All the latest Derwent Valley Railway news…
Official Opening of the Geoff Clayton Railway Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, 12th November 2025
Honouring the memory of long-time member and generous benefactor, Geoffrey John Clayton, the Derwent Valley Railway will officially open our new Community Workshop and Training Centre, located in the New Norfolk Railway Yard, on Wednesday, 12th November at 1.00pm.
Assisted by a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund, operations at the Workshop and Training Centre began with an Orientation Session for trainees on Wednesday 10th September.
The new Workshop provides a home for much of our extensive range of tools and other railway-related equipment. It is available for use by suitably insured community organisations and serves as a venue for training school and college students and job seekers in railway maintenance activities.
The new facility has been met with great enthusiasm by our initial cohort of students from New Norfolk High and Glenora District Schools. Greg Robinson, who conceived the idea of a community workshop and training facility in conjunction with Paul Jones when both were members of the DVR Board, is conducting the training program, to which Southcentral Workforce Network and TAFE Tasmania have also contributed.
The Derwent Valley Railway thanks the Tasmanian Community Fund for its support of this outstanding initiative and looks forward to welcoming many more participants in our Workshop and Training Centre activities.
A full report on the Official Opening will appear in the November edition of our monthly newsletter, ‘ON TRACK’.
Our very popular Car Boot Sales are back!
Roll up, roll up to our
Bumper Car Boot Sale……..
Sunday 26th October 2025
10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Station Street, New Norfolk
· Support your heritage railway
· Donate your unwanted items
· Run your own stall
· Enjoy a sausage sizzle
· Make new friends or catch up with old ones…!
Improving our Governance
The Board of the Derwent Valley Railway is reviewing members’ submissions in response to the revision of our Rules of Association. The revision is intended to remove confusing definitions and outdated provisions, and improve current and prospective members’ understanding of our corporate governance.
As a consequence of the recent, intensive voluntary work undertaken to complete our new Workshop and Training Centre and deliver the first phase of student training, a Special General Meeting for members to consider the formal adoption of revised Rules will now be arranged for early 2026.
Complementing the proposed changes to the Rules, the Board has this year adopted new or updated, easily understood and succinct policies dealing with:
Members’ Code of Conduct
Board Members’ Code of Conduct
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Social Media; and
Privacy.
These policies and a new Communications Protocol adopted by the Board may be downloaded on the Membership page of this website.
Click on the links to read back copies of ‘ON TRACK’:
‘ON TRACK’
The Derwent Valley Railway Preservation Society Inc monthly newsletter for members and friends
On Sunday 15th December 2024, a confirmed case of arson in the New Norfolk rail yard resulted in the complete destruction of ‘Tullah House’, a new lunchroom and relaxation area meticulously fitted out and painted by our hard-working volunteers.
The reason for this senseless attack and several subsequent break-ins, destructive acts and graffiti vandalism is unknown. Members have questioned the perpetrators’ motives, and whether the DVR is the subject of an orchestrated campaign of property violence by people with an inexplicable grudge against the Railway.
Anyone with information that helps bring to justice those responsible for the various attacks on the Derwent Valley Railway is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000, or the Police Assistance Line, 131 444.
Members and friends may be assured that this setback will not distract us from our mission to restore heritage train services on the Derwent Valley Line as soon as possible, and the Board has made security upgrades a standing item at its monthly meetings.
A working bee to carry out basic improvement works at Westerway Station is being planned, as a joint venture between the Derwent Valley Railway and the Westerway Community Hall Committee. Members and friends are welcome to join us in this important work. Further details will be provided in future editions of ‘ON TRACK’.
Westerway Station is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Built by R H Stabb and Son in 1909 under a tender awarded by the Public Works Department, the Station was called Russell until 1919 when it was renamed to honour local identity William Henry Westerway, who ran tours to Russell Falls for visitors to the guest house he constructed opposite the Station. The former guest house is now a private residence occupying a substantial acreage.
Subject to the approval of Derwent Valley Council and the Heritage Council of Tasmania, the DVR plans to carry out major plumbing, electrical, carpentry and cosmetic works on Westerway Station within the next 12 months. Anyone with trade skills and experience interested in working on the site is invited to contact the Secretary by emailing dvr@dvr.org.au or writing to PO Box 748 New Norfolk Tasmania 7140.
