Page Text: Photos by Date
About Weston Langford
Weston Langford, born in 1941, has always had an abiding interest in railways, even from times before he can remember, as held up against him at past family gatherings. No one in his immediate family had anything to do with railways. A very distant relative, Wilfred Henty, came to light after the publication of 'Steam on the lens'. The common ancestor, one Thomas Henty, is some five generations back. Some similarities of approach might be discerned. For Weston railways were both a vocation and an outside interest as well. The following extracts from his curriculum vitae set the background for this collection.
1959 - Matriculation year at Melbourne High School - President of the Railway Club
1960 to 1965 -Victorian Railways - Pupil Engineer and later Assistant Engineer
1965 to 1969 - Site Engineer on the WAGR Standardisation Project
Initially on the suburban section Thornlie to Robb Jetty, later between Koolyanobbing and Kalgoorlie and finally on the Locomotive Depot and Workshop at Forrestfield.
1969 to 1971 - Canadian Pacific Railway
Initially in the Division Engineer's Office at Medicine Hat, Alberta and later on the construction of the Fording Subdivision in Eastern British Columbia.
Between this appointment and the next Weston travelled, spending time in the British Isles, Kenya and Uganda.
1971 to 1972 - Resident Engineer on the extension of the Goldsworthy Railway to Shay Gap
1973 to 1984 - Melbourne Underground Rail Loop on construction related responsibilities
During these years he was also worked on the modification of tunnels at Roma Street and Brunswick Street for Queensland Railways in 1976 and 1977, alterations at Belgrave for the Puffing Billy Railway between 1978 and 1982, projects for the Grain Elevators Board at Sunshine, St Arnaud, Bridgewater and North Geelong between between 1979 and 1981, the conduct of a transport study for the Mine at Roxby Downs in 1983 and 1984 and finally as a member of a study team looking into the electrification of Perth's suburban railways late in 1984.
1985 to 1999 - Victorian Government
Initially with the Ministry of Transport, later with the State Transport Authority and finally with the Public Transport Corporation prior to his retirement. During this period from 1987 to 1990 he was project manager for the upgrading of South Dynon Container Terminal on the eve of the establishment of National Rail.
His 'out of hours' railway interest were pursued as a voluntary worker with Puffing Billy during the years 1957 to 1965, 1975 to 1976 and from 1985 until his retirement from Puffing Billy late in 2011. In later years he was the professional support to the Way and Works Manager. The main job during this time was the extension of the Railway to Gembrook, completed in 1998. He was also a foundation member of the Association of Railway Enthusiasts.
As a railway enthusiast Weston was a member of a privileged generation. Many of the things we once took for granted simply are not there any more. The special train programme is a shadow of its former self. Photographic stops are deemed to be too dangerous. The free access to many places of railway interest is now effectively closed off. It remains now to share the good things that came Weston's way.
Weston passed away on 29th January 2014. This website is now being maintained by Weston's son-in-law, Andrew Godfrey.
The photographs on this website are by Weston Langford.