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Updated 3/03/2015 DECEMBER 10th December 2014 On the morning of Wednesday 10th December the little tram was moved to the southern end of the Yarloop Workshops for loading and shortly after lunch was unloaded at Pinjarra where it will undergo several minor repairs, adjustments, modifications and inspections as part of accrediting it for use and operation on rail by HVR, firstly in Pinjarra Yard then later in Dwellingup and at Isandra.
6th December 2014 This delightful fully operational steam 'Tram Motor' was built by WA Steam Enthusiast Colin Puzey of Gelorup WA over an 8 year period and shortly after completion, taken to the Yarloop Steam Workshops in 2006 where it has been on display. Colin recently offered use of his Tram to HVR if we thought it could be useful in some way and people could enjoy seeing it operate. The originals of these Tram Motors were used in Sydney from 1879 pulling 3 or so single or double deck carriages conveying some 70 million passengers each year on up to 1200 services per day. One of the original units survives in the Sydney Power House Museum. One other is believed to survive in Parramatta and another somewhere in New Zealand. On Saturday 6th December, the tram was prepared for re-location to Pinjarra by road transport.
OCTOBER 31st October 2014
At last the big day has arrived and the ANZAC Train is marshalled by 0800 in the Midland Flashbutt Yard ready for its delivery to Midland Station Platform where the "Troops" will board for the re-enactment of the first deployment from Blackboy Hill Training Camp exactly 100 years ago.
There were people all along the line to cheer the train on as it made its way to Fremantle taking some 70 minutes at reduced speed (approx 35kph) to ensure the best possible experience could be had by all. At Fremantle it was standing room only as the train arrived to be greeted by the Western Australian Premier, Mr Colin Barnett. (left of the photographer with arms raised)
Within 30 minutes, Fremantle Platform was back to normal except for the lonely HVR train awaiting its return to Pinjarra and the HVR line at Alumina Junction, by Aurizon.
Once on the HVR line, the train was taken to Dwellingup under its own power.
30th October 2014
On Thursday 30th October, the ANZAC Train was transferred from Pinjarra to Forestfield by Aurizon, in readiness for the following days Event. As part of this working the 'C' Class loco was turned on the Pinjarra Triangle enabling it to run the ANZAC Train 'long end leading' for the best aesthetic presentation of the ANZAC Heritage Train.
19th October 2014
Although not especially clear in this photo, several afternoon Steam Ranger services this year were worked with only two carriages. This was done to make the working easier for all where such capacity was adequate and was made possible by drawgear changes having been carried out over the summer break.
15th October 2014 After 4 months and over 700 hours of hard work, the HVR train to be used for the 100 years commemoration of the first WW1 troops departure from Fremantle on 31st October, was ready for its first mainline trial run. On the morning of Wednesday 15 October, the 'commissioning trial' ran south from Pinjarra to Warawarrup (Harvey) and return, a total of just over 100km and was 100% successful. During the trial, many aspects of the trains operation were checked and verified as well as multiple measurements and recordings of axle bearing temperatures to ensure they ran in their specified operating range.
The ANZAC Train set up at Pinjarra ready for its first Trial departure south to Warawarrup.
ANZAC Train at Warawarrup ready to depart for its return to Pinjarra.
ANZAC Train returns into the HVR Pinjarra depot following its Trial Run.
2nd October 2014
On Thursday 2nd October, the ANZAC - Blackboy Hill to Fremantle - Commemorative Heritage Train was fully assembled for the First time at the HVR Pinjarra East Yard depot where the carriages and loco have been being worked upon for many weeks.
SEPTEMBER 26th September 2014
Twist test being performed on carriages and locomotive for mainline re-accreditation. MRX Technologies and Calibre Rail carried out the technicalities. To help us along with the project and this additional testing requirement, the lifting and weighing equipment was supplied by Jacks Winches as a contribution to the Event and HVR. 2nd September 2014 The three Carriages for the ANZAC Heritage Train being prepared for painting at Pinjarra as part of the re-commissioning process. All of the carriages were also lifted from their bogies for miscellaneous maintenance attention and inspection.
JUNE 17th June 2014 The Pinjarra "Tuesday Team" commenced inserting the small 2" 'smoke' tubes into W945 which first involved lynishing of the annealed ends to make them clean & smooth to ensure their proper seating and seal when expanded into place later. Meanwhile, the large 'flue' tubes await their turn outside at the Pinjarra workshop.
15th June 2014 Work is progressing on repairs to the old Station Master's house at Dwellingup which will become HVR's key 'members facility' with office, meeting, library, resource and training areas.
