Trains could be back in Hobart by the end of this month as a section of the former freight line in Glenorchy prepares to reopen after 9 years.
The Tasmanian Transport Museum has received the all clear to operate steam engines and railcars on a 1km stretch of track between Elwick and Grove Roads, with future plans to extend the line to Chigwell and later Granton.
The South Line, as it is formally known, has not been used for public passenger services since July 1978 when the Tasman Ltd service was cancelled.
“The Museum has held a lease over the corridor between Elwick Road and Mentmore Street, Chigwell, since February 2021,” a spokesperson for the TTM said.
“Before the Museums trains could use the track, considerable work had to be done to replace 200 wooden sleepers, repair the Humphreys Rivulet Bridge and add additional infrastructure to negate identified risks.”
“The Safety Management System had to be reviewed and revised with the need to write many new procedures and revise others.”
Members have been dedicating most of their Saturdays for the past two years to achieve this goal, with the museum estimating volunteer hours would exceed 5000.
“The next major task for the Museum is to reopen the four road crossings between Elwick Road and Mentmore Street. Design work is well advanced for the crossing at Grove Road.”
The first journey is hoped to hit the track by the end of May.
