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Victorian Railways - Refreshment Services Branch
Image: Refreshment room staff, Bendigo Railway Station, circa 1929.
Source: Museum Victoria
The Refreshment Services Branch was established in 1920, and initially focused on providing station-based refreshment rooms and the dining car service. Its scope expanded to include diverse activities such as stall rental; sales of advertising space on railways infrastructure; laundry services; operation of a hair-dressing salon, a bakery, a butchery and a poultry farm; and the management of the chalet guesthouse at Mt Buffalo.
The majority of staff worked in refreshment rooms and dining cars, both of which were a popular feature of the railway service. Previous to 1920 refreshment services had been provided by contractors, but after many complaints the Department decided to provide a standardised service across the system. It grew quickly: five years after it was established the Branch employed approximately 500 staff. Station refreshment facilities ranged from elaborate dining rooms to decorated push-carts. They were staffed predominately by women, who provided everything from a cup of tea to a three course meal.
Most refreshment room services were closed in the 1970s.
(showing 1 - 3) 3 items
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Pass - Loco Branch, Victorian Railways, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
Australia Pass - Victorian Railways Loco Branch c. 1900 (AD) Mint: not recorded
Images: 2 -
Medal - Victorian Railways Carriage Works, W. Williams, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
Australia Victoria Williams, W. Other Details: Victorian Railways Carriage Works copper medal, inscribed with the name W. Williams. It was probably used as an employee pass. Previous Co ...
Images: 1 -
Silver Pass - Victorian Railways, Victoria, Australia, 1856-1874
Australia Victoria Melbourne Free Pass for Victoria Railways 1856 - 1874 (AD) Mint: not recorded Awarded to: Hon R.C. Hope, MLC. Other Details: R.C. Hope was a Member of the Victorian L ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2
