West Coast Wilderness Railway
Tourist and Heritage Railways
Queenstown: An historic and scenic steam train journey into Tasmania's pioneering past on the rugged West Coast, the West Coast Wilderness Railway operates on a former mining railway line between Queenstown and Strahan on the Tasmanian west coast. This popular attraction forms a gateway for visitors to not only travel through the pristine rainforst wilderness of Tasmania's west, but also to explore Tasmania s unique rail heritage, discovering the inspiring story of the pioneers who built the railway more than 100 years ago. Along this journey the train stops at stations of the past where trained guides bring to life the stories of these historic points on the railway. Spectacular views of bridges, rivers, rainforests, & gorges make this a unique experience.
Tullah: This tourist railway takes its name from the cute 600mm-gauge (2 feet) steam locomotive used to haul trains on its line at Tullah. Wee Georgie Wood was the prime source of motive power for the tramway between 1921 and 1962, when the new Murchison Highway reached Tullah and the original tramway ceased operations. Most of the original tramway route was inundated by the rising waters of Lake Rosebery. In the 1980s Wee Georgie was rescued and restored to full running order by a group of local enthusiasts and volunteers. 1921 Fowler 0-4-0 tank steam locomotive that It now operates on the short Farrell Tramway, which opened for operation between the then isolated mining township of Tullah and Farrell Siding, some 9.6 kilometres away on the Emu Bay Railway.
Sheffield: This heritage railway operates tourist steam train rides throughout the year from the original Sheffield railway station in Tasmania's north west. Ex-Ida Bay Tramway. The locomotive used to pull the carriages originally ran on the Lune River railway, which now operates as the Ida Bay Railway tourise line. The railway runs a 1937 0-4-2 Hunslet 2 foot gauge steam locomotive. Trains run on the first full weekend each month 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the half hour.
Glenorchy, Hobart: Train trips are run at the museum twice a month, on the first and third Sunday. These are presently operated by DP class diesel railmotor on the first Sunday, and a steam locomotive on the third Sunday. The museum features historical items and memorabilia relating to Tasmania's transport history. The museum exhibits include railway locomotives, railmotors, carriages and wagons, trams, trolley buses, motor buses, stationary steam engines and many other items of historical interest. There is also a display of historical photographs and other small objects.
Maydena: In what is believed to be a first in Australia, the Railtrack Rider in Tasmania s Derwent Valley provides the opportunity to travel along the old Maydena railway track past an historic railway siding and into the rainforest. But this is a tourist railway with a novel difference - the rolling stock is not powered by steam, or diesel - it uses pedal power! Using 2-seater carts based on railway hand cars (commonly referred to as Kalamazoos in Australia), Railtracking Riding is a unique fitness activity that provides exercise using the power of pedals to propel a group or individuals along disused non-operational railway corridors, while enjoying the vista and aura of Maydena s forests and climate.
The Railtrack Rider were all custom built a few years ago by local engineers and comply with all Government safety standards and requirements. They travel along a 2.5 kilometre section of disused rail track between Maydena and the Florentine Valley station. The journey takes about one hour return with the incline in the first section providing a bit of a work out, while the return run is a fast, easy downhill pedal.
Devonport: Don River railway at Don Village on Forth Road, Devonport is a significant railway museum in north western Tasmania. The steam and diesel engines and other rolling stock on display has played an important part in Tasmania's rail history. After looking through the museum, bew sure to take the half hour ride on a genuine vintage train along the old Melrose line to Coles Beach and back. You can alight at Coles Beach and enjoy a pleasant coastal walk, catching a later train back to the museum.
Southport: The Ida Bay tourist railway is one of Australia's last surviving narrow gauge bush railways. The railway operates train rides from Lune River station along the old line to Ida Bay and Lune River Estuary, built to transport limestone in the 1890s. The line passes through the site of the original town of Ida Bay past the wharf and grave yard that is all that remains of a once thriving area. The scenic water views are superb, and marked bushwalking tracks lead to Southport Lagoon and Southport Bluff. Several of the passenger carriages are built on original bogie flat wagons some of the earliest bogie wagons in Australia.
Launceston: Located in Launceston's historic Inveresk Precinct, within walking distance of the CBD, the Museum features a workshop, a large modern display gallery and access to rail track running through the precinct, on which runs a restored Launceston double bogie tram, the only surviving one of its kind. Inside the gallery you can enjoy Launceston's oldest surviving movie footage and experience a whimsical ramble on the big screen, observing how the city has changed since Victorian times.
Rail transport in Tasmania consists of a network of narrow gauge track of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) reaching virtually all cities and major towns in the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Today, rail services are focussed primarily on bulk freight, with no commercial passenger services being operated. The mainline railways of Tasmania are currently operated by TasRail, a Government of Tasmania-owned Corporation, who owns and maintains both rollingstock, locomotives, and track infrastructure.
The Tasmanian system is small rail system by world standards. It currently carries no regular passenger services. Its freight services are not profitable without government subsidies. The main cargo carried is cement, which is carried from Railton to the port at Devonport. Other major commodities carried are coal, logs, containers and newsprint.
A broad gauge (1600 mm) railway line was opened between Deloraine and Launceston on 10 February 1871 by the private Launceston and Western Railway, on the basis of debt guarantees from landowners who stood to benefit. The line went bankrupt in 1872 and was taken over by the Tasmanian Government on 31 October 1873, which then attempted to recover the debt from the guarantors, leading to civil unrest.
On 1 March 1876, another private railway, the Tasmanian Main Line Company, which was guaranteed by the Tasmanian Government, opened a narrow gauge (1067 mm) line from Hobart to Evandale, near Launceston. A further extension, opened on 1 November 1876, connected with the Launceston and Western Railway at a break-of-gauge at Western Junction with the line to Deloraine, however the line between Western Junction and Launceston was made dual gauge. The line between Western Junction and Deloraine was converted to dual gauge on 17 March 1885. On 30 May 1885, the line was extended to Devonport.