Reviving the Rattler

[ozbob]

Twitter

The Valley Rattler ‏@valleyrattler 1m

As reported in the Gympie Times today the Rattler Railway Company has been granted and accredited Rail... http://fb.me/209szvQPG

[Stillwater]

The call has gone out for volunteers to walk the line, clearing overgrown foliage and weeds beside the track.

[ozbob]

Gympie Times --> Editorial: Show us the money, Premier (Mary Valley Rattler)

[ozbob]

Gympie Times --> Rattler Railway Company not worried about missing out on funds




UPHILL BATTLE: Long-serving volunteer and former manager Ted Mitchell says it is imperative the revived Rattler go all the way to Imbil within 12 months of becoming operational again. Craig Warhurst

RATTLER Railway Company director Garry Davison is not surprised there was no mention of the Mary Valley steam railway service in the Queensland Budget.

"But I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been included," he said yesterday.

"We've had discussions with some departmental people - from Transport, QR and Infrastructure and they've asked us to re-submit the business plan, with some updates on details that were a couple of years old.

"We're still planning to go to Amamoor first and then Imbil hopefully in the long run.

"They're going to run it past their numbers people and if it comes up well enough they'll take it to the Minister.

"What the Minister wants to know is if it's viable and, is it something with a future?

"Just because they haven't mentioned it in this year's budget doesn't mean it won't go ahead.

"There are different things they can do and they have to make that decision.

"They might decide to contract the work out or get QR to do it with the machinery they have already.

"They might decide to do some work at Ipswich."

Referring to agitation from volunteers association proponent Ken Coulter for the workshops to be reopened, Mr Davison said there was a cost with that and the board first of all would need to know what was happening.

"We'll certainly be calling on all the volunteers, once we know the funding program and which way it's going to work."

[ryan83320]

I would like to hear about the current status of the Mary Valley Rattler. I visited the Gympie Railway Yards and I see that the track to Gympie North is in reasonable working condition and the Gympie Station Coffee Shop quite functional. The Mary Valley Rattler site has this information:

Heritage Rail services into the Mary Valley will commence at a date to be determined.
Phone 07 5482 2750.
Information: www.thevalleyrattler.com or facebook

The Rattler is very important to local tourism in Gympie and can assist in diversifying visitor numbers and involvement of local people.

Until the Rattler gets going, there is the possibility of Gympie Yard tours in the direction of Gympie North.

[Stillwater]

From a little birdie in Gympie .... Understand that preparation of business case continues and is due to be wrapped up by the end of the year.  Work has input from Dept. of State Development and Planning, with technical advice from QR, and involves consultation with local business group and Gympie Council representatives.  This timing would allow for the business case to be ready ahead of considerations of next year's state Budget.

The money being talked about is $2 million (for track upgrade) and $600,000 (for repairs and maintenance to rolling stock).  Track from Gympie Station to Gympie North Station on the mainline remains 'active track' under QR control, albeit with no trains running on it, and in reasonable condition.  It runs via Banks Pocket past the cattle sale yards and is not under the control of the Mary Valley Heritage Railway (MVHR).  MVHR has control of track from the old Gympie Station to Imbil, although current thinking is that the $2 million on offer will allow for track work and sleeper replacement only as far as Amamoor, where there is a turntable.  Rattler services to Imbil impossible under current funding proposals.

The Rattler experienced was enhanced by passengers getting out at a working country town, with pub, pie shop, cafes, river walk, parks, markets and nic-nac shops.  Amamoor has a general store selling ice creams, chips, sandwiches, warmed-up pies and soft drinks.  That's it.

[colinw]

Imbil is a great destination, with a magnificent main street that is classic "Country Queensland".  You hop off the train, and partake of counter lunch at the Railway Hotel (what else could it possibly be called), or a pie from the shop, or even a picnic lunch as you watch the C17 turn on the turntable.



The thing that stuck in my mind from my last trip on the MVHR to Imbil was how authentic the experience was.  It didn't feel like some museum recreation, from the presentation of the train, to the uniforms of the staff, it really felt like you had just travelled to a country town on the QGR of the 1950s.  It created in me feelings that took me right back to riding the Sydney Mail via Wallangarra as a kid.

