NSW Rail Museum explained

NSW Rail Museum
Image Upright:1.4
Map Type:New South Wales
Map Relief:1
Map Size:270
Coordinates:-34.2064°N 150.5695°W
Location:10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere, New South Wales, Australia
Type:Railway museum
Car Park:On site

The NSW Rail Museum is the main railway museum in New South Wales, Australia. A division of Transport Heritage NSW, it was previously known as the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSWRTM), Rail Heritage Centre and Trainworks.[1] [2]

Transport Heritage NSW has divisions located in Thirlmere, New South Wales, where the NSW Rail Museum is dedicated to displaying locomotives, passenger cars, and freight rolling stock formerly operated by the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) and various private operators. The Blue Mountains division is located at the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

History

The NSWRTM was established in October 1962 with 62 members. A survey of potential sites around Sydney found Enfield Locomotive Depot to be the most suitable and in 1963 a successful submission was made to the Department of Railways. Under the arrangement the department would retain ownership of the locomotives and rolling stock and responsibility for their maintenance. As Enfield depot was still active, exhibits were sent to Enfield for storage but not able to be accessed. In 1967, the department made an area adjacent to Petersham station available to the museum. The first locomotives outshopped were 3526 and 3609 painted blue and green respectively.[4]

In July 1969, the NSWRTM was able to move into Enfield Roundhouse Number 3 with all exhibits transferred by September. In 1970, the museum was able to relocate into the larger Roundhouse Number 1, allowing the majority of the collection to be stored undercover. In October 1972, the display at Enfield was officially opened by Commissioner for Railways, Neil McCusker.[4] [5]

The NSWRTM had always maintained a good relationship with the Department of Railways, but in October 1972 it was replaced by the Public Transport Commission. The PTC under Commissioner Philip Shirley decided it wanted all steam locomotives, including those owned by preservation organisations, off the network with 3820 operating the NSWRTM's last tour to Taree in 1974. The PTC also decided it wanted nothing to do with maintaining the NSWRTM's collection and handed over the exhibits to the museum under a Deed of Gift.[4]

The PTC also wanted to demolish the Enfield roundhouses to make way for a container terminal and offered the museum a site at Thirlmere on the then lightly used Picton – Mittagong loop line.[4] Site clearing began in late 1974 and works were sufficiently advanced for the transfer of stock to begin in June 1975. While some trains were hauled by diesel locomotives, most were worked by the museum's own steam locomotives.[6]

The NSWRTM opened at its current location in on 1 June 1976.[7] Services on the loop line between Thirlmere and Buxton began on 13 June 1976.[6] Initially uncovered, the first section of roofing was completed in 1979. It was over a decade before the whole site was covered.

The PTC relaxed its ban on main line steam in October 1976. 3801 returned to the main line. By the early 1980s it was operating enthusiast journeys on a regular basis including a monthly service from Sydney Central to Thirlmere.[4]

In 1984, the NSWRTM became a founding member of the 3801 Limited managerial board that was created to oversee the operation of the locomotive 3801. The famous British railway locomotive 4472 Flying Scotsman visited Thirlmere in March 1989 as part of its tour around Australia.[8]

In 1993, the museum concluded a lease for the 14km (09miles) Picton – Buxton railway line following its closure by the State Rail Authority.[9]

The NSWRTM was removed as a board member of 3801 Limited in November 2006 after the 20-year lease of 3801 was not renewed. The locomotive was returned to the NSWRTM.[10]

Redevelopment

In 2006, the Government of New South Wales endorsed the Sustainable Rail Heritage Asset Management Strategy to ensure the collection of the State's rail heritage assets are maintained and conserved by dedicated volunteers and shared with the public for current and future generations to appreciate and enjoy. In 2007, RailCorp’s Office of Rail Heritage commissioned the development of a concept design for the NSWRTM’s upgrade. This saw ownership in the NSWRTM vested in Trainworks Limited, a 100% subsidiary of RailCorp.[11]

