News Jul - Dec 10

News Jul - Dec 10

17/11/2010

Friday Night Report by James Waterhouse

On Friday 5th November the general maintenance has been continuing. The Ng15 123 'Fremantle' and BT1 'Betty Thompson' steam locomotives are being put to bed. 'Fremantle' and 'Betty Thompson both have their domes, and wash-out plugs removed so that the boilers can be cleaned. The process to put the steam locomotives away for the summer is a fairly big job and takes some weeks. This is taking even longer because there has been less members coming to help around the workshops on Fridays. So if you're free, Derek needs assistance, please come and help out. Then the locomotives would be safely put away and we can begin other projects.

Also dead sleeper collection trains are still operating on Fridays. There is only one section of track left to clean. Between the Wig Wag crossing to the curve after Kangaroo Flats. It will only be a couple more weeks until the whole railway has no dead sleepers to be seen! It will be a great achievement. This week we had Wayne, Alan, James, Samuel and Simon (with ear plugs) on the train. Thank you. Also we can not forget Peter, who organises the trains, and Liam who both are the backbone for the train to function.

The Sleeper Collection Day

On Saturday 23rd October, A work train was organised by Peter Monkhouse to collect used sleepers on the side of the track. The on the train were: Ken B who was driving, Penny, Alan, Tony, Michael and Brayden who were arranging and picking up the smaller sleepers. While James, Liam were operating the mini-excavator. Jamie and Simon were transporting the collected sleepers away. Also Scotty, Gary were doing packing on sleepers at a bridge else where on the line. We also had Stefan, who is a volunteer at the Alexandra Timber Tramway in Victoria, come to help the sleeper train. So the train was quiet full of sleepers and people.

Sleeper Pkup Day 231010.jpg (156641 bytes)

Peter also opened his 'Trac Caff' for the workers on the day. It was a great success.

On the day the train filled the two wagons the transport the sleepers 8 times! The train continued from Zamia station and reached up to 20 metres before the 'Wig Wag' crossing at Kangaroo Flats. This is a fantastic achievement.

The sleeper collection train will continue to run on Friday nights until the Loop line is clean of sleepers. It is expected to have picked up every sleeper in 3 or 4 more runs on Fridays. So if you are available to help, we will finish in no time.

Thanks to James Waterhouse for his reports and pictures above

24/10/2010

BBR Steamers James Waterhouse.jpg (118222 bytes)

"NG123 on a service train returning to Whiteman Village Jctn passes BT1 which has just come off the turntable after being turned for the next days New Friends of Thomas Day".

Signals Report By Bob Baker

The signals and point rodding at Mussel Pool have been disconnected to allow for the extension of the Mussel Pool platform and re-location of the "Cottesloe" Cabin. At present the signals are "white-crossed" signifying that the signals are out of service. Also a temporary 'cheese knob' has been installed at the north end facing points to allow for the points to be changed on site until the signal cabin is installed and connected.

Wagin Frame overhaul sept10.jpg (67090 bytes)

Meanwhile the lever frame ex Wagin "A" has been moved into the loco shed to be freed up and the interlocking re-configured to operate the Mussel Pool yard. Twenty years stored in the open had seized all the levers. Litres of Penetrene and pain-staking cleaning have been successful. Nine of the thirteen working levers have been interlocked. The frame has been freed up and been painted. Many thanks go to the midweek crew who have assisted me on this project.

Meanwhile down at Mussel Pool station the majority of the platform rebuild was completed in time for use on the New Friends of Thomas day. Whilst the Wagin frame is being overhauled and rejigged for use at Mussel Pool the ex Collie signal cabin stands "out of use" other than for safeworking purposes. When the Wagin frame is ready for installation the Collie box will be removed and stored to enable the new frame and the ex Cottesloe Signal box to take its place on the platform. Once in place and rodding & wires fitted to the frame, the platform surface will be added giving BBR the ability to operate 5 car trains comfortably into Mussel Pool.


‘Betty Thompson’ is shown at the new platform with the Collie signal box. The Wagin frame levers have been painted as per the requirements for signalling at Mussel Pool Station. The Mussel Pool Station name boards have also been repainted by Peter and Liam.