About the only thing that could possibly make the Rattler experience any better is if the Gympie interurban train terminated at Gympie town via an electrified route through Banks Pocket, and you had cross platform connection all the way from Brisbane.  I really hate that modern station out in the sticks at Gympie North, vs the town center gem that is old Gympie station.

[Stillwater]

"About the only thing that could possibly make the Rattler experience any better is if the Gympie interurban train terminated at Gympie town via an electrified route through Banks Pocket, and you had cross platform connection all the way from Brisbane."     QR would cite cost as the impediment.

Gympie station terminus would attract greater patronage, especially if suburban feeder buses stopped there (a couple of routes run past it already.)  Also, that part of town needs some revitalisation.  There is a lot of disused railway land that could be sold off, less than 1km from the centre of town too.  I wonder whether sale of that land would be classified as 'asset sales', which this state government opposes.

[Stillwater]

And the Mary Valley Rattler business case will be ready by when? 

[Otto]

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/gates-to-open-for-rattler-volunteers/2893945/

MARY Valley Rattler volunteers are delighted they will soon be welcomed back into the old Gympie railway yards, where they once kept Gympie's favourite train ride rolling along.

Volunteer advocate Ken Coulter has told of his new optimism as a result of advice from the Rattler Railway Company after a workshop with government funding advisers.

[Stillwater]

Seems the business case is in .... shows life in the Rattler, it would seem.  But what form of life?  Dollars would have to be in the June state Budget.

[mufreight]

Last word on progress on Reviving the Rattler was 19th April last year 2015, any later news on progress towards the restoration of operations

[ozbob]

^

Friends of the Rattler Newsletter

>> http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?u=30ef112030384665550a58c44&id=fa78684a6b

[dancingmongoose]

Some good news it seems. Been photos of the transfer flying all over my Facebook for the past 24 hours

Carriage restoration builds hopes of a Valley Rattler return -> http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/carriage-restoration-builds-hopes-valley-rattler-r/2939696/

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153566646131859

As reported in the Gympie Times today-3 "Kuranda" QR carriages and 3 coal wagons were transferred from Gympie to Ipswich. The 3 QR carriages will undergo re-furbishment at Ipswich. Image of the consist with 1632.

[ozbob]

Gympie Times --> Rattler on track for more cash

MICK Curran is confident the Mary Valley Rattler will get all the $10.8 million it needs, with a lot more help from the state government and a still undefined council contribution.

The Gympie region Mayor brushed off concerns that the $2.6 million committed by the government so far would leave an $8.2 million hole in plans to get the railway back on track.

Up at Old Gympie Railway station yesterday, Rattler director Garry Davison joined Cr Curran and new Mary Valley councillor James Cochrane.

Mr Davison said he was concerned not only to see the project on track, but to see it on the right track, at an engineering standard to ensure its current problems never happen again.

He said it was initially proposed to run the train to Amamoor and back, allowing the upgraded Bruce Hwy to feed in the passengers via the Link Rd.

Cr Cochrane said he and all Valley residents were very keen to see the Rattler once again boosting the regional economy, attracting Sunshine Coast tourists as well as day trippers from Brisbane and specialist rail enthusiasts.

The benefits shared by the Mary Valley and the Sunshine Coast would be mutual, he said.

The Rattler would add to Coast attractions while the Coast provided a ready pool of Valley visitors.

Cr Curran said he was buoyed by discussions earlier in the week with State Development Minister Anthony Lynham.

He said the Minister had invited the council to apply for extra money through the Building Our Regions program and his department had helped guide the council on drafting its submission.

"The submission went in yesterday for funding of $5 million, with a recommendation that it be submitted for endorsement by the council next week, he said.

The early submission was made to meet the state government deadline, he explained yesterday.

"There will also be a requirement for the council to make a capital contribution.

"We strongly emphasised to the Minister that the proposal has economic benefits for the whole Sunshine Coast region, not just Gympie and the Mary Valley.

"It is the most intact heritage rail system in Queensland and offers a unique tourism product compared to what else is on offer in South East Queensland.

He said the council would not give up in its determination to see the Rattler run again "in a financially sustainable manner, noting its heritage and social significance to the region.

