| JANUARY 2008 update: |
- the association has a Professional Board and a Business Plan in place to provide realistic and professional guidance for the implementation of the complete project. Membership exceeds 200.
- OTHR :
- has an ABN & TFN
- has Deductible Gift Recipient status.
- has Public Liability and Volunteer Workers Insurance policies.
- is now an Accredited Operator.
- The Australian Tourism Development Project grant of $100,000 has been expended on the re-sleepering of the major part of the Oberon - Hazelgrove section of the line. This section is Stage 1 of the complete restoration to Tarana. Stage 2 will be from Hazelgrove to Carlwood and Stage 3 the remaining section to Tarana.
- Due to a shortage of sleepers, some sections are being re-sleepered at 1 in 4.
- Fund-raising for the purchase of additional sleepers is being conducted by means of a "SLEEPER CLUB" and donations for sleepers are urgently sought.
- Recent work (Jan 08) has seen the restoration of the rail crossing on the Tip Road and progress in tracklaying as far as the Timber Complex gate.
- The main road crossing over Lowes Mount Road has been surveyed and relocated slightly North of its original position to account for local infrastructure changes.
- Visitors to Oberon are invited to examine progress on the line by driving towards Tarana on the Lowes Mount Road. Work is visible on the right-hand side from a car. It can be examined closely from the adjacent walking track. Access can also be gained at the "Tip Road" when the the Tip is open and the Northern end can be accessed via Black Bullock Road (turning from Lowes Mt. Rd.)
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Planning for a Heritage Railway
It will not be a simple task to re-open the Tarana ~ Oberon branch but progress is occurring at a rapid pace. There are various other successful and some not-so-successful examples of tourist railways based on existing railway lines. Well known successful examples include: the Zig-Zag Railway Co-op; Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum Ltd; Lachlan Valley Railway Society; Lithgow State Mine Railway; NSW Rail Transport Museum; Valley Heights Steam Tramway; Pichi Richi in SA; “Puffing Billy” in Vic to name a few.
The Glenreagh Mountain Railway and the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum make interesting comparative studies. The prime objective of the DSR&M is to set up a world-class museum with the secondary objective of running traffic to Ulong. They have over 60 locomotives, 290 carriages & wagons & over 20 railmotors. The GMR group has split off from the DSR&M with the primary aim of running a tourist railway from Glenreagh to Ulong. In that venture, there is a great deal of similarity to Oberon. Their line is 35 km long (out of the total 69km Glenreagh to Dorrigo), vs. our 24km. Considering they have only been in existence since 1989, they have made reasonable advances in the face of unfavourable topography and climatic conditions. Decay of infrastructure such as rails, bridges and sleepers being a problem in the sub-tropical climate.
The GMR has undertaken parallel restoration of locomotives and rolling stock. They have major rebuilding work to carry out on the stations which are in a serious state of disrepair. Never-the-less, they have commenced public running. In contrast, OTHR Inc. does not plan large scale restoration of locomotives or rolling stock.
Comparatively, the Tarana / Oberon branch has many advantages over the GMR model:
- The line is shorter (24km vs. 35km)
- The infrastructure is in better condition viz:
- The 2 main stations are in good condition, Tarana is largely restored and Oberon is in excellent condition due to the fine work of the Oberon Museum .
- The platform, rails and sidings have been retained in their original positions.
- The minor stations of Carlwood & Hazelgrove would not be difficult to replicate as they were very simple structures.
- Most of the rail is intact.
- A preliminary survey between Hazelgrove and Carlwood has revealed only 1 in 8 sleepers needing to be replaced in better areas whilst some sections where theft of sleepers has occurred or there is more serious damage may need 1 in 2 replacements.
- The permanent way is relatively intact.
- The main iron bridge over the Fish River is in remarkably good engineering condition.
- The timber trestle spanning Snakes Valley Creek is in fair condition. It is intact and will seemingly only need the replacement of some timbers.
- The goods and shunting facilities are intact at both ends.
- There is a useful intact loading facility at Oberon and Tarana.
- The historic sheep & cattle yards at Oberon are also relatively intact and would have a high heritage value as most similar structures have been destroyed. The Council is to be congratulated on preserving these yards.
- The line passes major timber industries which may allow viable freight or tourist interaction. Commercial utilisation in the short term is unlikely but OTHR Inc will lobby for the reintroduction of commercial operations on the line.
- Close proximity to other heritage rail operators such as the Lithgow State Mine Railway and the Lachlan Valley Railway.
- Possibility of tourist traffic via or to Jenolan Caves
- Proximity to the large population centres of Sydney
- Proposed interaction with other heritage railways such as 3801 Limited, Valley Heights and the RTM at Thirlmere.
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