CURRENT NEWS ITEMSNovember 2020 - HPC 402 Returns from successful project.402 returned home to Paterson on 11 November following an intensive 6-week project measuring the overhead contact wiring in the metropolitan area. After travelling to Sydney on 2 October, the testing equipment was installed at the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh and the first revenue operation from Mortdale to Coal Cliff took place in the early morning of 5 November. This was followed up with another 20 early morning runs over the following weeks. The project proved very successful, identifying a number of problematic locations on the network. October 2020 - Society services recommence.As a result of the easing of Government restrictions, the Society has developed an approved Covid-19 Safety Plan for its passenger operations. The first operation under the plan was a Gulgong service on the October long weekend for Greenhills Travel. The weekend proved a success with three local trips being run from Gulgong to Dunedoo on the Sunday lay day. The Society is pleased to welcome Greenhills Travel as a new customer and we look forward to further operations with them in 2021. August 2020 - Society Wins Sydney Trains Contract.The Scoiety was successful in tendering for the provision of HPC 402 to carry out inspections of the overhead wiring in the SSydney Trains area. The project will involve the fitting of a panotgraph to the No.1 End of 402 to carry out the inspection work. Work is expected to commence in early October and run for about 6-7 weeks. The testing equipment will be provided from Germany and 402 will be based at the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh for the duration of the project. The Society is grateful to Transport Heritage NSW for making space in the LES available to us. The Society is contracted for five years for this work. July 2020 - Society Depot Expanded.Following protracted negotiations with the ARTC, the Society has been able to expand its Depot lease to include the abandoned siding off the end of the Goods Siding - originally known as the "Williams Branch". A grant of $7,000 from the Federal Government under the Building Better Communities Program assisted with the construction of a new security fence to incorporate the siding into our Depot precinct. The points connecting the siding to the Goods Siding were reinstated by ARTC in August 2020. June 2020 - Major Drainage project completed.The final component of Paterson Depot's drainage system was completed in mid-June. The project invoved piping the open drain along the north western side of the shed. 100 metres of concrete pipe, eight drainage pits and one headwall were laid resulting in the formation for No.4 Road being completed at the same time. Branch lines were laid to collect runoff from culverts under Webbers Creek Road to minimise future local flooding events. An access road was also completed to allow vehicular access between the top and bottom of the depot. The work was assisted by a $20,000 grant from the Federal Government under the Communities Environment Program. March 2020 - Society services suspended.As a result of Government restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Society has suspended all passenger services, Open Days, Depot inspections and workdays until further notice. February 2020 - New Tractor for the Depot.As our old tractor had reached the end of its economic life, the Board decided to purchase a new Mahindra tractor for work around the depot. A number of additional implements were also purchased. We were fortunate to find a buyer for the old tractor. February 2020 - 623/723 delivered to Broadmeadow.Under instructions from Transport Heritage NSW the Society delivered NPF 623 and NTC 723 from CFCLA's workshop at Goulburn to NSW Trains Broadmeadow Maintenance Centre for attention to a number of systems. The delivery was undertaken in conjunction with an Albury tour for Cruise Express. January 2020 - Additional concrete flooring.Additional concrete flooring has been poured in the shed. The additional area covers No.2 Road in the vicinity of the lifting frame and provides a fully level concrete area around the lifting frame for bogie maintenance. December 2019 - CPH 1 Commences Body Maintenance.Under a grant from Transport Heritage NSW, work has commenced on the replacement of the timber ends of CPH 1. The portions of the body have not received comprehensive maintenance since their original reconstruction in 1994-1995. October 2019 - 7344 Receives a new paint job.In preparation for its new Indian Red and Yellow repaint, 7344's body work has been completely stripped and sandblasted down to bare metal. The body doors were removed and rusted panels have been re-sheeted. The cab interior has been repainted and Bostrom driver's seats fitted. Completion is expected by mid-2020. June 2019 - 7344 Fitted With Buffers.In preparation for further works in the Depot, buffers were fitted to the No.2 End of 7344. This will facilitate the shunting of our older rolling stock. Thanks to all concerned for their efforts. 