"The community support for the project continues to be overwhelming and we appreciate the community and volunteers' patience," he said.

Rattler or not, it was important the historic Gympie Station site remain in community hands.

"To facilitate that, the council will be considering a recommendation next week to commence discussions with the relevant state government departments.

"This will also enable master planning of the site to complement the Rattler's return to operations."

[Stillwater]

Gympie Regional Council has announced its budget for 2016-17.  The charges on ratepayers includes a $65 economic development levy, part of which will go towards the operation of The Rattler.  Mick Curran, the Mayor, is quoted in the Gympie Times as saying that the train is a "a much needed and wanted economic driver for the region."  When it operated, The Rattler attracted more than 30,000 people a year.  No word yet on a state government financial contribution, although it undertook a feasibility study for re-starting the train.  It is believed this showed a sum of $800,000 is required annually to keep the whole operation on track, maintaining rolling stock, sleepers etc in order.  The weak link in The Rattler service remain the timber bridges.  Although in good order now, that may not be the case in a decade or two.

[ozbob]

Well done Mayor!

[Stillwater]

The Business Case for reviving the Mary Valley Rattler has been released publicly:

https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/documents/40005057/40005560/Revitalising%20the%20Mary%20Valley%20Rattler%20Heritage%20Railway%20-%20Business%20Case.pdf

If reinstated at a cost of more than $10m, The Rattler will run only to Amamoor, about half way -- not to Imbil.  There is a possibility that a rail motor could run beyond there, to Imbil.  The recommendation is for steel sleepers replacing all timber sleepers.  One suggestion is that sleepers be sold for $50 each, if anyone is interested.

Earliest date for start-up: 2018.

[ozbob]

Gympie Times --> Rattling the Rattler tin - it's Amamoor or nothing

IT'S Amamoor or bust, says the consultant.



The business plan which forms the basis of Gympie Regional Council funding applications for the Mary Valley Rattler clearly advocates an Amamoor turnaround and a two-hour tourist train ride.

The alternative is a much shorter trip to Monkland, according to the consultant, EarthCheck.

The third option, no more Rattler, is not quite the end of the line (if only it were so simple). It also involves cost problems, mainly for the state Transport Department, as it chooses between removing the track or maintaining it for possible future use.

Imbil is not considered even as an option.

It is described as "cost prohibitive" and less attractive to tourists because of the all-day nature of a return trip with a lengthy turnaround, as against a two-hour trip half the distance to Amamoor.

While the report says this option may one day finance a partial track upgrade for a lighter rail motor service to Imbil, the "ifs, buts and maybes" include "should there prove to be a business need", "subject to the availability of funding" and "once the main venture is established".

If that sounds like a long way of saying no, a more definite indication is contained in the report's appendices, which include an assumption that the Amamoor option would include removal of the track from there on out.

The Monkland option is portrayed as even worse, with track removal from there, so the Mary Valley Rattler would no longer reach the Mary River, let alone the Mary Valley.

Monkland is also dismissed as too short for Brisbane people wanting "more rattle" for their travelling time and money.

Imbil is too long - a four-hour round trip.

Amamoor, the Goldilocks option, is presented as just right.

The business case, prepared by the council with substantial help from the State Government, is the backbone and very nearly the entirety of the Gympie Regional Council funding application.

State assistance came from the Department of State Development.

The department's chief economist is quoted as saying Gympie to Amamoor requires "$10.6million up front" to fund a two-hour return journey.

Immediate connection to Imbil is "cost prohibitive... as an immediate goal" but a possibility "should the proposed (Amamoor) operations proceed and meet the forecast financial performance."

The short trip option to Monkland would cost only $3.4million up front for a 3.8km ride and a one-hour return journey.

The consultant says its talks with the Queensland Government, Rattler Railway Company and Gympie council associates indicates this shorter trip may lack appeal to people making a long drive from Brisbane only to have a short journey on the Rattler.

The cost of walking away from the service, mainly the state government's problem, would include track removal and bridge demolition, estimated to cost $300,000 up front and a further $75,000 a year for vegetation management along the corridor.

An investment in buildings would also be required to keep them in working order and accessible to the public.

