Members Newsletter. Celebrating 125 Years of Trains between Castlemaine and Maldon

Transcription

1 Members Newsletter Celebrating 125 Years of Trains between Castlemaine and Maldon Castlemaine and Maldon Railway Preservation Society March / April 2009 V/Line Connections Inside this issue: V/Line Connections 1 Presidents Column 2 A Better Place to Visit and Volunteer Special Feature Fast Freight Congratulations 4 Mechanical Branch Workday 4 Safety Update 5 Here we see Claire Baker from Mount Alexander Shire Council s Tourism Services Department, Lisa Stilt from V/Line Marketing, our own Marketing Officer, Garry Aitchison and society Vice-President George Young after traveling from Castlemaine Representatives from the Victorian Goldfields Railway and Mount Alexander Shire Council s Tourism Services Unit met with V/Line representatives recently to explore co operative marketing opportunities to maximize visitation to our area by people using V/Line services. The regular V/Line services to Castlemaine provide local commuters with easily accessible transport to locations both north and south of the town. Many people from our area use these services to commute for work and to attend sports, entertainment events and a host of other city experiences. The services also provide opportunities for people living outside our shire and from Melbourne to easily visit Castlemaine to visit family & friends, but it is also a great means of visiting Castlemaine to enjoy a variety of attractions and local events. V/Line have recently developed an Outbound Marketing Program to encourage visitation to regional areas utilizing V/Line services. The current promotion of the Castlemaine State Festival and other cultural events in regional Victoria is an example of V/Line s efforts to entice people to enjoy the delights offered in regional areas. Victorian Goldfields Railway is perfectly positioned to take advantage of offering V/Line travellers a heritage train experience, along with a visit to the heritage town of Maldon. Castlemaine is similarly well placed for visitation by V/Line travellers. Fruitful discussions with V/Line s Outbound Market Segment manager and N/North East Regional manager were held at Castlemaine Station and aboard the Victorian Goldfields Railway special luxury First Class Carriage before a walking tour of Maldon, which afforded a first hand look at what could be offered to prospective visitors. Mount Alexander Shire Council Tourism Unit and Victorian Goldfields Railway are looking forward to further developing an ongoing relationship with V/Line Marketing to encourage visitors to the area. A Train Load 5 Good Friday Wine and Cheese Thumbs up from Frankie J on the K Our Generous Sponsors the VGR Message 125th Anniversary Raffle Special Members Only Offer Steam Trains for Kids 9 Toilets and much more Years Ago Crossing with Bendigo Road re-laid in 94 lb. rail. T345 used to pull new panel of track into place. Assistance by members of Puffing Billy and Ballarat Tramway Society

2 Page 2 All members will be aware of the tragic events of Black Saturday 7 th February and the severe and on-going impact of the bush fires that will be felt by many across the State for some time to come. Among the Tourist Railways effected were the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway at Healesville and the Daylesford Spa Country Railway which is closer to home Our thoughts go out to those at these Railways in particular as they seek to re-build damaged tracks and resume services as soon as they are able. Members of the Association of Tourist and Heritage Railways Australia attending their annual conference, were visitors to the Railway on Wednesday 22 March and were greeted upon their arrival in Maldon by me before a quick look around the station and workshop area. Their party traveled to Castlemaine in Tambo on the 1030 am train and were able to enjoy a sumptuous morning tea prepared and served by the good ladies of the Catering Department. The response from ATHRA members was very positive and all were impressed with Tambo and its restoration to the car which we now know. A highlight of their visit included the opportunity to inspect the signal box at Castlemaine which also attracted some favourable comments. Needless to say the VGR was pleased to be able to welcome this group and have them travel with us; it also presented an opportunity for some discussion on some of the aspects of Tourist Railway operation, most of which seemed to have a familiar ring to them!! Updates on some of the projects that are either in the planning stage or under way on the Railway will be covered elsewhere in this newsletter however it is pleasing to report considerable progress is being made on the re-construction of the toilets at Castlemaine station. As is typical of projects of this nature some problems have been encountered by the contractors. At the time of printing new President s Column with Paul McDonald concrete floors had been poured, framing for internal walls had been erected, the roof was expected to be completed and water tanks had been moved inside but not at that time connected. The latest estimate for completion has been given by the contractor as Easter. The VGR has been please to assist the contractor working on the toilet reconstruction at Castlemaine by running a number of works trains to facilitate rubbish removal and to bring in supplies of building materials, equipment and so on. The Safety Compliance Audit will now be held on Sunday 26 th and Monday 27 th April and a number of the Board and Managers are working on finalizing outstanding matters still to be finalized before we face the audit. It is important for all members to be aware that they too are part of the Safety Management System, that it s not just confined to the Management of the Railway, but that all our volunteer and paid staff are