New Euroa miniature trains on track for safer rides

This vital focus has received a boost thanks to a grant from the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program.

Club president Tim Miller said the funding is being used to design and construct new carriages so they can meet current safety standards.

Mr Miller said many of the carriages are showing their age and there is a need to upgrade the rolling stock.

“A lot of our rolling stock is old, so the Inland Rail grant money will come in very handy as we are building new, safer straddle cars for passengers,” he said.

“They will boost safety and will increase capacity – passengers sit straddling the seat – so that when we get a lot of customers in we’re not holding them up in a great long line.”

Mr Miller said the new carriages are safer for passengers’ feet because they are contained behind a 150mm wall, reducing the risk of injury.

“Without a wall to contain the feet, there’s always a risk that passengers can drag their feet, and there have been some quite nasty injuries on other railways.

“These carriages are a major step up in safety.”

While the club usually opens on the fourth Sunday of each month, Mr Miller said recent flooding has caused extensive damage to the rail track.

“We are planning the repairs to the track and we hope to be able to recommence running in February or March next year,” he said.

Find out more about ARTC’s Inland Rail’s Community Sponsorships and Donations program here.

IMAGE: Euroa Miniature Railway President Tim Miller tests the ride on one of the group’s new carriages, pulled by Lance Creasey driving the club locomotive Yellow Terror. The carriage is one of several which have been part-funded by an Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations grant