Tassie Tex

Morning from a spectacular sunny day in Taz. Firstly I must apologise for an error in yesterday's post. Blond moment, I put the Don River Railway at Burnie, it's in Devonport, all the towns are very close together and I managed to suffer with, "geographical embarrassment". Sorry about that. As I said in an earlier post I hope to give also some piccie's of the area around the railways that I'll be discussing, so here's a start. This stretch of coast line is also home to two of our major ports, Devonport and Burnie with some peaceful villages in between. The rail follows the coast for most of the way here from Devonport to Burnie. Devonport is a lovely coastal town as well as being a port, bulk grain and cement being some of the goods handled. Devonport is also the home of the Spirit of Tasmania Vehicle-Passenger Ferry from Melbourne, Spirit one and two do daily services across Bass Straight. A roll on roll off road transport terminal is also here. (interesting note, the rail freight terminal at Brighton in the south is owned by TOLL and the roll on roll off, plus container and shipping to the mainland). Burnie is our main export terminal, most of the freight is containers to Melbourne that are then transferred to local and international shipping. A fine print paper mill and paint manufacture where the main industries, alas there are now closed and the whole island is slowly depending on tourism. In between these two towns is the picturesque village of Penguin, no second guesses how this got it's name. The rail passes through this coastal village on the edge of the rookeries, many penguins are to slow to move to safety from passing trains. Timber also played a big part in this area, especially house paling from many of the saw mills that dotted the surrounding country side, this also opened up the former forests for rich farming and agriculture. Many of the homes are still clad in timber and the Uniting Church is a fine example. Map, Devonport, Penguin, Burnie. Aerial view Burnie. Aerial view Devonport. On the rocks Devonport. Light house Devonport. On the coast Flowers along the rails. Spirit Tasmania Vehicle-Passenger Ferry. Of we go. Little fairy penguins, guess were? United Church Penguin. Roll on roll off Devonport. Bulk cement train Devonport. Don River Railway turntable. Workshops Don River. Penguin golf course. Just about every Tasmanian town has a golf course in it, or near it, the course at Bothwell in our midlands is the oldest in the southern hemisphere. It was also the home of two political Irish Nationals who were living in exile here in 1848, their names were John Mitchel and John Martin. Anyway, cheers for now and good health to you all, up ya kilt, Tex.

In my opinion Richard, use a brush, trust me. Tex.

Good morning ER's, quite windy here today with very choppy sea's but clear sky's. Hope all are recovering from their ailments, illnesses and operations. Thankyou all once more for your likes and the feed back I am receiving for my presentation about our little island. Today I shall start with numbers one and two of our preservation groups. Number one being the Burnie Railway and Two, the Don River Railway. In 2001 the Burnie Council purchased two railcars from the former Tasmanian Government Railway's (TGR). The motor rail cars DP13-DP14 where built by Waddington's Works in New South Wales (NSW) and ran short trips from the old Emu Bay Railway Station. Unfortunately in 2012 a fire broke out in the restaurant section of the station destroying DP13 with it. This was sold in 2014 and maybe, well there is talk, or maybe not re-open. Not all is lost as just a few kilometres away is the Don River Railway. This railway previously known as the Van Dieman Light Railway Society is sited on the old Don's Head to Barrington line a distance of 21km (131/2miles) which follows the Don river in the Don Valley. The line operated from 1854 as a tramway until the 1880s when a 4' 6" ( 1.375mm ) line was laid and a new route was chosen, its primary use was timber and later limestone was quarried. The line closed with much of the track being lifted in 1963. *EBR - Emu Bay Railway. *TGR - Tasmanian Government Railway's. *ANR - Australian National Railway's. In my opinion the Don River Railway has one of the best collections of railway memorabilia in the state and is ran entirely by volunteer's and donations. Shan't bore you any longer, time for piccie's'. DP14 & DP13 in there prime days, Brighton Bridge. After the fire, Emu Bay Station 2012. The damage to DP13. Dubb's & Co 1880 2-4-2T. John Fowler & Co 1887 0-6-0T. Beyer Peacock 1905 2-6-0 CCS class 25. Beyer Peacock 1902 2-6-0 CCS class 23. Beyer Peacock 1891 4-4-0 A4. Dubb's & Co 1900 2-8-2 EBR*No 8. Robert Stevenson & Hawthorn 1951 4-6-2 TGR* MA2. Vulcan Foundry 1952 4-8-2 TGR* H7. English Electric TGR* works 1970 Y6 BO-BO. Goodwin Alco 1963 ANR*Tasrail 866 BO-BO. Walkers LTD 1963 EBR* 1002 BO-BO. Vulcan Foundry 1950 ANR*(Tasrail) X4 BO-BO. Waddington's DP22 1944 and DP3 trailer 1939. Ruston Hornsby 1937 Mt Lyell mine, BO 'TARDIS'. Riley-Railcar 1907, petrol Gangers car 'Putt Putt' (the noise it made as travelling along)