14th June 2014 Following the previously completed front tube plate repairs on W945, the two lower wash-out plug holes required reaming and re-tapping. In the photos, the re-tapping is being done using an air powered torque multiplying tool to turn the large tapered tap requiring considerable force which is transmitted via the re-action arm rather than to the operator.
MAY 24th May 2014 Before the small 2" 'smoke' tubes can be fitted to W945, the fire box tube plate ends need to be 'swaged' down to 1¾" which can be seen being carried out in the pictures below. This is achieved by hydraulically forcing a swaging die over the grease lubricated end of the tube whilst the tube is held firm by being clamped in a rigid frame.
After Swaging, both tube ends are annealed by heating 'cherry red' and allowing to cool slowly.
18th May 2014 The newly painted Steam Ranger heading back to Dwellingup as it crosses the 13km Bridge.
15th May 2014 Several carriages sold by HVR were also stripped of their undercarriage by HVR and road transported to Kewdale rail yards as an add-on to the sale. Removal of the miscellaneous undercarriage items (which are not required for their new life when converted to 'crew cars') enabled the bodies to be jacked onto and off low loaders rather than needing to use expensive hire cranes.
The transport was undertaken by WA Specialised Transport who have now carried out several rollingstock and locomotive relocations for HVR very professionally and affordably.
3rd May 2014
There has long been a need for a work-pit at Dwellingup and although plans and funding are well advanced for such a facility, the increasing urgency has resulted in the creation of a small temporary facility which was achieved with a bit of thought, HVR's mini excavator and 3 workers on Saturday afternoon! The pit was used the following day for brake adjustments on W920.
APRIL 2014 23rd April 2014 Changes to the Steam Ranger train consist to make it all higher capacity Economy style seating necessitated the transfer of a second AHE car from Pinjarra to Dwellingup. Now that HVR does not operate on the Brookfield Rail Main Line, another operator was required to get the car from Pinjarra to Alumina Junction. On Wednesday 23rd April, Aurizon undertook the transfer using DAZ 1901. As part of the operation, 3 AHA cars were transferred back from Alumina Junction to Pinjarra.
Once at Alumina Junction, the DAZ cut off from the AHE car and pulled forwards onto the 3 waiting AHA's, which had earlier been brought from Isandra by HVR loco F 40. The AHE was then collected by F40 and taken to Isandra for later conveyance to Dwellingup.
The Aurizon DAZ then transferred the 3 AHA's across and into the HVR Pinjarra East Yard Depot.
15th April 2014 Work on W945 progressed a little further on Tuesday 15th April, 2014 with the replacement of the rear section of the cab roof by Pinjarra Engineering.
3rd April 2014 Prior to fitting the new tubes to W945's boiler, repair to wastage by corrosion of the front tube plate was required by pad welding. The work was carried out by Diverse Welding of Malaga using procedures developed and supervised by Platts Engineering principal Mick Platts.
Above left, aluminium 'chill blocks' can be seen in the lower wash-out plug holes and four tube holes above. These allow weld to be placed right up to but not into the holes. One of the removed chill blocks can be seen standing at the upper left of the photo on the right.
Above left photo shows the welding completed with the photo right and below showing the finished, fully dressed repair which looks like new. Some minor repairs were also carried out on the rear tube plate which can be seen below.
MARCH 2014 31st March 2014 With only 3 days to go until our annual track project team leader Dave Conlan and his protégé Steve Cochrane head back to Victoria, the end is in sight with just over half a kilometre to go to Isandra. At this point, with roundly 50 sleepers to go, roundly 550 sleepers have been inserted from Dwellingup in just under 4 weeks by the 4 man team comprised of Dave & Steve plus two very hard working locals Doug Bowen and Peter Feeley from Wombi's Labour Hire .
On Monday 31st March, 2014 the faulty fluid flywheel of DM loco V4 was replaced with a spare fully serviced unit by contractors MRO engineering. Thankfully one was a 'little person'.
18th March 2014 Over two days 17th & 18th March, 25 bogie flat container wagons were trucked into Pinjarra yard where they are to be stored for Qube Logistics by HVR.
9th March 2014 On Sunday 9th March, DE loco G50 was tarped for temporary outdoor storage and shunted from the Pinjarra east workshop to make way for steam loco W945 which was subsequently shunted indoors where the remaining work for its re-commissioning will be carried out.
