Passenger rail services have returned to the historic Hobart South Rail Line, thanks to the Tasmanian Transport Museum.
Infrastructure and transport minister, Michael Ferguson, said that accreditation from the National Rail Safety Regulator meant the museum could now extend heritage passenger services from its Glenorchy museum site onto the unused line.
“Receiving accreditation from the regulator is a significant achievement based on a lot of behind-the-scenes hard work and I congratulate the Tasmanian Transport Museum Society on achieving this significant milestone in its history,” he said.
“Dedicated volunteers have collectively donated 5000 hours of time and effort to ensure the track and rolling stock for the Hobart South line meet the accreditation safety standards set by the regulator and I am sure the team feels every one of those hours was worth it.
“This passenger service will provide a valuable experience for the community of the joys of travel from another era while preserving our heritage for the future.”
The Tasmanian Government has been a strong supporter of heritage and tourist rail, providing the statutory mechanisms to allow rail groups to assume responsibility for sections of the non-operational rail network around state.
“Rapid bus transit will be compatible with the museum for the foreseeable future. At this stage, we’re looking at activating the corridor south of Glenorchy, so the museum will be able to continue running their heritage rail operations on the line to the north,” Ferguson said.
“We recognise the historical, community and tourism value that the heritage rail operations provide and we’d like to see them continue under the stewardship of the Tasmanian Transport Museum for as long as possible. That remains in their hands but we remain a supporter of the operation.”
For more information on the Tasmanian Transport Museum’s historic rail services, go to https://tasmaniantransportmuseum.com.au/