invited to contribute as well. If you see something that you feel may compromise the Safety of our passengers and/or the operation generally please let your supervisor know or fill in an Incident or Defect Report form for it to be dealt with formally. There is an urgent need for a member or members who may have some time available to assist with the enormous volume of administrative work to be done to keep the Railway operating smoothly. At present this is being done by a few Board members who are having increasing difficulty in finding the time to do this. I cannot stress the importance of having extra help in this area. This is a position which would ideally be suited to someone who is more or less local and is able to keep in contact with the appropriate Board members although a good deal of what is required can be done on line. Anyone who thinks they can assist should contact me by e- mail at president@vgr.com.au and I should point out that the person we are looking for is prepared to accept instruction from the Board as to the direction any tasks allocated should take. Would all operational members please read carefully and take note of the safety updates which appear elsewhere in this issue. Some members may be aware of publicity which has appeared on others organisations web sites relating to a proposed visit of veteran steam locomotive Y112 to the VGR to take part in the 125 th. Anniversary in June. The Board has considered all aspects of this proposal and regrettably we are unable to pursue the visit of this locomotive at this time. The logistics of moving the loco to and from Maldon and the enormous cost involved which we would struggle to recover have forced the decision. It is felt, nevertheless that we will still be able to make the celebration of this important milestone in the history of the Railway a significant community event in which we encourage all members to participate. More details to follow a section or two behind! A Better Place To Visit and Volunteer The Railway is going through a period of significant change. For one the new Rail Safety Act (effective 1 July 2009) will require us to be better informed, better trained and better organized. Likewise our survival as a successful tourist and enthusiast s railway will require us to be better informed, better trained and better organized. Just as good safety management will be fundamental to our ongoing success so will quality customer service be critical. This may sound daunting for a volunteer run organization but the reality is that it will make the VGR an even better place to volunteer some time. A well organized railway with well defined roles and expectations is in everyone s interests. For example running to timetable will be a not negotiable expectation, near enough is not good enough if we are going to satisfy passenger AND member needs. Relating to passengers AND other volunteers in a friendly and professional manner is what we would expect of others and therefore will not be negotiable. Presentation in a neat and tidy manner with a name tag is essential. The Board will be putting a lot of emphasis into these areas in the coming months with the aim of making the VGR a great place to visit and a very enjoyable and safe place to volunteer. Members input will be sought and welcome. Lets make the VGR the most successful and premier Goldfields tourist attraction!

3 Page 3 The steam locomotive is made up of a number of scientific disciplines. These include thermodynamics, chemistry and applied mechanics. When combined with the right metallurgical mix, the result is a mechanism capable of movement, power and speed. This integrated whole of engineering sciences was first fully expressed in 1825, when George and Robert Stephenson s Rocket took the honours at the Rainhill Trials in England and established what is now known as the Stephenson form of locomotive. Over the years, numerous improvements have been added to this form, increasing its power, size and speed. Invariably, however, these increases required more substantial tracks with their attendant higher costs. Some railway systems could absorb these costs. The Victorian Railways could not. Much of Victoria was served by lengthy tracks that reached into remote agricultural areas, carrying only low to moderate traffic for six months, then for the remainder of a year, being required to handle an increasing tonnage because of the region s annual grain harvest. Thus, most of these tracks were laid with 60 lb rail, requiring locomotives to have an axle load of less than 15 tonnes. At the conclusion of the First World War, Fast Freight by David Barnett the Victorian Railways found themselves in need of a locomotive of at least medium power and low axle load, capable of handling the traffic generated by increasing quantities of wheat. In the event, the designers manipulated the mix of sciences and metallurgy so that they synthesised into a that became the K class. Even with the advent of diesels, this design was so successful that the K became the last steam locomotive in general use in Victoria. Its design was simple. Cylinders of 20 ins dia x 26 ins stroke, combined with ins driving wheels dia and 175 lb/sq in boiler pressure, produced a starting tractive effort of 28, 650 lb, (13,500 Kg). The eight driving wheels provided excellent adhesion and the sq ft of grate area meant a moderate appetite for coal. Also, their axle load was a mere 13.5 tonnes. Many Ks spent their lives at distant out stations where they were required to sit overnight with a banked fire in preparation for their assignment the next day. And for this they were ideal. Their simple D valve regulator provided a steam tight seal that enabled them to stand for 12 hours or more, with the steam gauge sitting on 100 psi and the gauge glass registering a virtually constant water level. Steam discharging from