Facing Points Editor Gail Dyer

Transcription

1 Newsletter of the Brisbane Tramway Museum Society A.C.N ( BTMS ) The BTMS does not accept liability for any opinions expressed in this Newsletter. Issue No 111 September 2018 The unveiling of 2 murals at the museum, from the left Museum President Kev Maizey, Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Adrian Schrinner, Ferny Grove State High School Arts Students Lyndel Reid, Georgia Osmond and Jack Meehan and Art Teacher Meegan Barrat Photo supply by Councillor Steven Toomey Museum Location 50 Tramway Street, FERNY GROVE, Qld 4055 Postal Address P.O. Box 94, FERNY HILLS, Qld 4055 Telephone info@brisbanetramwaymuseum.org Facebook Page President Kevin Maizey Vice-President Peter Hyde Treasurer Cameron Struble Secretary Keith Tidey Councilor Ian Brandt Councilor Glen Dyer Councilor John Osbaldiston Membership Officer Cameron Struble Facing Points Editor Gail Dyer We gratefully acknowledge the photocopying facilities provided by the office of Mark Furner M.P., State Member for Ferny Grove

2 MUSEUM NOTES. Welcome all members to the September 2018 edition of Facing Points. From Kev Maizey - President Changes and improvements to the museum continue with various projects being completed. See reports in this issue for details also MuesNues has a list of the current projects. Tram restoration is progressing: Progress work on tram 136 is now back on track with the floor material installed and some progress has been made on the electrical work. A training program has been carried out to train all machine operators and all operators have coloured disks to indicate which machines they are qualified to operate. Each machine has a corresponding coloured disk near them to indicate which qualification is needed to operate the machine. Set up of the padmount transformer BTMS Board Meeting dates for AGM Saturday29 September start 9am Saturday 13 October start 9am Saturday 8 December. start 9am The new substation is in operation. Some minor earthworks still need to be finished off. The next big project is to move the existing transformers to a new location for safe keeping. See elsewhere for details of the new substation commissioning. The museum had another visit from the rail regulator in July. This time to audit the tram maintenance. The museum received 2 improvement notices and are being actioned accordingly. Another remembrance night run will be held on the 28 th September for the Paddington Depot fire. Refer to information elsewhere for details The AGM will be held on the 29 th September. This is a good opportunity for members to have their say on the operation of the museum and the men s shed. All members are urged to attend if possible. Remember a member must be financial to be able to vote for the Board of Directors at this meeting The Museum Board would like to thank the Ferny Grove State High School Principal and Deputy Principals for their assistance and the Arts Teacher and Arts students from Year 11 in the work put into painting the two fantastic murals and to the very professional Ferny Grove SHS Band which played at the 50th event. The Museum looks forward to working with the school on other projects. BRISBANE TRAMWAY MUSEUM SOCIETY If any member wishes to raise anything at the Board Meeting, please contact one of the Board Members as listed on the front page. 2 Working on controller on Car 136

3 We welcome the following new members: Maurice Llewellyn, Brian Sivewright, Paul Barry, Antony Gilmartin and John Tennock From Peter Hyde - Vice President Operations The table below show the full financial year operations figures as prepared for the Annual Report Families Adults Pensioners Children Total 2014/ , / , / , / ,107 Over several years Energex had progressively pruned trees on the footpath outside the Museum to keep the branches clear of their power lines. An unfortunate consequence of their policy of only cutting branches directly beneath the cables was that growth was encouraged on the side of one particular tree overhanging our front fence. This had reached the stage where it was becoming a danger to OUR overhead. When the Energex pruning contractors last attended the site we asked if they could "even up" the tree to solve both problems but the advised that they were not allowed to do more than cut beneath the power lines. As the tree was growing on the footpath we contacted the City Council for help. Their arborist visited and decided that the tree was so unbalanced that the only practicable solution was to remove it completely. This was done on 7th August under the watchful eyes of some of the Tuesday crew! Removing of the tree As mentioned in the previous issue, the arborist also urged us to remove the "leaning" jacaranda tree near the lower picnic tables and to deal with several of the problem areas of exposed roots by establishing mulch gardens (which has been done. BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE The museum was awarded its first Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Keperra on Sunday 19 August. The Board would like to thank all members who helped out on this very windy day and a special thanks to Pat Bourke who organised and ran the day. We are unable to supply any photos of the day because all the workers were hanging on to the BBQ tent for dear life with one hand on the tent and one hand turning the sausages but the day was very successful. 3

