Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
W920 at Wellard in July 2005
TerminusPinjarra
32°37′48″S 115°52′16″E / 32.63°S 115.871°E / -32.63; 115.871
Commercial operations
NameHotham Branch
Built byWestern Australian Government Railways
Original gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Preserved operations
Owned byHotham Valley Tourist Railway (WA) Inc
Operated byHotham Valley Tourist Railway (WA) Inc
Stations3
Preserved gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
1910Opened Pinjarra to Holyoake
1913Extended to Dwarda
1926Extended to Narrogin
1961Section closed: Boddington–Narrogin
1969Section closed: Dwellingup–Boddington
1984Westrail services cease
Preservation history
1974Preservation society formed
1976Heritage railway operations commenced
(Pinjarra–Dwellingup)
1986Forest Railway reopened
(Dwellingup–Etmilyn )
HeadquartersDwellingup
Website
www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au

The Hotham Valley Tourist Railway (commonly Hotham Valley Railway) is a tourist and heritage railway in the Peel region of Western Australia.

The railway operates over a 32 kilometre section of the original Pinjarra to Narrogin railway line, and has its origins in a small group of enthusiasts who met together in 1974 with the object of preserving both Western Australian steam locomotives and the railway line itself, from Pinjarra at least as far as Dwellingup.[1] Dwellingup is now the primary centre of Hotham Valley's operations.

Today the railway operates a vastly scaled back operation out of Dwellingup and down the hill to a siding at Isandra. One W class steam locomotive is currently in operation. The railway staffed almost exclusively by volunteers but headed by a paid General Manager, Mr Ian Willis who has full say in how things are run. He has stored much of his own private rolling stock from the former Pemberton Tramway at the railway including V1213. Most of the locomotives are owned by HVR except XA1401 which is owned by several member. PM706 which hasn't steamed for 20 years is the subject of a move by the Narrogin Shire to relocate it back to Narrogin.

It is one of only a handful of heritage railway organisations in Western Australia, and as of 2018 is the only heritage and/or tourist railway in the state regularly operating original 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge Western Australian Government Railways steam locomotives.

History

In 1974, four local residents of Pinjarra formed the Pinjarra Steam & Hills Railway Preservation Society that later became the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway with the aim of operating steam trains on the Pinjarra to Narrogin railway line.[1]

Initially four former Western Australian Government Railways W class locomotives were purchased. The first three (W920, W903 and W945) were returned to service in the 1970s, followed by the fourth (W908) in 1988. A fifth W class was purchased in 2013 (W947). Eight former Albany Progress carriages were leased and ultimately purchased outright in 1979.[1]

In March 1976, the former Pinjarra Locomotive Depot was leased, officially opening on 17 July 1977. On 12 September 1976 the first train operated, a special from Perth to Dwellingup hauled by W920.[1]

Appeals

Hotham Valley Railway host a number of appeals, some of which are ongoing. The appeals relate generally to restoration projects but have included an appeal to replace the seats in AV426 - Hotham Valley's 1919 vintage dining carriage, used regularly on the Etmilyn Forest Diner restaurant train.

Two appeals run during 2012 were to enable the complete purchase of steam locomotive W947 from Rail Heritage WA with a view to restoring it to operational condition. Although Hotham Valley already owns four W class engines, W947 will considerably strengthen the steam locomotive fleet and provides added interest with a unique pattern sand-dome which ultimately served as a prototype for those later employed on the WAGR V class. Work on W947's boiler continues as funds and resources become available, with one future option of marrying the boiler with W903's or W920's frame.

Another long-running appeal (dating back to 1977) is for the restoration of G71 'Menzies. G71 was built as a sister engine of Hotham Valley Railway's G123, part of a batch of 22 built by Dübs & Co of Scotland in 1897. Unlike G123, G71 spent most of its service years away from the WAGR operating instead with various privately owned timber companies. Whilst it will be some years (if not decades) before G71 will be operational, it is important to ensure equipment like this is kept for future generations of members as the funds and resources may become available.

Motive power

Overview

As of 2018, Hotham Valley railway owns and/or operates some twenty-two locomotives (eight steam and sixteen diesel), of which a total of seven are currently operational. In addition, the railway currently owns two ex-Western Australian Government Railways diesel railcars.