Maintaining track so the potential is not lost in the future would cost an estimated $185,000 a year, including basic vegetation control and bridge maintenance.

The EarthCheck report also says a failure to invest in the Rattler "will have a significant effect both directly and indirectly throughout the entire region."

The favoured Gympie to Amamoor return run has potential to contribute about $2.1million a year to the Gympie region economy, based on what the report calls "conservative visitor estimates"

But economic benefits go further than reversing the economic consequences of the Rattler's inactivity since 2012.

They include value added to other regional events, particularly the Muster.

The report says substantial economic flow-on benefits would stimulate the Gympie region economy and support job creation in an area with unemployment running at 10.3%, much more than the state overall figure of 6.2%.

"Investment in the Valley Rattler will help generate on-site spend as well as direct and indirect expenditure within the Gympie region."

Aside from the Muster, other events with mutual benefits from association with the Rattler include the Mary Valley Show, the Mary River Festival and the Dagun Growers Market at Dagun railway station, on the way to Amamoor.

Other events and destinations from Goomeri and Kilkivan to the Cooloola Coast also warrant a mention as possible beneficiaries of added attractiveness to visitors from a revitalised Rattler.

"The vision is for the Valley Rattler to commence passenger train services in a sustainable manner, reviving this exclusive tourist attraction for the greater economic good of the Gympie region," the business plan says.

Meanwhile, time marches on. "Every year of delay in deciding the future of the Valley Rattler results in higher cumulative maintenance costs in the long term," the consultant warns.

The business case advocates "investment in the Valley Rattler track and rolling stock to help revitalise it as one of Australia's iconic tourist rail experiences."

"The Rattler successfully operated from 1998 to 2012, reaching a peak patronage of more than 30,000 a year."

Rail tourism has been growing at 4% a year during the period since then.

Synergies are possible with the Sunshine Coast, providing an additional drive-tourism attraction for that area's "eight million day and overnight visitors per annum," and getting some of them to visit and spend their money in Gympie region. The Coast's 350,000 residents are another big market.

[Stillwater]

Buy up land at Amamoor says the Gympie Times:

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/rattler-investment-brings-boom-to-amamoor/3087923

[locojoe67]

Acceptance of the business plan has some exceptions:

https://m.gympietimes.com.au/news/rattler-business-case-raises-plenty-of-questions/3103289/

The business plan itself has been removed from public access. It apparently advocated the possibility of passengers joining the train at Monkland for the trip to Amamoor, which lacks visitor facilities to cater for a trainload.

Plus there is the distinct possibility that Deep Creek bridge requires further work to meet passenger safety standards.

Access to the workshops is meant to be imminently restored, so that scoping of the required work can begin. But based on reports of the plan (which I'm yet to get a copy of), there seems significant issues in the overall plan that aren't being addressed.

[Stillwater]

Works start on Mary Valley Line restoration.

https://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/roads-closed-on-sunday-as-rattler-works-begin/3172061/

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Rattler will run and it will be before Christmas


IT LIVES: The Mary Valley Rattler will be back - and not all that far down the track. Alana Denton

MARY Valley Rattler chief Peter Blashki yesterday committed his organisation to getting the iconic Gympie steam train back on the rails in just under seven months.

"December 2," he said.

"That's what we're aiming at," he said.

"That's opening day."

And although that might still seem a fair way down the track, Mr Blashki says there is a huge job to be done, and not just by the Rattler Railway Company.

Gympie Regional Council has a lot of work in front of it too and volunteers are needed more than ever, he said.

"The track, rolling stock and buildings are being restored by the council with $7 million from the state government and $3.8 million from the council.

"What we've got to do at the Rattler company is set up a business.

"We have to bring the volunteers on board, we have to ensure they are looked after and that they work in safe places.

"And we have to satisfy the requirements of the Rail Regulator, which have a lot to do with safety.

"They provide a lot of assistance to tourist and heritage railways and we're subject to the same regulations.

"From here on in everything is critical, with deadlines scheduled to bring all the elements together when they are needed, so the whole thing can rattle down the track on opening day.

"Everything from ticket design and creating a booking system to designing the passenger experience and preparing the

narrative, the story we tell passengers about Gympie and the Mary Valley during the trip.