A major redevelopment saw the locomotive depot relocated to a roundhouse built at the southern end of the site opening in November 2009.[12] To create room for stage two of the development of the museum, some of the exhibits were moved to Broadmeadow and Goulburn in 2009. Work on stage two began in December 2009, which included demolition of the existing locomotive maintenance building, construction of a new major exhibits building and other works. The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum re-opened in April 2011.[13]

Organisation

The museum has over 2,300 members, including an active volunteer workforce of over 400 and a small number of full-time staff.[5] It is administered by a voluntary Board and a Management Committee. The museum is accredited as a rail operator under the NSW Rail Safety Act 2002 meaning it has network access rights on the NSW main line rail network. It also has accreditation to operate in Victoria.[14]

Amalgamation

In May 2013, the Minister for Transport announced Transport Heritage NSW, a new not-for-profit company, would be established to manage rail heritage in NSW following an independent review of rail heritage commissioned by the NSW Government. THNSW have responsibility for the rebranded NSW Rail Museum and the Valley Heights site.

All assets were transferred to THNSW after the merge.

Museum exhibits

The museum has an extensive collection of railway locomotives, carriages, wagons and other railway equipment from both the NSWGR and privately operated railways displayed at Thirlmere:

Steam Locomotives
NoDescriptionManufacturerYearStatusRef
10210-4-0T saddle tankManning Wardle1896Static exhibit[15]
10332-4-0T passenger tankBeyer, Peacock & Company1885Static exhibit[16]
10340-4-0T 4T craneDübs & Co1886Static exhibit[17]
10640-4-0 3T coal grabAlfred Harmon, Melbourne 1918Static exhibit[18]
13014-4-2T passengerBeyer, Peacock & Company1877Static exhibit[19]
17094-4-0 passengerVulcan Foundry1887Static exhibit [20]
18030-6-0T passengerVulcan Foundry1884Painted as Thomas the Tank Engine[21] [22]
19050-6-0T goodsBeyer, Peacock & Company1877Static exhibit[23]
20292-6-4T passengerEveleigh Railway Workshops1911Static exhibit[24]
25102-6-0 goodsBeyer, Peacock & Company1882Static exhibit[25]
27052-6-0 mixed trafficHunslet Engine Company1913Operational[26]
30014-6-0 mixed trafficBeyer, Peacock & Company1903Operational[27]
31374-6-4T passengerEveleigh Railway Workshops1916Static exhibit[28]
35264-6-0 passengerEveleigh Railway Workshops1917Operational[29]
36164-6-0 passengerEveleigh Railway Workshops1928Stored
36424-6-0 passengerClyde Engineering1926Only in use for special events [30]
38014-6-2 express passengerClyde Engineering1943Operational[31]
38204-6-2 express passengerEveleigh Railway Workshops1947Static exhibit[32]
55952-8-0 goodsClyde Engineering1912Static exhibit[33]
59102-8-2 goodsBaldwin Locomotive Works1952Static exhibit[34]
60294-8-4+4-8-4 goodsBeyer, Peacock & Company1954Operational[35] [36]
60404-8-4+4-8-4 goodsBeyer, Peacock & Company1956Static exhibit[37]
180-6-0 mixed trafficRobert Stephenson and Company1865Static exhibit
780-4-2 mixed trafficEveleigh Railway Workshops1877Static exhibit[38] -

