ALEXANDRA FALLS
STEPHEN NORGATE’S enthusiasm is infectious as he steps through the richly furnished carriages of a train that once carried Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.
He has volunteered for the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre (SRHC) for almost ten years but his interest in Seymour’s unique collection of historic trains, like that of many other volunteers, is undiminished.
The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre is a non-profit association with a membership of 140 people from across Victoria, interstate and overseas.
Approximately 40 of these members, including Stephen Norgate, are actively involved in the SRHC.
The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre has operated out of Victoria Street in Seymour since 1983, when it was known as Seymour Loco Steam Preservation Group.
Today the Centre is recognised as a major railway conservation site and remains dedicated to restoring and operating rolling stock so that railway heritage can be preserved for the people of Victoria.
When asked why it is so important to restore and maintain old locomotives Stephen is adamant.
“Too many railway assets have been lost already,” he said.
The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre believes our transport history is vital part of understanding Victoria’s development as a state and is worth preserving for the future.
However, Stephen is quick to assure that the Centre is more than a museum, it’s a living, breathing example of Victorian railroad history in action.
The SRHC has an extensive collection of diesel locomotives that have been restored to perfect working condition.
Three are currently being restored and ten locomotives are in service, these trains are used regularly in the Centre’s Heritage Train tours.
The tours take passengers on leisure trips to various destinations on the Victorian railway network, where they have a chance to visit beautiful landscapes and experience the restored elegance of the historic carriages.
The Centre currently holds between six and eight organised tours per year, but is hoping to establish a regular program in the future as well as joining the charters with events such as the Tocumwal Winter festival.
In addition to organised tours a number of the Centre locomotives are used to assist freight operators with practical transport matters.
Nine locomotives are currently being used by freight operator El Zorro to move Victoria’s grain harvest.
“It’s quite common to see an impressive line up of preserved locomotives, in the distinctive royal blue and gold livery of the Victorian Railways, at the head of a grain train,” said Stephen.
The SRHC plans to continue expanding their range of diesel and steam locomotives as well as providing an even better railway experience for visitors.
Currently the Seymour Heritage Centre has a positive number of visits to the Centre by both locals and passing tourists.
Each week the Centre schedules regular open hours for visitors. These days are generally Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
Visitors are given a guided tour that takes them through the repair shed, locomotives and the beautifully restored carriages including the Yarra Parlor Car, State Car No 4 which once carried Princess Diana, State Car No 5 and the Spirit of Progress Dining Car.
Unfortunately, despite the Centre being one of the major attractions in Seymour, a lack of volunteer members means that they occasionally have to close during visiting hours.
The Seymour Heritage Railway Centre would like to hear from anyone who has both the time and the ability to conduct informative tours for visitors.
Members of the Centre come from all walks of life and former experience in railways is not necessary as there is a range of work that can be undertaken.
Anyone interested in assisting the SRHC are asked to contact the Centre directly on 5799 0515 or can use the Mitchell Shire’s Mitchell Community Skillsbank Links.
