After a bumper year, TasRail has introduced some new ideas to support its much-loved Christmas Train, with an eye to the building a solid future for the staff-led initiative.

TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich said that community interest in seeing the Christmas Train continued to be incredibly high.

“After last year’s success we thought long and hard about how we could safely communicate Christmas Train viewing opportunities to the public, and streamline, traditionally labour-intensive, installation times for our operational staff,” he said.

The result has been the introduction of the Christmas Train tracker website – https://christmastrain.tasrail.com.au.  The site allows the community to see where the light-adorned locomotives are around the State when they are in service, as well as view an approximate Christmas Train timetable.

“As Christmas Train fans would know, our lit locomotive timetables can vary due to a number of operational factors. This site is designed to adjust the viewing times online as our schedule changes,” Dietrich said.

While TasRail’s Facebook page will be displaying pictures and any urgent safety information for the services, Christmas Train fans should now visit the website for timetable information, rather than messaging or calling.

He said the Christmas light arrangements had also been adjusted with an eye to the future.

“The lights are now fitted to panels on the sides of the locomotives, which means that if required they can be easily transferred between locomotives. Also, each panel is unique – designed and created by members of our rollingstock and planning teams,” he said.

Dietrich also reminded Christmas Train enthusiasts to be rail safe while out and about.

“Please remember to view the train away from the rail corridor and well clear of the tracks and danger zone,” he said.

“If you are watching for the train with your family, I encourage you to also take the time to remind your loved ones that TasRail is a 24/7 freight rail business and they should always be vigilant, all year not just at Christmas time.

“The TasRail team works hard to bring this festive cheer to Tasmanians every year. We want everyone to have a merry Christmas, and to go home safe and well every day to enjoy precious time with their friends and family.”