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Home History of HVTR Hotham Branch

A line to our past - A brief History

Click here for a more descriptive History

Hotham Valley Tourist Railway (WA) Inc. has its origins in a small group of enthusiasts who met together in 1974 with the object of preserving steam locomotives and the railway line from Pinjarra to Dwellingup.

For fifty years, Dwellingup was a busy centre for the thriving timber industry. However, after a disastrous fire in January 1961 most of the surrounding timber mills ceased operation.

Dwellingup Townsite after fire in 1961
By 1984 the once weekly use of the Dwellingup line became unsustainable and this freight service was finally withdrawn completely.

W 908  with a goods on Dwellingup line

During the early 1970's some Pinjarra residents realised the line still had much to offer, so in 1974 they formed the Pinjarra Steam and Hills Railway Preservation Society, which later became the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway.

Pinjarra Station circa 1908

The line remains as an historic remnant of the pioneers early endeavours to open up the western third of the continent and the Railway continues to provide people of all ages with access to some of Western Australia's most picturesque places and a wealth of living history.

A collective labour of love

It's almost unfathomable in this modern age where 'time is money', and society seems more pre-occupied with the pursuit of the latter, that Hotham Valley Tourist Railway's operation and maintenance is handled almost entirely by a committed group of volunteers. They are always keen to welcome new members to the team.

Steam Train

With the cessation of the steam locomotives' operation in WA in 1971, many were stowed at Collie awaiting their fate.

 The Mountain type 'W' class, which had worked the Dwellingup line, was found to be the most suitable and four were purchased.

After countless hours of restoration work on track, trains and depot buildings in Pinjarra, steam returned to the Hotham Valley Railway on September 12, 1976.

 

 

 

 Donations Welcome

HVR is a Volunteer Operated, Registered Tax Deductible Gift Recipient

          For Hotham Valley Bookings Call : Australia 08 6278 1111

Dwellingup Station Ticket Sales - Cash Only

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