[b]Valley Rattler takes some time off[/b] 6th July 2012 5:51 AM THE Valley Rattler has suspended steam train tours programmed for this weekend to allow an infrastructure assessment to be completed. Mary Valley Heritage Rail president Tony Hallam said the Valley Rattler was working with the Rail Safety regulator to resolve issues that included a yard derailment at Gympie last week. Mr Hallam said this incident did not involve rail lines used by passenger trains. "We apologise to customers for the inconvenience," Mr Hallam said. "Passenger safety is our number one priority. "We ask anyone with weekend bookings to contact the Rattler office on 5482 2750. "The Rattler is contacting passengers, businesses and organisations to advise of the altered weekend program. "We anticipate we will be operating as usual from Saturday, July 14." Mr Hallam said although the Rattler would not run this weekend, the Iron Horse Cafe on the platform at the Old Gympie Railway Station would be open as usual on Saturday and Sunday.

Looks like another heritage operator is having troubles...

Back again, albeit on an amended timetable.

[b]Mary Valley Rattler back on track[/b]

Posted July 18, 2012 10:37:34

Gympie's heritage steam train, the Mary Valley Rattler, returns to the rails today after being grounded by a safety audit.

Rattler services were suspended more than a week ago after a locomotive derailed in the Gympie yard.

Mary Valley Heritage Railway president Tony Hallam says the audit found track repairs are needed in some areas, including sleeper replacement.

He says repairs will take about two weeks and the train will run to an amended timetable until then.

Seeing as how this thread has had a heap of views in a relatively short time, but nobody is saying anything here, I'm going to comment on my own thread.

It is really good to see that the troubles at MVHR are being dealt with in a speedy fashion and that trains are once again able to run. It would have been a real shame if this hadn't been the case. MVHR is operated as a business with some paid employees and provide an excellent service. THe Mary Valley is very scenic and if you haven't had the opportunity to take a ride there yet (or even if you have) please take the opportunity whenever you have a day (or half a day) to spare.

Disclaimer: I have no connection with MVHR whatsoever, other than being a satisfied customer many times over.

http://www.thevalleyrattler.com/

Seeing as how this thread has had a heap of views in a relatively short time, but nobody is saying anything here, I'm going to comment on my own thread.

It is really good to see that the troubles at MVHR are being dealt with in a speedy fashion and that trains are once again able to run. It would have been a real shame if this hadn't been the case. MVHR is operated as a business with some paid employees and provide an excellent service. THe Mary Valley is very scenic and if you haven't had the opportunity to take a ride there yet (or even if you have) please take the opportunity whenever you have a day (or half a day) to spare.

Disclaimer: I have no connection with MVHR whatsoever, other than being a satisfied customer many times over.

http://www.thevalleyrattler.com/

It is not the only Rail Heritage Group that is having problems with Regular checking up on. I think this makes number 5?

Hi Graham,

Maybe there just isn't much to say. It has been previously declared that mvhr expenses exceed receipts. The group has multiple steamers and 40kms of track to maintain. The township of gympie is not a metropolis, and skills and resources for a large group would be limited in this regional area.

I suggest mvhr is yet to face its biggest issue: sustaining 40kms of track. I think that will eventually become too big a task, without outside intervention. If the group does not get (more?) assistance with track work, i think they will have to truncate to amamoor. At 23kms from gympie, that is still a significant length of track to look after, but there is a usable turntable already installed there.

Obviously, such a decision would be taken reluctantly. Having ridden and filmed the rattler, such an outcome would be disappointing. But, if a mere armchair observer living nowhere near gympie can see these issues, then its just a matter of time before they have to be addressed.

But as Keynes apparently said, the markets can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent. And we are all Keynesians now, apparently.

Seeing as how this thread has had a heap of views in a relatively short time, but nobody is saying anything here, I'm going to comment on my own thread.

It is really good to see that the troubles at MVHR are being dealt with in a speedy fashion and that trains are once again able to run. It would have been a real shame if this hadn't been the case. MVHR is operated as a business with some paid employees and provide an excellent service. THe Mary Valley is very scenic and if you haven't had the opportunity to take a ride there yet (or even if you have) please take the opportunity whenever you have a day (or half a day) to spare.

