VPRS 8770 Railways Estrays

VPRS 8770/P1: Geelong & Ballaarat Railway. Tender Forms (c.1871-c.1890).Six boxes of records were found bearing the number "420" and numbered 1 to 6. The style of the "420" on the last box was different to the preceding five boxes. This may indicate that the last box does not belong with the other 5. Material in the first five boxes was originally accessioned and described as RCB 11 (converted to VPRS 420). The series register shows that the sixth unit was added later.This unit, sometime-unit 6 of VPRS 420, comprises tender forms with no apparent date for the Geelong and Ballaarat Railway. They have been dated approximately by ascertaining the date in office of the Government Printer whose name is in the pro formas.VPRS 8770/P2 Pamphlets Received from the Victorian Railways 31 Aug 1972 (1947 - 1962)These pamphlets are all that appears to survive from a larger consignment (see list on series file).They may have been accessioned as 72/36.VPRS 8770/P3 Reports from the Commissioners LibraryThese reports had been kept together for many years pending arrangement and description. From stamps on the covers of the reports, it is evident that these records were at one time part of the collection in the Commissioners Library. The reports were all produced by Victorian Railways, on a variety of subjects, dating from c.1904 to c.1926. See the Records Description List for VPRS 8770/P3 for more information.VPRS 8770/P4 Reports (Engineer In Chiefs Branch)The records in VPRS 8770/P4 consist of various reports, memoranda, correspondence and other documents which appear to have been accumulated and maintained as a collection by an office within the Victorian Railways (most likely the Engineer-in-Chiefs branch). These reports relate to a number of different subjects and cover a wide date range, but broadly relate to the construction of new lines of railway in Victoria.Some documents in Unit 2 of VPRS 8770.P4 do not relate to the function of construction of railways. Many of these documents relate to other functions of the Board of Land and Works (which was responsible for railways between 1857-1883), such as provision of water supply (the Board assumed responsibility for this in 1859). It is possible that copies of various reports and contracts were forwarded to the Engineer-in-Chief as reference copies. See the Records Description List for more information.VPRS 8770/P5 Personnel RecordsThe records in this series are various estrays, all documenting the personnel function carried out by the various agencies responsible for the construction and management of railways. The records cover a date range of c.1869-c.1897. This consignment comprises estray records from various series, and arranged together due to their common subject matter.VPRS 8770/P6 Miscellaneous Correspondence, Timetables and DiagramsThe records in VPRS 8770/P6 had been kept together for many years pending arrangement and description. Although the contents are clearly not homogeneous, they have been kept together in case their physical association indicates some administrative association from the past.Outward Correspondence (Office of the Chief Traffic Manager)The items of correspondence all relate to Victorias Commemoration Year in 1951. Victorian Railways organised a Centenary-Jubilee train which travelled around the state for a series of functions and celebrations for the Centenary. The correspondence includes itineraries for the train.TimetablesSunbury-Melbourne Winter Timetable 1859Melbourne-Sunbury-Woodend. c1859Lines, Crossings, SurveysThis is a file containing miscellaneous correspondence from c.1859.Miscellaneous CorrespondenceIncludes orders and L2A forms from the Engineer in Chiefs office (1863-1865)Copy letter from Chief Mechanical Engineer regarding maximum loads for the T Class LocomotivePoints Locking and Signals DiagramsThis is a bundle containing sketches, plans and drawings from c.1882-c.1955. It includes sketches of locking, signalling arrangements and gates for various stations in Victoria. Many of the plans and drawings have alpha-numeric registration numbers.