Volunteers returning rail to the Yarra Valley

ONE of Australia’s largest volunteer projects is dedicated to bringing rail back to the Yarra Valley

n51le213 g1 Yarra Valley Railway : Tarrawarra Railway Station level crossing sign . Picture: Steve Tanner 070613

ONE of Australia’s largest volunteer projects is bringing rail back to the Yarra Ranges.

Yarra Valley Railway vice-president Brett Whelan said the Lilydale to Healesville rail line played a significant role in the region from its establishment in 1889 right up until it was eventually overtaken by road transport.

“It was key to the economic growth of the area,” Mr Whelan said.

“It allowed forestry products to get to market, it allowed farming to thrive — there was every sort of train you could imagine.

“Passenger services ceased in 1980 — there were actually goods services running out to Coldstream into the late 1990s.”

Six years ago Yarra Valley Railway began rebuilding the line between Healesville and TarraWarra Museum of Art. On a “shoestring” budget they got the track to a standard where they could operate a 1940s rail motor which now runs more than 20,000 passengers a year.

Mr Whelan said the community had recognised the tourism benefits of rebuilding the entire line.

After securing $3.6 million from the Federal Government and striking a deal with the State Government for surplus materials, volunteers have been hard at work bringing the line back to life.

“In the last 12 months we have had more than 500 volunteers from 10 community organisations contribute over 50,000 volunteer hours,” Mr Whelan said.

“More than 100 local businesses have provided pro bono professional services, free materials and services to the project.”

The current work, which includes the rebuilding of 16 bridges and 8km of rail, will establish a line between Yarra Glen and TarraWarra Museum of Art. Once that work is completed, the volunteers will revisit the 4km from the museum to Healesville and upgrade that section of track to carry heavy trains.

Mr Whelan said as the work was being done by volunteers there were no strict deadlines on the job, but anticipated completion was still several years away.

“It’s amazing to see a community come together like this to make this project sing,” he said.

“The commercial cost to rebuild the railway would be $25 million and we are doing it all with volunteers.”