G'day TDUers,
Approx a month ago there were some TDU posts on MMTB history and a question about Melbourne tramways
gear that may have been sent or sold to Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC). I remembered being told about some track welding equipment.
Have asked for Daryll Rodrigues recollections, Daryll worked for the CTC's PWD Department through the 1960s....He's thinking there's more a link with Adelaide. His account below.
(thanks Brian Yates from Lancaster for pointing out PWD means 'Permanent Way Department').
There's an image of a Mobile Welding Unit attached marked MTT.
Anyone know what MTT stands for?
DARYLL RODRIGUES :
Roberto, I worked with the PWD of CTC from 1959 to 1969. During my time, I did see a couple of mobile welding units on job sites. In fact, on many occasions, one of these units was despatched to my particular work sites.. I was told by my Asst Supdt that these were accessed from Australia... but from memory I think he said they came from surplus stock ex-Adelaide. The Chief Engineer who earlier worked with the CTC in that capacity left Calcutta and took up an engineering position with the Adelaide tramways.. So I assume he was the one instrumental in organising these two units to be sent to the CTC. They were towed by PWD lorries to required job sites. I have attached the only image I have of one of these units. However, you will notice the letters M T T on the unit... could this refer to Melbourne and not Adelaide? The Permanent Way Department main yard was based at Rajabazar depot. All their lorries (referred to in India
same as in England .. we call them trucks in Australia), welding & grinding machines, cranes to load rails, sleepers etc.. , flat wagons with two trailers, bitumen boilers, steam & diesel road rollers and a host of other equipment were kept at this site. The PWD office was located near the yard. I used to visit there once a month to collect my monthly salary! Then go home and sleep for night duty. PWD work was mainly 10.00 pm to 6.00 am Mon-Sat. Only Sun off.
If there is any other info you need just let me know and I will try to remember!
Also, attached a Flat Wagon with trailers for transporting PWD materials passing thru' Esplanade Terminus and another showing PWD staff cleaning points in traffic during the day.
Hope you are keeping well.
Regards
Daryll
From: roberto D'Andrea roberto_trams@...>
To: Daryll Rodrigues darrod999@...>
Sent: Tuesday, 6 December 2011 8:44 AM
Subject: MMTB history / Melbourne Track Maintenace gear in Calcutta?
G'day Daryll,
I've been asked by local Melbourne enthusiasts from the Trams Down Under Group about Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board equipment sent to the CTC in the early 1960s.
Trammies in Calcutta talked to me about tram track maintenance gear sent from Melbourne to Calcutta. Not sure when. I was familiar with track repair work and the gangs being from South Melbourne Depot. We had Civil Branch with us behind the tram shed. I'd often walk out back to Civil Branch to take a look.
As we have talked about in the past like South Depot, the Rajabazzar Tram Depot had the track maintenance and repair gangs called....was the correct title the 'Permanent Way Department' (PWD) behind the tram sheds. The trammies from the PWD department showed me the track welding trailer which they said came from Melbourne? I've attached some photos of a track welding trailer and a series of photos taken when our decorated friendship tram 609 terminated in the central Esplanade tram interchange in early November 1997.
Can you confirm if the Track Welding Trailer came from Melbourne and if any other PWD works vechicles etc came from Melbourne during your time at the CTC?
Cheers - Roberto