Cooma Railway Museum Future Rolls On

from Snowy Mountains Magazine - Autumn 2023

Centre Future Snowy Alpine Heritage

SINCE the official opening of the Cooma Monaro Railway Museum in December 2022 visitors have been praising the efforts of the volunteer group who have restored the railway precinct. But the railway has greater ambitions than just a museum, with the aim for 2023 to have trains running again.

“Our ultimate goal is to have tourist trains running again between Cooma and Snowy Junction by December, in time for the 30th anniversary of the Sundowner Cup at the Cooma Race Club. There is a lot of work to do and a few things that need to fall into place for that to happen, but it would be amazing,” said Cooma Monaro Railway vice president Craig Moore.

The volunteer group are about to complete the restoration of their Power Van which will be on display at the northern end of the platform. These wagons were used to transport explosives down to Cooma during the original Snowy Hydro project.

They are also awaiting confirmation they have been accredited by the Office of the National Railway Regulator (ONRSR) as both a Rail Infrastructure Manager (RIM) which allows them to maintain, repair and manage railway infrastructure, as well as a Rail Transport Operator which allows them to operate trains.

Initially, this only covers the use of the track machines and Hyrail road-rail vehicle to allow completion of repairs to the track. Once those repairs have been completed, the accreditation will be amended to include the diesel rail motors.

“Our previous Heritage Operating License (HOL), which is effectively the lease of a section railway corridor, has been re-activated. This means that Cooma

Monaro Railway now hold a lease on, and are responsible for, the section of railway from north of Chakola down to the Monaro Highway road bridge south of Cooma Station. The section is a little over 20km.”

Once signed off, this section of track will become an active railway again. The existing road level crossings will be reactivated, and a consultation phase with the community will begin to educate them about what it means to have an active railway again.

As soon as the track is repaired within the yard, rail motors will be parked at the station for visitors to explore. There are also plans to restore two pieces of rolling stock.

“The other big item for the first half of the year is we are expecting delivery of our steam locomotive, 3203, from Broadmeadow in the next 3-4 months. This loco has been cosmetically restored and will eventually be put on display at the station. We also intend to restore the loco to operating condition for use on longer tourist trains to Rock Flat and beyond.”

Railway Museum

Bradley Street, Cooma

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am-3pm

Wednesday 10am-3pm Saturday 10am-3pm

Easter 2023

The railway station precinct has been meticulously restored and is available for viewing during opening hours. There is a wealth of information on the history of Cooma and the station, including the Snowy Express, local train drivers and people of the railway.

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE TRAINS CAN OPERATE:

• Complete training and certiﬁcation of volunteers to work on the track and operate track machines. (February)

• Commence discussions with Snowy Hydro NextGen to re-instate the Polo Flat Road level crossing. (Discussions have commenced)

• Source funding for repairs to the burntout culvert at the northern end of Cooma yard and purchase of additional sleepers. (Multiple applications are currently in play)