A piece of regional railway history is set for a new lease on life in Rosewood, where volunteers have begun restoring a weathered building along the former Marburg branch line corridor at the end of Mill Lane.
The old waiting shed, original remains from Fernvale station, sits on land managed by the Australian Railway Historical Society at Rosewood.
Restoration efforts are being led by the Queensland Rollingstock Preservation Group, a small but mighty volunteer organisation that has secured a long term lease on part of the corridor.
Queensland Rollingstock Preservation Group president Mick Saffioti said the work was being carried out by a team determined to safeguard a fragment of Queensland’s railway heritage, with the group undertaking a variety of projects preserving railway-related artefacts across the state.
“There’s some of our articles in Mount Morgan, Murgon, Kingaroy. We’ve got stuff in so many places.” said Mr Saffioti.
“Our main thing, is we find old rolling stock that’s worthy of keeping the story going,”
“We’re just a small handful, trying to preserve a bit of history for the future.” he said.
For their latest project, years of exposure have taken a toll on the building.
“The termites have built a nest under the floors and proceeded to eat it out a fair bit. But it’s not beyond fixing. It just needs a bit of hard work and time,” Mr Saffioti said.
“We’re older blokes with skills using chisels and hammers. We’ll slowly tidy it up and make it (the waiting shed) into a little office again.”
He estimated it could take around 12 months to stabilise and restore the structure, with the first stage of work including removing graffiti, repairing the flooring and levelling the building.
The project recently received a boost from Rosewood real estate agent Megan Acutt of Acutt & Greet Real Estate, who donated funds to install security cameras after learning of the restoration plans.
“We’re trying to raise funds for this as well, to make it an attraction for Rosewood,” Ms Acutt said.
Although Mr Saffioti spent 50 years working in the railway industry, he acknowledged that the group’s strength lay in its mix of volunteers.
“Most of the guys are all blokes that are from different walks of life.. There’s skills hidden in everybody.” said Mr Saffioti.
He said the gatherings also foster a sense of connection and camaraderie among participants.
The Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland and the Queensland Rolling Stock Preservation Group share common interests and support each other when needed.
ARHS Queensland president Steve Lamprecht said more volunteers are urgently required to help sustain the work.
“Both organisations, whether it be, you know, the ARHS through our Rosewood operation, or the Queensland Rollingstock Preservation Group, we’re just desperate for help, and for volunteers.” Mr Lamprecht said.
“People don’t have to commit to every weekend, it’s just whatever they can do, and there’s so many different tasks to be done there.” he added.
Anyone interested in getting involved in this project, or seeking further information, is welcome to make contact to the Queensland Rollingstock Preservation Group via: management.committee@QRPG.net.au or visit the website: qrpg.net.au
