AGY-1632 | Engineer for Existing Lines Branch [I]

Full description

The Engineer for existing lines was responsible for the repair and maintenance of existing railway lines. It would seem that by 1876 the Engineer for Existing Lines oversaw a branch responsible for the construction of railway lines, the building and maintenance of railway vehicles and operation of the engines. These responsibilities were transferred form the Engineer-in-Chief. The Permanent Way and Works Staff were led by a Superintendent who was assisted by Inspectors. The staff consisterd of gangers, labourers, foremen and various tradesmen;
The Locomotive staff consisted of the staff who built and repaired the trains and those involved with their operation. The section was led by a general overseer assisted by a locomotive foreman and Inspectors, and the staff included engine drivers, firemen and cleaners and a range of tradesmen, labourers and apprentices. (1) In 1878 as part of the re-organsiation of the Railways Department, the superintenence of the Permanent Way was divided from that of the Locomotive Branch. The separation of the branches is believed to have taken place on 1 September 1878 when engineer to supervise the Locomotive Department commenced office. (2) Endnotes:
(1) Commissioner for Railways. Railways of New South Wales: report on their construction and working during 1876. Sydney, Government Printer, 1877 p. 100- 103
(2) Report of the Commissioner for Railways for the yeat 1878 p. 11