Fire Destroys Australian Preservation Centre Shed

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:51 am

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/histo ... 3uu67.html

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west ... 7110e3aee3

http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au/News/Eighty-f ... blaze.html

https://www.facebook.com/steamrail/post ... 24665627:0

Said to have been destroyed in the blaze: Four of Australia's oldest electric MU carriages from Melbourne, dating as far back as 1888.

Quote:

A short-circuit of wiring running under an 1890s carriage, which ignited nearby flammable material, has been deemed the cause of the blaze.

http://www.steamrail.com.au/

wesp · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:32 pm

How sad. It brings back memories of our fire in 2003. The sad part is the loss of the artifacts and combined with the memories of volunteer time and friendships invested in the preservation of the artifacts.

Wesley

Alan Walker · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 1:42 pm

One item that seems to frequently come up when restoring equipment in my field (vintage rail cars and vintage motor vehicles) is whether to use historically accurate wiring or current code wiring. I have always maintained that the choice should be determined by the intended use of the vehicle being rewired. If it is to be used in service (especially carrying passengers), it should be rewired using wiring that meets current code requirements (ie. no cloth insulation). The reasons for this are twofold-it reduces potential maintenance requirements, therefore increasing dispatch reliability. Also, it has a longer service life and reduces any potential for fire.

Our organization nearly lost one of our preserved motor coaches due to deteriorated cloth insulated wire. One of our members had moved the coach (a GM 1960 TGH-3102) and left the battery switch on after shutting the motor down. A wire that was connected to the battery from the generator (incorrectly as it turned out) overheated and burned through. Afterwards, we went through the circuits one by one and replaced the wires, removing wires that did not go anywhere.

Fire suppression is essential in any facility and should be considered anytime new construction or renovations are planned.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:54 am

I agree deteriorated wiring is a problem. My trouble is with the notion of "up to code".

What code? Is it really intended for transit vehicles and the extremes of heat, cold, dry, humidity, oil, dust, vibration, water incursion, rust, salt spray, battery acid, ozone, etc. etc. that you encounter in heritage vehicles?

Is it specifically intended for DC wiring at 600VDC or 1500VDC? This is tougher than higher voltage AC, for instance arcs don't self-extinguish. We have cars where the battery circuit is 32vdc but must be insulated for 1500vdc. What says Chinese THHN from Home Depot is up to the task?

What does Code say about the ways we bundle cables in vehicles?

It doesn't seem like there's much room for the notion that cloth wiring might not be deteriorated.

Also you know, modern wiring has a service life too. Maybe it's shorter.

David H. Hamley · **Joined:** Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:07 pm **Posts:** 705

If the above references to "The Code" were intended to point to the National Electrical Code (as published by NFPA), be aware that the NEC does not apply to railway applications, either aboard rolling stock or in signaling and train control wayside equipment. That exclusion is one of the first clauses in the NEC.

There are of course other standards that do apply. These have been developed by industry groups associated with those railway activities. For signaling the standard is published by the American Railway Engineering & Maintenance Assn. (AREMA) and is universally recognized in that industry as the basis for construction and maintenance of installations.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Fri Mar 06, 2015 3:07 pm

I would have a great deal more interest in the practices of Boeing and USAF, and for that matter the aviation museums whose beauties are still flying. And that high-stress environment puts ours to shame in some ways (temperature yes, dust no.)

Owen S. Paulsen · **Posted:** Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:32 pm

The many shed a no fire to bld. Is the a the follow a to connect a city it a site tall a the Steam loco and look the city a NYC at site top. Pipe a bad sprink a to 1 an 2 sprinks.
The Sprinkle a no go the a the full system.
The alarm can to a anybody, A the site tall Steam loco will not dry.

Shelburne Falls Trolley Musem receives grant for new car bar.
R J Corman Engine House, Guthrie, Kentucky destroyed by Fire.
German Roundhouse Fire With Preserved Locos.
(Fire in Barn)to locate on RYPN

The is a idea about way Barn and Shed in Sprinkle system.

Store dirt rag to barrel the purpose a old rag.
Help Door an way, The than it the clean a the way than you a door.

Stan

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:26 am

Update:

Quote:

Steamrail Victoria (and particularly its ElecRail Division) would like to thank everyone for their condolences and well wishes following the devastating fire at Newport Workshops that destroyed four swing door suburban electric carriages. The oldest dated back to the 1880s. They were undoubtedly the best preserved examples of electric trains in Australia and most likely the world. This is a huge loss to Steamrail and the State of Victoria. Many tens of thousands of hours of volunteer effort had gone into these cars over a 34 year period. Our hearts go out to all involved in the restoration of the cars, especially Kevin and Tom Clark who spearheaded the restoration work. Their dedication to the cause and the standard of restoration work achieved was quite remarkable.

We are hoping the intact cab of 107M can be retained as a tribute to both the swing door cars plus the volunteers involved. The practicality of this is yet to be determined, but it is something we would like to do. There is little left of the remainder of the cars above underframe level (except for the partial cab of 24D).

We are still awaiting the official report as to the cause of the fire. Neither arson, nor volunteer negligence are thought to be the cause. An electrical issue seems the most likely scenario. It is simply an unfortunate accident.

Steamrail is working cooperatively with VicTrack (who manage the workshops site) to make the building safe. It may be weeks or months before the area is again accessible. We shall keep you posted.

The Tait cars in the custody of ElecRail survived the fire. We have not been able to inspect them but we do not believe they sustained any damage. These cars will now become the centrepiece of ElecRail. These vehicles date back to the 1910s and are of national (if not world) significance.

Once again thank you for your condolences and kind words during this very difficult time. This provides great comfort to our volunteers who are grieving.

Photo: ElecRail volunteers, Kevin and Tom Clark with the remaining cab of 107M. 04/03/2015.

Mark Wolverson, Chairman Steamrail Victoria
Lionel Camilleri, Secretary Steamrail Victoria
Scott Bray and Craig Soden, representing ElecRail, Steamrail Victoria