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A NEW operator will soon be running the rails around the district, providing an alternative to current silent tracks of the Zig Zag Railway.
This year should see the culmination of years of hard work come together with the commencement of tourist train operations in the Lithgow valley in coming months.
Working with the already established attractions within the valley, Lithgow State Mine Railway (LSMR) hopes its rail operations will become the catalyst to bring more and more people into town in a co-ordinated approach to make Lithgow a thriving tourist destination for the future.
After spending a day or a weekend in the valley visitors should go away with a better understanding of why Lithgow was known as the Birmingham of Australia at the turn of the last century.
Lithgow’s story is a fascinating one and for the most part has not yet been told.
The Lithgow State Mine Railway (LSMR) celebrates its 10th birthday this year as a not-for-profit company.
However it was originally formed back in 1994 as a subcommittee of the Greater Lithgow Mining Museum Inc.
It operated in that form until 2006 when the new company was established to meet head on the challenges of managing volunteers and setting up a tourist railway to operate as a business in today’s robust and regulatory environment.
However LMSR has survived with next to no money and a book full of great ideas to help promote and develop economic opportunities through industrial heritage tourism for Lithgow.
LSMR is based in Lithgow and locally managed with a broad base of volunteers from near and far.
It has two major sponsors, Lithgow Railway Workshop and Southern Shorthaul Railroad, both of whom are major employers in the local community and are very supportive of the town and activities.
Over the past two years volunteers from LSMR have worked diligently to restore its railcars.
Power Car 661 built in 1949 and Trailer Car 726 built in 1961 have recently undertaken a series of trials on the main line and will soon operate a tourist service on the State Mine branch.
Until LSMR has its own accreditation it is working with the Lachlan Valley Railway to provide a number of services to western destinations.
Having the railcars operational represents the beginning of many opportunities that have not been previously available to the company as an organisation or for the community as a whole.
On Saturday LSMR will be conducting the first of what is hoped to be many regular excursions to local towns and events.
Join the Lithgow State Mine Railway for an evening of music and dinner at Tarana.
The recently restored railmotor set 661/726 will depart Lithgow Station at 4pm for the picturesque journey to Tarana for live music and dinner at the Tarana Hotel.
Supper is also available at Cafe Tarana until late.
Re-join the heritage train for a 9.40pm departure from Tarana.
Booking information for this and other trips can be found at www.statemine railway.com.au