LACHLAN Valley Railway Society has had a presence at Cowra Locomotive Depot since 1978 and took over control there when the depot closed in 1985.
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For the next 24 years this was home base and all activities were centred here.
When it was announced that the Blayney-Harden line was to close in 2009 all accredited locomotives and carriages were moved to Cootamundra and eventually scattered across the state.
From these centres heritage trains have run since, generating much of the society's income.
There remained, however, two steam engines and approximately two thirds of the society's carriages marooned in Cowra, and it was realised that in order to remain viable the depot would have to become a tourist attraction in its own right.
A program was put in place to convert this industrial site into an interesting and attractive facility to be enjoyed by everyone, not just rail enthusiasts.
Using generous grants from various NSW government bodies, as well as Cowra Council, this is well on the way to becoming a reality and the society has no intention of abandoning what has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus countless hours of hard work to create.
Coupled to this is the fact that cost wise it would be prohibitive to attempt to move everything elsewhere by road.
Lately, however, it has become apparent that the outside fleet requires an ever-increasing amount of heavy maintenance, and pressure has been building to acquire a self-supporting maintenance facility rather than beg favours from others.
Several options were explored, including the abandoned Orange East Fork locomotive depot.
Although devoid of infrastructure in the form of sheds it was felt that the central location was worth any future investment.
If the Cowra-Blayney section were ever reopened trains could easily move between depots.
Naturally once trains begin to arrive in Orange the opportunity will be there to operate services in the local area.
This is where a potential problem looms for Cowra, as we currently have an application lodged with John Holland Country Rail Network – the Cowra lines administrator – to operate trains on a section of the closed line between Cowra and Woodstock.
This, we feel, is an integral part of the overall heritage rail experience now centred on the museum site.
If there is a demand for this type of service based in Orange, however, it could well result in Orange becoming the heritage rail centre for the Central West.
Anyone who is interested in what Lachlan Valley Railway is doing is invited to visit the Cowra Rail Heritage Centre at the southern end of Campbell Street, Cowra.
Talk to resident tour guide Eddie and tell him you’re a local and he will be only to happy to show you around.
While there ask him about becoming a member.
Ian Cameron, Chairman, LVR
PLEBISCITE IS IN THE POST
I’M not sure what form of plebiscite is envisaged to measure ratepayers' opinion but surely there is no need for expensive polling days.
A survey issued with the next rate notice and a reply-paid envelope should be sufficient.