ROSEWOOD Railway Museum volunteers share a passion for all things to do with the heritage of the railway and are aiming to restore an important piece of the area’s history for future generations to explore and enjoy.
Train running days and operations came to a holt during the Covid pandemic, but now volunteers are busy trying to get the track and the locomotives back into top condition.
Vice President and Secretary of the Australian Railway Historical Society, John Pollard said the group were prioritising restoration works on the railway sleepers between two former local railway stations.
“Cabanda and Kunkala are the two main stations on the line and most of the sleepers are still in great condition with only some in need of restoration or complete replacement,” he said.
“This popular heritage journey through the open spaces on the line was once a thriving and busy centrepiece of Rosewood that attracted families from all over the region and we are working hard to open it up once again.”
On the track are locomotives that once were talking points but now they are sitting among other important relics, that are still in need of some repairs.
“Issues arise from the small number of volunteers in comparison to the large amount of work that progressively takes over,” John said.
“Currently we have less than 10 people aged between 50 to 80 years who volunteer twice a week. Simply, we need more people.
“We dedicate our time wholeheartedly to try to get on top of the overgrown grass and weeds that very quickly grow and take over the area both on the track and surrounding the track.
“Our method of mowing first then spraying the area with appropriate weed management spray, relieves some of the need for constant vegetation management and this is something that we aim to get on top of.”
Good news does lift the spirits of the volunteers though with most of the locomotives still starting with no issues.
One in particular, which was a crowd favourite on running days, is Red Fred, a RM55 locomotive.
Red Fred started life as an AEC petrol powered railmotor in December 1930, before the AEC petrol motor was replaced with a 38 kW 4-cylinder Gardner diesel engine.
Withdrawn from service in 1966, it was transported to Kunkala in July 1990 and it is now the last of its kind.
“All of this history is waiting for keen and eager people who are just willing to join us to lend a hand while making new friends who share important skills to bring the Rosewood Railway line back to life,” John said.
“There are many jobs available such as the installations of railway sleepers, vegetation management and general cleaning and maintenance, many hands make light work and we welcome anyone interested to please join us.”
