Local news for local people
More money brings the railway closer to reality
June 27, 2024
Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway (OTHR) has received a welcome boost to the funds required to get the railway back in service. They have been presented with a cheque for $20,354 by Member for Bathurst Paul Toole. The money will be used to improve maintenance capability and also to build a better kitchen to supply those excellent morning teas on the monthly open days.
There is still no definite date for running the first train to Hazelgrove, but the track work is complete and now all that remains to be done is driver training and the paperwork of all the certifications needed. October 2024 is still a reasonable target, and Oberon Matters will be keeping watch on the project.
Michael Clark, Greg Bourne and Mark Handel join
Paul Toole in admiring 3085.
See more: OTHR gets a new train to work on
And here's everyone with the cheque.
Oberon railway station and the OTHR workshop are open to the public from 10am to 2pm on the first Saturday of each month. It's $5 admission and $10 for a delicious morning tea.
Paul Tool's office had this to say in a media release:
Funding boost for Oberon Tarana heritage railway
The hard-working team at the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway have received some great news from Bathurst MP Paul Toole.
Mr Toole this week announced they would receive support from the NSW Government Community Building Partnership fund to the tune of $20,354.
"This grant is in recognition of the dedication of the OTHR volunteers," he said. "The funding will allow them to purchase a rail saw, dog spike puller, dog screw installer and some new items for their small kitchen area," he said.
"These are costly, specialist and invaluable tools for the OTHR members whose vision is to bring one of the region’s most picturesque rail lines back into operation as a local and regional tourist attraction. Their ultimate aim is to restore the Oberon Tarana branch line which is some 24.3km long and was originally built between 1921 and 1923."
Mr Toole said the Community Building Partnership fund is a NSW Government initiative which awards grants for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes.
And speaking of the Hazlegrove end, things are looking good.
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