• Eight Queensland rail heritage organisations across the State have been awarded a share of $160,000 in community grants.
• The funding, up to $20,000 for each application, will go to towards refurbishing heritage trains, carriages, tracks, and other initiatives.
• The heritage grants program is part of Queensland Rail's 160th birthday celebrations to boost heritage rail operations and ensure Queensland's rich rail history lives
A heritage rail themed food truck and important track repairs are now possible for two Ipswich region rail heritage groups thanks to much-needed grants from the Crisafulli Government.
$160,000 dollars in community grants have been awarded to celebrate 160 years of rail in Queensland to support not-for-profit rail heritage organisations.
Local groups - Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland and Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway - were two of the eight Queensland-based recipients awarded a grant to help fund heritage projects and operations.
The Crisafulli Government heritage grants program recipients include:
• Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland will purchase a heritage-themed food truck to cater for tourists at historic Grandchester station
• Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway will be able to undertake important track repairs and invest in community partnerships to support maintenance
• Whistle Stop in Maryborough will overhaul the famous Mary Ann steam locomotive
• Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway will restore a Queensland Rail heritage carriage that was first built in 1913
• Southern Downs Steam Railway in Warwick will overhaul a heritage diesel hydraulic locomotive
• DownsSteam Toowoomba will install a new roof in their restoration shed to protect valuable rollingstock
• The Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Woodford will undertake a restoration of a former Queensland Rail railmotor carriage
• The Mary Valley Rattler will undertake essential upgrades to a track machine, reducing labour and improving safe operations for staff and volunteers.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg congratulated the organisations and thanked them for their contributions to honour rail heritage across Queensland.
"From north Queensland to the southern border, rail heritage groups play a vital role in keeping the passion for rail alive in our communities," Minister Mickelberg said.
"The Crisafulli Government is pleased to offer these much-needed grants to these not-for-profit heritage groups so they can continue their work ensuring the State's rich rail history lives on."
Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland President Steve Lamprecht said the grants would help fund a food truck at historic Grandchester station for tourists and the community.
"In Victorian times, Grandchester station hosted picnics for early settlers and by establishing a food and coffee service this grant will help us recreate some of that history," Mr Lamprecht said.
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway chairman Robert Shearer said the grant would go towards critical track upgrades to improve operational safety and reliability.
"The grant will also support our training program for the next generation of rail safety workers and track work apprentices, ensuring we keep giving back to our local community," Mr Shearer said.
"QPSR continues to build on our 48-year history of sharing important rail stories and lessons with the community and travellers to Ipswich."
Queensland Rail acting CEO Neil Backer said the one-off grants were the perfect gift from Queensland Rail as it celebrates its 160th birthday.
"With 160 years of rail in Queensland there's no better feeling than being able to give back to the communities who are helping us preserve that history," Mr Backer said.
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