4 INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT by Don Willsher Maintaining our infrastructure remains a major part of the work of the museum. Recent months have seen some big projects completed, ie, re-roofing both tram sheds. Currently in the pipeline are jobs such as landscaping the new sub-station area, providing a drain and hard-standing behind the carpentry workshop and looking into the provision of a new inspection pit in the Restoration workshop. Installation of the wiring for the Y junction is also on the list, and there are gardens that require tender care and more racking to be installed in the store shed. We are also looking to provide a better set of steps up the bank from the carpentry workshop to the tram sheds, and to replace the concrete roll wall in the tram shed area. Further down the track, there are several walls that urgently need painting. We will be seeking grant(s) to cover major works, but fortunately, minor works are within our own budget we just need the manpower! Most of the minor works will be completed by the end of the year. Museum Grounds Photo supply by Councillor Steven Toomey New roof on Tram Shed 1 Photo by Glen Dyer Trams outside for Tram Shed Re-Roofing Contractors working on roof Tram Shed 1 A BIG THANKS A big thanks must go to Councillor Steven Toomey and the Brisbane City Council for the help with the grant for re-roofing of Tram Shed 1 and the providing of funds for the re-roofing of the Tram Shed 2 4

5 BTMS 50 th Anniversary Dinner The 50 th Anniversary dinner was held at The Grove Sports Club on 6 th July this year with over 60 members and guests attending. The three guest speakers Stephen Tyrrell, Robert Thomson and Tim Atherton all passed on their memories of the museum and some interesting stories also. General view of the dinner members and guest. All photos by Glen Dyer Tim Atherton speaking at the dinner BTMS 50 Years Public Event On the Saturday 28th July, a Gala Event was held at the museum to mark our 50th Birthday. The City Council providing great support by funding and heavily promoting the event throughout The Gap Ward area. Highlight of the day was the ceremony for the official unveiling of 2 murals designed and painted by Year 11 Art Students from Ferny Grove State High School. The event was officiated over by the Museum President Kev Maizey, Ferny Grove State High School Deputy Principal Scott Shorten and Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Adrian Schrinner. Also the Deputy Lord Mayor presented the museum with a certificate of appreciation. The 2 murals unveiled were a credit to the Art Teacher and students from the Year 11 art class. Also on the day people attending the event and the museum were entertained by a very professional Ferny Grove State High School Band. Also during the event the Number One Tram Shed was named BILL DANIELLS MEMORIAL TRAM SHED in memory of the museum's founding President. Bill s wife and family helped in the unveiling of the new name for the tram shed. There was a lot of face painting for the kids and of course lots of tram rides during the day The event and the day was very successful thanks to all the museum volunteers who helped during the day and a specially thanks to Don Willsher. It turned out to be a very profitable day for the museum also. Museum President receiving the BCC presentation certificate from Cr Adrian Schrinner Both photos supplied by Councillor Steven Toomey 5 Museum President and Cr Adrian Schrinner on the day

6 BTMS 50 Years Public Event photos supply be Councillor Steven Toomey Bill s wife and family in front of the named BILL DANIELLS MEMORIAL TRAM SHED Ferny Grove SHS Art students as listed on front page, with Museum staff showing the BCC presentation certificate Cr Adrian Schrinner driving Tram 429 to the event with help from museum staff People lining up to buy entry tickets from Stephen Tyrrell Deputy Principal Scott Shorten officiating at the event Commander-in-chief organising troops for the day People enjoying the day on Tram 429 The two murals completed by the Art Teacher and Year 11 Art students from Ferny Grove State High School 6

7 New Substation On the Friday 29 th June 2018, the Mercury Arc Rectifier Unit in the old substation was de-commissioned at the museum and the new Substation was connected, tested and commissioned. Over the next month more work was completed on the new substation with the construction of the concrete slabs and the installation of a DC Over-Current Trip Mechanism. Future Works: Full maintenance and overhaul of the existing 11,000 volt switchgear in the old substation. Nynas Australia Pty Ltd provided sponsorship and donated two drums (400 litres) of Gemini X Transformer Oil for these overhaul works. A special thanks to the team at Nynas Australia. Removal of the two six phase Mercury Arc Rectifier Transformers from the security enclosure outside the old substation and placement on the new concrete slabs in front of the new Substation Removal of the existing security fence, cleaning of the existing concrete slab, and erection of one or two of the Alice Street shelter sheds on the existing concrete slab. Restoration of one of the special Mercury Arc Rectifier Transformers and installation at the new substation. (Long term project) Restoration of the Mercury Arc Rectifier Equipment and installation in the new building. (Long term project) Restoration of the DC Feeder Panels and installation in the new building. (Long term project) There is no proposal whatsoever to scrap the special Mercury Arc Transformers, nor to scrap the Mercury Arc Rectifier Equipment. The commissioning of the (new) Diode Rectifier now provides the opportunity for the museum to seek sponsorship for a full restoration of this heritage electrical equipment. John Lambert and Mick Topp in front of the Mercury Arc Rectifier just before de-commissioning Photo by Glen Dyer New Substation with Diode Rectifier and other equipment Photos by John Lambert Workers installing the concrete box and Energex donated padmount transformer Photos by Peter Hyde 7