the cylinder cocks was often imperceptible so that the engine appeared dead rather than in steam. In their final form, all K class benefited from improved front ends and most boasted a cross compound air compressor, A-6 ET brake equipment and an air operated fire door. While all had the double stage compressor, a handful retained a No 4 air brake and a manual, drop down firebox door. K 147 was one of these latter locomotives. The Ks were at home in many parts of Victoria, and the Goulburn Valley was no exception. Here they handled much of the freight traffic until gradually replaced by T and Y class diesels in the early to middle 1960s. Our story, however, took place in the late 1950s. At this time, Seymour locomotive depot was alive and well and among the Drivers stationed there was one Alwyn Thomas Marshall. In his early thirties and recently classified as a Driver, Alwyn was an impressive figure at 6ft 4ins tall, a beaming smile and a delightful, gentle nature. He was single, generous and thoughtful, and while well acquainted with the idiosyncrasies of the Victorian Railways, was more than capable of countering them with some of his own. These included allowing interested engineering students, like me, to participate in the running of a locomotive while riding in its cab. So it was that we found ourselves on a brisk (Continued on page 4) With engine requirements completed and the crew benefiting from a morning meal, K 147 stands waiting to depart Nagambie on a wintery morning in the late 1950s. The 820 tonne load makes an impressive sight as it disappears around a curve.

4 Page 4 (Continued from page 3) winter morning, in or around 1958, in the cab of K 147, in charge of the 6 am Seymour Tocumwal goods. Today, I was in the Driver s seat and in charge of the duties assigned to the person on that side of the cab. The fireman, a young man named Jack Canty, was firing and Alwyn supervised. On the day before, the three of us had run the 5 am Seymour Melbourne goods, pulled by an X class heavy Jack had done most of the driving and I did all the firing. With 600 tonnes behind the drawbar the big Mikado sailed over the top of Heathcote Junction at 20 mph without having to cut in the booster, with the engine close to blowing off. We ran the train to Wallan. Here relief was waiting enabling us to return to Seymour on a morning Rail Motor. I therefore had no hint of conscience about doing the driving on this, the following day. We left Seymour yard in darkness at around 6am with a load of 900 tonnes. The 1 in 75 ruling grade on the seven mile section to Mangalore meant we had rear end assistance for most of the way. In those days, the pusher engine was not required to be attached to the train it was assisting and when its task was over, one long whistle announced it had dropped off and was on its way home. My enthusiasm was such that even with the signals showing we were to stop, our approach to Mangalore was brisk; so brisk that Alwyn said purposefully, Bring her under control, Dave. This was done with a full, equalising, brake application, allowing the final stop to be smooth and accurate. In due course, the Station Master arrived and presented us with the large electric staff for the section to Nagambie. As there was no loading to be set out at the intermediate station of Tabilk, this was to be our next stop. Following the Guard s right away, we set off. With the track largely level, the light consolidation was untroubled by its 900 tonne load and we headed north east through fields displaying mild frost as the sun began to turn night into a cheerful day. At Nagambie, some vehicles were set out, reducing the load to 820 tonnes. Water was taken, the fire cleaned, and we each had a scratch breakfast. The turbo generator was turned off and the cab, with its sweet smell of oil, steam and steel, provided a warm and comfortable alternative to the chill of the morning. In the Goulburn Valley, goods trains were allowed to travel at 40 mph, and passenger trains at 50. So far, K147 had handled its load almost effortlessly. It had steamed well and its performance as a vehicle indicated that the axle box liners were in good shape and properly adjusted. Also, we had been supplied with above average coal. All this had to add up to something. A voice on the ground said, When you re ready, and the Station Master handed up the staff that would take us to Murchison East. One long whistle; right away from the van; a short acknowledging whistle; with the reverse in full forward gear I eased the regulator open and steam squirted from the cylinder cocks. We were moving. As the K took up the load, you could feel the tension in the draw bar as over 800 tonnes put a dampening action on the swaying of the locomotive. At about 10 mph, and with the cylinder cocks closed, I gently eased the regulator wide open. The response was not a pronounced slip, as I had feared, but a much more purposeful, blast from the funnel! Speed rose, and at about 20 mph K 147 was letting the world know that it was an engine with a purpose soon to be realised! And that purpose? To become a fast freight. I wound the reverse back just enough to take the edge off the blasting exhaust, whose sound was dramatic and unrivalled! The increasing staccato saw the speed recorder needle vibrating at just over 30 mph with the fireman continually stepping into the deck, dropping the fire door and lacing the firebox with coal. People eulogise over the sight and sounds of the New York Central s 20th Century Limited, but that would have paled into insignificance when compared with the symphony of steam and steel we were orchestrating on the way to Murchison East on that beautiful winter morning. Each level crossing was greeted with a long whistle, modulated through the full range of its five note chime and adding to the thoroughly professional manner in which this