bonding Day On Saturday September 8 the signals department held a
"Bonding Day" on
the Mussel Pool line.
10/09/07 Ng123 Returns to Zamia On Friday 7/09/07, Ng123 was cleared to operate onto the Southern section of the "Loop" to Zamia station after some minor track repairs were carried out in the section by the Midweek Track gang (Thanks Fellas) during the week. Thus during the weekend of the 8th & 9th, Ng 123 was steamed and operated in Top and Tail formation (due to the lack of run around facility at Zamia) with 4 coaches and Planet #1 . Last time Ng123 passed through Zamia (approx 13yrs ago), it was then known as Maine Station, which was later renamed in April 2005 to avoid any confusion with our "Main" station - Whiteman Village Junction. On the Sunday, whilst at Zamia station, passengers were encouraged during the brief stopover, to stretch their legs and have a look at the locomotive as well as a demonstration of the 3 position Upper Quadrant signal.
The Midweek Crew Track Gang Closure of the track between WVJ & Kangaroo Flats has given the chance to carry out replacement of 122 sleepers in the section. The mini excavator, purchased using a grant from "LotteryWest", came to the fore pulling out the dead sleepers. Bob and Paul removed the spikes and plates and then took turns at operating the excavator and voted the experience "Good Fun". Behind them Tamper Dave, Kee, Garry, Jamie and Terry were kept busy inserting the steel and wooden sleepers. They all reckon it is just hard work. The track crew are endeavouring to have the section reopened for the upcoming Friends of Thomas day on September 23.
2/09/07 Fathers Day With the weather forecast indicating a warm and sunny day, it was set to be a busy day in Whiteman Park with many families bound to be out for a lovely picnic in the park. Traditionally a bumper day for the BBR, a 2 train service was put into place using Ng123 operating the branch to Mussel Pool. The first day Ng123 has hauled passengers in its true form this season.
With the North section of the loop from WVJ to Kangaroo Flats still closed for maintenance, Perry BT1 & Planet #1 operated on a Top and Tail shuttle service departing south from Whiteman Junction to Kangaroo Flats, via Zamia .
As is usual with all of the BBR roster crews, everyone gets in and helps out. Well Done to David, Scott, Dave, Jamie, Jill, Simon, Paul, Ian, Judi & Michael and any others helping on site - the crews involved in the Fathers Day operations. Thanks to all for making the day go well.
1/09/07 On Friday evening 31/08/07 the night crew gathered as usual for the weekly maintenance night at the BBR loco depot at Mussel Pool. The main objective for this evening was to re-couple the tender of Ng 123 to the locomotive section and finish off any remaining jobs with an aim to having Ng123 operational on Fathers Day 2/09/07. Whilst Richard and Cody got stuck into preparing the Perry for its warm through, the rest of the crew commenced the shunting of the tender into the loco shed to reunite it with the locomotive section of Ng123. This went off without any problems and before long the drawbar pin was in place, the spring pack released and Ng123 was dragged out of the loco shed and over to the pit shed were the water delivery and vacuum pipes were arranged and connected.
Whilst over the pit, the opportunity was taken to check out the condition of the brick arch which was installed by R. Parker. This job fell to the Webmaster who duly disappeared through the firehole door only to re-emerge sometime later, somewhat dirtier than he went in.
On Saturday 1/09/07 the rostered driver for Fathers Day, Jamie and assistant light up man Geoff, showed up and commenced a light up to warm the Ng to ensure a comfortable start on Sunday morning.
Yes - Ng123 should run on Fathers Day - Nothing like a deadline to encourage productivity.
27/08/07 Following a track inspection of the loop by the BBR Track Master on Sunday 20th, it was decided to take the opportunity to close the WVJ to Kangaroo Flats section for a couple of weeks during a traditionally quiet period and get a bit of track maintenance undertaken. Operationally this makes life a little more interesting for the train crews, albeit a little more difficult. During the weekend of 25th & 26th August, the train service ran from Mussel Pool to Whiteman Village Junction and then the locomotive was run around the train to depart south onto the loop and run via Zamia to Kangaroo Flats - "Bunker First". Another loco run around was then performed at Kangaroo Flats before returning to WVJ via Zamia. On the Sunday there was a track gang also at work in the closed WVJ - Kangaroo Flats section using Planet #1 and the LA Ballast hopper. Mid afternoon after a wet track session, the gangers decided they had had enough and proceeded to Kangaroo Flats and stowed the LA in the siding there.
After arrival of the service train at Kangaroo Flats, it was decided by the crews to work the Planet back to Mussel Pool in "Top and Tail" formation on the passenger train, which provided for an interesting working.
19/08/07 Sunday 19th saw the Kalamazoo unearthed from its hiding place by K Wright and was cleaned up and lubricated before making a rare journey up the line from Mussel Pool to Whiteman Junction. The objective being to relocate a staff station indicator board from the Mussel Pool line to the loop south on the approach to Whiteman Junction. The recent erection of the MP Branch WVJ Distant has made the staff station indicator board redundant. Two "Whistle" Boards were also erected during the day on the loop south section. The Kalamazoo was used to transport the signs to the inaccessible trackside locations as well as for a bit of fun.