Other locomotives

Carriages

Other items

Publications

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Bennett, David . Introducing the NSW Rail Museum Brand . . 54 . 1. January 2017.
  2. Web site: Meacham . Steve . 2011-04-01 . Newest attraction leaves the platform . 2022-11-01 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 1 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221101092819/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/newest-attraction-leaves-the-platform-20110401-1crk3.html . live .
  3. Web site: Tram 103a at Valley Heights Steam Tramway. 17 April 2015. 5 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150305000152/http://infobluemountains.net.au/locodepot/tram/exhibits_tram103a.shtml. live.
  4. "The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum; The First Thirty Years" Roundhouse January 1994; page 4
  5. Web site: About The NSW Rail Transport Museum. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130222030353/http://www.nswrtm.org/aboutus.html. 22 February 2013. dmy-all.
  6. "Museum on the Move" Roundhouse July 1976 page 5
  7. Web site: Geier. Matthew. New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. 31 January 2012. 1996. 20 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120320215725/http://www.sleeper.apana.org.au/railway/nswrtm.html. live.
  8. "Gala Day 1989" Roundhouse April 1989 page 28
  9. "Rail Transport Museum Set to Lease Loop Line" Railway Digest August 1993 page 316
  10. http://www.nswrtm.org/3801/documents/06-02-00-RTMmail.pdf 3801 Limited
  11. http://www.railcorp.info/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/10446/RailCorp_Annual_Report_2010-2011.pdf Annual Report 2010/11
  12. http://www.trainworks.com.au/about_us_upgrade_evolution Upgrade Evolution
  13. Web site: Museum Development Upgrade Information. NSW Rail Transport Museum. 9 October 2011. 21 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721165834/http://www.nswrtm.org/news/museum_development.html. live.
  14. http://www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au/rail-safety/accreditation/accredited-rail-operators Accredited Rail Operators
  15. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807204 Locomotive, Steam 1021
  16. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807205 Locomotive, Steam 1033
  17. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807206 Locomotive, Steam 1034
  18. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807207 Locomotive, Steam 1064
  19. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807211 Locomotive, Steam 1301
  20. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807214 Locomotive, Steam 1709
  21. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807312 Locomotive, Steam 1803
  22. Web site: 2010-08-23 . Thomas the Tank Engine in Sydney . 2022-11-03 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 3 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103083333/https://www.smh.com.au/national/thomas-the-tank-engine-in-sydney-20100823-13ep1.html . live .
  23. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807215 Locomotive, Steam 1905
  24. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807216 Locomotive, Steam 2029
  25. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807218 Locomotive, Steam 2510
  26. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807220 Locomotive, Steam 2705
  27. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807223 Locomotive, Steam 3001
  28. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807222 Locomotive, Steam 3137
  29. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807226 Locomotive, Steam 3526
  30. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807229 Locomotive, Steam 3642
  31. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807230 Locomotive, Steam 3801
  32. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807231 Locomotive, Steam 3820
  33. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807234 Locomotive, Steam 5595
  34. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807204 Locomotive, Steam 5910
  35. Web site: THNSW . 2022-05-07 . Full steam ahead for Beyer-Garratt 6029 . 2022-11-03 . THNSW . en . 3 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103084026/https://www.thnsw.com.au/post/full-steam-ahead-for-beyer-garratt-6029 . live .
  36. Web site: Bushnell . Ian . Prized steam engine's new owners to keep Garratt at NSW Rail Museum . 2022-11-03 . Riotact . en . 3 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103092542/https://the-riotact.com/prized-steam-engines-new-owners-to-keep-garratt-at-nsw-rail-museum/237451 . live .
  37. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807239 Locomotive, Steam 6040
  38. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807203 Locomotive, Steam 78
  39. News: 1902-02-05 . OUR RAILWAYS. . Sydney Morning Herald . 2022-11-05.
  40. Web site: Governor-General's Railway Carriage . Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences . 4 November 2022 . Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia.
  41. Web site: An all Australian triumph: The Governor general's carriage South Eveleigh Heritage . 2022-11-04 . eveleighstories.com.au . 4 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104084356/https://eveleighstories.com.au/stories/working-life/all-australian-triumph-governor-generals-carriage . live .
  42. News: 2015-11-05 . Rare Arnott's biscuit van restored by train museum . en-AU . ABC News . 2022-11-01 . 1 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221101091607/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-05/historic-arnotts-biscuit-van-restored/6915568 . live .
  43. News: 2015-11-18 . Southern Highlands train ticket collection a reminder of a bygone era . en-AU . ABC News . 2022-11-01 . 1 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221101091607/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-18/ticket-collection-reminder-of-bygone-era/6951264 . live .