"The food experience is another thing and we're working with the Gympie Gold program to showcase food from the Mary Valley, including at the restaurant at Old Gympie Station.

"It's not just a train ride, but an experience of life here and a story we need to tell visitors," he said.

[red dragin]

They are right in that it's entertainment not a train ride.

The grants must be spent by a certain date or they are lost.

[ozbob]

Tender:

" Tenders are invited from suitably qualified and experienced contractors for the restoration of the track (e.g. rail, level crossings, drainage and formation works) along the Mary Valley Heritage (Rattler) Railway between Old Gympie Station (Tozer Street) and Amamoor, Queensland. "

>> Details here!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/873670563595563008

[Stillwater]

Fears that Amamoor won't have the end destination feel of Imbil, which is a country town with pub, shops, cafes, markets etc.  Amamoor has a general store, tennis courts a public hall, gift shop and a collection of houses.  People may not think the ride to Amamoor is worth it, as part of the overall Rattler experience.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Mary Valley Rattler train restoration steams towards a $2 million budget blow out

A Queensland council has revealed a $2 million budget blow out for the restoration of one of the state's iconic steam trains.

The Mary Valley Rattler steam train has been off the tracks since 2012 after two derailments and track damage.

Since then, extensive work has been underway on the train and parts of the 40km track in order to get the tourism drawcard back on the track and tooting its way through the picturesque Mary Valley.

The Gympie Regional Council has approved the latest funding boost, taking the total cost to $14.5 million.

Mayor Mick Curran said it was disappointing that the initial costs were inaccurate.

"Unfortunately that expenditure is an extra $2 million to our budget, but what that will do is ensure we deliver a viable, safe and well constructed set of infrastructure," he said.

"We went out to rail expertise to do a full assessment of the track and the bridges, we received a price from them and unfortunately once works commenced there was further work found."

The project has been plagued by delays and a track and structures inspection report in August highlighted concerns about the deterioration of a number of bridges that needed to be replaced.

The delivery of a steam locomotive to Gympie was also delayed after Queensland Rail located a fault with the engine.

Gympie Regional Councillor Hilary Smerdon said he thought the refurbishment project was damned from the start.

"I've always sort of supported the Rattler. I think it's probably good for the region but we started at $10.8 million for the budget and we arrived at that figure without any real close inspections of infrastructure, no physical inspections of bridges," he said.

"You can't work out a budget without actually knowing what's involved to reinstate the infrastructure that's there.

"I think we should have had a more detailed investigation of all the infrastructure that was there and had a better look at what we had to do and get it closer to the mark."

Cr Smerdon said he was unsure of the financial benefit to the community.

"It takes $14.5 million to get it onto the rails and from then on it's going to require maintenance and is it going to be a viable operation is it going to be able to pay for its own maintenance or is council going to be responsible for the maintenance forevermore?" he said.

"I can see the benefits on the tourism side but a lot of those benefits are for Sunshine Coast businesses."

Mayor Mick Curran said he was confident that the Mary Valley Heritage Railway would reopen in June 2018.

"We're very confident now that we do have the final cost and that the Rattler will be up and running in autumn of next year.

"It's a project that will be well received by the community and whilst we do have some naysayers and some angst out there around the cost when you look back at the history of the project it was a major drawcard."

[Stillwater]

Opening now in June 2018, according to ABC report.  It was to be Christmas 2017, then Easter 2018.  The cost blowout has been in the repairs to bridges. The Rattler will require annual revenue of $800,000 to stay afloat. The Rattler may be a good excursion day out for RailBOT members!

[ozbob]

 

[red dragin]

$14.8 million!

We could probably rebuild the track most of the way from Woodford back to Caboolture from scratch (which we'd have to) for that!!!

[#Metro]

annual revenue of $800,000 to stay afloat

Some thoughts:

$800 000 divided by 365 days/year = $2192 per day

Divided by an 8 hour day is $274 per hour.

Here it depends on the fares and demand. (Numbers have been rounded)

At $25/passenger: 11 passengers per hour or 88 passengers per day

At $50/passenger: 6 passengers per hour or 49 passengers per day


Could be possible. Business risk seems to be if the heavy infrastructure is damaged for any reason (e.g. storm, flooding) as that is very expensive to repair or replace.