Disclaimer: I have no connection with MVHR whatsoever, other than being a satisfied customer many times over.

http://www.thevalleyrattler.com/

It is not the only Rail Heritage Group that is having problems with Regular checking up on. I think this makes number 5?

Hence my comment in the first post. I was quite afraid that this could result in a lengthy hiatus for MVHR. Fortunately that doesn't seem to be the case, at least for now.

Hi Graham, Maybe there just isn't much to say. It has been previously declared that mvhr expenses exceed receipts. The group has multiple steamers and 40kms of track to maintain. The township of gympie is not a metropolis, and skills and resources for a large group would be limited in this regional area. I suggest mvhr is yet to face its biggest issue: sustaining 40kms of track. I think that will eventually become too big a task, without outside intervention. If the group does not get (more?) assistance with track work, i think they will have to truncate to amamoor. At 23kms from gympie, that is still a significant length of track to look after, but there is a usable turntable already installed there. Obviously, such a decision would be taken reluctantly. Having ridden and filmed the rattler, such an outcome would be disappointing. But, if a mere armchair observer living nowhere near gympie can see these issues, then its just a matter of time before they have to be addressed. But as Keynes apparently said, the markets can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent. And we are all Keynesians now, apparently.

Exactly the sort of discussion I was trying to stimulate. Let's hope that none of what you say will eventuate, it would be a real shame. MVHR has a lot going for it and Gympie is a busy town. Many people visit the area for various reasons. Close to the Sunshine and Cooloola Coasts. Good facilities. A much more "visitable" town than the Gympie of old.

I'm also hoping to stimulate the curiosity of the members here that haven't yet visited MVHR so that they will make their first and subsequent visits. I think my first visit was in 2004 with my wife, parents and youngest daughter. There have been many visits since. In February my wife and I visited and along with our eldest son, two grandchildren, my sister and brother-in-law we had an excellent trip on the "Rattler". So come along, bring your family and friends, and lend your support!

Not likely to be back offline soon? I'm planning a trip and I want to do a run.

Not likely to be back offline soon? I'm planning a trip and I want to do a run.

I don't think they are planning to be!

Repeat customers are always welcome (but so are first timers)! Make sure you get another cab ride...

I travelled on the Mary Valley Railway last August, and I hope to do the same in the next few weeks, what a great railway journey.............Good luck everyone.........

The latest info will be posted on the Valley Rattler Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/thevalleyrattler?ref=mf

A slideshow from my last visit in Febraury this year:

Support Called for the Valley Rattler

Help out if you are able...

Mary Valley Rattler trying to get back on financial track

16th Oct 2012 5:00 AM

 THE Queensland Government yesterday ruled out funding to save the Mary Valley Heritage Railway and Gympie Regional Council said it would not be throwing cash at the embattled tourist icon.

It is now up to the Rail Safety Regulator to decide this week whether the Rattler can operate again, and if so, under what conditions.

The steam train was recently shut down for the second time this year after another derailment. It was unknown yesterday when or if services would resume.

The Rattler is being run on a month-by-month basis due to financial problems.

A total of $100,000 is needed to keep it running in the short-term and almost $1 million is needed to fix the track.

Mary Valley businesses and community groups impacted by the possible demise of the operation were yesterday united in their opinion that its survival was linked to the recovery of the Valley after the Traveston dam.

Imbil alone reaps about $1 million a year directly from the train's visits but the "indirect" business and tourism generated from the 40,000 visitors a year was more difficult to calculate.

Kandanga and Amamoor both put on stalls and morning teas for the trains and put the money raised back into their communities.

"Small towns like Kandanga, Imbil, Amamoor and Dagun rely on the trains," Friends of Kandanga spokesman Anne O'Farrell said.

Executive members of the Imbil Heritage Park group, Col Huddy and Josh Hopkins, said at least 10 businesses in Imbil would be directly impacted if the Rattler folded.

The group of 20 volunteers has put $10,000 back into its end of the line recently and is desperate to see it survive.

But not if that means moving the train trip north of Gympie, as some have suggested.

"We see the train as part of our cultural heritage," said Mr Huddy.

"We don't expect the government to run it, but it could help with one-off maintenance expenses.