humble goods train, now a fast freight, was being run. Wahring, the intermediate station before our next stop went by in a clatter of points and echoes. Reluctantly, I notched the reverse up some more. We were approaching 40 mph and I was loath to take any action that might prevent us reaching this limit. However, even with a slighter softer exhaust, number 147 carried the day and went pounding along with the speed recorder needle obscuring to 40 mark. At 42, I notched up significantly. The faded exhaust meant that the normal cab rattles, bangs, clangs, vibrations, clunks, bumps and a plethora of other sounds and noises now became more pronounced and the fireman had time to sweep up spilled coal. But the drama was still there. We were steaming down the high iron at maximum speed with an 800 tonne plus load and doing it in style! The distant signal for Murchison East was at Caution. I blew a short whistle in acknowledgement, closed the regulator, wound the reverse out to full forward gear and placed the brass No 4 brake valve in a full service application. The train slowed and took the turn out into number two road at an easy 15 mph. I flipped the brake valve into charging and then running release, and following the guard s hand signals, brought the train smoothly to a stand. Things in the cab settled down. Besides the thud of the air compressor the chief sounds were the ticking of the speed recorder and the muted hiss of the blower. The sound of the injector ceased when the firemen turned it off and resumed his seat. During the foregoing dramatic railway scenario and locomotive extravaganza, Alwyn, the driver, had been watching proceedings from the gangway on the fireman s side and had not commented or interfered. While this does not indicate total approval, it did provide some measure of reassurance to the parties participating, and to me in particular. He now took out his watch, checked the time, made a few mental calculations, and referring to our run from Nagambie announced, We ran the last section in passenger train time. I found this rather surprising, as our length of time at 40 mph seemed to be too short to match the time table of a passenger train. The fireman received this news differently. He turned to me and in no uncertain terms said that if he d known I was going to go so fast today, he would have made me work much harder the day before. The fact was, I did work much harder. The grate area of an X class was 42 sq ft; while that of a K class was only 25¾ sq ft. These figures require no further explanation. So ended an adventure that saw the 6 am Seymour Tocumwal goods transformed, if only for a short time, into a fast freight. Congratulations The railway extends its warmest congratulations to our Mechanical Manager, Stephen Lumsden and his wife Melissa on the birth of beautiful twin girls. Breeanna and Emily were born on 24th of March and Stephen reports that the whole family is doing well. Mechanical Branch Workday The next Mechanical Branch workdays will be on Saturday 4th April & Sunday 5th April at Maldon Loco Shed. If you can attend, please contact Brian Frewin on

5 Page 5 All operational members are requested to read the following carefully and note where these suggestions apply to their rostered or allocated tasks. DRIVERS are to take particular care when balancing locomotives on turn tables and should ensure the locomotive is positioned correctly before attempting to commence turning. ALL LOCOMOTIVE CREWS are to exercise care when turning locomotives and are to ensure that the turn table is stopped COMPLETELY before engaging the locking bar. This is to ensure that the turn table does not become twisted and require time consuming repairs. STATION MASTERS are requested to take particular note of when any locomotive is about to couple or uncouple to or from any train and to make an announcement using PA equipment to request passengers already on board the train remain seated and any passengers on the platform are to stand Safety Update A Train Load clear and not board the train until the locomotive is coupled or uncoupled. Similarly, if any shunting of passengers is required passengers should be asked to leave the train and stand clear until all shunting is completed. SIGNALMEN are reminded that NO ONE is allowed in the signal box at Castlemaine while a train is in the vicinity. There should be no opportunity for the signal man to be distracted while train and/or locomotive movements are taking place. Also, would signal men please place a red flag on the Melbourne end of the wagons temporarily stabled in number 3 platform at Castlemaine while the work is being carried out on the toilets. This flag should be removed after departure of the last train for the day. LOCOMOTIVE CREWS are asked to pay particular attention to boiler treatment and are requested to add boiler treatment as specified by the Workshop supervisor. Garry Aitchison captures the sights of full trains on the VGR. Here we see K160 and J541 hauling the train towards Castlemaine and the full platform as our passengers walk forward to inspect these two magnificent locomotives Tony Marsden captures K160 and J541 hauling the train through a slightly greener forest scene. Wednesday March 25th turned out to be a rather popular choice for groups to choose to travel with VGR. A variety of groups of all ages converged on Maldon and Castlemaine stations to board the train for an enjoyable, albeit crowded trip between the towns. More than 320 passengers created a heavy load (including 84 with bicycles) for which a double header was required. Add to this the need to provide 50 lunches for one of the groups and you have a very busy day to deal with. The Wednesday prior to this was also a busy day with well over 100 passengers, but the 25th was exceptional for a mid week trip. We hope we have to cope with more days like this!

