The

Bennett Brooklet Streaming information on your favourite two foot gauge railway

Send contributions for the next issue to newsletter.editor@bbr.org.au by November 25th.

This month’s issue potentially features: Vale Chris Flowers

Introducing your new editor

Progress on ZB 213

Canadian and Alaskan train travel

Locomotive report

Signals report

Ashley Day report

Doggie Day Out

Betty Strips for Summer

Dates you might want to add to your calendar

Photos from around the Railway

Oct/Nov

2017

Chris Flowers driving P7 on Christmas Eve 2016. Photo: Clive Woodward

Vale Chris Flowers: 1947-2017 – Clive Woodward

In researching for this obituary, I've learnt that Chris

was a very private person. What is known is that his

time at BBR was of immeasurable benefit to our

railway. Chris joined the Railway in 2013. I met him

early in 2016 whereupon he quickly engaged me in

learning to drive his favourite diesel, the yellow Planet.

He's taught several other members to drive the Planet,

too. Chris started training as a fireman on BT1 mid last

year.

Prior to joining BBR Chris worked for the RAAF as a

mechanical fitter and went on to a similar job for a

drilling and exploration company. He also drove buses

for TransPerth, based at Mandurah and Malaga depots

and worked in Qantas' in-flight catering kitchen at

Perth Airport.

Chris' alter ego, Connie, could often be found at the

7th Avenue in Midland, so convincing fully dolled up

that even one of our senior members fell for 'her'

charms.

Chris passed away peacefully in Kalamunda Hospice.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Introducing your new editor: Tyler Howie!

He’s a junior, he’s lives in Melbourne and he should

stop writing in third person…

Hello, I’m Tyler. I’ve been a member for the past six

months. I’ve been appointed as trial editor for the next

three issues.

I’m involved with multiple organisations in

Melbourne, including Puffing Billy and Diamond

Valley Railway.

I joined Puffing Billy aged six and I assist during

Youth Days and special events, such as Thomas and

Santa Specials.

I’ve been affiliated with the 7¼ inch gauge Diamond

Valley for five years and help with day to day

operations as well as special events, publicity and new

member liaison.

I joined Bennett Brook as I wanted to support an

interstate railway that preserves light railway rolling

stock and locomotives. As I’m based in Melbourne,

I’m limited as to how I can assist, which is why I’ve

taken on the role of newsletter editor. I look forward to

the challenge, it might be fun!

Chairman’s message: ZB 213 – Lindsay Watson

After World War 1, there were great numbers of

returned soldiers seeking work in a depressed

economy. To try and improve the situation both the

UK and Australian Governments funded a group

settlement scheme to open up new land for agriculture

in the South West of Australia. The WA Premier, Sir

I should have eaten more

Weetbix that morning...

James Mitchell was a champion of this scheme,

possibly because he was able to access UK and

Australian funding to build new railway branch lines in

regional WA to open up new land. Part of the process

of opening up new railways was equipping them with

rolling stock, such as brake vans. Post World War 1

there was a steel shortage, world–wide.

A reliable builder of WAGR rolling stock, the

Westralia Ironworks Ltd of Rocky Bay North

Fremantle were also busy, with an order of a second

fleet of Kalgoorlie carriages caused by the opening of

the Trans Australian Railway in 1917. These AR and

AQ carriages were built with wooden underframes.

These carriages lasted until the mid-1970s.

So with a shortage of steel and the Westralia

Ironworks busy, Premier Sir James Mitchell looked

overseas to the UK. Dorman Long of Middlesbrough,

UK already had orders for steel girders for the Sydney

Harbour Bridge and New Zealand’s Auckland

Harbour. Dorman Long signed an order for the supply

and delivery of 16, 30 foot long, riveted steel frames to

be delivered by sea to Fremantle, WA.

Dorman Long had steel sent to WA prior to World

War 1. In 1908, a cyclone had destroyed the Whim

Creek Hotel and much ado was made of building the

new hotel with Dorman Long riveted steel stanchions

and beams. Ironically Whim Creek was also the site of

a 2’ gauge railway built for the conveyance of copper

ore to Wales for smelting into copper. Two Orenstein

and Koppel tank locomotives were used on this

railway; sadly both now gone.

The WAGR workshops, upon receipt of the steel

riveted brake van frames began building a new class of

passenger brakevan, class ZB, with 6 being issued to

traffic in 1926/7 and a further 10 in 1927/28.

So our ZB 213 began its life serving group settlement

railways in WA, carrying families and folk from their

primitive, newly established settlements to existing

towns to enable these folk to go shopping. As usual, it

was up to the traffic branch where the ZB brakevans

were allocated, however, the extra brakevans filled in

the shortage.