"We need a little bit of confidence and a little bit of belief in this amazing thing."

The Dagun Community Group turns over $100,000 a year thanks to the train - money that goes straight back into the community.

Its station has become the centre of all community activities, group president Geoff Harvey said yesterday.

Secretary Kim Crawford said it was time for the MVHR to revise its entire operational model so that it ran more like a business.

For the Valley, losing the Rattler would be the straw that broke the camel's back, he said.

Member for Gympie David Gibson said yesterday the State Government had no money to give the Rattler.

"Unfortunately at this point in time, there isn't funds available," he said.

Talks had been held with the Department of Transport, Queensland Rail and the Tourism Department, but it was "a difficult time for all departments".

"It is clear that at this stage more than just a cash injection is needed," Mr Gibson said.

"If the MVHR is to continue operating then they will need to rethink every part of their operations including the length of the track used. This will have impacts on the Valley communities that clearly benefit from the visits by the Rattler and the tourists that she brings.

"A new model of operation would need to be implemented; one that is fully self-sustaining and can ensure the necessary maintenance work is performed to keep the track at a level of safety that is expected by the Rail Safety Regulator."

Gympie Mayor Ron Dyne said the impact of losing the Rattler would be felt in the Mary Valley for some time.

"Council has made representations to State Government a number of times," he said.

"The previous State Government made a cash injection but this was only for operational cost; not enough for track maintenance."

Valley councillor Julie Walker has rejected any suggestion the Rattler journey be moved on to the Queensland Rail maintained line to Theebine.

"They need to remember this is the Mary Valley Heritage Railway," she said.

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/rattler-trying-get-back-on-financial-track-gympie/1583339/

Two points:

This is a museum, other museums are government funded.

Those businesses that benefit from MVHR should be prepared to invest in the MVHR, surely a sound investment?

Guys,  Just in: http://www.railpage.com.au/news/article-11541/

[quote]
The Queensland Government has ruled out funding to save the Mary Valley Rattler Heritage Railway at Gympie in the state's south-east, which is struggling to remain economically viable.

The steam train has been shut down for the second time this year after another derailment and services will not resume until at least Thursday.

The Rattler is being run on a month-by-month basis due to financial problems.

A total of $100,000 is needed to keep it running in the short-term and almost $1 million is needed to fix the track.[/quote]

This is bad news.

Regards
Brian

It has been suggested elsewhere that if 1,000,000 people put in $1 each they will have raised $1,000,000. Help if you can...

That $ 1.oo  donation wouldnt be tax deductable , would be better with 500 000 people donating $2.oo each..

That $ 1.oo donation wouldnt be tax deductable , would be better with 500 000 people donating $2.oo each..

It was of course just an example. Perhaps 100,000 people can part with $10.

I'd like to point out that your choice to donate or not is exactly that - your choice. Any decision you make in this regard should be made on a sound basis, not an emotional one. Do your research.

I hope that hasn't put anybody off...

http://www.atrq.net/?p=402
They have started selling off rollingstock (including a non operational 1620 class ) thats deemed not fit for purpose.

Judging by some of the pristine rolling stock being sold off in the Valley Rattlers Fire Sale, i'd say the major problems with the group can be sourced from completely incompetent management.

Judging by some of the pristine rolling stock being sold off in the Valley Rattlers Fire Sale, i'd say the major problems with the group can be sourced from completely incompetent management.

That is a bit rough tezza! You will find that other heritage groups will be selling off rolling stock some going to scrap. It is good business sense to reduce any debt.

I wasnt refering to the scrap/spare parts rolling stock offered for sale, i was refering to the sale of the pristine potential income producing vehicles.

It has been suggested elsewhere that if 1,000,000 people put in $1 each they will have raised $1,000,000. Help if you can...

How do we donate?

Regards
Brian

It has been suggested elsewhere that if 1,000,000 people put in $1 each they will have raised $1,000,000. Help if you can...

How do we donate?

Regards
Brian

Brian, details are now on their home page.

I wasnt refering to the scrap/spare parts rolling stock offered for sale, i was refering to the sale of the pristine potential income producing vehicles.

If you can't afford to run those pristine vehicles the potetial for income is nil.