7344 is also undergoing preparatory work for a new paint job that will return it to its original Indian Red and Yellow colour scheme. June 2019 - 621 Goes In For Engine Change.Following a significant engine failure at Albury, 621/721 was transferred to the Broadmeadow Maintenance Centre on 18 June for a planned change of both engines and tranmsissions. Two new main fuel tanks will also be fitted. Work is funded by an S2 Grant from Transport Heritage NSW. June 2019 - CPH's at Transport Expo 2019.Our three CPH's journeyed to Sydney to participate in the Transport Expo 2019 run by Transport Heritage NSW. Our participation was running excursions to Olympic Park and the Metropolitan Goods Lines. This was a very well organised event and we look forward to participating again next year. May 2019 - Annual General Meeting.The Society's Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 11 May 2019. The President thanked retiring Board members for their contribution during the past year, and the line managers presented their regular reports. Five of the members retired in rotation and were eligible for re-election. Following the AGM, the Board met and elected the Office-bearers for the ensuing year. The Board for 2019-2020 is:
After 9 years' service, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Davies has decided to retire from her position on the Board. We thank Cheryl for her long service to the Board. Kaye Burgess was appointed to fill the casual vacancy. Stephen Davies did not seek re-election and we welcome Graeme Holloway as our newest Board member. April 2019 - TAM and BR Restoration.Work has been progressing with the cleaning and restoration of the TAM and BR for on-site overnight accommodation for visiting passengers and crew. The work has involved the installation of a new kitchen area in the BR and the preparation of the TAM berths for occupancy. Work has been carried out by our own members and our thanks go all concerned for their efforts. March 2019 - Open Days.Due to public demand, the Board has introduced local runs to Wallarobba on our third Saturday Open Days. Two shuttle trips using CPH 3 are planned each day. This will be reduced to one trip during the winter months (June to August). The new service has proved popular, adding another attraction to our museum exhibits on the Open Days. March 2019 - 629/729 Departs.620 Class set 629/729, owned by Goodwin Alco Pty Ltd has been resident at Paterson since 2009. The Society was unable to reach a satisfactory agreement with the owners for its future restoration and operation and it was agreed that 629/729 would be removed. The set departed Paterson under the power of 42103 on 15 March. March 2019 - CPH Body Restoration.Work on the replacement of the external wooden sides on CPH 1 has been completed. Despite the length of time since the side walls were last replaced (over 20 years), only a couple of studs and one door pillar required replacing. Work was carried out by Glen Davies over a 6 week period, assisted by some members as required. Painting was completed by member Peter Macfarlane. The work was funded by an S3 Funding Grant from Transport Heritage NSW. December 2018 - 7344 Delivery Run.After many months of planning and preparatory works, 7344 was delivered to Paterson on 28 December. The date was made available by a window in Sydney Trains Christmas shutdown schedule. After a minor overheating problem at Flemington, 7344 arrived in Paterson on schedule. Thanks to Tim Elderton and his team from Lithgow Railway Workshops for their work servicing the loco ready for transfer to Paterson. As 7344 was delivered without buffers, the Society has acquired a set of four from Richmond Vale Railway and these will be installed in due course. Thanks to all involved in the transfer. December 2018 - Volunteer of the Year Awards.The Society's annual Volunteer of the Year Awards were presented at the Christmas function held at Club Macquarie on Saturday, 15 December. These awards recognise the tremendous efforts made by our volunteer workforce during the current year. The awards were voted on by the volunteers themselves and they represent true recognition of their efforts by their peers. The recipients were:
