Plans to base a heritage rail group at Orange’s former East Fork depot are on track.
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Lachlan Valley Railway [LVR] secretary/treasurer John Healey said the group hoped to move its first trains to Orange within six months.
A local band of volunteers have got stuck into fixing the buildings out there.
- John Healey, Lachlan Valley Railway
Mr Healey said it was dependent on trackwork, security upgrades and final approval for rail access.
The LVR is based in Cowra where it has a museum but no access to main railway lines.
On Saturday it held its 40th annual general meeting in Orange as part of its commitment to setting up a base from where it can run its fleet of railmotors and steam trains on main lines.
“It was the first time we had it on one of our own sites,” he said.
Mr Healey said the meeting was attended by the Member for Orange Phil Donato and Orange City councillors who indicated their support.
“Optimistically we discussed having some sort of rolling stock on site within six months,” he said.
“The logical first candidate for us would be the railmotors.”
Mr Healey said 90 sleepers needed replacing at the depot which was less than the group originally thought would be required.
However, the process has taken longer than they initially planned.
Mr Healey said Orange volunteers had done a lot of work on the depot yard and on buildings.
“A local band of volunteers have got stuck into fixing the buildings out there,” he said.
“The place is looking really good.”
You can get a taste of the group’s future plans with a railmotor weekend at Orange on December 2-3.
It starts with one hour shuttle trips [$20 adult, $10 child, $55 family of four] from Orange to Polona and back from 10am on the Saturday.
At 5.30pm the trains will run a Christmas dinner trip to Manildra which will cost $65 per person including dinner.
A Sunday Christmas lunch trip to Tarana will depart Orange at 10.30am.
It will cost $65 for adults and $40 for children and includes lunch at the Tarana Hotel.
To purchase tickets go to www.lvr.com.au or phone 6342 4999 between 9am-noon Monday-Friday.
Tickets can also be bought at Orange station on the day if not sold out beforehand.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
