Established 1974 Type Railway museum Website www.lvr.com.au Founded 1974 | Location Campbell Street, Cowra Nearest car park On site Phone +61 2 6342 4999 | |
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Address 3 Campbell St, Cowra NSW 2794, Australia Hours Open today · 9AM–5PMSaturday9AM–5PMSunday9AM–5PMMonday9AM–5PMTuesday9AM–5PMWednesday9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PMFriday9AM–5PM Similar Trainworks Railway Museum, Australia's World Peace Bell, Cowra Japanese Garden a, Dorrigo Steam Railway a, Glenreagh Mountain Railway Profiles | ||
Lachlan valley railway
The Lachlan Valley Railway is an Australian rail preservation society based in the New South Wales Central Western town of Cowra. It was established in 1974 to preserve former New South Wales Government Railways locomotives and rolling stock. The Lachlan Valley Railway established a base in the disused 1923 built former Cowra Roundhouse.
Contents
Lachlan valley railway steam on the richmond line 20 9 15
History
The Lachlan Valley Railway was formed in 1974 initially to preserve 5917 and four carriages. It would soon acquire other locomotives and form as association with the Lachlan Vintage Village, Forbes. It had become a successful operator of rail tours, with its rolling stock stabled at Parkes Locomotive Depot, including an interstate tours from Parks to Peterborough in August 1976 with 5917.
On 18 June 1977, it moved to Cowra Roundhouse. Initially allocated a couple of roads, in 1985 it took over the entire facility when the State Rail Authority vacated it.
In 1979, it commenced operating tours from Sydney to Kiama, with a base established at West Ryde in Sydney, however this was vacated in August 1987 to make way for the Northern line to expand.
In November 1983, the LVR purchased 4204 its first diesel locomotive followed shortly after by Australian Iron & Steel shunter D9.
Following the cessation of State Rail Authority services in 1987, the Cowra to Blayney section of the Demondrille to Blayney line, it was leased to the LVR. The line was closed for repairs in 1990 and wasn't reopened until September 1993.
In late 1990 subsidiary Lachlan Valley Rail Freight successfully tendered to operate wheat trains between Woodstock and Cowra on the Blayney to Cowra line for the Grain Handling Authority. However, due to the line being closed for repairs LVR grain services didn't commence until September 1993 with 4204 hauling the first services. In August 1994 the LVR operated wheat trains from Trajere on the Eugowra line to Cowra with 47 class locomotives.
In June 1999, LVRF commenced operating trip working services between Port Botany and the Cooks River container terminal in Sydney using 47 class locomotives and ex Australian National wagons. In July 1999 LVRF commenced operating a service between Cooks River and Carrington with 44 and 47 class locomotives for R&H Transport Services. Congestion in Carrington saw the service diverted to the Toll Holdings siding at Sandgate. In January 2000 LVRF commenced hiring locomotives from Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia and Freight Australia and in September 2000 from Great Northern Rail Services.
Following a short notice decision by RailCorp to close the Demondrille to Cowra line, the serviceable stock was hurriedly moved to Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga in August 2009 with all future movements having to be made by road transport.
Fleet details
Lachlan Valley Railway are in custody of the following locomotives:
Diesel locomotives
Railmotors
PF903, HPF957, HPF958, TC751, TM803 & TBR855 are owned by a member and are soon to be restored and all are ex Rothbury Riot Railway