38 members and their partners enjoyed an excellent Christmas lunch and thanks go to Bev and Mick Walsh for organising the event and to Club Macquarie for providing the venue and an excellent meal. December 2018 - Society Helps SMR Celebrate 125 Years.South Maitland Railways celebrated their 125th Anniversary on the weekend of 8-9 December. Our 620 set ran services between East Greta Junction and Bellbird Junction while our CPH's ran services between East Greta Junction and Abermain. In order to facilitate the operations of the two trains, the normal single staff section was temporarily split into two for the weekend. We congratulate SMR on their 125th birthday. November 2018 - Brisbane Driver Retires.After 46 years in the rail industry, Brisbane driver Laurie Parsons and long time Society supporter has retired. We wish Laurie and his wife all the best for their future in retirement. Laurie's last job with us was the Novemebr Cruise Express Brisbane charter. November 2018 - All Three Trains Out Together.6 November saw all three of our trains togther at Muswellbrook at lunch time. 621/721 and our three CPH's were runing tours to the Muswellbrook Race Club's Melbourne Cup event, while 402 arrived after a five-day western excursion for the ARHS(NSW) 402 Club. This is the first time all three of our trains have been togther away from the Depot on revenue activities. September 2018 - 721 Bogie Change.621/721 journeyed to the Broadmeadow Maintenance Centre (BMC) for bogie change on NTC 721. Kings Engineering had previously refurbished the two bogies and these were installed at the BMC with the assistance of the Sydney Trains Emergency Response Team. Thanks to Shaun Kalverla and his team at BMC and the Emergency Response Team for their assistance with this project. September 2018 - Society Supports Our Farmers.To support the deperate needs of our drought affected farmers the Society operated two fundraising trips to Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Water. Our activities included a monster raffle and a Garden Party hosted by Trish and Rod Short. We raised over $12,000 for the "Need For Feed" campaign. Thanks and our congratulations to Trish Short for leading the fundraising effort. July 2018 - Society Acquires Loco 7344.Following a successful submission, the Society has acquired 73 Class sunting locomotive under a custody agreement with Transport Heritage NSW. 7344 will deployed as a shunter at Paterson and also will provide us with a vehicle capable of recovering all of our rolling stock in the event of a major failure in traffic (a point raised in our recent application for accreditation in South Australia). Considerable work will be required before 7344 can be brought to Paterson, including the installation of an ICE radio, vigilance control, obtaining approval from the Regulator and obtaining the relevant TOC Waivers from the respective network owners. May 2018 - Depot Improvements.After months of preparation and planning, a large area of the rail motor shed floor was concreted on Wednesday, 23 May. The section of No.1 Road from the end of the service pit southwards to the new shed extension used some 28 cubic metres of concrete. The newly concreted floor will extend the level work area for use of our recently acquired forklift as well providing improved facilities for servicing of our rolling stock. The opportunity was also taken to relocate the bogie lifting frame from No.1 Road to No.2 Road. The work was carried out by local contractors under the supervision of Rodney Short as Project Manager. Thanks to all members who assisted with the project. Further concrete projects are planned to expand the level workspace in the shed. May 2018 - Arthur Burgess elected Life Member.At the Annual General Meeting, and on the recommendation of the Board, Arthur Burgess was elected as a Life Member of the Society in recognition of his 29 years service to the Society. May 2018 - Annual General Meeting.The Society's Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 12 May 2018. The President thanked retiring Board members for their contribution during the past year, and the line managers presented their regular reports. Five of the members retired in rotation and were eligible for re-election. Following the AGM, the Board met and elected the Office-bearers for the ensuing year. The Board for 2018-2019 is:
February 2018 - 621/721 Flooring.Following receipt of a grant from Transport Heritage NSW, the flooring in NPF 621 and NTC 721 was removed and replaced with new vinyl flooring. A significant amount of the underflooring timber was also replaced to age related rot caused since its original construction in 1960-61. The work was carried out by a contractor under the supervision of Michael Walsh as Project Manager. At the same time, the Society provided new kitchen facilities in each car. January 2018 - Board Retirements.During December, two members of the Board submitted their resignations. The Board has appointed Bruce Greenham and John Ridden to fill the casual vacancies. We congratulate Bruce and John upon their appointments. 2017 - HEADLINES.
2016 - HEADLINES.
2015 - HEADLINES.
2014 - HEADLINES.
2013 - HEADLINES.
2012 - HEADLINES.
2011 - HEADLINES.
2010 - HEADLINES.
2009 - HEADLINES.
2008 - HEADLINES.
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