ZB 213 commenced service in December 1927 as ZB

10607, was fitted with electric light in 1961 and was

written off in May 1977. It was our foundation

chairman, Charles de Bruin, who made enquiries with

Pacific National, Kewdale, where it was located as a

ground mounted store and arranged to have it delivered

to our workshop in the early 2000's. A lot of the

Dorman Long frames are still around, if you know

where to look, they appear to be virtually

indestructible. I know of two, one in Hazelmere and

one in Gidgegannup.

Our carriage shed crew are doing fine work on ZB

213, keep up the good work fellas.

Locomotive report – Michael Watson

The end of the steam season is upon us and it’s time

for the 0-4-2 Perry’s 10 yearly strip down and

inspection. This involves exposing the boiler shell to

enable a detailed inspection by removing the cab, tanks

and cladding. We hope to attend to a few minor repairs

while this is going on.

The Fowler unfortunately has failed with a leaking

torque converter that coupled with engine and wheel

issues will put this locomotive out of service for the

time being.

The Atlantic Planet has been running as backup for

weekend running and will be our primary locomotive

coming into summer.

We are reasonably confident in having found the

Dorman Planet’s fuel starvation issues.

Narrowing it down to the lift fuel pump diaphragm that

had split and is the most likely cause of air in the fuel

Photo Ken Watson

The amazing ZB 213

lines.

Ashley has been running midweek and school holidays

reasonably trouble free. Brayden and Geoff have been

chipping away at some of the smaller components of

Ng15 123 including repairs to the drain cock linkage

while we await news on the boiler repairs. They have

been occasionally been assisted by Adam and Chad

among others.

Andrew, Brayden, Dylan and Clive along with some

helpers have been working on the 0-6-2 Perry

reassembling the non-worn parts and assessing any

future repairs for when funding becomes available.

My apologies if I’ve missed anyone; Brayden and I

appreciate the help on Friday nights, making our jobs

that little bit easier.

Signals report - Bob Baker

Since the last newsletter, the Signals Department has

been engaged in the following

1. Refurbishment and erection of the Goomalling

Distant Signal, all 16.5 metres of it, as the

distant signal Bushland Loop South. It is

located at the bottom of Robert’s Bank.

2. Assembly and erection of the 3 doll coloured

light signal as the home

signal Bushland Loop

South. It is located

adjacent to No.3 road

points WVJ South.

This signal will display

white crosses,

signifying out of use,

until the WVJ South

signalling is brought

into operation.

3. Due to a track circuit fault, and unbeknown to

the signals’ manager, the wig wag ran

continuously for 3 weeks until it finally failed.

The mechanism was taken down, repaired and

re-erected. The windscreen wiper motor

which drives the unit was undamaged.

Recently the Signals Department work crew of

Peter Gould, John Johnston and I undertook a

long overdue complete rebuild of the wig wag

track circuits including re-insulation of the

steel sleepers and refurbishment of the track

bonding. The wig wag was originally installed

in 1999.

Coming up is the repair to the open wire pole route

between WVJ and Mussel Pool. This provides the

circuits for the electric staff and magneto telephone

system. At each end the wooden cross arms have

rotted and are only being held by the guy wires. The

cross arms, originally from the Midland Railway Line

between Muchea and Gin Gin, are over 100 years old.

Metal cross arms have been sourced and will be

installed in November.

Train travel in Canada and Alaska – Bob Baker

Jan and I went on “another” holiday, this time on the

west coast of Canada and Alaska. It involved travel on

the Rocky Mountaineer, White Pass & Yukon Railroad

and Wilderness Express in Alaska.

Rocky Mountaineer – This involved a two day trip

from Vancouver to Banff in a dome car. The train is a

privately run tourist operation. On the west coast of

Canada there are two railroad freight companies,

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National, which

operate through the Fraser River Gorge; each having a

line on the opposite side of the gorge that swap sides at

Siska. Google ‘Cisco Bridges British Columbia’ for

some great photos of the crossing. Throughout the two

Photo Ken Watson

days, there are numerous sightings of freight trains

comprising up to 250 wagons at times pulled by two

locomotives up front, one in the middle and two at the

rear. Freight has priority over the only passenger

operation; the Rocky Mountaineer.

White Pass and Yukon Railroad is a three foot gauge

tourist railroad operating out of Skagway Alaska. The

line was originally built in 1898 during the Klondike

Gold Rush, closed in 1982 and revived as a tourist

railway in 1988. On the day we were in Skagway,

there were three cruise ships in port. In the morning,

four 14 carriage trains, with a carrying capacity of 40

per carriage, departed from Skagway wharf at 30

minute intervals; the first to Fraser in Canada and the

other three only travelled to the Canadian border. It

made for some interesting shunting manoeuvres at the

border loop to run around the locomotives and

reorganise the trains in correct order for return to

Skagway. The return trip from Skagway to the border

took approximately three hours. At 12:30 there was a

vintage steam trip, utilising their Baldwin 2-8-2 No.73,

part way up the valley in addition to another two

afternoon diesel hauled services. Their fleet includes

83 vintage and replica coaches, 20 diesel electric locos

and two steam locos.