Allan Downs has just announced he has another commission build, perhaps they need another cathedral and some Tudor styled pubs for an up coming sequel.

Barreegaroo, sound more like something your'd find in Oarstrarlia.

Morning all once more, beautiful day down under and under (the main land) that again. " The English language would have to be the most difficult and misunderstood for, meanings and pronunciation in the entire galactic universe ". Ask anyone trying to learn it. As I always say to people, it all depends on what side of the river you are from. Let's throw in some Gaelic and Welsh with some other foreign language in between, and call it English?". It's even worse now as so many slang words are found added to our dictionary's. I do agree with you though that it should not make much difference as to where you are educated, it's the educator's in our schooling that should be held responsible. Unfortunately that is to be something to be questioned in our education system today. One third of the population here in Tasmania leave school being illiterate, bloody disgrace, I hope you all agree, I apologise for the rant. Anyway, onto Railway Preservation Groups, Society's found dotted around our patch of paradise, Tasmania. Again using my little map. NORTH 1. Burnie North Railway. 2. Don River Railway. 3. Launceston Tramway Museum. 4. Queen Victoria Museum. 5. Red Water Creek Railway. SOUTH 6. Derwent Valley Railway. 7. Hobart Tramway Museum. 8. Ida Bay Railway. 9. Rail Track Riders. 10. Tasmanian Transport Museum. WEST 11. Wee George Wood. 12. West Coast Heritage Centre. 13. West Coast Wilderness Railway.

That just screams with atmosphere Allan, dead set reality, well done Sir, well done. Tex.

Pleeeeeeeeease keep those piccie's coming, excellent photography. Cheers, Tex.

Global warming Dave, global warming.

" Mr Mannering! Mr Mannering! There've landed." If I remember right .

Here's another of that space craft that swallowed the turntable, perhaps our alien friends are not sure which way is front or back?

Morning ER'S from sunny Tasmania. I must say all this talk of imperial v metric, pounds 'n' pence to dollars 'n' cents?. I guess I'm lucky to have learned both, mostly through self education by being a owner builder of two homes, many "reno's", military and other construction. Although pounds, shillings and pence was converted to dollars 'n' cents in 1966, it was still around for some years, I can remember helping my Grandmother three years later at age six with it, poor sole could never get her head around it all. Why is it though, that baby's weights are still given in pounds I do not know? Roundhouse, to answer your first question; How much is still in use. Yes, I will try and cover as many lines still in operation today. The other line lines will be covered as we progress along and I hope also to add some pictorials of the towns along the way. Your second question; Will passenger service ever be resumed. There is talk about resuming a commuter passenger service in regional Hobart area. The rail container terminal at the Domain and wharf area that are in Hobart's water front ( also site of original railway station ), has been moved to the northern side of the Derwent river to a new freight terminal at Brighton, now eliminating heavy freight, both rail and road out of the city zone. This has also resulted in the train no longer having to use the lift bridge across the Derwent at Bridgewater. There's also talk of a road bypass from the south to eliminate heavy road transport through the city to the new Brighton freight terminal. As all things political, along with town planners with no insight to the future, they may have to relace the second line, (as there where two ) from Claremont to Hobart. This second line was made into a pedestrian-bicycle lane. Or, leave it as is with a longer duration time between trains, this will all depend on the public to make the decision, yah or nay weather they will use it or not?. Hobart also had an extensive tram network, first in Australia and second to that of Melbourne's, that too has gone. ( dickheads ) More on that later. Ok were to start? Lines still in use. We shall start from Hobart. Use the main heading colour to refer to map, thankyou. Mainline, still in use through to Wynyard via Western Junction in the north, now starting from Brighton in the south. All freight, logs, containers, paper, pulp, etc. Cement from Railton to Devonport. Derwent Valley line, still in use to Boyer paper mills. (news print) not shown on map. Rest to Kalistra, preservation. Fingal line, still in use to Fingal, line pulled to St Marys. Coal from both Fingal and Cornwell. The coal from Cornwell near St Marys is delivered by road. North East Line, Still in use to Launceston, East Tamar workshops. Line continues to Scottsdale, Scottsdale to Herrick pulled. Logs may be closed in the near future. Bell Bay line, more recent line c1960, still in use, logs and woodchip exports. Emu Bay Line still in use to Zeehan, bulk minerals, copper, coal and zinc. Map. Aerial view of old Domain and wharf freight terminal Hobart. The old turntable site, now fountain to the left. drawing of station and turntable. There was no engine shed. another drawing. Redeveloped turntable site. Lost in space, it is nice to walk around this, as all the stone masonry from the turntable pit is visible. All that is left of the original station, the building behind is the ABC HQ Tasmania, your BBC. Li Lift bridge across Derwent River, Bridgwater. New freight terminal, Brighton. Just for fun, some barges with balcony's, Hobart. I am hoping to find a photo of the original turntable, but not having much luck. Well that's it for today, hope you all have good one, "cheers and up ya kilt," Tex.

