Work is now well underway on a funding bid for the design of the planned Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail in the Orara Valley and repairs that will see the project’s 146-year-old steam train once again taking visitors back in time.
“Our incredibly committed local volunteers have been invaluable in getting us to this stage so soon,” said Wal Muir, Chairman of Tallowood Ventures Ltd (TVL), the not-for-profit registered charity which owns the decommissioned rail track and associated engines, station buildings, carriages, and historic rail machinery.
Its goal is to create a multi-purpose recreational trail along the long-closed section of disused railway which meanders between the historic and picturesque villages of Ulong and Glenreagh. From the Dorrigo plateau, the 35km rail trail will descend 600m, cross five bridges, and travel through two tunnels.
The trail covers exactly half of the old Dorrigo to Glenreagh rail line and travels through ancient tallowwood forests that may eventually become part of the proposed Great Koala National Park.
The project has received positive support from all levels of government, as well as enthusiastic backing from the local residents and communities who can see how they will benefit economically from a rail trail bringing potentially hundreds of thousands of tourists to the region every year.
“Rail trails have proved to be amazing economic drivers for communities all over Australia, bringing millions of dollars into often remote areas, but in the most eco-friendly and least disruptive way possible,” Mr Muir revealed.
The small volunteer board of TVL made up of enthusiastic community members, has been working hard over the past year meeting with stakeholders, community and neighbouring landowners, developing a Business Case, and clearing overgrown sections along the rail corridor to enable access for rail trail designers to undertake surveys and develop design bids.
A funding application for a Federal Government grant for the design work is now almost complete.
A very special feature of the Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail is its historic steam and diesel engines, as well as almost untouched passenger carriages and other fascinating railway artefacts from its working heyday, that are still kept at Glenreagh and will form a key drawcard of the whole project.
Using a grant from the ‘Fires to Flourish’ program, the steam engine boiler is currently being refurbished so that the train can once again run along a 2km section of railway allowing another generation of children, and the young-at-heart, to experience the thrills, sights, and sounds of an almost lost era of train travel.
“This work is happening at the Glenreagh Locomotive Shed and is being carried out by a team of amazing steam engine experts and experienced volunteers,” said Mr Muir.
“The necessary accreditation application is progressing very well and we’re confident of having a train running by 2025.”
Along with picnic and camping areas, cafes, and the bike hire and other business ventures that will potentially be created with the rail trail, TVL also plans to offer unique accommodation in its refurbished historic rail carriages.
Interpretative signage telling the stories of the trail’s amazing history, cultural heritage and ecology will be displayed along the route.
“A great example of a recently completed rail trail that has breathed new life and jobs into a region is the Northern Rivers Rail Trail where successful new businesses run by locals have sprung up to provide services to the visitors along the trail and close by,” Mr Muir said.
If you’d like to show your support for the rail trail, or follow its progress, please visit www.tmrt.com.au or the Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail Facebook page for updates.
Editorial kindly contributed by TVL.