Wilderness Express – This comprises two private

dome coaches, identical to the Rocky Mountaineer,

added to the rear of the daily Alaska Railroad service

between Anchorage and Fairbanks. This trip takes 12

hours and the only cross during the entire journey was

the passenger service in the opposite direction.

Alaskan Railroad run all their freight services outside

the passenger service times as the income from the

passenger services and ‘Wilderness Express Hook and

Pull’ is greater than any goods traffic that would be

generated during those times. Except for the areas

close to Anchorage, all point operations for train

crosses are carried out manually by the train conductor

due to the remoteness and the fact that temperatures

can drop to -50C. At each switch stand a shovel is

supplied so the conductor can shovel snow if required.

Ashley Day Report – Ken Watson

The recent Ashley Day held on Sunday 10th

September was a great day. While the day was cloudy,

we had little rain, and the cloud cover kept the day

warm. We sold 2,200 tickets, meaningly hardly any

trains were not full, but we rarely left any passengers

on the platform. Because not all families who come

out ride the trains, I estimate there would have been

close to 3,000 visitors. The event went smoothly, with

no major problems. I spoke to many customers who

had a great day. I think the event balance is close to

where it needs to be. This event would not happen

without the fantastic support from a great team. I

would like to thank all members who helped

preparations leading up to the event and also on the

day. If I miss you in my acknowledgements, I’m I

apologise; I do appreciate your help! Thank you to

James Waterhouse, who solely handled our

‘Trybooking’ account and coordinated most of our

social media activity along with Kim Parker.

Also to Ian Chandler, who has come on board as my

event organising assistant. Thanks to all who came out

to help in a customer service sense. Tickets, traffic

control, customer service, pram control, platform

assistance, souvenirs, etc. To Simon Mead and the

operations crew for all their work on the day; thank

you. To Michael Watson, our Locomotive Manager,

and Assistant Brayden Hesford, our assistant

Locomotive Manager, and the Friday night crew for

Cisco Bridges - Photo By Michael Frei - Michael Frei, GFDL,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1125464

6

Photo Clive Woodard

keeping our cranky old machines going, it’s greatly

appreciated. Thanks to Lindsay Watson, our Rolling

stock manager, and the mid-week crew, for getting the

rolling stock ready for the event. To Bob Baker and his

crew for keeping the signals working and to Kim

Parker and the track crew, thank you. To our

administration group for their support, and a special

thanks to Peter Monkhouse who does a tremendous

amount of behind the scenes work. Also, thank you to

my Work for the Dole people.

Peter Gould and Donna Franklin used the Day to

launch the 5th Book in their Ashley series, Dorman

The Magnificent, a great addition! Well done.

Once again we sold tickets in Singapore, and this time

a first, from Malaysia!

The new road didn’t quite make it. Mainly due to rain

that wouldn’t stop. However, it didn’t affect the event

much.

And last, my personal thanks to Whiteman Park

management and staff and Park’s event organizer,

Sarah. They make my job so much easier and have a

great attitude.

Doggie Day Out – Clive Woodward (Rover

reporter)

Sunday 15th October Whiteman Park was invaded by

dogs of all breeds and sizes, not to mention their

masters.

Whilst our 10:00 and 10:30hrs shuttle departures from

Mussel Pool were a disappointment, with the first train

empty and the second carrying just two passengers, the

rest of the day was exceptionally busy.

The weather was great and we could have done with

more open wagons in the train as R1751 was often

packed out.

My compliments to the pooches, who were all well

behaved on our trains.

Betty Strips for summer – Clive Woodard

Our very own calendar girl, Betty Thompson, is keen

to strip down for summer. Less than one week after her

last run the Friday night Crew helped her undress.

Andrew and Alex unbolted her tanks and Brayden

lifted her skirt with the crane. Meanwhile Clive was

busy with her plumbing and de-coaling.

Small fixtures and fittings were all removed and

carefully labeled, including our very own rock star,

Phil Coal-ins, before being secured in a sea container.

Betty will be ready for her ten-year medical (boiler

inspection) by mid-November.

Important dates

Christmas party:

When: Saturday 9th December at 5:30pm.

Where: Whiteman Village Junction

Cost: $35.00

RSVP by December 1st to secretary@bbr.org.au or

phone Heather 9378 6845

Here, there and everywhere;

Photos from around the railway

Zamia Loop track building team have been flying along. Ken Watson observed them and took the following photos.

Ashley Day; early morning empty coaching stock movement from MP to WVJ was somewhat over-powered, with a

triple-header + banking engine. From within Rosalie, Clive Woodward captured these driver's eye views of P8 leading

and BT1 behind him.