The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956)(about) |
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Thursday 13 September 1934
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Beginning of
Victorian Railways
EIGHTY YEARS AGO
TO-DAY
Yesterday was memorable in the annals of Victoria and Australia for the opening of the first Australian railway. A festal excursion by rail from Melbourne to Sandridge, numer- ously attended and of the most pleasant de- scription signalised the event.— " The Argus."
September 13. 1854.
Though that opening day of 80 years ago was important, the railway authorities
"PUFFING BILLY"
In Victoria observe
to-day as the anni- versary of the founding of the present railway system, for on Sep- tember 13, the Mel- bourne and Hob son's Bay Railway Company opened Its line to public use. The terminus then was Sandridge (Port Melbourne) ; to-day there are 4,721 miles of rail-
way in Victoria With aerial freight trains not far distant it is interesting to read the reporters account of the
"festal excursion" of 1854.
Long before the hour appointed for the starting of the train — 12 o'clock — a great crowd assembled round the station at the Melbourne terminus lining the whole southern side of Flinders street fiom the station toward the wharf. A very large company of ladies and gentlemen to whom invitations had been Issued by the directors assembled on the platform adjoining the station. Among them were the leading men of the community civil and military, members of the Legislative and city Councils, of the Bench and Bar, and of the mercantile body. One second class and two first class carriages were In attendance for the conveyance of the guests. They were handsomely painted and varnished and very commodious. But the locomotive attracted more of the attention of the bystanders. It is the first locomotive constructed not merely in Victoria, but In the Southern Hemisphere. It is the work of Messrs. Robertson, Martin, Smith, and Co. and was completed In 10 weeks. It is six-wheeled with a tubular boiler. The engine is only 30-horse power, and its power of traction is equal to 130 tons at a speed of 25 miles on hour. The appearance of both locomotive and carriages seemed to give general satisfaction.
The Lieutenant-Governor (Sir Charles Hotham), who was presented with a copy of the by-laws and the time-table printed on satin, and Lady Hotham were the first passengers to enter the train. A band played from a third-class open carriage behind the engine and the train drew slowly away, making poor speed until over the Yarra bridge when it was "all out" at 15 miles an hour. In the engine- shed at Sandridge that night there was a banquet, at which Dr. Greeves, M.L.C., was probably the first user in Austialla of the expression "iron horse". The ban- quet "a most pleasant entertainment,"
ended at 4.15 a.m.