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Yarra Valley Railway wins ATHRA Award

The ATHRA Award (Association of Tourist Heritage Rail Australia) is sponsored by the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

"The Award – ATHRA-ARTC Infrastructure Restoration Award
In recognition of their work in the restoration of a timber trestle bridge over the Watts River. Won by - Yarra Valley Railway (Victoria)"

 

DEVELOPMENT
 

Recent
Future plans


 


15th of November - Ben Hardman
(Member for Seymour) Official opens the
bridge on behalf of the Minister for Transport
Lynne Kosky, the State Government funded $100,000 of the Bridge Restoration.
Tourist Railways from all over Australia are invited each year to nominate for these awards covering many different categories. The Watts River Bridge Project was selected by ATHRA for this award over many worthy projects from all over Australia.

Passenger Trains to return to the Yarra Valley

Restoration of Walker Railmotor RM22 is now complete. The photo displays the excellent restoration work of the volunteers of the YVR.

On Friday the 14/11/08, the Yarra Valley Railway received permission from the D.O.I. as a part of the accreditation process to conduct testing on Walker Railmotor RM22. Over the coming weeks testing will be conducted and the results of these tests will be sent to the D.O.I. for their approval. All going well, accreditation for a passenger service will be obtained and passenger train rides will commence once again at the railway.


68 ZLP carriage

From June until September, the 68 ZLP received
new coat of paint inside and out complete with new
decals and periscopes, roof and floor restoration.
The hot belly fire inside is operational and very warming.


68 ZLP carriage on a Works Train on the way
to the Watt’s River Bridge

Heavy Rollingstock Operator Accreditation

The YVR has recently obtained Accreditation as a Heavy Rollingstock
Operator allowing us to operate works trains on our railway.

  On Saturday the 24/5/08, the YVR operated a ballast train to and from the Watts River Bridge. This train was the first train to run outside station limits at the YVR for well over 10 years.


Watts River Bridge restoration finished - State Government contributes $100,000

Work on the restoration of the Watt’s River Bridge was completed in March, 2008. This bridge is the largest bridge in the section with work on the bridge commencing in late 2007. Many volunteers contributed to the work required to complete the bridge, with some members attending every day for weeks to ensure that the project was completed on time and the railway could reopen the track for trolley rides. The restoration of the bridge represented a major project for the YVR, with work completed on time and to budget. The Victorian State Government funded this project providing $100,000 for the restoration of the Watt’s River Bridge. The results speak for themselves and prove that the YVR is more than capable of restoring the railway line and operating a major business in the Yarra Valley.


First Ballast Train

On Saturday the 24/5/08, the YVR operated a ballast train to and from the Watts River Bridge. The ballast was donated by Boral and was distributed onto the track with the use of the restored ballast trucks. The trucks performed perfectly despite the fact that the trucks would have not been used for this purpose for about 30 years. This train was the first train to run outside station limits at the YVR for well over 10 years.


Ballast wagons restored and ready for work

May 2008 - In the preparation for works trains, QN100 and QN33 have received a new coat of paint. Both vehicles are expected to be on the first ballast trains when we get to the end of the proverbial ‘piece of string’…

 



 


Restoration of Guard’s Van ZLP68

May 2008 - ZLP68 is nearing completion. The body and roof have received the most attention, having had all of the rotten wood replaced and de-laminated beams repaired. The doors have been rebuilt, and after consulting with several experts, we are expecting to trial a water proofing product called emmer-clad. A full under gear exam has been started, and it is expected that it will be in regular use very soon.


Bridge Repairs

The Watts River Bridge is undergoing a complete rebuild with most piers, cross beams and decking to be replaced. This picture shows work completed on the bridge as of the 8th of February 2008. Four bridges require repair to enable the YVR to run trains to tunnel hill. The first 2 bridges are now complete and ready for trains. The Watts River Bridge is the third bridge to be repaired and the largest of the four bridges and will be completed in the coming weeks. This will leave just the fourth bridge to complete, not a large project compared to the Watts River Bridge. Exciting times ahead for the YVR as each step forward brings the YVR closer to realising our objective of return trains to
the Yarra Valley.

Fully Restored Operating Steam Locomotive
We are proud of the consortium of Yarra Valley Railway members who have purchased shares in Steam Engine J541 (Nov. 2007). The locomotive was recently restored at Puffing Billy and is now as good as new. The agreement with the current owner of the locomotive is to gradually transfer the ownership over a number of years, making it available for Yarra Valley Railway in future years. During this time the Steam Engine has been leased to the Victorian Goldfields Railway (Castlemaine and Maldon). A fully restored operating steam locomotive will have enormous benefits as its presence on our railway will attract greater attention and patronage.


Yarra Valley Railway Receives Grants
Small Govt. Grant
The YVR has successfully applied for a Small Govt. Grant form
the Federal Government. We received $2700 which will be used for the purchase of the following equipment: Husqvarna Chainsaw, Chainsaw
Safety Equipment, Fire Rakes, Fire Shovels and a Portable Scaffolding
Tower for the workshop.

The YVR would like to thank Tony Smith MP for his encouragement and direction in obtaining the grant . We would also like to thank Tony and
Fran Bailey for letters of support submitted with the funding application.



Fosters
"You Care, We Care Community Grant"

The Fosters grant is given to a non profit organisation to which a Fosters' employee volunteers their time. Our volunteer Ivan Hon submitted an application which was successfull and recently we received a $500 grant from Fosters for the purchase of a new Husqvarna Chainsaw. Well done Ivan.




Bridge Repairs
November, 2007

During November 3 weeks of concentrated work was conducted on the first 2 bridges from Healesville behind the racecourse. Both bridges have been completed and pending paper work, both are fit for train operation. Well done to Adam, Ray, Matt and all those who assisted with the bridge restorations. The next bridge will be the big one, Watt’s River Bridge. Work is due to commence on the Watt’s River Bridge in the new year. Once complete some work will be required on the small bridge at 38 mile curve and then it will be trains to the tunnel.

 

 
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