An informative and detailed look at life working for the Victorian Railways through the words of those who lived it.
| Author: | Nick Anchen |
| Publisher: | Sierra Publishing, July 2014 |
| ISBN: | 9780980764086 |
| Characteristics: | Hardcover, 170 pages, 24.2cm × 17.9cm × 1.7cm |
| Source: |
The Victorian Railways pre-diesel era was more than a transport business – it was a great railway family, where employees were treated as valued members of the organisation. After the 1960s, progress began to take its toll on the workers, with many losing their livelihoods to technology.
Life on the Victorian Railways takes the reader into a bygone era, through the recollections and stories of a selection of railwaymen who performed a variety of roles, such as Lad Labourer, Junior Clerk, Engine Cleaner, Steam Fitter, Train Guard, Passenger Train Conductor, Ticket Examiner, Station Master, Train Controller and District Superintendent, with some doing many roles in their career.
Nick does an excellent job documenting the lives of Victorian Railway workers dated around the change over from steam to diesel, with a chapter covering the following men:
- Neil Harris
- Wilfred (Bill) Swaine
- Gordon Arblaster
- John Cumming
- John (Jock) Bradley
- David Watson
Sadly, towards the end of their careers, some became disenchanted with the job and gladly left the stress behind. But missing the work and comradeship, they joined up with heritage railways like the Victorian Goldfields Railway. It’s great that there’s a chance for valuable skills to be passed on to newcomers.
A Tough Job
Jobs and their degree of difficulty and conditions varied greatly in the Victorian Railways. Out of the cold and rain, a conductor’s job was relatively easy compared to an engineman’s.
The workshops were dark, cold and dangerous. Before cars were common, many cycled to work in the wee hours of the morning. You would have to be determined to work in the railways back then.
Railway Women
There were women working in the railways in the steam age, they were mainly wives of railway men. Some were assistant station masters and some were office based. Unfortunately, none could be found to share their story working with Victorian Railways.
Explanation Of Railway Terminology
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Air brake | The compressed air braking system fitted to all Victorian Railways locomotives and rolling stock, comprising an air compressor, air reservoir, brake pipe, triple valves and brake cylinders. The train brakes are applied and released according to air pressure within the brake pipe. |
| AFULE | Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen. The longest continuously operating enginemen’s union in the world, which was formed in 1861 as the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association. |
| ASM | Assistant Station Master |
| Bank engine/Banker | Assisting locomotive attached to the front or rear of a train. |
| Big Wheel Roster | Senior drivers’ roster, which involved the running of passenger and fast goods trains. |
| Cleaner Q | An Engine Cleaner qualified to fire, but not yet classified as a fireman. |
| Cocky | Slang for farmer |
| Commissioners’ Train | Special train conveying Railway Commissioners and other officials throughout the state, for the purpose of inspecting railway installations and meeting various members of local communities. |
| Detonator | Exploding device placed on railway tracks to warn both engine crews and track workers. |
| Down Train | A train heading away from Melbourne. |
| DR | Departmental residence, railway house. |
| DS | District Superintendent |
| Dynamic Brake | A non-friction braking system fitted to diesel-electric locomotives, which operates by way of retarding the traction motors. |
| Electric Staff | See Train Staff and Ticket |
| ER | Engine Requirements |
| Fireman Q | A locomotive fireman qualified to drive, but not yet classified as a driver. |
| Footplate | The floor of a locomotive cab on which the crew stands. |
| Hosebag | Flexible rubber brake pipe hose connection between rail vehicles, allowing the brake pipe to run the length of the train. |
| Hostler | Men employed to clean the fire, take water, coal and sand, and place engines in the locomotive shed. |
| Interlocking | The mechanical means of locking points and signals within railway yards and sidings. |
| Light Engine | A locomotive running on its own, without vehicles attached. |
| Loop | Siding track used for the passing of trains. |
| Mixed Train | Train consisting of both passenger and goods vehicles. Pass – Passenger train |
| Pilot Engine | Shunting engine, used to move rail vehicles around yards and make up train consists. |
| Pony Wheels | Non-powered wheels fitted to the front and/or rear of a steam locomotive, designed to assist in negotiating curves, and to help support the locomotive’s weight. |
| Regulator | Controls the flow of steam into the cylinders, via the single and double barrel valves situated in the steam dome on top of the boiler. |
| Right Away | Also known as the tip – a railwayman’s hand signal meaning ‘the train is clear to depart’. |
| RIO | Railway Investigation Officer |
| SIO | Special Investigation Officer |
| SLM | Superintendent of Locomotive Maintenance |
| SLR | Superintendent of Locomotive Running |
| SM | Station Master |
| Staff | See Train Staff and Ticket |
| Stick | Slang word for signal. |
| TI | Traffic Inspector |
| Train Staff and Ticket | A safe working system involving the staff, a metal rod which provides the authority to proceed into a section and must be carried in the locomotive cab, and the ticket, which can be issued in lieu of the staff and allows trains to follow each other through the same section. A more advanced system was later developed, known as the Electric Staff System, which involved electric circuits and metal staff rods. |
| Up Train | Train heading towards Melbourne. |
Conclusion
It’s wonderful to experience the “old days” through the words of those who experienced them. The book covers history of many local stations and their surrounding communities. It gives a rich glimpse about what things were like back then. An excellent read, and those with an interest in history and not trains will also appreciate the book.