Steam locomotives

This is a list of steam locomotives currently in service with Hotham Valley Railway. Note: some items in this list are privately owned; or on long term lend and/or lease arrangements.

The In service date refers to original date of entry into the original owners' service.

Number and name Locomotive In service Builder Notes Operational Photograph
W903 Marrinup WAGR W class 4-8-2 1951 Beyer Peacock Out of service pending overhaul No
W903 at Waroona in the early 21st century
W908 Dwellingup WAGR W class 4-8-2 1951 Beyer Peacock Stored - used for heavy spares. No
W920 Pinjarra WAGR W class 4-8-2 1951 Beyer Peacock Currently out of operation pending long-term overhaul; W920 is the "Flag-Ship" of the fleet, being the first steam locomotive to be operated by HVR. Last HVTR W to work on the public network - to Collie 10 September 2005 No
W920 at Mundijong when Hotham Valley was still conducting mainline tours
W945 Banksiadale WAGR W class 4-8-2 1952 Beyer Peacock Now in service, After 8-year overhaul. Yes
W945 at Pinjarra
W947 WAGR W class 4-8-2 1952 Beyer Peacock Acquired as surplus from Rail Heritage WA in 2011; delivered November 2013, under long term overhaul[2] No
Pm706 WAGR Pm class 4-6-2 1950 North British Leased from the Narrogin Apex Club in 1987; swapped for XA1415, returned to service 1990, Worked last HVTR train on the public network 31 December 2005 stored out of service pending overhaul. No
Pm706 at Fremantle in 'Wizards Express' livery in the early 2000s
G71 Menzies Millars ex-WAGR G class 4-6-0 1897 Dübs & Co Previously G111 – sold into private use in 1897, working first as a railway line construction locomotive in the Eastern Goldfields and then as a timber lines locomotive with Millars from 1898. Currently unassembled; subject of the 'G71 Menzies appeal'. No
G123 WAGR G class 4-6-0 1897 Dübs & Co One time 'Koombana Queen'. Stored, inoperable pending long term overhaul. No
G123 when in service at Dwellingup

Diesel locomotives and railcars

This is a list of diesel locomotives and diesel powered railcars in service with Hotham Valley Railway. Note: some items in this list are privately owned; or on long term lend and/or lease arrangements.

Number and name Locomotive In service Notes Operational Photograph
C1701 WAGR C class Co-Co 1962 Stored, used for spares No
C1701 at Wonnerup in January 1987
C1702 WAGR C class Co-Co 1962 Operational; at Dwellingup. Yes
C1702 at Dwellingup in July 2011
C1703 WAGR C class Co-Co 1962 Operational, at Dwellingup Yes
XA1401 Pedong WAGR XA class 2-Do-2 1955 Operational; not currently scheduled for regular use on trains. Yes
XA1401 at Pinjarra on a mainline tour
XA1411 Weedookarri WAGR XA class 2-Do-2 1956 Stored on the west side of Pinjarra yards No
XA1415 Wurara WAGR XA class 2-Do-2 1956 Plinthed at Narrogin, requires long term overhaul. – Exchanged with Hotham valley for Pm706. No
G50 MRWA G class Co-Co 1963 Undergoing overhaul at Pinjarra. No
G50 at Pinjarra
F40 MRWA F class A1A-A1A 1958 Privately owned. Operational; used on trains. Yes
F44 MRWA F class A1A-A1A 1958 Privately owned. Source of spare parts for F40. No
SEC1 SECWA example of TGR V class 0-6-0DM 1950 Under overhaul; in Pinjarra. Yes
V4 TGR V class 0-6-0DM 1948 In service; used on the Forest Train service. Yes
V5 TGR V class 0-6-0DM 1948 In service; used on the Etmilyn Diner service. Yes
Z1152 WAGR Z class 0-6-0DM 1953 In service - sees occasional use on work trains, shunting duties within Dwellingup yard, and is usually on display during the annual September Festival. Yes
ST2 WAGR ST type 1A c1973 In service. Privately owned. Used on work trains. Chain driven. Yes
ST1 at Isandra
MA 1862 WAGR MA class B-B 1973 Currently out of service pending transmission replacement in the near future. Potential running on the Etmylin Forest and diner train to relieve V5 or V4. No.

