Fire mars Christmas but bright 2025 ahead for Derwent Valley Railway

Picture: Derwent Valley Railway volunteers (Front L-R) George Graham, Nigel Shearer, Kris Gunning, Bronwen Gunning, Michelle Dracoulis, Lynette Graham, Greg Robinson, David Lidster, John Kingston. (Back) Hamish Tolputt, Ted Lidster and Jamie Street. 

The team of volunteers at Derwent Valley Railway are looking forward to a bright 2025, despite the recent setback of a deliberately lit fire in the past week.

The fire destroyed a shipping container that had been recently painted and fitted out as a break room as well as storage for a variety of items. 

Chair of the Derwent Valley Railway Michelle Dracoulis, said that furniture and equipment was lost, and the container itself was buckled beyond repair. 

“Volunteers are devastated by the damage, and a great deal of time and money has been lost with the destruction of this asset,” she said. 

In better news, Chair Dracoulis noted that Derwent Valley Railway’s membership is on the increase, reflected in a refreshed website and a monthly newsletter to keep railway members up to date.

Elsewhere, Derwent Valley Railway is also currently working to establish a youth program with New Norfolk’s newly opened Indie School, while the tour operator, Tasmania's Most Haunted, is in negotiations to host regular evening tours.

The tours will benefit the railway through a percentage of proceeds to be paid into railway revenues and now also hosts a monthly carboot sale. More, Derwent Valley Railway has been the beneficiary of a substantial bequeathment.

Looking forward, Chair Dracoulis noted that the railway has prepared an advocacy document for the 2025 federal election, while accreditation documentation including mechanical standards are nearly finalised and are expected to be submitted in the first quarter of 2025.