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THE DIAMOND VALLEY RAILWAY - CHAPTER 1
It was a cold, overcast, winters day in August 1959 after a quiet day's running at Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe when driver Syd Gillies coupled petrol-mechanical locomotive D1 to steam locomotive No.12 for what was to be the last run of a train on the Chelsworth Park Railway (CPR). Signalman Ron May pulled off the advanced starter signal and the allclear appeared on the upper quadrant signal. Jim Willcox raked No.12's fire and shovelled in some more Maitland coal and stoked up, ready to go, he called to Ray Savage, the Guard of the plank-and-box carriage train. 'All Aboard' yelled Ray, as all the staff of the CPR clambered aboard. The Guard's whistle was blown, and a green flag held high. The whistles of the two locomotives sounded in unison as the train rolled slowly out of Chelsworth Park station, picking up speed along the dirt road lined with wattles in full bloom. Around the curve and up the long, crooked straight to the bridge the train stormed, then it travelled at a leisurely pace on Rythm curve around the beautiful, lily covered billabong. Driver Willcox shovelled more coal into the firebox and opened the injector as No.12's long funnel spouted forth rich, black smoke across the Ivanhoe Golf Links, much to the annoyance of a party of golfers teeing off at the 13th hole! Around the aniseed covered, Blind Curve the train travelled and pulled up at the riverside pumping station where D1 was filled with water to cool its radiatorless engine. The crew shuddered at the thought of a collapse of that embankment - which came sooner than expected! Away they went, along the 'S' bend, over Billabong Culvert, down through the 90-degree curve, across the two stub points and along the reverse curve back to Chelsworth Park station. It was a beautiful, 7/8th mile long trip and after a couple more staff runs, the two drivers stabled their respective locomotives at the end of the day. During the week, there was a rain storm and the Yarra burst its banks, flooding Wilson Reserve and Chelsworth Park. The Railway and rolling stock were submerged under six feet of muddy water. The following weekend saw owner, Clem Meadmore and his young helpers completely heartbroken and shattered by the severe damage caused by the rains. The flooding had completely washed away Riverside Curve, leaving twisted rails and sleepers dangling in midair, while the rest of the track lay buried under silt and rubbish. The two locomotives and carriages were also covered with silt and the CPR appeared to be doomed! Clem Meadmore, in utter despair, declared that the Railway was finished as far as he was concerned, however, little did he realise that his young and willing helpers had other ideas. Names like: Jim Willcox, Syd Gillies, Ray Savage, Ron May, Neil Allen, Barry Mitchell, Keith Buckland, and Alan Calder, belong to the young men and youths who got together and declared that the Chelsworth Park Railway was not at 'the end of the line' by a long shot! All items of rolling stock were transferred from Chelsworth Park to Clem's residence at Darebin and, in Clem's workshop, D1 was rebuilt by Ray Savage and Syd Gillies. Alas for No.12, her boiler and chassis were completely rusted up. The big hunt was on. A new site had to be found, Clem Meadmore and his young helpers searched far and wide. Authorities were approached at Albert Park Lake; Puffing Billy's old engine shed and yards at Upper Ferntree Gully; near the Royal Park bowling green; Yarra Bend National Park near Fairfield Hospital; and many more. Needless to say, all of these applications were unsuccessful. Negotiations commenced with the Northcote City Council and a verbal agreement authorised the shifting of the old rail from Chelsworth Park to the Northcote Football Ground. However this site eventually proved to be unsatisfactory. A successful turn of events eventuated when one of Clem's friends Mr Jack Morrison, who was a member of the Eltham Lower Park Committee, negotiated a site at the Eltham Lower Park, South Eltham. At a meeting of the Eltham Lower Park Committee, held on 26th June, 1960, the following was discussed: "Cr Harmer reported on contact from Mr Meadmore regarding the possibility of setting up a miniature train track, etc., in the Park. The track was previously set up in Chelsworth Park, but had been forced to vacate that park. Mr Meadmore was desirous of setting up the track in the Shire of Eltham, and after inspecting various parks, would like to use part of the Eltham Lower Park. "After a short discussion, standing orders were suspended on a motion of Cr Harmer, to enable Mr Meadmore to attend the meeting and explain his proposition to the Trustees. Mr Meadmore commenced by showing a short film of the train at Chelsworth Park. He then addressed the meeting, setting out, briefly, his proposals. The question of local charities benefiting was raised and assurances received that on certain days, each year, proceeds would go to local charities. After answering various questions from members of the Committee, Mr Meadmore was thanked by the Chairman and advised that the decision of the Committee would be conveyed to him later. "The meeting then resumed, and after discussion, it was agreed, in principle, that the installation of the Railway would be an asset, not only to the Park, but to Eltham itself. It was then moved by Cr Harmer, Seconded, Mr Philp, that: 'This Committee agrees in principle to permission being granted to Mr Meadmore to instal the miniature railway in the Park, and the Chairman arrange for legal agreement to be drawn up for presentation to the Committee' - CARRIED" It was a scrubby, swampy, overgrown corner of the huge park used only occasionally by bushwalkers and horse riders; weeds and rough scrub were waist high in most places. Visions of a Miniature Railway meandering through this virgin bushland caught the imaginations of Clem Meadmore and his young stalwarts, and Lo and Behold - The Diamond Valley Railway was in its embryo stage! |
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