Association of Tourist Railways Inc.

News from the Tourist Railways

Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum - 19/10/00: The extension is still underway with the proposals being vetted by all the authorities. New Toilets and New Entrance have been built and the railway is still getting back into the old tramway site.

Bellarine Peninsula Railway - 19/10/00

A major boiler rebuild is required for one engine. Rivets have to be replaced in this boiler. The M Class engine is having a major overhaul and the V Class engine is running the trains on the railway.

The railway has sent another driver across to the ABT railway in Tasmania. The ABT railway have not been able to run a train over the 5 km’s of track built to date. The Infrastructure is being built by a contractor for the State Government. The Operator is believed to be short of funds. They are using 2nd hand sleepers and rail.

The Queenscliff Music Festival is coming up and 8 trains including 2 night trains are wanted. They have had another episode of Postcard recorded on the line. It has been great for advertising.

Puffing Billy - Emerald Tourist Railway Board - 19/10/00

The first three months of the year has had very good patronage. The Thomas the Tank weekends have been most successful. The railway has adventured into a weekday performance during the last school holidays. It was a wet day but the attendance was excellent due to pre-booked seats.

The Zig Zag pathway at Belgrave is almost completed. In the workshop, G42 has had its cab fitted. In addition, 6A’s boiler is back ready for fitting. The TACL rail tractor has been transferred to the Museum.

Olde Time Festival, 3rd. December. There will be coordinated rail/bus services on the day and a large number of train movements together with displays at various locations. People’s day will be on 17th December with travel anywhere on the railway for a low fare. The Centenary re enactment train will depart Belgrave on Monday, 18th December.

Mornington Railway Preservation Society - 19/10/00: The K class engine is still having its annual overhaul and diesel engines have had to fill in for October.
A special trip will be run with the council in November. They are trying to sell the idea of the connection to the mainline at Baxter. A couple of Santa days during December will be run.

The Central Highlands Tourist Railway - 19/10/00

The restoration of Daylesford Station has finally started. It is hoped to have it completed by the end of the year. It should be back to the 1940 era on the outside.

The weather has been very wet with heavy rain. The sleeper replacement program is proceeding well. The railway has been running extra trains and charters and Bullarto station building is proceeding with it being realigned with the platform.

The Rolling stock has been running well. The Work for the Dole scheme has finished and was very successful.

Victorian Goldfields Railway - 19/10/00: The K class engine is back in service. A very successful Thomas Week-end was held recently and the town of Maldon was very involved.
In Castlemaine, the turntable decking is almost complete. The rebuilding of Winters Flat Bridge has started as well as work on connecting the yard to the mainline at Castlemaine. The railway has applied to various sources for funding to extend to Castlemaine. Train operations have been very busy over the last few weeks.

Walhalla Goldfields Railway - 19/10/00: The railway had a very busy September. Power has been connected to the old station at Walhalla. Bridge 1 footings are being prepared. The Steam engine is about a month behind schedule. Spring water is being tapped at two locations to service locomotives

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