The Tasmanian Transport Museum is on a roll, with steam train rides regularly selling out and growing community support for the volunteer-run Glenorchy attraction.
President Jeff Bronstein said the response from locals has been overwhelming.
“We regularly see young children and people waving to us from their kitchen windows and from people on the side of the line as the train goes by,” Bronstein said.
“They do seem to really enjoy having the activity and the romance of the steam locomotive trundling past their homes.”
The museum runs rail operations two Sundays a month along a three kilometre return route from Glenorchy to Berriedale – one day for the steam train and another for its diesel railcar service.
The steam service pairs an M5 locomotive with a diesel electric Y4 in a top-and-tail setup, required because regulations prevent trains from reversing through level crossings.
Crossings are also a big cost to the museum. Bronstein said they pay $3,000 a month for crossing guards through partner Spectran to keep trains running safely.
To fix that, the museum has asked the federal government for $300,000 to install bells and light crossings at Grove Road, Riverway Road and Berriedale Road.
“We’ll be able to install our own bells and lights and then we won’t have that cost,” Bronstein said.
“The museum will be able to generate a bit more revenue that it can spend on improving its services, restoring more exhibits and making it a more attractive place for visitors.”
If successful, the funding would also allow the museum to build a passing loop further along the line.
The museum also has a $124,000 budget request in with the state government to rebuild a century-old turntable and build a new shed.
Next on the calendar is a railcar day today, followed by two days of steam over the Easter weekend on April 5 and 6.
Tickets range from $11 for children to $18 for adults and include access to the museum’s collection of trams, buses, trains and a model railway display.