8th March 2014 A little more progress on DE Loco G 50 was achieved with re-fitting of the forward machinery space body hood which had earlier been fitted out with piping and an air receiver that mount into it.
6th March, 2014 The sleeper replacement on HVR this year took a quantum leap forwards with the use of an excavator to remove the old sleeper, clear the sleeper space and insert the new sleeper ready for securing. This 6 tonne machine was fitted with a 600mm long spike for managing the sleepers and a flat extension plate at 90 degrees to paddle out the sleeper space. This machine more than doubled production but best of all took all the really hard manual labour out of sleeper replacement.
FEBRUARY 2014 22nd February, 2014
An unusual sight, V5 with three South African coaches at the eastern end of Isandra. On Saturday the 22nd February, V5 hauled a single South African Coach from Dwellingup to Isandra where it was attached to the two that were bought down in November. These coaches are part of 5 which were sold by HVR last year and in due course will be transferred to Pinjarra for bogie changes as well as some equipment removal prior to road transport to their new owners.
The 40 year anniversary group came up with an idea to have a series of members get togethers, where members can come along and enjoy a sausage and a chat with other members. In the search for somewhere to hold these events, it was agreed that with a little TLC the area at the rear of the Bassendean office looked suitable, the other tenants and owners were asked and responded very positively, so Trevor and Martin volunteered to clean the area up. In the photos below, Trevor shows his skills with the trowel repairing some of the broken concrete and the finished area.
21st February 2014 On Friday 21st February, final assembly of the main generator for DE loco G50 was carried out and the generator fitted to its 8 cylinder EE diesel engine. Work commenced at 0700 and was completed around midnight, inclusive of full alignment and crank deflection measurements etc.
Above, the brush-gear carrier is fitted to the rear of the generator stator.
Above left, the rear end plate has been fitted and the new rear carrier bearing can be seen ready for insertion. The photo to the right above shows the fully assembled generator looking from the engine drive end. The armature is being supported by an adjustable hangar.
By late afternoon, the generator was ready for assembly onto the engine. Once positioned but not fully secured, the armature was adjusted to its correct alignment and bolted to the crankshaft coupling plate (left photo below). Following alignment checks of the generator stator along with fitment of its locating dowels, the final 'bridge piece' connection was fitted up by Matthew, Will and Martin at around 23:00 (right photo below).
The final requirement was to move the rear engine supports to under the generator thereby correctly loading the final assembly following which the crank deflection measurements were taken to confirm all was in order and within alignment specifications. Job Finished and Matthew Willis ready for bed!!
13th February 2014
The Armature being fitted into the Stator of G50’s Main Generator.
10th February, 2014 Work has commenced on the re-fitting of DE Loco G50's Main Generator to its Engine. The process requires reassembly of the generator which involves installing the armature (seen in wrapping on the left) into the stator (adjacent) then fitting of the rear endplate with its brush carrier assembly. (seen in the foreground). Once assembled, the generator can be offered up to the engine, generally aligned and bolted. Following this, the final alignment process will be carried out which is confirmed by measurement of any crankshaft deflection which must be within prescribed limits. This process is carried out by measuring the amount of dimension change between the crankshaft lobes opposite the rear conrod journal, that is the first crank in from the rear of the engine. This process can be seen in the photograph on the right below, as the base pre-assembly measuring is taking place. The tube forward of the engine in the left photo below is bolted to the forward end of the crankshaft, has a support on the bench, right, and holes provided for a large bar for use rotating the crankshaft during the crank deflection measuring process.
3rd February, 2014
W 903 having the tender from W945 shunted onto it following the removal of its newer tender which will be fitted to W945 when its repairs have been completed in a few months at Pinjarra.
JANUARY 25th January, 2014
Ex SAR 'Riverland' car AHE 308 at Pinjarra will be used for this and is seen here having its bogies changed, bolster centre lubricated and undercarriage etc checked in preparation for returning to traffic.
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Donations Welcome HVR is a Volunteer Operated, Registered Tax Deductible Gift Recipient For Hotham Valley Bookings Call : Australia 08 6278 1111 Dwellingup Station Ticket Sales - Cash Only Click Here for "Conditions of Booking & Travel" Web site built by N. Blinco. Maintained by Karen Fisher - Webmaster - Pemberton Tramway Co
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This
year the Steam Ranger is to have all 'economy' style seating to make the train feel more
open and passenger friendly as well as increasing passenger capacity. Cleaning will also
be made easier. To achieve this, seating in the Cafe Car requires changing and the one
first class brake compartment car replacing with an economy brake compartment
car. 