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The Redcliffs Rotary Club recognised the long association the community had with the Kerr Stuart steam locomotive operated by the State Rivers and Waters Supply Commission and made an application in June 1954 to have the engine retained at Redcliffs as a lasting memorial to the early pioneering days of the settlement.
In July 1954 the SR&WSC agreed to grant the request and the diminutive locomotive was placed in a Rotary sponsored playground adjoining the Red Cliffs kindergarten. It was a condition of the grant that the engine be properly housed against deterioration and a small pavilion roof was erected. The locomotive was placed at the Rotary playground in August 1955.
The Kerr Stuart at its new home circa 1965 near the Redcliffs kindergarten. Photo: Chris. Phillips
The Kerr Stuart under the cover erected by the Rotary Club of Red Cliffs at the kindergarten playground, Red Cliffs. 13-7-1969. Photo: Bruce McLean
The two Malcolm Moore diesel locomotives used to replace the Kerr Stuart steam locomotive, were put up for sale in January 1957.
In early 1977, the Kerr Stuart was moved from its kindergarten resting place to a site near the Redcliffs railway station. A concrete pad with rails imbedded that was long enough to hold the locomotive and two coal skips, was built in a park between the Calder Highway and the railway reserve. The locomotive was not given any from of protection from the elements at this location, but was obviously attracting greater attention from visitors who may not have known of its existence at the kindergarten site.
The Kerr Stuart and two skips at its new exposed home beside the Calder Highway in a park near the Redcliffs railway station. 1-10-1977. Photo: Bruce McLean
The opposite side of the locomotive to the previous view. Note the rust deterioration on the water tank. 16-7-1979. Photo: Bruce McLean
In September 1983, the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society (formed in May 1983) approached the Rotary Club of Redcliffs (owners of the locomotive) and Lions Club of Redcliffs (the locomotive was preserved in the Lions roadside park) to store the diminutive engine to working order with its future as a tourist attraction. The Shire of Mildura also supported the concept with Cr. R. Vine suggesting that the group discuss possible sites with the Shire Engineer. With all approvals in place, the Society announced in December 1983 that work would begin with restoration to working order completed in two years.
The locomotive was dismantled at Express Engineers in Ninth Street, Mildura in January 1984.
The Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society advertised a meeting on 7-1-1985 at the Redcliffs Civic Centre to elect a Committee of Management for the Society and to discuss a proposal to lay a railway track for the locomotive to run on around the Quandong Park reserve at Redcliffs. Public response to the meeting was disappointing and it was decided that the Shire of Mildura Engineer, Mr. N. Arbuthnot, would develop a plan and have it displayed in Redcliffs shops for the public to comment on. The plan went on display on 16-1-1985 and the Shire would determine its support for the project at Quandong Park after public comments were received.
Meanwhile, work continued on the restoration of the Kerr Stuart at the Express Engineers site, with Inspectors from the Department of Labour and Industry checking progress in July 1985 and approving the work completed to date.
Restoration of the Kerr Stuart reached the stage where the boiler could be fired up and this was accomplished on 7-5-1988 after four and a half years of dedicated work by members of the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society.
Following the closure of the Redcliffs to Meringur branch line, Cr. R. Vine suggested on 5-10-1989 that V/Line should be approached with the view to part of the line being retained for use by the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society for running the restored steam locomotive, instead of the Quandong Park proposal. By 28-4-1990, Cr. Vine was able to announce that the Rotary Club of Redcliffs and Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society had asked the Shire of Mildura to obtain from the Minister of Transport, a kilometre of rail and six kilometres of rail reserve from the Murray Avenue, Redcliffs level crossing to the site of Thurla station.
The aims and objectives of the groups were to seek:
* One kilometre of line to operative the Kerr Stuart locomotive;
* To build a workshop and railway station;
* To be incorporated into the Shire of Mildura's strategy plan;
* To encourage a tennis club to upgrade and maintain four tennis courts;
* A one hectare site was planned to be developed with water, toilets, barbeque, picnic
and children's playground facilities and planted with native trees.
District parliamentarians, Mr. C. Bildstien M.L.A. and Mr. K. Wright M.L.C., consistently lobbied the Minister for Transport, Mr. P. Spyker, to give the land free of charge to the Shire of Mildura, the Shire was given a one week ultimatum by the Department of Transport to make an offer by 12 noon on 1-8-1990 to buy the section of line or it would be sold to private tender. (The Meringur line was being dismantled at the time by a private contractor). The Council reluctantly agreed to inform the Department of Transport that it would agree to buy the track on the provision that it be given a chance to pay it off on negotiated terms.
