Current Echuca News !

[michael]

Last time I saw her on the slip was 2005, she had her rear deck rebuilt, larger so he could carry more party goers. The engines were removed and reconditioned, including reboring, whilst the boiler had a new tube plate welder in the firebox.
The owner was going to have the boat going for last years Heritage festival, he had the tubes ready to go in, but the holes in the new tube plate were too small, and a new drive chaine made, from overseas, but it was a couple of links too short. So she didn't make it. He know has all the parts to get the engine/boiler going. Think he needs some extra hands and a little enthusiasm. But that's just the mechanics. The cabins need rebuilding aswell as the decks. Everyone says its only the cross on the wheelhouse roof that's keeping it afloat!

[Roderick Smith]

I was in Echuca briefly on Monday for work on Jessie II, and went exploring.
Enclosed are four photos taken at the site of Maiden's punt.
Inexplicably, I didn't photograph the interpretive panel for the punt.
The hotel panel gives some dates.
IIRC, the punt dated from 1846; the inn came in 1848.
About three stock routes from the north converged here for the crossing: one via Deniliquin; one via Pericoota.
Cattle were heading to markets in Melbourne, plus Bendigo after the gold rush started.

Maiden was eclipsed by rival Hopwood, whose punt not far downstream created the future Echuca.  That punt linked to a fixed bridge over Campaspe River, and gave way to a pontoon bridge.  The railway came to Echuca in 1964, and a major iron rail & road bridge crossed the river in 1879, replacing a temporary wooden bridge with a bascule span.  Maiden had had to sell out, and died penniless.

When Randell came upriver in 1853, his turning point was Maiden's punt.  When I was aboard the 150th anniversary fleet, we rounded up there.  Today that site is the end point of the Long Paddock heritage trail from Wilcannia, and the adjacent old telegraph station is preserved.  I was on PS Adelaide for the loading of wool bales which had been brought from Wilcannia to mark the establishment of the trail, with interpretive panels at key locations along the way.
http://www.thelongpaddock.com.au
www.visitnsw.com/things-to-do/drives-and-road-trips/the-long-paddock

While I was there, PV Pride of the Murray came through.  Victorian school holidays had ended (but NSW's were still in progress).  PS Canberra was up on the slip, so I guess that this cruise was covering a Canberra roster.  It does seem that the public prefers steam, and I suspect that photos of the Echuca paddlesteamers are more prolific.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

A silt bag has burst (Tues.30.5.13), and the gush of water has damaged the hull of barge B22 at the wet dock.
See: <www.mmg.com.au/local-news/echuca/barge-damaged-after-silt-bag-bursts-1.48548>

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[clarkrulz]

I have been watching the web camera on the port nearly every day and I have noticed a few things. It seems the owner of the Henry Charles has been onboard a whole lot more than usual lately, hopefully they get it out and about a bit more. has the ranger moved? I can't seem to spot it. Also, the river seems a bit lower than usual is this normal?

[michael]

Henry Charles has a couple of "bums" living onboard, I don't know how they get away with it. Ranger has moved up in front of Hero so pilon work can be carried out for the new walkway. River dropped over a foot last week, even with the dredging boats still can't use the southern half of the wharf due to the silt, only the one landing at the north end so the other boat, Pev or AA has to moor somewhere else.
Struggler is stuck in a big puddle of water, foot deep, till the river rises and it can get over the silt!
Adelaide won't be going again till least 2nd half of the year till new firebars arrive and boiler is put back together.

[clarkrulz]

Bums? Really? That's a bit concerning. How have they not been kicked off? Shame about the struggler being stuck!

