In the Clubrooms we house a number of local railway artefacts, some of which, were kindly loaned by the Albany Historical Society.   For further information about the Albany Historical Society visit their web site at; www.historicalbany.com.au

 

1. Hand Signalling Lamps 

On display we have kerosene (moon boxes) and electric hand lamps which were used for directing Locomotive Crews during the hours of darkness. 

Two Handed Kerosene Lamp 

One Handed Kerosene Lamp 

Bardic Electric single Handed Lamp (English), worked on a flat 4.5 volt battery but was later converted to operate off three "D" size batteries 

Westrail 6 volt single handed lamp 

Driver's Assistant torch was powered by 3 "D" size batteries 

All lamps had red, green and clear aspects. 

The Bardic could be modified to exhibit an amber colour and some were even modified to take a 6 volt battery 

2. Telephones 

The smaller of the two telephones was known as a Block Phone and was used to communicate between two Signal Cabins or two Staff Stations. 

The larger one was for communicating between stations on a party line system. 

Each station had its call sign based on Morse code, Albany's call sign was "A" Short and long (dit-dah) 

Power source for ringing was by a hand generator and a button either on the front or side was used to ring the code. Some stations had a power ringing key to ring the code. 

3. Telephone Post Numbers 

This indicated the kilometres and meters from the junction station. 

4. Electric Staff Instruments 

A safe working system used by railways. 

The single rail track was divided into sections to allow the safe running of trains; this was one of the systems used. 

Each staff section consisted of two staff instruments and generally 32 staff including special keyed staff for unlocking an immediate siding. 

There was an instrument at each end of the section, each section had different coloured staff also they were numbered 1 to 32. 

The section Narrikup to Elleker might have had Red coloured staff and Elleker to Albany section blue staff. 

Engraved on each staff was the section names (Elleker- Albany) 

5. Scotch Block 

A specifically shaped hunk of iron placed over one rail in a siding to derail vehicles in case they happened to start running out of the railway siding towards running lines. 

Other derailing devices used were slip point, kangaroo points and runaway sidings. 

6. Barrows 

The single wheeled wooden barrow was used around loco depots, also by trackmen out on the track. 

The sack trolley was used on platforms and goods shed. 

The other barrow was used both in parcels and goods depot. 

7. The Banjo 

Most important equipment in the steam days. 

The fireman had a special shovel; the labourer in loco had a different type. The “per way” men had yet another type; stations had them to shovel the "Bull"!!! out the door. 

8. Track Gauge 

This is a vital piece of equipment of the track staff, it measures the inside width between the rails to see if the track is in gauge. 

9. Vacuum Hose Pipe 

This was the connection between locomotives and wagons for the creating of a continuous brake throughout the train. 

10. Drag Hook (Chopper) 

This was used in Jones and NDCA buffers to couple the train together. There were two types of drag hooks, ordinary and high tensile. 

The link coupling was used for passenger trains and wagons swinging behind the guard's van. 

A transition piece was used to couple Jones type buffers to the automatic coupling (knuckle type). The original pieces were fairly heavy, needing a man and a half to lift. 

The pin is also displayed; this held the drag hook in the buffer. 

11. Train Tail Disc 

This was hung on the last vehicle of the train, one side of the disc is white and the other is red. The white side was exhibited to indicate the train was complete. 

12. Rigid Lever 

Mainly used on main line points, this one also has indicator disc attached. 

13. Watch Box 

This was used to convey watches for repair to Midland Workshops. 

14. Ambulance Stretcher 

Stretchers were carried on all passenger and work trains. Many railway men were highly qualified First Aid men and were awarded some of the highest honours of St Johns London.

15. Display Case 

In this case are displayed various items of apparel worn by Railway employees.  Some of these items being caps, hats and coats.