Track Report By Scott Parker

Track work around on the Bushland loop and Mussel Pool line is ongoing and help is needed. Work is normally carried out on Saturday mornings, some Friday afternoons and some Sundays as time permits. The following is a list of the dates that work is planned: Saturdays in October 9th, 16th, 23rd, · Saturdays in November 6th, 20th, 27th · Saturdays in December 4th, 11th.

The One Duck Lagoon Bridge was re-sleepered and was completed on August 21st, 22nd and 28th. I would like to thank Garry, Kym, Alex, Penny, Liam, Wayne, Simon, Pat, Alan, James, Michael, Trevor and the mid-week crew, for their help in the preparation and effort on the days. As always track work is always ongoing and people are always needed to do the work. Also I would like to thank Garry, Kym, young Adam and Samuel for help at other times.

One Duck Lagoon new Transoms Aug10.jpg (125287 bytes)

General Report By Trevor Franklin

Thanks to Scott and the team that replaced the sleepers on the One Duck Lagoon Bridge, what a great job! Once again the midweek crew has been working hard as per usual. They shifted all the sleepers and junk from the new shed site, pre drilled all the sleepers for the One Duck Lagoon Bridge, fitted new roofs to carriages, cleaned the set of signal controls for Mussel Pool, prepared all the rolling stock for The New Friends of Thomas Day, disposed of the sleepers collected from a dead sleeper pick-up and so much more. We all owe them a great deal.

Locomotives By James Waterhouse

'Betty Thompson' was returned to steam to be the star of the New Friends of Thomas Day. The Friday night crew has spent months and months, trying to get 'Betty' to move for the steam season. It was great to see 'Betty Thompson' running again, thank you Derek for persisting with the locomotive.

The NG15 123 steam locomotive had a very good steam season and only had some minor problems occur. The engine now is now going to be put away for the next months. Some people are becoming keen on re-painting the locomotive and making the engine sparkle for the next steam locomotive season.

The 'Wyndham' diesel locomotive is still getting its gearbox rebuilt off site. It should be back in a couple of months.

The 'Planet' 'Ashley' and 'Rosalie' diesel and petrol locomotives are going to be running the trains for the next summer months and seem to be running fine.

The new 'Perry' steam locomotive is ready to have the frame lifted to access the wheels for restoration. This project has been on the bottom of the list for the last couple of months, but in the summer months there will be more time to work on it.

The 'Yellow Rose' clay pit locomotive has a new motor available and will be installed soon.

19th September New Friends of Thomas day 2010 by James Waterhouse

On the day there were three trains running.

On the loop were: 1. 'Fremantle' with 3 R wagons, the Party Coach and the Z brake van. 2. 'Betty Thompson' and Rosalie with a QBB flat wagon, holding the coal, and the concertina consist.

On the Mussel Pool line was: 3. 'Planet' and 'Ashley' with the 3 ADL's, C wagon, ALV 1, ALV 2 and BV carriages.

Many members came to the event and it was great to see everyone working calmly and happily. Also the passengers with prams were minimal, so the flow of people was really smooth. There were no major issues with locomotives, but the NG15 123 did run out of steam (this must have been caused by the huge amount of excited kids and parents on the train). Also it was great to have 'Betty Thompson' returning to steam for the event. The Friday Night Crew is to be congratulated for the amount of effort put in to get 'Betty' operational for the event ('Betty' was the star of the show).

The day ran really smoothly and could only have been so uneventful thanks to the members of the railway, by helping the mid-week and the Friday night projects, preparing the locomotives and stations for the big day. Also the members who are the drivers, fireman, guards, stationmasters, signalmen, ticket sellers, souvenir sellers, crossing guards, trainee guards and helpers, thank you all for making the day run efficiently and creating a great day out for the kids to meet the New friends of Thomas the Tank Engine.


Thanks to Braydon Hesford for supplying these 3 pics from the day

The trains moved the people so well that we all thought we were having a quiet day but it turned out to be our second best. As usual, the cadets did a great job and were a great help. We all celebrated a great day with a very tasty dinner an social get together afterwards.

30/08/2010

Ng123 has been the mainstay of passenger services in recent times whilst general maintenance continues on the rest of the locomotive fleet. These essential jobs being done by members of the Friday nighters & midweek crews, whilst the roster crews keep the trains rolling.