On 10-9-1990 it was announced that the State government had accepted an offer of $20,000 (the current market value for the rails and fittings) by the Shire of Mildura to purchase one mile of the railway for the tourist railway project. The sale did not include the land on which the railway is located or the railway reserve.
On 22-1-1991, arrangements were made to transfer the restored Kerr Stuart locomotive from Express Engineers in Byrne Court, Mildura to the First Mildura Irrigation Trust works depot in Benetook Avenue, Mildura. A low loader was used for the transfer.
Transferring the restored Kerr Stuart locomotive from Express Engineers to the First Mildura Irrigation Trust works depot was undertaken on 22-1-1991 by members of the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society. Photo: Bruce McLean
In March 1993, members of the Redcliffs Rotary Club and Vintage Machinery Society commenced work on the development of the Redcliffs Steam Rail Tourist Park with the track purchased by the Shire of Mildura. The Shire provided a grader to prepare the formation around the tennis courts at the corner of the Calder Highway and Millewa Road, south of Redcliffs and a call went out for interested volunteers to join. A Federal government grant was used to purchase materials for the project, including new sleepers, after someone had stolen sleepers previously stacked at the site.
The Rotary Club of Redcliffs applied to the Shire of Mildura in August 1993 to lease an area of land for the development and operation of a steam railway tourist venture. A lease of ten years was sought with an option for a further ten years.
On 7-8-1993, members of the Rotary Club of Redcliffs and Sunraysia Vintage Machinery Club travelled to Taldra in South Australia, to collect points from the dismantled Barmera line. Construction of a storage shed, ablution block, fencing and tennis club building was being undertaken with funds from the Shire of Mildura's Local Capital Works program.
In January 1994, the interim organising committee agreed to set up a new committee with a new entity called The Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway Society. It was also planned to construct three passenger carriages in the new workshop.
In the second week of February 1994, the restored Kerr Stuart locomotive was transported from storage at the First Mildura Irrigation Trust works depot in Benetook Avenue, Mildura, to its new permanent home at the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway's South-west Reserve site.
The Kerr Stuart was fired up for the first time at its new home on 29-1-1995.
Driver Mr. G. Cullen attends to the Kerr Stuart locomotive at the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway's running shed. 21-7-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean
In May 1995, the Sunraysia and Murray Group Training workers received certificates for their role in constructing the railway line, locomotive shed, station platform and two passenger carriages. The Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway committee treated the workers to a barbeque and steamed up the locomotive to provide rides.
The Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway was granted safety accreditation by the Rail Safety Directorate of the Department of Infrastructure in September 1997 and the first official operating day was Sunday 28-9-1997. Train services were run on the first Sunday of each month, however in 2002 it was decided not to operate during the months of January and February when fire bans and extreme heat persisted. Operating days were rearranged to target major holiday times and first Sunday running outside of these periods.
Re-gauging of the former broad gauge railway track to two foot gauge to the proposed terminus of "Thurla" continued for the next four years.
Conversion of the former broad gauge track to the narrow gauge of 2 foot to the proposed terminus of "Thurla" was a big job for the small group of volunteer workers. 21-7-1996. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Kerr Stuart departs "Karadoc" station for another trip with a full load of happy travellers. 27-10-1998. Photo: Bruce McLean
Regauging of the track and the installation of points and a siding to connect with the turntable was a major step in completing the railway to the western terminus of Thurla. 2-6-2001. Photo: Bruce McLean
Another major project was the construction and installation of a turntable to allow steam locomotive to reverse and/or change tracks. The turntable was installed at the end of the line. 2-6-2001. Photo: Bruce McLean
Thousands of people flocked to the South West Reserve base of the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway to enjoy two days of rides on the Kerr Stuart locomotive to celebrate its centenary on 16 and 17-6-2001. Joining the Kerr Stuart was the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum's W.G. Bagnall locomotive Builder No. 1891 that once worked with the Kerr Stuart between Cobdogla and Loveday in the South Australian Riverland region.
The Bagnall locomotive from Cobdogla, South Australia, standing at Karadoc station before departure for Thurla. 16-6-2001. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Bagnall and three carriages were transported by road to Redcliffs for the occasion and both locomotives carried capacity loads over the two days as about 5,000 people came to join in the celebrations. In association with the centenary, the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway officially opened its extension from the South West Reserve to "Thurla" about 1½ km along the former Victorian Railways Morkalla branch line.
