VPRS 13263 General Correspondence Files, Annual Single Number System, Freight Services Branch

This series was created by the Freight Services Branch of the Victorian Railways (VA 2876), the Freight Services Division of the State Transport Authority (VA 1038) and the Freight Services Division of the PTC (VA 2984).The P1 consignment consists of files that managed the administration of private sidings either leased or bought by private parties or government agencies (known as holders). This consignment appears to be an accumulation of files of a number of filing systems including, the Estate Office (E.O), Way and Works Branch (W.W), Sect (Secretary's Branch), and P.S. (Private Sidings, Freight Services Branch).A siding was a short track by the side of a railway line that opens at one, or both ends, for shunting purposes. Holders utilised sidings for loading freight onto carriages for the transportation and distribution of stock and goods.Initially Victorian Railways undertook to maintain and repair the siding at no charge. These costs were borne by the Department. However, where sidings encroached upon railway owned land, annual rental charges applied. From 1908 annual way and works fees were charged to holders.Documentation attached to files included:- Internal and external correspondence,- Financial documentation, for example, statements of costs, inventories, estimates and invoices,- Plans and schematic drawings,- Drafts and working notes,- Agreements,- Memoranda, and- Notifications to either vacate a siding or change ownership.Previous SeriesPrior to 1972, private siding administration was the responsibility of the Estate Office. Files relating to this function are located in VPRS 13181 General Correspondence Files, Annual Single Number System, Estate Office/Property Group.