After all that exercise, Kieran, Michael and Andrew were "Buggered".
On the Friday evening of 17/8/07, the remainder of the welding bay area at the end of the loco shed was cleaned out and the area made larger. To enable this to occur Ng 15 118 needed to be moved out, as well as Ng15 123 which was also moved out and the water emptied out of the boiler. The two diesel’s “ the Fowler and the Planet “ were used to move everything about.
18/08/07 On Thursday August 16th, the midweek crew assisted S & T Project Manager Bob in erecting the distant signal at the WVJ end of the Mussel Pool line. This signal erection had originally been planned for the weekend of the 8th of September when there is still intended to be a "Bonding Day", but it was decided to do it earlier as resources were available. The distant signal is located 160 metres south of the Beechboro Rd entry crossing. This gave Paul, our workshop manager, a chance to dig a decent hole using the mini excavator purchased as part of last years Lotterywest Grant. The signal is a fixed signal for the time being until the Whiteman Village Junction (ex Subiaco) signal cabin can be made operational. Through use of "Track Circuitry", the signal lamp will light at night when a train approaches. The signal mast came from the Guildford Training School and was donated by WestNet Rail
During the first week of August the AR open coach was fitted with Cafe style clear plastic roll up windows. This coach is the BBR's "Disabled Access" carriage and has been in need of some weather protection for some time. The newly installed windows have been well received by members and the Travelling Public.
14/08/07 The weekend of the 11th & 12th of August made for beautiful days out at Whiteman Park and the BBR. Glorious sunshine caused the webmaster to dig out the push bike and wander out to chase some trains using some of the many bike trails which exist in the park as well as take a photo or too for future web updates. Here below are a couple of pics from the weekend.
The BBR AGM was also held on the Sunday afternoon at the Revolutions Museum meeting room. The meeting was well attended by members who were given a well presented Chairman and Treasurers report via a laptop pc and video projector. All went well for the meeting and committee positions up for re-election were suitably filled by previously submitted nominations. After the AGM, a General Meeting was held, and this also went well - except for the occasions when a steam locomotive and train chuffed or rolled past the nice sized windows of the meeting room.. At this meeting Operations Manager, S. Mead reported that During the 2006 / 2007 financial year the BBR carried a total of 29284 passengers on our trains, which travelled a total distance of 9007 kilometres.
On Thursday 9th of August, Dave Cochrane once again dug out his trusty paint brush and took to the smokebox on BT1. Unfortunately Dave's previous efforts with the silver paint had not lasted long. After running of the locomotive for 13 days during the school holiday period, the paint had started to crack and peel. After a good wire brushing and preparation, a new coat of Black was applied to BT1 smokebox. Keep up the good work Dave
Another
"Job Well Done" was carried out during the school holiday period when
the mid week crew got into action and installed a watering column at Mussel
Pool. For many years now the task of watering the locomotive has been done with
a fire hose from the hydrant. Fire hoses have their downside particularly when
they get kinks and holes and so it was that somebody finally got annoyed enough
to construct a more suitable standpipe. The water stand was started in the
second last week of July, pipe 9/08/07 New info Added - " Communications" page added - Click here
4/08/07 The Friday night crew were busy once again on the 3/8/07. Members came together with the aim of installing the tender chassis from NG118, under the tender tank from Ng123. During the week, the midweek crew had been over, under and through the chassis unit with a fine tooth comb checking the mechanics to make sure it was ready for installation. The underside of the Tank had also been prepared with several coats of paint being applied. After a few difficulties with a shortage of fuel in the system of the crane, it was positioned next to the tender tank and the lifting rig set up. About 5pm the tank was lifted into the air and the chassis was carefully positioned under the tank, using the "Ruston" and then the tank was lowered into position. It is a neat fit with a few minor adjustments to be made to enable the tank to be secured to the chassis, but essentially all went as planned. Hopefully we will be running NG123 in the next few weeks. BBR would like to thank the "Perth Electric Tramway Society" for the use of their mobile crane to assist with the lifting in this project.
Barry Annetts has been busy working on the Dorman Planet with the reinstallation of the radiator core sections which had been removed and cleaned. Barry along with a few other members, is steadily chipping away at the restoration of the locomotive. Well done.
The Signalling department have also been active since S & T Project Manager Bob returned from Europe, with another signal mast being taken from the stock pile and given a little bit of TLC in preparation for installation line side. It is to be a "Fixed" Distant signal (for a while) for the approach to Whiteman Village Junction on the Mussel Pool line. It is intended to erect the mast in the next couple of weeks. The signal came from the Guildford Training School and was donated by WestNet Rail A "Bonding & Erection Day" is planned for September 8th when it is hoped to be able to erect the Distant Signal & make the "Electric Outer Home" which was erected earlier this year in March, operational as well. Any members wanting to assist on this day should contact Bob Baker.
2/08/07 New info Added - " Passenger Carriages" page info added - Click here
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Bennett Brook Railway Webmaster N. Blinco
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