Historic steam and diesel trains will be based in Orange after a major tourist railway group won approval to create a depot at East Fork.
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The Lachlan Valley Railway (LVR) will consolidate its stock of two steam engines, nine diesel engines and several historic railway carriages in Orange.
Work has already begun on clearing the former NSW railways engine shed site and turntable at East Fork to house their collection.
LVR secretary/treasurer John Healey said the group would seek $240,000 in State Government heritage grant funding to erect two large sheds to protect the trains.
The group, which had to leave its base in Cowra in 2009 after being left isolated when the State Government closed that railway line down, has fought for four years to win approval to move to Orange.
It will start its new association with Orange with two historic rail motor tours this weekend, running from Orange to Geurie for the picnic races on Saturday and to Kandos for its hot rod festival on Sunday (book online at lvr.com.au).
Further tours to Tarana and Condobolin are planned for next month and trips to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the railway coming to Orange are on track for Easter.
Mr Healey said the tourism potential was significant.
He said they had been working with Orange City Council over plans for monthly shuttle runs from Orange to Molong and Stuart Town and weekend tours to Dubbo, Parkes and Bathurst.
“It is going to be an enormous year,” he said.
Mr Healey said the group had a base of 220 volunteers, of which 40-50 were actively involved in running trains, and said they wanted to recruit more people in Orange.
“We’re very keen to build a base of volunteers in Orange.”
Mayor of Orange Cr John Davis said council had seen the tourism potential and he had met the LVR’s leaders.
“The huge number of people who turn out at the Orange railway station whenever an historic train is selling tickets, points to the value of this move for local tourism.”
He said the site had rare features but would need volunteer workers and funding.
“It’s clear that East Fork will need a lot of money in the form of government grants.
“I expect council will be working with the LVR to look at the potential for attracting grants,” he said.