Morning, sorry did not return till late yesterday, belated Happy Birthday Debs. I'll start today on a brief history of our Railway network. ( or what's left of it ) The earliest main line railway was opened in 1871; Launceston & Western Railways (L&WR) on a 5' 3" (1.600mm) line, which ran from Launceston to Deloraine. Later in 1876 the Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company (TMLR) had completed the line from Hobart to Evandale on a 3' 6" (1.067mm). Both lines owned by private company's met at Evandale, the TMLR laid a third rail on L&WR track, so a dual gauge line was then used for the final 11miles (17km) to Launceston. The Tasmanian government had set up it's own railway in 1872 forming the Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) swallowing up smaller private owned rail systems, many struggling with costs. The TGR took over the L&WR in 1888 and the TMLR in 1890. The TGR resulting in the whole rail network being the narrow gauge 3'6" (1.067). In 1978 TGR was joined to the Australian National Railways Commission (ANR) and the TGR as Tasrail. Since 1997 - 2007 the railway has been owned by various multi national company's, sounding sirens of distress of our network. At one stage in 2007 we looked like loosing it altogether!. The railway was owned and partially still is by Pacific National who in turn are owned by TOLL and Patrick Organisation. ( now there's some bloody money $$$$$$), They held the railway to ransom unless they received a multi million dollar' bailout'! from the state government. They got it!, both the state and federal government paid T&PC $AU120million to keep it running. The state government had to buy back the lease from Pacific National for AU$78million plus, AU$4million per annum for maintenance. In 2009 both Pacific National and the newly formed state owned railway company, Tasmanian Railway PTY LTD trading as TasRail entered a business sale agreement to purchase back the Tasmanian railways. TasRail is responsible for all infrastructure, operations and maintenance. Tasmania has a very small rail network compared to other country's, a large parish hall would fit it in N gauge. There are no longer passenger services in Tasmania, the last one been in 1978. Main freight services are container, log, cement, newsprint, coal and other minerals. We are very thankful to boast thirteen railway related preservation groups in little pockets all over the island. A round of applause to these people. What I may also add, each one of these groups have some unique railway systems, both past and present. More later, cheers Tex. TGR rail system (1890-1978)

Morning all. Well there doe's seam to be a lot of threads having a needle at Polly's grammar as a seamstress. I had noticed some cutting edge humour from all, a lot of reply's having hemmed in the normal morning chatter. After weaving and zigzagging my way through the pages, looking at Mrs AndyID's wedding dress, left me thinking of the singer who sang denim and lace. I see a lot of you cottoned on to this, I must admit it it's left me in stiches and reeling in laughter before I had to bob off for a cuppa. Hope I haven't over locked something, so I'll shuttle off for now and Zip down stairs for brunch, but I'll be bobbin back later. Tex. It's no wonder young children are incorrectly versed in the English language, check this for example. www.kids-sewing-projects.com/best-needle- for- young-sewers.html. ps. I have pinned this !

Lights out Tasmania, last drinks and goodnight. Tex

Some may have asked what happened to that flour mill he was doing for one of his layouts? He's living in it.