[Stillwater]

The $14.8m includes an upgrade of the Old Gympie Railway Station and also refurbishment of the loco and carriages. The Mayor says the standard set was high at the outset, so as to reduce maintenance costs in future years.

Update: 'Get Rattled' is the promotional slogan revealed today at a public open day held at Old Gympie Railway Station.

[ozbob]

Gympie Times --> 'Degenerate lowlifes': vandals destroy Rattler restoration

HUNDREDS of hours of volunteer work on the Mary Valley Rattler restoration was wiped away overnight after vandals broke in and sprayed graffiti across the workshop.

A total of 19 rolling stock and carriages were damaged, along with two buildings and a crane, while fire extinguishers were also let off around the trains.

Several of the carriages which were damaged had already been fully restored and were only waiting for the train's return.

Rattler Railway Company Vice Chairman Garry Davison slammed the vandals as "degenerate lowlifes" who had destroyed hundreds of hours of volunteer work.

"All of the good work they've put in has been undone by people coming in and doing this," Mr Davison said.

"It's probably something that's taken a few people a couple of hours to do this... (but) there are hundreds of hours that will need to be taken to rectify what they've done."

While he was unable to estimate what the cost of the "significant damage" would be, he said fixing it would mean those same volunteers would be forced to repeat their hard work.

"All of this is volunteers just doubling up on work already done," he said.

While it would not stop the restoration work, he said it was a hurdle they could have done without.

"We'll be back on track as soon as we can."

Chairman Ian McNicol declined to comment in-depth on the break-in, but said he was frustrated by the damage to a project built on the back of volunteer support.

"It shows no respect," Mr McNicol said.

"It's very frustrating there's people in the community that don't appreciate that."

Mr McNicol said it was not the first break-in at the workshop over the past year.

The vandals apparently broke in by cutting a hole in the wire fence around the back of the site.

Police said the damage, which was predominately "tags and pictures" was done between 2pm yesterday and 6.30am this morning, and are asking anyone who may know anything to please call PolicelInk on 131 444.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MVRattler/status/971555073179361280

[ozbob]

Gympie Times --> Imbil: 'Hands off our historic station'


SPIN CYCLE: Imbil residents are upset their station's turntable motor is being removed for use at the Amamoor Station (pictured above).

IMBIL residents have been left shocked and upset by news the motor from Imbil's historic train station turntable is being moved to Amamoor for the Rattler.

Graham Ellery said local residents were only made aware of the move when they heard the noise from the workers at the station.

"It comes as a complete surprise," he said.

Since it became public knowledge this week, he had taken a number of calls from upset residents.

Not only was there concern about the removal of something from a site he believes should be heritage listed, but that there was such little consultation that nobody even knew this was the plan.

"What else have they moved back (to Amamoor) without the knowledge of the locals?" he asked.

"It's going to make it even harder for us to get something happening back on this end."

At yesterday's Gympie Regional Council workshop Cr Dan Stewart asked for clarity on the turntable "rumour".

Councillors were told the motor was being moved to the Amamoor station, which used to be turned manually.

Mayor Mick Curran said some lengths of rail had also been removed from near Imbil for use on the Gympie-Amamoor line.

He said this did not mean Imbil was no longer an option in the future.

"What comes out of Imbil will be replaced," he said.

"There's been no decisions around that... I'd like to see rail operations return in the future."

Motor movements were not the only update councillors were given on the Rattler at the workshop.

Passengers services are expected to resume in May, and the original locomotive should be rebuilt and on the tracks by June.

With six carriages it will be able to carry up to 300 people every trip.

Councillors also heard that the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator has been "very strict" on its requirements before the Rattler can run.

This includes the Rattler Railway Company proving it has a sleeper replacement program in place, which includes 1500 sleepers identified for replacement in the first year.

[Stillwater]

A tall order - The Rattler will have to take in $800,000 a year to meet all costs, including track maintenance.  It will run to Amamoor only, not the full distance to Imbil, as previously.  Amamoor has no pub, just a general store, an art gallery and a few nic-nac shops.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974751413203959808

[SurfRail]

^ I don't see that group or the people behind it putting their money where their mouth is.