8 The Museum Museum Members working under Car 136 Ashgrove Cr Twomey with new banner poles at the front of the Museum In August it was 50 years since the last Ashgrove tram ran. The Museum had a photo and memorabilia display in Ashgrove on the Thursday 30 August from 9:30am - 5pm outside the Woolworths Ashgrove and on Saturday 1 September from 9:30am 1pm at the Ashgrove Library. Both displays were staffed by BTMS members. Also Big Thanks to Ashgrove Historical Society for the help in obtain the sites and suppling the display screens. Re-located dust extractor unit to outside Brisbane Tramways The Last Decade Book This is the 2018 reprint with several corrections and newly scanned photos. The new reprinted is on sale at the Museum or us at The Brisbane Tramway Museum Don Willsher and the display outside Woolworths Ashgrove Photo by Glen Dyer 8

9 BRISBANE TRAMWAY MUSEUM SOCIETY Paddington Depot Fire Night Friday 28th September at the Museum from 5pm to 9pm, come along and ride a tram at night and help support the Museum. There will be food truck and lots of memorabilia photos so come along. Notice of Annual Meeting Notice is given that the Fifty First (51) Annual General Meeting (AGM) of members of the Brisbane Tramway Museum Society (BTMS) shall be held at the Brisbane Tramway Museum Society 50 Tramway St. Ferny Grove on Saturday 29 September 2018 starting at 9 am. sharp. Proposed Agenda. 1. To consider and approve the minutes of the 50th Annual General Meeting. 2. Matters arising there from. 3. To consider and adopt the Annual Report for the financial year ending 30 June Election of Directors for the Board of the BTMS. 5. Election of Life Member (Mr Peter Hyde) 6. General Business. (Applicable only to the Annual General Meeting business.) Silent trams will be made in Brisbane DEVELOPMENT of a silent' tram is the aim of the Brisbane City Council tramway workshops, Milton. This is part of a long-range plan designed to maintain Brisbane's lead on other capital cities in the comfort and efficiency of its public transport. Already devices fashioned by tramways' engineers and craftsmen, have reduced noise in the '400' type of tram by about 50 per cent., and this will be improved in new trams being constructed. This will be achieved by the installation of a new type gear, rubber matting on floor, and a rubber component in the wheels. Another experiment, following overseas transport trends, to be made by the tramways workshops, is the manufacture of an aluminium car, which besides the advantage of lightness and reduction in the use of power will also lessen track wear and tear. No orders for tram cars have been placed outside the tramway workshops since 1938, where all parts except, motors, wheel centres, and brakes are manufactured. The 450 employees, who range from painters and upholsterers to fitters and blacksmiths, have completed almost 100 of the council's present programme of building 150 streamlined cars. New tram every three weeks A PPROXIMATELY every three weeks a new tram car is built ready for the road at Milton. Each car costs about 6000 to make more than 2000 less than a similar car costs in southern workshops. Besides the economic saving, Brisbane tram cars are lighter and have a bigger seating capacity than southern vehicles. Tramway workshop employees service and repair the 450 trams and buses in daily use, and maintain tracks and overhead installations. They also operate printing presses for the production of tickets, destination signs, and advertising. From The Courier Mail Monday 25 April 1949 from Trove web site 9

10 This is your newsletter so if any member has any articles, pictures, anything they would like to contribute or any stories of what s happening around the museum, please me at btmsnewsletter@gmail.com Any member who wish to sell or buy any items are most welcome to place an ad within this newsletter. This is a free service to encourage members to participate within their newsletter Paddington Depot Fire Night Friday 28th September at the Museum from 5pm, come along and ride a tram at night and help support the museum Notice of Annual Meeting Notice is given that the Fifty First (51) Annual General Meeting (AGM) of members of the Brisbane Tramway Museum Society (BTMS) shall be held on Saturday 29 September 2018 starting at 9.00 am CREW ROSTER Currently under revision Please organise your own swaps and advise Peter Hyde or leave a message on the museum phone If you would like to join the crew roster, Please send to the museum address 10