90p per hour? Let me work this out, we are about 20 years behind in terms of living conditions and payrates to that of mainland Australia, given economic times elsewhere minus another twenty years. Yep about the same pay rate now. ( joking of cause ) Pay rate agriculture min wage 15-18 yr old AU$15.50-16.00, 18+ AU$17.50+, pathetic. Most orchardists pay per bin rate, AU$25-$35 depending on variety of apple. A skilled picker, good crop and with NO rough handing of both fruit and the tree can easily earn AU$50-$75 per hour, well above the award wage. ( note, not all can achieve this, as I said, you must be a skilled picker.) Tex. standard apple, hard fruit bin 4x4x3.

Yes. Thankyou Ian, I knew at same stage all you lot would be champing at the bit about this subject and ask when or if I was!. I can say you are right about the passenger services ceasing operations in the 70s and a bloody disgrace for that decision ever to occur. Only freight now and that's very sparrotic due to privatisation, lack of GOVERNMENT MONEY'S, NOBS IN POLITCAL POSITIONS WHO NOW NOTHING ABOUT HOW! TO RUN A RAILWAY. There had my rant, blood pressure up, breath...............that's better. We do have a very good preservation society's here, all in different little pockets around the state, each to there own type of railway but of cause like all things, fun and interesting run by volunteer's and donations. Well done to them all across the globe, I tip my hat to you good Sir's. Now that's all I'm going to tell you now until a latter date. Thanks again for the question. Yours truly, Tex. ps. I will be doing each railway area as a running segment, I thought first just to give some back ground information and tell a little of the island back ground. Tex.

It's 13:20 here and I'm the only one on ER, ( I'm lonely ). Tex.

Good morning once again from the Apple Isle. Funny day here, overcast with a cool south westerly breeze, good day for gardening (may be?). Wife had an accident yesterday arvo, standing to close to the pull start operator (step son) of the lawn mower and copped an elbow to the eye. Beautiful shiner any boxer would be proud of, five stiches and a visit to an eye specialists today to see if any more serious damage has incurred. As many of you may or may not have heard, Tasmania was also known as the Apple Isle. Many of the (elderly) among us on ER have at one stage or another, perhaps your school lunch box, had one of our apples. The first apple trees were planted on Bruny Island by Capt William Blye in 1788 and soon almost all the main export commodity from Tasmania was apples. This boom time was between the 1920s-1970s then the UK joined the European Trade Market, our industry collapsed over night resulting in some 700 orchards being scrapped under a government tree pulling scheme. There are only 50+ family owned orchards now left in the state. Apple's are having a come back though, this is in the form of orchardists turning to boutique "CIDER" manufacture and not only good but world class. We also have a very large cheery growing industry now as well with exports going world wide, especially the Asian markets were cherry's are sold individually not by weight, would you pay up to AU$3.00 for 'a' cherry? Anyway time for piccie's and there's one here for our feathered mascot Mick. ( It's a maze, but can't remember were it is ) Cheers and up ya kilt Tex. PS. the top label is from H. Jones, he will be another story of the iconic IXL brand of jams and tinned fruit. one of me picking 'apples', more about me later. old apple box, crate labels. early exports Hobart. one for Mick.

Welcome to the thread Slowcomo, it took me a little while to post but just bite the bullet and show us what you have done. I'm just a beginner and along way off being a master modeller, that's what this thread is all about, you might surprise yourself of your talents. Cheers, Tex. edit, grammar mistake.

Love the cinder ash on that roof Allan, nice touch. Tex.

Merv Hughes before a visit to the barbers and after.

Fantastic photos Mick (SM), love the shovel but never seen one at work in real life. Shortly after I joined the Royal Australian Engineers(RAE) we were assigned to recover one that had fell from a quarry face back in the 40s. It had fell almost 150mtrs down a steep ravine, although damaged and a little rusty it was still in reasonable condition after forty odd years in the bushland below. As field engineer's we constructed two gynes and a large derick crane from locally resourced timber. With the aid of three Turfer hand winches, various steel wire rope, pullies, shackle blocks etc... it was dragged back up on to the quarry face. Two very hard days and an engineering feet. Never found out what the local council did with it? I hope its in a steam museum somewhere, thanks again for a memory, Tex.

You can't hide Mick, your wearing the same jumper. Your new avatar perhaps?, Tex.