Railways and Tramways of Australia
Tasmania
Former Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Company locomotive No. 1 and train shortly after departing Queenstown on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, 28 December 2015.
Australian Railway Historical Society, Tasmanian Division
https://railtasmania.com/arhs/
The Australian Railway Historical Society, Tasmanian Division, holds entertainment meetings throughout the year. The Division also maintains an archive of historic photographs, mostly of Tasmanian railways.
Derwent Valley Railway
Derwent Valley Railway has a collection of locomotives and rolling stock. It is currently working towards operating services between New Norfolk and Mt Field National Park. The yard and workshop facilities at New Norfolk are open for guided tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. New Norfolk is approximately 30 km north-west of Hobart.
Don River Railway
Don River Railway has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives and heritage rolling stock. Exhibits include former Tasmanian Government Railways steam and diesel locomotives, and the museum is open daily, except Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day. Don River Railway operates train rides each hour from the depot at Don to Coles Beach. Trains run from Thursdays to Sundays, except Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day. Don is located near Devonport, approximately 290 km north of Hobart.
Hobart Tram Restoration and Museum Society (H-TRAMS)
The primary goal of the Hobart Tram Restoration and Museum Society is to restore former Hobart bogie tram no. 116, built in 1940, to full operating condition. It also hopes to restore other former Hobart trams, to open a museum, and operate a tourist tram service within Hobart. Initial plans for an operating tramway are to use the former railway line between the Botanical Gardens and Cornelian Bay, with future extensions possible.
Ida Bay Train
The Ida Bay Train operated along 7 km of 610 mm gauge railway line that was originally used for transporting limestone. It is not currently running but hopes to re-commence in the future. It is not currently running. Ida Bay is approximately 100 km south of Hobart.
Launceston and North East Railway
Launceston and North East Railway hopes to preserve rail heritage and re-establish a tourist rail service in north-east Tasmania. Plans include maintaining Tasmanian English Electric diesel locomotives in operational condition. Launceston is approximately 200 km north of Hobart.
Launceston Tramway Museum
www.launcestontramwaymuseum.org.au
Launceston Tramway Museum has a collection of trams that operated on the former Launceston tramway network, as well as historical exhibits from the tramway era. The museum and tram rides are available from Tuesday to Sunday. The museum is adjacent to the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery. Launceston is approximately 200 km north of Hobart.
Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery
The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery is housed within the former Inveresk Railway Workshops at Launceston. It has a range of science and art collections. Railway exhibits include several locomotives and items of rolling stock, as well as displays regarding the workshops and the history of railways in Tasmania. The museum and art gallery is open daily except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Launceston is approximately 200 km north of Hobart.
Railtrack Riders
Railtrack Riders operate pedal-powered four-wheel vehicles along the railway line between Maydena and National Park. The line traverses tall forests and provides insights into the region’s local heritage and scenic beauty. Journeys of different time and duration are available. National Park station is located near the entrance to Mount Field National Park and is approximately 70 km north-west of Hobart, and Maydena is approximately 80 km north-west of Hobart.
Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre
Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre operates a 1 km section of 610mm gauge railway at Sheffield. On display at the site are the former Sheffield railway station and various items of machinery. Trains operate on the first weekend of each month using a former Commonwealth Carbide 0-4-0 well tank steam locomotive and heritage passenger carriages. Sheffield is the location for Steamfest on the first weekend of March each year, featuring displays of vintage machinery, traction engines, vintage cars and tractors, as well as other activities and entertainment. Sheffield is approximately 270 km north of Hobart.
Tasmanian Transport Museum
www.tasmaniantransportmuseum.com.au
The Tasmanian Transport Museum has a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, railcars, passenger and goods rolling stock, trams, buses and other historical items. Exhibits include former Tasmanian Government Railways steam locomotives, a Climax logging locomotive, and X1, the first mainline diesel locomotive to operate in Australia. Also at the site are the former Newtown railway station building and former Botanic Gardens signal box. The museum is open on Sundays and some public holidays. Train rides operate twice each month, using a rail motor on the first Sunday and a steam locomotive on the third Sunday. The museum is located at Glenorchy, a northern suburb of Hobart.
Wee Georgie Wood Steam Railway
Wee Georgie Wood Steam Railway operates a 1924 0-4-0 well tank steam locomotive Wee Georgie Wood along 1.6 km of 610 mm gauge railway at Tullah in the west coast region of Tasmania. The railway also has two other steam locomotives, one of which is partly restored, a diesel-mechanical locomotive, and two heritage passenger carriages. Trains operate on selected Saturdays and Sundays of each month from October to April. Tullah is approximately 310 km north-west of Hobart.
West Coast Heritage Centre
West Coast Heritage Centre has a range of displays regarding the history of Tasmania’s west coast. Railway exhibits include a former Tasmanian Government Railways 2-6-0 C Class steam locomotive and locomotives from private railways in the west coast region. The centre is open daily except Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Zeehan is approximately 300 km north-west of Hobart.
West Coast Wilderness Railway
West Coast Wilderness Railway operates 35 km of railway between Queenstown and Regatta Point at Strahan in the west coast region of Tasmania. It is one of Australia’s most scenic train journeys. The line traverses rugged mountain terrain and includes an Abt rack and pinion section of track. Restored steam locomotives operate train services over the line. A museum displaying photographs and historical items is located at Queenstown station. The railway between Queenstown and Regatta Point operated from 1899 to 1963. A Federal Government grant enabled the line and locomotives to be restored, and it was officially re-opened in 2003. Various journeys are available on different days from Queenstown and Strahan to Dubbil Barril and return, or for travel over the whole line. Interpretive commentary is provided regarding the railway and history of the local area. Queenstown is approximately 260 km north-west of Hobart, while Strahan is approximately 300 km north-west of Hobart.