Neil and Ryan Findley of Findleys’ Engineering in Orbost have an important job to do for the Snowy Rail Bridge restoration project.
They have been asked to apply their skills to refurbishing an important relic of the Orbost Railway Line so that it can again take pride of place at its original site.
The old signal tower has been taken to the Findleys’ workshop so that Neil and Ryan can start work on giving it a good clean and a new coat or paint.
With the help of a few old photos and some research, they will copy the original colours.
When completed, the signal tower can then be reinstated very near to its original site near the railway/road crossing on the Orbost-Buchan Road.
Here, it will function as an important entry-point to the refurbished Snowy Rail Bridge.
“When the line closed in 1987, most of the structures associated with the Line and the Railway Station were either destroyed or removed,” member of the Orbost and District Historical Society, May Leatch said.
“It was indeed lucky that this old Signal has survived and was still in the Orbost area.
“It is wonderful to see it having a new life and an important role with the Snowy Rail Bridge project.”
IMAGE: Neil (left) and Ryan Findley with the old Railway Signal Tower. (PS)