The Kerr Stuart on its 100th Birthday running from Thurla to Karadoc on the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway line. 16-6-2001. Photo: Bruce McLean
The new line was officially opened by Mr. R. Savage, M.L.A., Member for Mildura, who was closely involved with the establishment of the preservation group and a member of the Committee of Management. The group's Patron, Mr. T. Fischer M.P., Member for Farrar, was also present for the occasion to officially mark the centenary of the Kerr Stuart locomotive.
Reversing the Kerr Stuart on the turntable at the end of the line at Thurla. 16-6-2001. Photo: Bruce McLean
The Kerr Stuart and Bagnall locomotives meet at the junction of the line to Thurla on the Kerr Stuart's centenary celebration day. 16-6-2001. Photo: Bruce McLean
On 28-8-2001, Freight Australia formally approved the sale of the Train Examiner's Hut at Mildura to the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway for $110.00. The hut was removed in September 2001 to the end of the operating section known as Thurla, and following restoration by a group associated with Mildura and District Education Council (MADEC), the building was completed in November 2001.
The former Train Examiner's Hut from Mildura railway yards, now in use at Thurla - the terminus of the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway's operation at Redcliffs. 21-4-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean
On 12-4-2001, the Minister for Planning, Mr. J. Thwaites, announced the fifth round of grants from the Public Heritage Program administered by Heritage Victoria. Irymple's disused station was granted an amount of $40,000 for stabilisation and repair work to be undertaken, however the report was inaccurate in claiming that the building was the original 1903 station.
The Member for Mildura, Mr. R. Savage, whilst originally welcoming the grant, considered that the isolated position of the station would continue to make it vulnerable for vandalism unless it was permanently occupied. He suggested that the station could be moved to the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway site at Red Cliffs where it would be of benefit to the organisation as a station building and preserved by railway enthusiasts as part of a working railway line. This move was supported by members of the Irymple Progress Association and the Lions Club of Irymple who had previously restored the station building. Representatives from Heritage Victoria inspected the station building in April 2001 in response to the suggestion.
The derelict condition of Irymple railway station on 1-7-2001. Restoration of the isolated station on the site would have resulted in further damage by vandals and a waste of heritage funding. Photo: Bruce McLean
Following Mr. Savage's representations to Heritage Victoria, an application was made to remove the station, however this was not supported by the National Trust and Heritage Victoria were reluctant to issue a permit for removal. On 30-7-2001, the author provided Mr. Savage with a history of the station including evidence that the station building referred to was not the original 1903 structure. Following further representations by Mr. Savage, Heritage Victoria granted a permit under the Heritage Act on 17-8-2001 for the station building to be moved to Red Cliffs.
Permit issued by Heritage Victoria for removal of Irymple railway station building to the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway site at Red Cliffs for preservation. Courtesy Russell Savage M.L.A.
Deputy Premier Mr. J. Thwaites visited Mildura on 19-10-2001 and inspected the Irymple station building with Mr. Savage and representatives of the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway, Mr. M. Hopkins, Mr. R. Collins and the author. Mr. Thwaites stated that "Irymple is one of Victoria's more humble railway stations, which is part of its attraction" and agreed that the proposed move to Redcliffs would be a "creative and flexible solution to the problem of under-use, decay and vandalism".
With the necessary approvals and permits in place, and receipt of the heritage grant, members of the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway began the task of preparing the buildings for removal on 3-2-2002.
Members of the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway preparing the Irymple station buildings for transportation to Redcliffs for restoration with the assistance of a Heritage grant. 3-2-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean
The buildings were removed from Irymple to the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway site on 24-5-2002 by house removalists Mills and Scherger.
The main part section of the Irymple station building is mounted on the removalist truck for transfer to Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway site. 24-5-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean
The station building is on the move to Redcliffs. 24-5-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean
The station buildings placed at their new home on the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway reserve at Redcliffs, overlooking the Melbourne to Mildura main line. A heritage grant of $40,000 was given to the group to restore the station. 1-6-2002. Photo: Bruce McLean
Irymple station following restoration. 16-3-2003. Photo: Bruce McLean
The station was renamed "Karadoc" as this was the proposed name for a station reserve on the adjacent Melbourne to Mildura railway line. 16-3-2003. Photo: Bruce McLean
Irymple station building viewed from the entrance side. The task of restoration was managed by the Redcliffs Historical Steam Railway. 16-3-2003. Photo: Bruce McLean
Following completion of the restoration, Mr. Russell Savage M.L.A. officially opened the station building on 6-4-2003 - quite an occasion for two spare portable huts from St. Arnaud and another from Beulah that were transferred to Irymple in 1911 and transferred again to Redcliffs in 2002.
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