THE DIAMOND VALLEY RAILWAY
CHAPTER THREE
THE FIRST PASSENGER TRAIN
Meanwhile, work on the permanent way was going ahead in leaps and
bounds. The track had been completed from the old workshops
branch, around the old station area, upgrade around a curve,
through the new station area, over marshland, thence down grade
past Pert's Gully. All this track was laid with the old Chelsworth
Park Railway's 2" x 1" redgum sleepers and rails. From
the back curve down the straight, Bill Pert, Arthur Cowan and
gang laid the old rails on new 4" x 2" hardwood timber using
clout nails. This section proved to be the best of the track in
those days.
Arthur Cowan had the use of an old Ford truck which aided in the
lifting of the Chelsworth Bridge into its original position on
the 10th August 1961. Also it is interesting to note that a vast
amount of earth was shifted by means of a large, wooden hopper
wagon, constructed by Alan Calder and Jim Willcox. Pop Pert's
way & works vehicle, a steel hopper wagon mounted on two axles on
a long wheelbase, also carried a large quantity of earth 'ballast'
for the track. It was definitely a sight to watch the boys
heave this vehicle up on its end, spilling the soil between the
rails.
On the 17th August 1961, the last section of Mainline was laid
into position. It was with a great deal of satisfaction that the
Club members gathered around for the driving of the last spike.
At last, the 1722 ft of DVR Mainline was complete. That
afternoon, Syd Gillies took locomotive S300 (recently renamed from D1)
around the track for the first time.
Work proceeded on the old station platform and construction of
the wire fence and gates around the platform area. Packing and
ballasting of the track continued as shake-down trains travelled
around the System in a clockwise direction. Hardly a single
trip was successful in not having a slight derailment at first.
After much straightening and tamping, the old rails were finally
ready for passenger work. Meanwhile, Syd Gillies was preparing
S300 and the old CPR box-and-plank carriages for their first passenger
run.
October 29th 1961, dawned bright and sunny after a night drizzle
which transformed the dusty Park into a fresh, glistening scene
of green bushland. Our first ticket seller, Mrs Joyce Pert, was
seated at the Ticket Office, which consisted of a table under a
colourful beach umbrella. In those days the fares were: Children
6d., Adults 1/-. Syd Gillies was the driver and Ray Savage the
guard of the first train now waiting patiently at the platform
for the first patrons.
An excited group of boys and girls clambered aboard with an old
grandma! "All Aboard", and "keep your hands in", cried guard
Savage as he blew his guard's whistle and held aloft a green
flag. Driver Gillies gave an acknowledging toot on the locomotive
whistle, and as he engaged the gears, released the brakes and
opened the throttle, the first revenue earning train on the DVR
was on its way!
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