The Don River Railway is a vintage railway and museum in Don, a suburb of Devonport, Tasmania.
It runs a passenger train ride from Don to Don Junction (adjacent to Coles Beach) and return using part of the former Melrose line that ran between Don Junction and Paloona.
While on Sundays a heritage carriage set is hauled by either a steam locomotive or a vintage diesel locomotive (V2, X4, Y6 and 866). Numerous other locomotives and rolling stock are in the process of being restored at the on-site workshop.
Locomotive Roaster[]
Steam locomotives:[]
| Photograph | Locomotive | Build date | Wheel Arrangement | Manufacturer | Locomotive Class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tasmanian Government Railway No. Ma2 | 1951 | 4-6-2 "Pacific" | Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns | M class | Stored |
|
Emu Bay Railway No.8 'Heemskirk' | 1900 | 4-8-0 "Twelve-wheeler" | Dubs & Co. | - | Stored |
|
Tasmanian Government Railway No. M4 | 1951 | 4-6-2 "Pacific" | Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns | M class | Stored |
|
TGR CCS Class No.25 | 1906 | 2-6-0 "Mogul" | Beyer Peacock & Co. | - | Operational |
Diesel Locomotives:[]
| Photograph | Locomotive | Manufacturer | Locomotive Class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Australian Railways No. 866 | AE Goodwin | SAR 830 class | Unknown |
|
Tasmanian Government Railways No. Y6 | Operational | ||
| Tasmanian Government Railways No. V2 | TGR V class |
Trivia[]
- In 1999, while the Railway was featured in "Railway Adventures Across Australia" they ran a special mainline trip around Tasmania. For this special occasion they celebrated a centenary celebration of Australia's oldest private railway the Emu Bay Railway. To celebrate they ran a passenger train that was headed by 3 steam locomotives Emu Bay Railway No.8 'Heemskirk', Tasmanian Government Railway No. M4, and Tasmanian Government Railway No. Ma2 for the excursion.
- The Don River Railway is open from Saturday to Thursday, closing only for Christmas Day, Good Friday, and ANZAC Day.
- Thursday through to Sunday, customers can expect to ride in a 1940s ex Tasmanian Government Railways rail car and trailer, DP22 and PT3.
- These volunteer-run people are one of the many keepers of Tasmania's remaining rail heritage which is an important job because Tasmania is a bit different to the mainland states.
- On April 4 2023, a fire destroyed a carriage shed and some carriages.
- Future plans also include overhaul of M4 including potential for refurbishment or replacement of its boiler, or the potential to return MA2 or No. 8 Heemskirk to service.
Images[]
