FFF 23 30 December 2022
East Block extension
We now look at the area behind the main east block 1888 buildings called the east block extension or annex. The Doring report says that the building itself is of low significance from an architectural viewpoint, but the reason it is there and the various work that was carried out there is hugely important to the history of the Newport workshops.
An early photo from the roof of east block shows many locomotives on ‘death row’ behind east block – the area soon to be covered by the extension. Even before the main building was opened in 1888, it was fully occupied, the tracks were extended, and the work areas overflowed outside. The area in this photo was progressively roofed over. If you are even vaguely associated with OH&S, don’t look at the next photo. It shows ballast wagons being constructed in the extension, while other workers construct the roof overhead. I wonder how many injuries occurred from falling tools or roofing materials? The railway building boom of the 1890’s across the state, caused the beautiful building style of the original building to be forgotten in the race to get more rolling stock construction areas under cover. Photos ex VR files now at PROV.
In VR days tracks 2 -7 have always been the painting and finishing roads for rolling stock. About half of this space in 2 – 7 roads in the annex is used by the fire services museum. Fortunately some of this space is currently used for undercover storage of vintage rolling stock. These are mainly ‘tait’ carriages and AV & BV carriages, plus one lonely locomotive, K 184. This ‘K’ has of course seen more recent use on Steamrail specials, but is now waiting its turn in the queue for restoration.
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