The MVHR News

[Maxn99]

There was a segment on "Queenslander Weekender" this evening about Dagun railway station & the Mary Valley Rattler. Obviously it was produced some time ago because Budda spoke as though it is still operating on Wed,Sat & Sun each week.

[paul_1089]

This is absolutely disgraceful!

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/rattl...r/1609244/

Rattler suspended indefinitely after September derailment

THE Rattler will remain off the rails until the Mary Valley Heritage Railway track receives a major upgrade.

Queensland Rail's safety inspectors suspended the tourist operation indefinitely on handing down their report today following a derailment in September.

While the prime cause of the derailment was a mechanical fault on a carriage, the regulator advised that the event highlighted a number of issues which needed to be addressed before passenger operations could recommence.

This includes inspection and maintenance procedures for vehicles and track, and resources for track upgrades.

The MVHR office has forwarded the advice to management committee members and have taken up an offer from safety inspectors to meet and clarify issues and expectations.

"We are aware of the keen public interest in the Rattler's future and will be updating through Facebook and the media as the situation develops," Mr Walker said.

"No timeline is available as yet."

Mr Walker said the public should be aware on-rail vehicles will still operate and motorists needed to continue to take care at level crossings and avoid entering the rail corridor without authorisation.

[LadyGuard]

PRESS RELEASE – Monday 5 November 2012

The Valley Rattler has received advice from the Rail Safety Regulator that the current suspension of passenger operations will continue

The prime cause of the derailment was an inadequate repair of equipment by a previous owner. However the Regulator advised that the event highlighted a number of issues which they require to be addressed prior to a recommencement of passenger operations. This includes inspection and maintenance procedures for vehicles and track, and resources for track upgrades.

The Rattler Office is forwarding the advice to Management Committee members, at the same time taking up the offer from the Regulator to meet to clarify issues and expectations.

We are aware of the keen public interest in the future of the Rattler and will be updating through facebook and the media as the situation develops. No timeline is available as yet.
The public should be aware on-rail vehicles will still operate, so please take care at level crossings and avoid entering the rail corridor without authorization.

[LadyGuard]

You can sign a petition here if you choose.

https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/t...-rattler-2#

[jf934]

Article in todays Gympie Times.......

One giant step for Rattler

IT MAY have been the shortest train trip in Australia but it was an important step in the resurrection of the Mary Valley Rattler.

Yesterday the Silver Bullet took the historic train organisation's first customers in over six months after a minor derailment at Dagun shut down operations due to track safety concerns.

About 60 members of the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, which is holding its national convention in Maryborough, journeyed south to Gympie for the train trip.

It was just 600m, up to the end of the Old Gympie Railway Station yards and back, but it gave the visitors a little taste of what the Mary Valley line had to offer.

Volunteer general manager Jim Walker said the train trip was supposed to take passengers further along the rail corridor toward Gympie North, but bridge works over the line on Stewart Tce stopped that from happening.

"It's just a small step but it's very positive," Mr Walker said.

"Getting the wheels turning is very important to us."

Driver Kevin Power said it was great to get behind the wheel of the train again.

"It's my first run since September," he said.

Mr Power was expecting to take more groups from the Ulysses convention on trips over the next two days.

He said the rail motor was used because the steam engine was undergoing major work on its boiler.

The Rattler is planning to start scheduled trips toward Gympie North once the bridge work had been completed and they were working hard to get back to the Valley.

Mr Walker said the group was hopeful funding applications submitted to upgrade the track would be successful and enable the historic railway to resume operations along the Mary Valley line.

Gympie residents have a chance to catch a quick trip on the Silver Bullet this Saturday night at the Twilight Markets. Mr Walker said the rail motor would be running from 6pm with rides costing just $2.

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/one-g...r/1833973/

[Rolls Royce]

Thats some positive news! Good to see!

[Alan Parker]

(18-Apr-2013, 01:53 PM)Rolls Royce Wrote: Thats some positive news! Good to see!

That`s worth the 75 km drive today to Gympie in order to spend $2++.

[CNsylvester]

(20-Apr-2013, 09:24 AM)Alan Parker Wrote:

(18-Apr-2013, 01:53 PM)Rolls Royce Wrote: Thats some positive news! Good to see!

That`s worth the 75 km drive today to Gympie in order to spend $2++.

There was a wedding in the Gympie Station refreshment rooms today and markets are on tonight. Lots of track work going on in the Gympie Yard and Imbil to Kandanga had its regular herbicide spray today to keep those pesky weeds under control!

[Alan Parker]

Well,I made it to Gympie & back & the trip was absolutely worthwhile.A short cab ride in 2023/2017 whilst not quite The Sav.was nevertheless great. The feel around Gympie station in the late afternoon & evening,enhanced by all the (Market)people together with lots of pleasant MVHR people was an uplifting experience.
The rare sight of the station with all it`s lights on was something to behold.
Keep up the good work--obviously all is not lost.

[paul_1089]

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/shunt...l/1978542/

Shunt work has heritage rail on track for revival

10th Aug 2013 5:00 AM



A NEW contract for shunt services to Maryborough is helping the Mary Valley Heritage Railway become viable again.

MVHR manager Jim Walker was pleased with the deal to use a diesel locomotive to shunt for Downer EDI from Gympie at Maryborough.

He said the contract followed detailed negotiation with a large number of players, together with thorough preparation of equipment.

"The MVHR has been looking to identify alternate revenue opportunities following the suspension of passenger operations last year. This operation is a major plus for us," Mr Walker said.

"I thank all who were involved in the planning and implementation of this event."

MVHR president Tony Hallam said the railway would continue to source alternative revenue opportunities while working with the State Government in the execution of the recently announced funding. The funding is being used to help return heritage steam operations back to the Mary Valley.

"This is a great outcome for the MVHR and demonstrates that the MVHR is continuing to develop and grow as a viable business entity," Mr Hallam said.

"This initiative continues to lay the foundation for the reboot of the Valley Rattler."

He said volunteer track gangs had just replaced 54 sleepers in the Gympie yard and to the immediate south of Old Gympie Railway Station.

The co-ordinator of the volunteer track gang, Peter Alder, said it was a big effort.

"We have been having track gangs every two to three weeks and it is great to see the number of volunteers who turn up.

"It is hard yakka," he said.

For details and bookings of the Heritage Rail Motor tours, which occur on the second and fourth Sundays and during the MVHR Twilight Markets every third Saturday, please phone 5482 2750.