Visiting and past locomotives

In the past, some locomotives from other organisations have seen operation on Hotham Valley Railway services. Other locomotives have passed into different ownership after having first been owned/operated by Hotham Valley. Details of at least some of these locomotives are given in the following table:

Number and name Locomotive In service Builder With HVR Notes Current Photograph
S549 Greenmount WAGR S class 4-8-2 1947 Midland (WAGR) 1997–1999 Owned by the Rail Heritage WA, leased and operated by Hotham Valley services during the late 1990s. Currently under overhaul for possible future operational lease for seasonal use at the Shire of Dowerin. No
S549 on a Hotham Valley service at Harvey
V1213 WAGR V class 2-8-2 1955 Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Initially purchased by Hotham Valley in 1980, V1213 was on-sold and restored to operation by Ian Willis. V1213 featured on many mainline tours, especially the Collie and Northam trips. V1213 is now privately owned and stored out of service in Pemberton. No
V1213 on a mainline tour with Hotham Valley Railway in the early 1990s

Rolling stock

Passenger stock

The HVR's passenger rolling stock fleet was drawn from a number of sources: in addition to original WAGR carriages, Hotham Valley Railway also operates carriages converted from WAGR goods wagons and original passenger carriages from the Tasmanian Government Railways and South African Railways.

Riverland carriages

In 1987, Hotham Valley Railway acquired 25 second hand large Corten steel carriages from the South African Railways. Hotham Valley was expanding its mainline operations considerably and the Westrail owned carriages then in use on Hotham Valley's rail tours were no longer appropriate due to their age and other limitations.

The new fleet were converted into various types (including first and second class cars with and without guards compartments, buffet and dining cars) from SAR sleeping cars and all had been originally constructed during the 1960s and 70s. All of the cars were converted and refurbished prior to their shipment to Western Australia.

In Hotham Valley service, the cars were painted in green and cream livery with mustard roofs, reminiscent of the original WAGR colour scheme applied between the late 1950s and the mid-1970s. The cars all received names of Western Australian rivers (with the exception of AHF311 which was named Bloemfontein for the city where the cars were converted) and were given class designations and numbers in keeping with Westrail practise. The classes, names and numbers are listed in the table below.

Class Number in class Type Seats Numbers Names
AHA 3 First Class with Guards Compartment 56 301, 302, 303 Ashburton, Murray, Fitzroy
AHB 3 First Class Buffet 28 304, 305, 306 Greenough, Gascoyne, Fortescue
AHD 1 Dining - 307 Serpentine
AHE 3 Tourist (economy) Class with Guards Compartment 64 308, 309, 310 Kalgan, Coongan, Chapman
AHF 7 First Class 56 311 - 317 Bloemfontein, Avon, Brunswick, Denmark, Murchison, Lunenburg
AHG 1 Galley - 318 N/A
AHL 1 Lounge? - 319? Hotham
AHT 7 Tourist (economy) Class 64 320 - 326 Harvey, Irwin, Preston, Blackwood, Mortlock, Canning, Dale

Until the introduction of 48 X-class diesel locomotives in 1954, the naming of WAGR vehicles was rare. Only two classes of WAGR steam locomotive were given names: the Pr class of 1938 was named after Western Australian rivers while the S class of 1943 was named after Western Australian hills. The Hotham Valley Riverland cars were also named for Western Australian rivers and thus shared many names with the Pr class engines, all of which had been withdrawn by 1971.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 A Descriptive History of Hotham Valley Tourist Railway Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
  2. ↑ "Hotham Valley Railway News" Railway Digest February 2014

Further reading

  • Purcell, John (1991). Hotham Valley Tourist Railway: Souvenir Book. Perth, WA: Hotham Valley Tourist Railway WA. ISBN 0-646-06020-1.
  • Sallis, Roger W (2009). The Pinjarra–Narrogin Railway: A History of Western Australia’s Hotham Valley Line. Salisbury, SA: Roger W. Sallis. ISBN 9780646510224.
  • Watson, Lindsay; Purcell, J.C. (1981). Hotham Valley Tourist Railway: Guide Book. Pinjarra, WA: Hotham Valley Tourist Railway WA. OCLC 757674698.

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