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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 - 9) 9 items
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Tail Disc - White & Red, Victorian Railways, circa 1920s-1960s
Alternative Name(s): Marker Disk, Train Disc. Hinged folding 'tail disc', used as part of signalling and safety procedures by the Victorian Railways. Possibly made at the Newport Railw ...
Images: 3 -
Train Ticket - Spotswood & Melbourne, Victorian Railways, Dec 1939
Small oval-shaped stiff card ticket for female second class concession monthly transport for Spotswood and Melbourne, for December 1939.
Images: 2 -
No Image Available
Wall Clock - Victorian Railways No 1, circa 1871
Victorian Railways No 1 clock, also known as the 'Main Line Starter Clock', from Spencer Street Station. The Batman's Hill Station was established in1859, and the station and railway ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Turret Clock Movement - Victorian Railways, 1882
Turret clock movement, made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne, 1882. The clock was originally installed on a tower at the Elizabeth Street entrance of Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, in 1 ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
No Image Available
Pocket Watch - Omega, Victorian Railways, circa 1940
Nickel plated brass case, Omega, no 9962577. circa 1940. Issued by Victorian Railways to steam engine driver Gerald Dee.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Stretcher - Canvas, circa 1916
Canvas stretcher, circa 1916. Made for use in WWI. It was used for many years at Royal Park Psychiatric Hospital when it was taken over by the army during and after World War 1 to treat ...
From: Parkville, Australia Images: 0 -
Pocket Watch - Henry Kyezor, Melbourne, circa 1860
Gents pocket watch, open face. English made and distributed by Henry Kyezor, Melbourne, Victoria, circa 1860. Issued to engine drivers on the Victorian Railways.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Pocket Watch - G. Croft & Co, Coventry, circa 1880
Gents pocket watch, German silver case, open face, G. Croft & Co., Coventry & London, circa 1880. Issued to Victorian Railways staff. Said by donor to be one of the first watches issue ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Pocket Watch - J. Walker, London, circa 1870
Gents pocket watch, white metal case, J. Walker, London, circa 1870. Issued to train guards on the Victorian Railways.
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1
