Work Day 15-Feb-2003

This day was special because it coincided with our quarterly running day which meant we had some equipment running, but also because we were loading up the Malcolm Moore rail tractor and the TACL rail tractor onto the Puffing Billy semi-trailer to take them to the 2003 National Historic Machinary Association Rally in Heyfield Victoria. This is the first time any museum equipment will have left the grounds of the museum, and indeed the railway in many years. Taking equipment to the rally will help boost the museum's public image a little and bring us more visitors, and hopefully a volunteer or two!

The TACL is based on a Fordson tractor adapted for railway working. It's curator is Stan Gunn.

	The first job of the day was lifting the Aveling Road Roller into a new position closer to the wall of the shed allowing more room to move between the roller and the cane loco. I was involved in preparing the roller for this move a couple of weeks before by helping to bolt down the canopy to its supports. The Aveling may one day steam again as it is mostly intact.
	Since the TACL was going on a journey to Heyfield, it had to be moved out its usual position to an open area to be lifted onto the truck by the hired crane. The best way to do this is of course, drive it out. Rowan is opening the radiator to check the water level.
	We prepared the TACL by filling its fuel tanks (one kerosene and one petrol) and cleaning the fuel system. I'm the one with the easy job filling the radiator with water.
	This is a rare photo of the TACL outside its shed, and while it is not actually hooked up to the pair of timber jinkers, it shows the kind of job it would have done in real life. In this shot you could imagine that it is working in a saw mill somewhere deep in a Victorian forest with the mill plant behind it. One of the best things about the Menzies Creek museum is that it can easily transport you back many years to get an idea of what the world was like.
	Attaching the lift chains to the spreader bar over the roof of the TACL.
	The TACL loses its footing on the tracks as it is lifted clear to be loaded onto the truck. Malcolm, Greame, and Rowan are guiding the machine to stop it swinging on the chains and hitting the crane.
	This wonderful old Mack owned by Mick Black is the prime mover for the day, bringing the Puffing Billy trailer from its usual home at Emerald Station Yard down to the Museum and moving it around in the Museum during the work day to keep it in the best place for loading each item. The Mack will be used again in a few weeks to drag the trailer to the Heyfield rally. Good to see an old commercial in such good condition with a place firmly cemented in the world.
	I would have liked to have some pics of loading the Malcolm Moore tractor, but I was too involved in the lift to take any!
	The TACL and Malcolm Moore parked on their trailer all ready for their journey into the world. A job well done from everyone. Considering the complexity of manouvering within the close confines of the buildings and exhibits and that the only damage was to paint I think we can all consider we did a good job.
	The Cane Loco was steamed up for the day, fueled by both wood and gum leaves and sticks. The working bee crew raked leaves all day around the grounds to tidy up and reduce the fire danger. Since she is designed to burn wood, the Cane Loco is the ideal incinerator - we take advantage of the combination of free fuel and a machine to dispose of the leaves. The leaves and twigs kept the old girl in steam for the whole afternoon.
	My turn to stoke up the Cane Loco. While we were mostly burning leaves, they burn very quickly so I did put in the occasional slab of wood to provide some coals to ignite the leaves. I was one of many "firemen" on the day, we all took turns keeping her fire going while attending to our other museum chores. Firing this loco is not much of a challenge - she only has 100 yards or so of track to chuff up and down on. I did get to play on the loco effectively as brakeman - again not really a challenge, but fun anyway!
	This is V9 the ex Tasmanian diesel which is a sister to one of the diesels in use on the railway. This one is mostly a source of spare parts for the other diesel but is kept in the museum as an example of what can be found on the railway, and because there isn't anywhere else to put it! My first few work days have largely been taken up by cleaning and painting this unit.

Want to work at the Museum? You can. Come visit us any Sunday and sign up, everyone is welcome. The museum is at Menzies Creek Station, Menzies Creek, Victoria, Australia. You can get there via Belgrave-Emerald Road and turn right on School Road at Menzies Creek.