All the latest Derwent Valley Railway news…

Community Workshop and Training Centre now ready for action……..

Assisted by a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund, operations at our new Community Workshop and Training Centre in the New Norfolk Yard commence 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.

Thanks to a monumental effort by Operations Manager and Board member, Matthew Davey, assisted by several dedicated volunteers, the final stage of building works has now been completed. Working closely with employment services provider Southcentral Workshop Network and TAFE Tasmania, our Chairperson, Nigel Shearer, has coordinated the resources necessary to enable the delivery of our first round of training programs.

An official opening is being planned for later this year, at which we hope to welcome our newly appointed Ambassador, Kiah Wicks of Seven Tasmania News.

Further information is contained in our monthly newsletter, ‘ON TRACK’.

Improving our Governance

The Board of the Derwent Valley Railway will soon present for consideration by the membership a comprehensive revision of our Rules of Association. Proposed amendments to the Rules will remove confusing definitions and outdated provisions, improving members’ understanding of our corporate governance. Once endorsed by the Board, the revised set of Rules will be circulated to members with a view to their being adopted at a Special General Meeting.

Complementing the proposed changes to the Rules, the Board recently 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 below to read back copies of ‘ON TRACK’:

‘ON TRACK’

The Derwent Valley Railway Preservation Society Inc monthly newsletter for members and friends

Thank you to everyone that supported our monthly Car Boot Sales, which will soon emerge from their winter hibernation.

New events are being planned; details will be posted on this page once they’ve been confirmed.

  • 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, as featured in the November 2024 edition of our monthly newsletter, ‘ON TRACK’.

  • 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 might 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 for later in 2025 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.