Moss Vale farewells 497 years of service

497 years of service to the railways was celebrated at a retirement function hosted by the Moss Vale Social Club recently.

Around 60 people turned out to the Goulburn Sports Club to bid farewell to the following Loco Division members, who are all heading off to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

On behalf of the Loco Division, we’d like to wish them all the very best and thank for their many years of service.

Front: Wayne MacDonald and Terry Bennett.Second row: Dennis Taylor, Brian Hamilton, John Thoroughgood, Peter Webster, Robert Ross, Wayne Curl and Steve Granger. Back Row: Chris Price, Les Gilbert, David Caldwell, Kevin Pryor (RTBU) and Brian Head (RTBU) from left to right.

Wayne Curle – 13 years – Started as a Terminal Operator in 2003 at Moss Vale before transferring to Train Crew 6 months later. Was appointed a Locomotive Driver in 2005 and then become a Shift Manager in 2005 before being made forced redundant in 2016. Wayne is now planning on getting a part-time job with plans to move down to the South Coast to do a lot of fishing.

Brian Hamilton – 30 years – Started as a Trainee Engineman in 1982 at Goulburn and become a Locomotive Driver in 1997 and retired in 2012. Brian loves going to the Loco roundhouse in which he is doing up his 1964 vintage Austin Truck. Brian now has more time to take his vintage cars out for a good run.

Steven Granger – 36 years – Started as a Junior Station Assistant at Goulburn in 1980. In 1982, Steven transferred to the Locomotive ranks and in 1990 transferred to Moss Vale as a Locomotive Driver. When the Goulburn Depot amalgamated with the Moss Vale Depot after the closure of the Goulburn Depot, PN decided to introduce Blankline rosters and Steven decided to become a Shift Manager until his forced redundancy in 2016. Steven now likes to sit back and watch everyone else do the work and would like to travel around Australia.

David Caldwell SNR – 36 years – Started in Goulburn as a Locomotive Cleaner in 1978. David worked his way up through the ranks and finally become a Locomotive Driver in 1990. He retired in 2014. David now enjoys looking after the Huskisson Bowling Club where he enjoys a good game of lawn bowls. He loves travelling and especially loves going to New Zealand. David also loves to look after his three grandkids.

Wayne MacDonald – 36 years – Started at the Goulburn Roundhouse as a cleaner in 1977. Wayne then transferred to the rosters as a Booker On in 1979 until he saw the light and transferred into the Locomotive grades as a Trainee. Wayne worked his way up and become a Locomotive Driver in the early 90’s and finally retired in 2013. Wayne is now waiting for his wife to retire so that they can both travel around the world, but until then Wayne is just content on working as a full time babysitter looking after his Grand kids.

Bryson Leslie Gilbert – 37 years – Started at Goulburn as a Trainee Engineman in 1977. Bryson travelled a bit in his career with a couple of stints at Grafton, Mortdale on the Electrics, back to Goulburn on the diesels and then finally transferring to Moss Vale where is was made forcibly redundant in 2014. Bryson is now working as a bus driver, driving a Hino RG197 in which he loves as no one can push him out of the seat and tell him “it’s their turn”.

Peter Webster – 37 years – Started at Goulburn as a Trainee Engineman in 1979. Peter worked his way through the ranks and finally became a Locomotive Driver in 1989. Peter then transferred to Moss Vale when the Goulburn Depot closed until his retirement in 2016. At this stage Peter is doing more handyman work around the house than when his was working, but would love to travel and has plans to explore Europe at the end of this year.

Terrence Bennett – 39 years – Started at Goulburn as a Station Assistant in 1976. After 3 years Terrence joined the Locomotive ranks until 1995 and then tried his hand at Per Way until 2005. Terrence then came back to Loco and stayed until his retired in 2015. He now operates an Earth moving business at out Taralga which keeps him busy.

Robert Ross – 39 years – Started at Goulburn as a Cleaner in 1977. Robert then worked his way up through the Locomotive grades and finally becoming a Locomotive Driver Trainer in the late 1980’s. Robert then thought that he would like to try his hand at the Shift Managers role at Moss Vale until his forced redundancy in 2016. Robert has since moved up to the Central Coast (God’s Country) where he loves looking after his 4 grandkids. During his spare time, Robert enjoys a bit of fishing and taking his Harley out for a run.

Dennis Taylor – 43 years – Started at Goulburn as a ganger for Per Way in 1972. Dennis stayed at Per Way for 2 years before deciding to become a shunter. Around 4 years later, Dennis thought it would be great to sit back and enjoy the ride at the back of the Freight Train as a Guard in the Brake Vans. Unfortunately someone decided to remove the Brake vans and after being in limbo for 2 years, the Union got Dennis a position a Train Crew. Dennis then worked his way up and became a Locomotive Driver around 1994 until his retirement in 2015. Dennis would like to explore the world and do some travelling in his retirement.

Chris Price – 45 years – Started at Cootamundra as a cleaner in 1971. Chris only lasted 1 week doing this until an incident with a water hose which he was then told that his new position was to be a Call Boy. During his time as a Call Boy, Chris did the Acting Fireman’s school at the mechanical Institute at Junee. For the next 3 years, Chris performed cleaning duties and some jobs out on the road until his appointment as a Fireman. Chris than transferred to Moss Vale and was appointed a Locomotive Driver in 1981 and stayed at Moss Vale until his retirement in May this year (2016). Chris now likes to spend a lot of time with family and especially his grandchild “Cas”. Chris takes Cas to the footy and loves watching Cas play footy. Chris also loves taking Cas fishing. In his spare time Chris like to fix old oil bottles and goes to antique and auctions.

Peter Watts – 46 years – Started at Goulburn with Per Way as an Apprentice Wood Machinist in 1968. Peter then transferred to Loco as a Trainee Engineman in 1972 and worked his way up through the ranks to become a Locomotive Driver in 1983. Peter then transferred to Moss Vale when the Goulburn Depot closed and remained there until his retirement in 2014. Peter does railway calendars, which he sells to friends, and now has the time to maybe develop a book of his history with all the photos he has taken over his career. Peter also enjoys taking a cruise somewhere every year.

John Thoroughgood – 47 years – Started at Goulburn as a Trainee Engineman in 1965, but only got as far as an Acting Driver before leaving to go backpacking around the world. He managed to get his job back, as this is what he loved, when he returned. John finally became a Locomotive Driver until he was medically retired in 2012. John loves to take railway photos, build radio controlled boats, and would like to travel when he can.

All of these guys have got good memories of the good old days, they will miss the friendships they formed with their fellow workmates. However none of them will miss the early starts or shunting in the winter.