Congratulations go out to Derek & Lee-anne who recently received a package from the stork in the form of another healthy boy - Joey David Ruston lobbed from the pouch at 1.45am much to mum and dads delight!

Just have to get a builders plate cast now!

Mussel Pool platform project - The platform is to be extended 10 metres north to allow for 5 coach trains. In conjunction with the extension, the old "Cottesloe" signal cabin, presently opposite the platform, will be relocated and placed in the extension of the platform and signalling of Mussel Pool precinct will be upgraded to include control of the Workshops and Parker's Siding points from the cabin. During this work, all signals at Mussel Pool will be out of service and white crossed to signify "signal not in use" as per the rule book..

The ex "Wagin A" 15 lever signal frame, will be re-configured and installed in the cabin. On Saturday, 31st July, the signal box lever frame was lifted out of the compound. This was done by Simon and Wayne with the tramway's crane. It has been moved to the loco shed to be worked on and is being restored in the locomotive shed.

Funding approval has been received from Lotterywest for supply and erection of 3 "hay sheds" (no walls) at the workshops. Shed 1 On the western side of the carriage shed. This will provide cover for the existing road 9 and an extra dual gauge storage road to be installed. Shed 2 On the eastern side of the loco shed across to the containers. This will be for storage of the crane and backhoe as well as a covered work area for major projects. Shed 3 On the eastern side of the pit shed for fabrication work.

It was decided to go with "hay sheds" as they are the most cost effective way of providing roofs over our heads. In addition, a building licence is being sought to erect the shed recovered from Gnangara Rd, north of Parkers Siding. Initially this will securely house NG 118 and other locos awaiting restoration clearing the loco shed for repair work areas. Before the sheds can be erected, the areas will have to be cleared. The midweek crew has commenced clearing the area west of the carriage shed.

11/07/2010

News Bits from Bob Baker

SLEEPER PICK-UP DAY

Saturday July 3 saw 9 members out on the Bushland Loop clearing up dead sleepers and recovering screw spikes and sleeper plates from the track upgrade.

A train was assembled at the Mussel Pool workshops on Friday evening comprising the Ruston, 2 Malcolm Moore hoppers, C wagon, excavator well wagon and Ashley.

On Saturday morning the train was driven from Mussel Pool to Whiteman Village Junction where it was split into 2 trains.

Wayne, Bob and Max took off in the Ruston with the Malcolm Moore hoppers to Kangaroo Flats to begin picking up the screw spikes and sleeper plates.

Peter M, Peter G, Liam and Tony went south on the Bushland Loop to the top of Robert's Bank with Ashley and the excavator and began the sleeper pick-up. Meanwhile Simon drove the Park's tip truck with fork lift in tow and Jamie drove the crane to Contractor's Corner where the sleepers were off-loaded from the sleeper train and onto the truck for removal to the Park Graveyard.

Train services were restricted to Kangaroo Flats - Mussel Pool with run-arounds at each end. The J tankers being used for the water supply on the Kangaroo Flats new platform project were moved into the seldom-used head shunt at Kangaroo Flats.

At the end of the day, 4 truck loads of sleepers were removed and all the spikes and plates were recovered between Kangaroo Flats and Contractor's Corner.

NG15 DRAWINGS MADE AVAILABLE

During Bob and Paul's recent visit to the narrow gauge railway at Sandstone Estate in South Africa one of the fellow visitors, Gary Barnes, offered to send Bob a CD containing all the structural detail drawings for both NG 123 and NG 118. Gary has the drawings for all NG15's built.

Bob had to trace the boiler numbers of both NG 118 and NG 123 to allow Gary to provide the correct drawings.

Last Tuesday, June 29, the CD duly arrived. It contains 270 drawings of NG 118 and 280 drawings of NG 123.

The CD has already been put to good use as NG 123 is presently out of service due to a broken rear pony truck spring. Full detailed drawings and specifications of the rear pony truck springs were able to be forwarded with the broken spring for new springs to be manufactured.

These drawings will greatly assist the Railway in maintaining its NG locomotives. The Association is extremely grateful to Gary for his gift of these drawings.

