Australian Railway Historical Society
(ACT Division)

Logo showing railway engine 1210
General Correspondence: P.O. Box 1615, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Street Address: Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Rd, Queanbeyan
Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm
Bookings Phone: (02) 6284 2790   Facsimile: (02) 6284 2791
Email: tours@arhsact.org.au

Michelago Tourist Railway

The Michelago Tourist Railway (MTR) opened on 26 April 1993, and operates on part of the former State-owned railway line between Queanbeyan and Cooma in southern New South Wales.

Most of the MTR lies within New South Wales (in fact the line is the border between the ACT and NSW for much of its length). The Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT Division) holds a lease on this line as far as Michelago, 57 rail kilometres south of Canberra.

Map of Michelago Tourist Railway

Since October 1996, the Society has also had running rights between Canberra and Queanbeyan, which means the Society's qualified drivers, guards and signalmen can crew trains in and out of Canberra and Queanbeyan stations, as well as on the line to Michelago.

Our passenger trains (see below) currently operate only as far south as Royalla (33 rail kilometres from Canberra), as a number of timber trestle bridges between Royalla and Michelago require repair.

History of the line

The line connecting Queanbeyan to Sydney was completed in September 1887 after more than four years work just on the section from Goulburn, which needed significant work in the construction of Brooks Bank and Pine Range tunnels, and the Burbong and Queanbeyan bridges.

During this time, work was also progressing on the line as far south as Michelago, the latter opening only a few months later in December 1887.

For a short time from 1887, Michelago was the terminus for the line that was eventually extended to Cooma (May 1889) and on to Bombala (1921).

Michelago was a sizable town in its heyday and the start of the trip by stage coach to Cooma.

The railway goods yard is a typical layout for a terminus, complete with a turntable and goods sidings.

Some of the short lengths of rail in the goods yard were made in England in 1882 and transported to Australia as ship ballast.

The old railway station building contains some 80,000 bricks; coincidentally, there are also this number of sleepers in the section of line from Queanbeyan.

The line to Michelago has some steep grades (long sections of 1-in-40 or 2.5% are common in both directions) and tight curves, and provides commanding views across the Tuggeranong Valley to the Brindabella mountain range.

After reaching the top of the long 1-in-40 grade at the old Tuggeranong siding, the line sweeps around the beautiful Melrose Valley where kangaroos are often seen.

Until the opening of a loop at Royalla in 1955-56, Michelago was the first crossing loop for trains from Queanbeyan.

Train operations

Because of the need for bridge repairs on the southern part of the line, passenger trains are currently operating only as far south as Royalla where there is a platform for passengers and a loop line which allows locomotives to run around trains before returning to Queanbeyan/Canberra.

The RailRoad Restaurant, Sunset Rail Café trains, Spirit of Tuggeranong picnic trains and the Tin Hare rail motors all use this line.

The Michelago Tourist Railway is also used by charter trains operated by the Society.

The Society uses restored steam locomotives when possible. This is subject to the availability of our steam locomotives (now more than 100 years old). Diesel-hauled trains also replace steam during the fire season, usually between December and March.

Help needed

Maintaining the line is a big task! We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help with trackwork (mainly replacing worn sleepers), bridgework and vegetation control - no qualifications are required. The work can be can be fun and very interesting.

Locomotive 3016 at Michelago

Depending on the work to be done, you may travel to the work site on a rail motor, rail bus or a rail gangers' trolley. Track maintenance machinery is used to assist with tasks such as sleeper replacements.

We invite you to become a member and join in the fun.

More information

See also:


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Page last updated on Sun, 13 Nov 2005 06:03 FIXED