[Vic] Interesting day on the 2'6"

[Jennifer Richmond <richmond@melbpc.org.au>]

Working on the Puffing Billy Railway on Sunday 07/11/99 saw some
interesting trains/movements.

The first down train is double headed to Lakeside and then splits to
form the first up and the Gembrook Train. This train was headed by 8A
and 12A but at Emerald, 8A developed a hot axle box due to a broken
spring on the trailing pony wheels and had to be taken off the train,
resulting in a delay of 25 mins. This left 12A to bring the whole train
(17 vehicles) down the hill into Lakeside (I have never seen a single NA
in charge of so many vehicles!) The train was split as normal and the
Gembrook portion continued on to Gembrook, now running 32 mins late.
The portion which formed the 1200 up service now did not have a
locomotive and had to wait until the 1200dn Belgrave arrived at Lakeside
at 1300.
In the mean time, the Menzies Crk - Lakeside staff was at the wrong end
of the section, and had to be transferred by road to Menzies Crk. On
transferring it by road, I noticed 8A being turned at Emerald. At
Menzies Crk, D21 was leading 14A on the 1200 ex Belgrave. which arrived
at Lakeside at 1300 and the 1200 up departed behind D21 at 1312.
The 1300 arrival at Lakeside was meant to depart at 1330 but did not
depart until after 1400 and went to Menzies creek, where it had to wait
until the 2nd down Gembrook departed Belgrave 50 mins late at 1420.
Meanwhile the up Gembrook departed on time from Gembrook and once
reaching Lakeside, had to wait 50 mins until the 2nd down Gembrook
arrived at Lakeside, 50 mins late.
The 2nd down Gembrook was terminated at Lakeside and formed the last up
service departing at 1630.
8A returned light engine to Belgrave with the broken pony wheels
trailing.

Thank heavens the rain held off until after the last train!

Sam Eades