26/06/2010

The last month has been a sad month for BBR due to the passing away of founding member and much respected patriarch Ron Watson. His hard work and dedication helped lay the foundations for the Bennett Brook Railway of today.

Ron was a railway man for all of his working life, serving the W.A.G.R. initially at the Midland Workshops before moving into the Traffic Dept as a fireman and eventually becoming a Driver. He was a skillful man who could turn his hand to most things, including building the family home in Hazelmere where the earliest meetings of the Bennett Brook Railway were held. It would be in the backyard where the first carriages would be built and tested before the eventual move of the railway to Whiteman Park. Ron's input into the formative years of the BBR was integral to it becoming what it is today. His ability to talk to decision makers and achieve results laid the foundations for the railways future.

With the arrival of the Ng15 steam locomotives at the railway it was Ron's valuable knowledge of Steam that greatly assisted in the return to steam of NG123, with Ron becoming BBR's founding steam driver and trainer of future crews. His many skills contributed to the aquisition and restoration of many items required for the railway. His knowledge an invaluable source of information for all who had the benefit of learning from him.

Age eventually caught up with Ron preventing him from being as active at the railway as he would have liked, but whenever he could Ron was there to check out what was happening and to have a chat.

Ron's support of the organisation was recognised when he became the first "Life Member" of the association along with the loco shed facilities at Mussel Pool being named the "Ron Watson Loco Shed".

Sadly on the 30th May 2010 Ron passed away peacefully, aged 84 - no doubt he is now tending to the great engine shed in the sky.

On Sunday 6th of June a brief function was held at Whiteman Village Junction where Ng123 was moved onto the turntable, the whistle blown 3 times and a minutes silence observed.

Deepest sympathy to the Watson Family from members of the Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association.

Ron's happy disposition around the Bennett Brook Railway will be greatly missed by everyone!

Week ending June 20 2010

Bob Baker

On Wednesday and Thursday Bob, “Pommie” Dave, “Unpaid” Bill, “RAC” Tony and Peter erected a removable fence on the Island Platform at Whiteman Village Junction station.

This fence has been provided to improve the safety for the children when parties are held in the Party Coach. On busy days, for example New Friends of Thomas, the fence can be easily removed and stored in the V van.

On Thursday Greg and Jamie started cleaning up the Mallet Shed and on Friday night Jamie, Bob and Wayne cleared the end of the Loco Shed so that the tamper can be moved to make repairing it easier and an area set aside for the ex Wagin “A” signal lever frame to be configured for use at Mussel Pool. Alan has drawn up plans for the lever frame support to be fabricated by Greg. It is planned to re-locate the Cottesloe Signal cabin as part of the re-build of the Mussel Pool platform project.

Also on Friday night Greg, Tony and Simon started to remove the broken spring from the rear pony truck of NG 123. Meanwhile Alan and Ross soldiered on readying BT1 for its new main steam pipe. At present both steam locomotives are out of service, but it is hoped to have BT1 ready for action soon.

During and after dinner, videos of Bob and Paul’s recent visit to Sandstone Estate 2ft railroad in South Africa were shown.

Other Happenings

Rain water tanks for steam locomotive water are to be installed at both the REVs Museum and at the workshops. This will be of great help with the management of our boilers and should save on expensive boiler water treatment chemicals.

The clean up of the storage compounds is steadily progressing with several loads of scrap having been sent off. More clearing is being done to enable sheeting of these areas with limestone base.

The tamper rebuild is well underway with the tine sockets repaired and ready for refitting.

The new Kangaroo Flats platform project continues to move ahead the mainline edge/face being in place on the 20th of May 2010. There is 12 metres of ramp on each end giving a total length of 78 metres, planning has commenced for the south side platform edge which will eventually become the new mainline when the full project is completed.

"Cloud Street" mini-series.

Bennett Brook railway has been the setting for a 6 hour mini-television series "Cloud Street". Whiteman Village Junction (renamed West Leederville) and Mussel Pool stations have set the railway scenes in the series, based on the book by Western Australian author Tim Winton and being directed by Mathew Saville. The story is about the lives of two working class Australian families who live together at 1 Cloud Street and is set in the suburbs of Perth during the period 1940 - 1960's. Due for release next year!

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