[Roderick Smith]

Steamrail is offering a weekend rail steam tour over Queens Birthday long weekend, using mainliner R761 with an S-class diesel as backup.
Fri.7.6: overnight to Swan Hill.
Sat.8.6: Pyap cruise, and other local attractions.  Overnight to Echuca.
Sun.9.6: Adelaide cruise, and the annual steam-rally.  I wonder which boat Steamrail will use?
Mon.10.6: Back to Melbourne.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[michael]

The Pevensey will be normal cruises over the long weekend, no special charter boat. There was talk of another sailpast, but I think it's too late to organise it.
I will be working on Pevensey Sunday and Monday with Anth

[James.McD]

I have a feeling the Canberra and Emmylou both have a charter the weekend of the steam rally, could be either of those! I am on the Emmylou on Saturday and the Canberra on Sunday - both of those days have extra cruises scheduled!

[Excelsior]

I'm planning on heading up for at least part of the weekend.

[James.McD]

Last time I saw her on the slip was 2005, she had her rear deck rebuilt, larger so he could carry more party goers. The engines were removed and reconditioned, including reboring, whilst the boiler had a new tube plate welder in the firebox.
The owner was going to have the boat going for last years Heritage festival, he had the tubes ready to go in, but the holes in the new tube plate were too small, and a new drive chaine made, from overseas, but it was a couple of links too short. So she didn't make it. He know has all the parts to get the engine/boiler going. Think he needs some extra hands and a little enthusiasm. But that's just the mechanics. The cabins need rebuilding aswell as the decks. Everyone says its only the cross on the wheelhouse roof that's keeping it afloat!

I think it is definitely a touch of enthusiasm that is needed, it is such a shame to see her sitting there rotting away - the last time I saw any activity onboard was when her mooring line broke and I had to moor the Pride about 3 inches off her rudder - he came down then to move the boat, but the latest is he wants it going by Christmas - I just don't know which Christmas he is talking about!!

And if anyone is interested, on the June Long Weekend (Steam Rally) PS Emmylou will be cruising at 10:00am, 11:15am, 1:00pm, 2:45pm & 4:00pm (Sat & Sun) and the PS Canberra will be cruising at 10:30am, 11:45am, 1:15pm, 2:30pm & 3:45pm (Sat & Sun).

[clarkrulz]

Hi there,
Another question, just wondering if anyone has news of the PS Adventurous It's been away from the area for quite some time now

[James.McD]

PS Canberra's 100th Birthday Celebrations are starting to take shape, this is just one of the small things that will be done to recognise her big day! The PS Canberra, as we know, was built for the Conner Bros in Boundary Bend - and a large part of their family was the Salvation Army. We are conduction Salvation Army Donation Cruises for $2.00 a ticket!! All proceeds from these cruises will be donated to the Salvation Army! If you, or anyone you know, will be in or around Echuca on the weekend of the 2nd of August 2013 - make sure you come out on one of our cruises!!!

[Roderick Smith]

PV Black Shag is normally at Swan Hill.  Although the river had dropped, there was still sufficient to voyage to Echuca recently.  We thought that the aim was to be present for PS Canberra's centenary, but the voyage was leisurely, and Black Shag was at Torrumbarry that weekend.  It arrived in Echuca on Tues.6.8, escorted by Billy Tea for the final stage.
Since then, the river has risen again.  There has been heavy rain in north-east Victoria, and a flood warning has been issued for Ovens River and King River (which reach the Murray above Yarrawonga.
Now PS Canberra has announced a voyage to Koondrook/Barham on this good water.  The positioning move leaves Echuca on Wed.4, reaching Torrumbarry that day, then a bush camp for Thursday night, then Barham on Friday.  There will be local cruises over the weekend.  I am going to try for passage (camping at night), or assemble a mini group and arrange minibus pickup/dropoff each night, staying at a motel in Echuca, then at Barham.

In the photos: Black Shag, Billy Tea and Struggler.  Both are from Michael.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

PS Pevensey is making a downstream voyage from Echuca to Perricoota Homestead (61 km) on Fri.4.10, with a bus return; then a bus forward move on Sat.5.10 for paddlesteamer return.

I haven't checked to see if that matches heritage weekend, with another grand parade.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor