2008 Achievements

2008 has marked a turning point for the Society. The Society has always had the bigger picture development of the site in mind and has now consolidated its position. Up to 2008 the Society has been primarily focussed on becoming very capable at running a well-maintained safe, reliable, railway operation. Renewed community enthusiasm has seen a resurgence of interest in the society with a number of new initiatives being commenced. These include:-

  • The refurbishment and expansion of the Sheffield Station to include a coffee shop
  • Obtaining planning approval for development of a shed over Mrs Bronwyn Rayner’s containers which have now been delivered to the site and preparation of footings upon which the containers will be mounted.
  • Initial planning has commenced on the development of the Pioneer Village Concept.
  • Obtained a Soho tangye horizontal single cylinder steam engine for restoration by the society and relocated it to the site. This engine is suitable for powering the proposed sawmill development.
  • The Society ran another successful SteamFest
  • On Australia Day many Society members were awarded volunteer recognition awards by the Kentish Council for their efforts. 8 members received awards for 500hrs, 3 for 1000 hrs, 1 for 2000 hrs and 9 received awards for 3000hrs of work for the Kentish Community. During the process of assessing the number of hours members had worked for the organisation it became evident that one of the members had worked in excess of 13,000 hours towards development of the
    organisation.
  • The Society has encouraged the development of the Sheffield Community Men’s Shed and has made interim shed space available until more permanent facilities are
    constructed by the group within the Redwater Creek leased area.
  • The Society has completed restoration of the Caretaker’s Cottage and a caretaker now resides on site.
  • Barbara Wells authored two new chapters in the Railton Roland Branch Line book and members arranged the proofing and printing of the book.
  • The platform at the Victoria Street end of the railway was completed and a sign has been erected.
  • One new locomotive driver completed training and two new drivers have commenced training