Former Railway Hotel in Mangalore

Former Railway Hotel

It was the Publican at the Hotel , I researched and wrote up the History of the Hotel, which unfortunately no longer operates as a Business. I forward this information onto you guys. Graeme R. Fellows

Thanks Graeme for information on the fascinating history of this old Pub and building!

HISTORY OF THE RAILWAY HOTEL MANGALORE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE PATRONS OF THE HOTEL - researched by GRAEME R. FELLOWS

The Railway Hotel was first built at the inter--section of the Goulburn Valley Highway and the present Hume Freeway. It moved to premises at the Corner of O'Connors Road and Grant Street Mangalore in 1880 during the Gold Rush days, and the Advent of the North East Rail Line where the main junction stood for many years,

During the War years, 65 trains would pass the Station on a busy day.
In 1925 the Hotel was burnt to the ground and in their wisdom the owners decided to rebuild the Hotel on the Hume Highway. During the rebuilding stage, the Hotel operated out of a house which was adj cent to the existing premises. The house no longer stands today.
It re-opened in 1935 and as many trucks travelled the Hume Highway, at the 68 mile post from Melbourne (the mileage post still stand outside the hotel today), was the perfect time to stop, take a break and enjoy a good meal.

It was commonly known as the "Truckles Pub" and on most nights to park a vehicle in the car park was out of the question, had to wait for a vacancy.

Unfortunately with the Advent of the Hume Freeway which by-passed the Hotel, the survival of the Hotel remained with the locals and people from Seymour/Avenue and surrounding districts. It's reputation as an excellent meal Hotel booking were required on Friday and Saturday nights to secure a table.
One of the many highlights of the Hotel is that it is rumoured that the Kelly Gang attempted to Rob the Licensee of the takings, but without success.

In 1939 the Hotel had THREE poker machines during the Exelby period, and after this period the Victorian Government banned poker machines in Victoria.

1946 saw the Licensee Loughman have complete faith in his patrons.
Would allow patrons to sence themselves whilst he attended local cricket association meetings. Many occasions saw the local licensing squad closing the hotel in the early hours of the morning with nobody
in the bar or on the premises.

Memorabilia frequented the Hotel walls with paper clippings on report of the brilliant batting of Sir Donald Bradman. The cost of living in those days is also very interesting.

During the 90's, the Hotel had several bands working the beer garden, with the most notable being "The Dead Ringer Band" which incidently would pack the Hotel to the Rafters. One of the group, the daughter Kasey Chambers is today a leading singer in the Country & Western field, and has won many awards for her efforts.

Another interesting piece of History for the Hotel is "Smithy" corner. This belonged to local identity Grahame Douglas Smith who had frequented the Hotel since the end of the Second World War. During the 90's, Melbourne Artists, Ross When, painted "Smithy" in his corner on canvass. This was entered into the Archibald Prize with ut success. The painting stood 7ft high by 5 ft wide, a true reflection of the man.
Many pieces of Railway History for the area were on display, not to mention the Staffing Machine which stood in the corner of the Restaurant, near the bar.

History repeated itself on the 7th June 2003 when the Hotel was once again badly damaged by fire, causing it to cease operation for 9 months.

in March 2004 the Hotel recommenced trading, but after only a few years, about 2010, the Hotel closed the doors for the final time and today is Residential Premises.