6 Page 6 Good Friday Wine & Cheese Evening A relaxing evening enjoying the company of friends, fine wine and cheese with on-board entertainment. Departing Maldon at 7:00pm on Friday 10th April (Good Friday) $35.00 p.p. - Drinks for Sale onboard Bookings can be made on (03) or via marketing@vgr.com.au Thumbs up from Frankie J on the K TV celebrity Frankie J Holden got a genuine hands on experience of a steam train this week as part of a filming session for Discover Downunder. Frankie, along with wife Michelle Pettigrove, the film crew and a few friends had a great time with a VGR crew during the filming of a segment for the show which will be screened later in the year. It was obvious during the session that Frankie and his crew thoroughly enjoyed the experience: approaching the task of driving a steam loco with abundant enthusiasm; of course under the watchful eye of VGR instructors. The Driver Experience Program will be a feature of the segment, but it will also show people enjoying the ambience of our First Class carriage, Tambo, which impressed the visitors with its unique stylish atmosphere. The segment, when screened will give VGR some much appreciated exposure to a wide audience.

7 Page 7 Our Sponsors - The Railway is Generously Supported By The Following Businesses the VGR message to friends & family. For those of us with an facility as part of their communication wizardry, there is an opportunity to assist in spreading the word about special VGR events. These Events such as Wine & Cheese Trains, Steam Trains For Kids, 125th Celebrations & Picnic at Muckleford etc are posted on our web site on a regular basis. If members have friends & family who they think might be interested in any of these events, it is an easy task to save a copy of the web page material - often as a poster - and forward that on to selected recipients. Of course we do not advocate running foul of the SPAM Act with heaps of unsolicited being sent out indiscriminately, but rather to selected people who are within your family and friendship networks: people that you know won't object to receiving messages from you & who might appreciate a message about an event that they might well find interesting and enjoyable. Apart from notifying such people of specific events, it is also one means of creating a wider awareness of the existence of VGR - encouraging those who may not have heard of us yet to perhaps log on to the web site to check out what is on offer for themselves. Signalman Keith Nelson exchanges the staff with Guard Len Millar in the magnificent Castlemaine Signal Box

8 Page 8 125th Anniversary Raffle Tickets available from Maldon Station ( Wednesdays & Sundays ) and at Castlemaine Station - Platform 3 - Weekdays and Sundays. Or call during weekdays to arrange purchase a book of tickets. (1 or more books of 10 tickets can be posted) 1st Prize Choice of: Driver Experience Package Spend a whole day with our friendly expert crews and learn to drive a steam train - an awesome experience. Value $1600 OR First Class Steam Train Charter for 40 people Maldon - Castlemaine - return to Maldon Ideal for Birthday Party / Xmas break up or other social occasion. You have exclusive use of the train for your group to enjoy. (catering available at additional Value $1600 2nd Prize: B&B Overnight Accommodation for two at luxurious Clare House (High St. Maldon) - includes chocolates and bottle of Quality Local Wine. First Class Return Rail Tickets for two. Double entry passes to Maldon Machinery Museum and Carman's Tunnel Mine at Maldon plus $100 worth of Maldon Shopping Vouchers. Value $375 3rd Prize: One night's Double Accommodation for two at Maldon's Eaglehawk Motel First Class return ticket for two. Double passes for Maldon Machinery Museum and Carman's Tunnel Mine. Drawn 14th June Winners notified. Also published on the VGR website at and in Herald Sun Wed. June 17th. VCGR Declaration Tickets: $2 cost) 125th Anniversary Raffle - You Help is Vital This newsletter also includes a book of raffle tickets. Tickets for the raffle are being sold on every train as well as at both Maldon and Castlemaine stations. Last year s raffle raised approximately $7,000 which assisted us with capital projects such as the repairs to the Muckleford Creek bridge as well as some of the preliminary design work for the Maldon toilets. This year, we need every member to sell as many raffle books as they can. If we sell every book, the railway will have $12,000 to spend on other vital projects. If you are unable to sell these tickets, could you please return them promptly to the railway, so that other members can sell them. Of course, if you can sell more than one book, please telephone the railway during business hours and we will send out