New carriages arrive at Korumburra
Hilda Falls Revegetation Project
New carriages arrive at Korumburra - Another step ahead for SGR - May 2010
After our Peak running days in January and a TV campaign on WIN TV it became obvious to the Committee that we didn't have enough passenger vehicles to move SGTR into the next step of our progression, on several days it was standing room only.
With this in mind we put out an email to other tourist railways indicating that we were looking for more wooden bodied passenger vehicles that had opening windows for use during our summer months.
Steamrail answered our request with an offer of 2 ABU cars numbers 32 & 40 which are part of their Heritage Vintage Train set.
After a lot of phone calls and emails between the two groups we can now announce that we are finally going to take delivery of the two vehicles.
However the next problem was the cost of the transport which was going to be in the ball park of $10,000+.
One long term member of the railway pledged $10,000 for their transport, the member prefers to remain anonymous.
After investigation in transport costs a quote being $7,700 it was sugested to contact a previous Dream Come True customer who had a haulage company to see if he could assist us. His quote came in at $3,500 the name of the company is Hy Haul owned by Barry Smith who will be added onto our website sponsors listing.
Of course the carriages wont jump on the trucks by themselves....after a few more calls we managed to get P & D Crane Hire in Dandenong who quoted $7,000 for the 15 hours it is estimated that the loading, transport and unloading may take.
The time has now come to transport the vehicles to SGTR. Preperation of the vehicles will take place on the 12th of May and transport to Korumburra on the 13th. Estimated time of arrival at Korumburra is around 1200 noon.
Here we go, another step ahead.
New Shedding at Korumburra - November 2009
Exciting developments at Korumburra with the construction of two new sheds to house our rollingstock and workshops. Soon we will be able to keep our historic rollingstock covered and out of the weather.
Hilda Falls Revegetation Project
Press Release - Next Stop Hilda Falls
A small platform will be built at Hilda Falls on the South Gippsland Railway Line between Loch and Jeetho, after a highly successful Landcare event last month.
The event highlighted the developing partnership between South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) and the Tourist Railway (SGR) and celebrated the achievements of the Loch Nyora Landcare Group's Hilda Falls Regeneration Project.
Two years ago SGLN engaged with SGR to address weed concerns along the track. This project has grown to include Hilda Falls and brought the railway enthusiasts into the world of Landcare and natural resource management.
The Falls were a tangle of blackberry and hawthorn but the beauty of the area has been uncovered with 5 years of work by Landcare and adjoining landholders. SGR have signed a 3 year weed management agreement to contain the weeds and intend building a small platform at the Falls, allowing passengers to disembark and enjoy the surroundings while the train moves on to Nyora and returns to pick them up again.
SGR have also recently received funding of $40,000 to address weed concerns from Nyora to Ferriers Road through the DSE Eco Tender and a further $5000 for weed mapping through the Foundation for Regional Rural Renewal.
"The partnership is very important to us at South Gippsland Landcare Network," said facilitator Tony Gardner . "The Tourist Railway and the Great Southern Rail Trail cover more than 6000 hectares and over 100kms of line, right through the middle of our network with more than 500 rural landholders who border the line. It is an important wildlife corridor and bio-link and contains creeks, river crossings and some wonderful vegetation, including at Hilda Falls . Maintaining weeds to protect agricultural land and managing the native vegetation are important to our Landcare groups. This is a significant piece of tourism and history for our region and we want to see it looked after."
SGLN will continue to assist SGR in developing their management plan, and work with the Loch Nyora Landcare Group, Melbourne Water and other stakeholders to continue improvements at Hilda Falls and along the railway line.
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