Apr 04
Maitland Steamfest 16th -18th April 2004
FRIENDS OF SOUTH MAITLAND RAILWAYS
SOUTH MAITLAND RAILWAYS
South Maitland Railways (SMR), Workshops at East Greta Junction, are a significant part of the history and tradition of the Kurri-Cessnock Coalfields. They were the home of the Class 10 locomotives manufactured in Britain and shipped to Australia by Beyer, Peacock and Company.
These locomotives were unique to the Cessnock coalfields. Only 14 were manufactured and these cannot be found anywhere else in the world. They were designed especially for the short Coalfields runs and could move equally as fast in forward or reverse.
The workshops at East Greta Junction, in their heyday, employed up to 400 people.
Steam finally succumbed to diesel in the early 1980’s and the East Greta Junction complex fell into disuse until Hunter Valley Training Company took it over in 1986 to use as an off-the-job skills training centre for its apprentices.
Following restoration work by Hunter Valley Training Company the complex has now become a unique memorial to the age of steam with an operational blacksmith’s shop and other original equipment which is still able to be operated when needed.
South Maitland Railways Boiler Shop
East Greta Junction
Restoration of Locomotive No 23 (circa 1990)
Steam Locomotive No 10 - The first of the line
Friends of South Maitland Railways
Hunter Valley Training Company, recognising the historical and heritage significance of the East Greta Junction Workshops and the role played by the ex employees, in 2000 invited past employees to return to the South Maitland Railways Workshops and form a group of volunteers which became known as the Friends of South Maitland Railways (FSMR).
The inaugural meeting was held in October 2000 in the lunchroom at the historic workshops. The meeting was attended by 18 ex SMR employees and steam enthusiasts, as well as the Honourable Milton Morris AO, Chairman, and Kay Sharp, Chief Executive, of Hunter Valley Training Company.
In the short period since their formation, the Friends of SMR have accomplished a lot. Their achievements include:
- The restoration of the blacksmith’s shop which has enabled the demonstration of blacksmithing skills on occasions such as Hunter Valley Steamfest and the Twentieth Birthday Celebrations of Hunter Valley training Company.
- A heavy involvement and commitment to the Hunter valley Steamfest weekend. The volunteers were in attendance at the workshops conducting tours, giving demonstrations and lectures and assisting in many other ways.
- Participation in the documentary A Return of Steam by David Threlfo of Channel 10. This was screened during February 2002 and again during Steamfest 2002.
- Advice and assistance on the local coal loader, Class 10 locos and on heritage aspects of the buildings which were very helpful in putting together funding submissions.
- Participation in two oral history projects
- Participation in an apprentice mentoring programme for HVTC apprentices.
Blacksmith’s Shop Steamfest 2001
South Maitland Railways, East Greta Junction
Visitors touring Blacksmith’s Shop Steamfest 2001
South Maitland Railways, East Greta Junction
The Friends of SMR in recognition of their efforts were awarded, in June 2002, the NSW Premier’s Award for Volunteers. This is a high honour which is richly deserved.
Friends Of South Maitland Railways President, Tommy Price,
being presented the NSW Premier’s Award for Volunteers
by the Hon. Jo Riordan (22 June 2001)
The Friends meet once a month at the Workshops in East Greta Junction. Membership is free and all steam and rail enthusiasts are welcome.
For further information please contact Tom Skelding at HVTC on (02) 4932 4222.
Maitland Steamfest 16th - 18th April 2004
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Hunter Valley Training Company - recognising the historical and heritage significance of the East Greta Junction Workshops and the role played by the ex employees. |