more to you. Your help will ensure we will sell every ticket! Stimulus Package Special Members Offer (for a limited time only) We re all aware of the global economic downturn that is currently impacting on our economy. The society has decided to offer a special offer to members who are about to receive their $900 stimulus package from the Commonwealth Government. The special offer is a Mini Driver Experience package that is only being offered to members. The package conditions for this offer are: Only paid-up CMRPS members can participate Each participant will share the day with another participant. This can be arranged by the railway The package will include a combined safety briefing and theory lesson Each participant on the day will drive the train once to Castlemaine and return under expert supervision. Participants will need to be flexible in their dates as the day will need to be arranged around crew availability. Participants must also be of suitable health & fitness. The fee is $900 and all bookings and payments must be received by 29th May 2009 To book this exclusive Members Only package, please call (03) or marketing@vgr.com.au but hurry because this offer is for a limited time only! If you would like to contribute an article, a photo or a letter to the Members Newsletter, you can send it to newsletter@vgr.com.au

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10 Page th Anniversary Preparations for the 125th anniversary of the opening of the line between Castlemaine and Maldon are underway. As previously mentioned, our good friends at Steamrail are also working towards being a part of the celebrations. In addition, we are working with the Maldon Machinery Museum, who will be opening their new exhibition and extending their premises, to conduct a street parade from Maldon station to the museum. We are also looking at holding a gala dinner to celebrate the anniversary. A history of the railway is also being written and it is hoped that we can launch this book on the weekend of the 13th and 14th of June. We have invited the Premier, John Brumby, as well as local MLA, Bob Cameron to the event and will be also inviting the Mount Alexander Shire Councillors to the event. A small group is working to put together these celebrations and would value the assistance of anyone who can assist with making the celebrations memorable. If you can help, please do not hesitate to contact either George Young on (03) or via at gry@impulse.net.au or Philip Ryan on or via newsletter@vgr.com.au Details to date, will be provided in the next newsletter. Help us make it an event to remember! Victorian Goldfields Railway General Office and Marketing P.O. Box 51 CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 Phone: (03) Facsimile: (03) marketing@vgr.com.au for bookings, Train Times & Fares information or cmr@vgr.com.au for all other enquiries Maldon Toilet Appeal The deadline for this appeal is rapidly drawing near and the railway still needs the assistance of any member or friend of the railway who can contribute any funds to this appeal. We need to have our own appeal finalized so that we can submit applications for government funding so that we can build these desperately needed facilities at Maldon. Please dig as deep as you can to enable this project to go ahead! Membership Update Thanks to all those who have paid their membership renewals early and sent back the Members Surveys Keep then coming in please. Remember if your name is likely to be on a nomination form or wish to have a vote at the Annual General Meeting you must be financial by 31st of March. Castlemaine Toilets The work being undertaken to re-build the Castlemaine station toilets should be completed by Easter. The new toilets will include an Accessible Toilet (formerly known as a Disabled Toilet) as well as brand new facilities in both the male and female toilets. Water tanks have also been installed so that rain-water can be captured. Initial plans to complete spot repairs on the roof over the office and shop may have to be altered with examinations revealing that the roof is in a worse state than VicTrack initially assessed. It may be that the roof will have to be replaced. This may not be completed until next financial year as VicTrack need to determine whether the initial budget allocation for this work would cover replacement of the roof. Further details will be provided as they are communicated to the railway. Recorded Train Information Phone (03) Castlemaine Railway Station Kennedy Street, Castlemaine Phone: (03) Facsimile: (03) Maldon Railway Station Hornsby Street, Maldon Telephone: (03) Facsimile: (03) Muckleford Railway Station (only staffed for special events) Muckleford-Walmer Road, Muckleford Telephone: (03)