Ida Bay Train

30/05/2026

Two committee positions to be filled.

The Society expects to move into the next phase of operation in the not too distant future; from phase one, stabilisation and conservation of the workshops precinct at Ida Bay, to phase two, implementing the new safety management system while restoring the railway and rolling stock to the specified safety accredited standard.

To help us on this exciting journey, we are looking to fill two positions on the committee, that of Secretary and Safety Coordinator.

The Secretary role is what you expect in any volunteer organisation: preparing meeting papers, managing correspondence and memberships and so on. The Safety Coordinator will be responsible for implementation and maintenance of our safety management system, which our accreditation team has been working on with the national rail regulator for the past three years.

Both these roles are currently being handled informally on an acting basis, so if you put your hand up there will be someone to help and a transition period until you get your feet fully under the table!

These are two great opportunities to get involved at Ida Bay and make a real difference to the railway’s fortunes. If interested, or you have any questions, drop a message here or email our Society’s treasurer on [email protected]

07/05/2026

Members,
Next General Meeting,
Saturday 9th May - 2:00pm
Huonville Ex Service Men & Women's Club
Shield Street
Huonville

See you there - or message if you cant make it or have any issues you would like to see raised.

Thanks!
Your management committee

PS. If any members are not receiving notices like this via email could you please let us know by email to [email protected]

07/04/2026

Hi IBRPS members. The Derwent Valley Railway has asked us if anyone would like to attend?

Hi Members

The DVR will be participating in this year's Derwent Valley Autumn Festival on Sunday 12th April on The Esplanade at New Norfolk.

Being involved in community events is an important role for the DVR. It is an excellent opportunity to raise our profile, foster community support and encourage new members to join us.

We are looking for volunteers to assist on the day with our stall -
setting up the gazebos, tables, display and merchandise 8am to 10am
taking turns to man the stall throughout the day between 10am and 3pm . This will include handing out brochures, talking with the public about the DVR and our hope to return trains to the Valley and selling merchandise.
packing up the stall then unpacking everything at the DVR from 3.30pm
Any amount of time, even just a couple of hours, to assist would be appreciated.

Please respond ASAP to advise the times you are available.

Regards
Maurice
Secretary & IT Manager

[email protected]

02/02/2026

Special notice about the next working bee at Ida Bay on Sunday Feb 22.

Please note the following message from the Dover Ambulance Volunteer Coordinator:

“We would be happy to attend and demonstrate how to restart a heart to your helpers. I have check with our volunteers and we can come for an 11 am start.

“Unfortunately, we would have to leave if we do get an emergency call out but hopefully that won't happen.

“If you wish to advertise our team coming to the local community, we are happy to show all interested.”

This is a generous offer of one on one demonstrations how to respond to a heart emergency. Although primarily intended for regular volunteers at the railway, interested locals are welcome to attend.

When: from 11am on Sunday February 22
Where: 328 Lune River Rd, community room
Who: IBRPS members, friends and locals
What else: refreshments provided and after a safety induction we can show newcomers around the yard and workshops.

18/01/2026

Another great turnout for the monthly working bee at Ida Bay. While the accreditation process continues with the national rail regulator we can’t do rail safety work, but we can make the workshops yard and grounds bushfire safe and get things ready for the day, hopefully soon, when we can start repairing the track and running works and training trains, as part of stage one of operation of the railway.

13/12/2025

A group of IBRPS members met for a Christmas lunch at Australia’s southern most pub, the Southport Tavern, today. Happy Christmas to all members and friends of the railway, and stay tuned for what will hopefully be an exciting 2026 at Ida Bay!

17/10/2025

Congratulations to TTMS getting the signoff from the rail regulator to run trains out to Berriedale!

🚂 Big news!

We’ve been given the green flag to run our passenger trains all the way from Glenorchy to Berriedale Road!

Our volunteers have been hard at work replacing hundreds of sleepers to get the track ready whilst also reviewing and submitting numerous documents to the rail regulator (ONRSR).

While we don’t have an official start date just yet for the commencement of passenger services (likely from late December, but could be during January), but from November you’ll see train movements occurring to Berriedale as we commence our crew training — so please stay clear of the rail corridor at all times.

🚦 During train operations, traffic controllers will be in place at Grove Road and Riverway Road level crossings. Please follow their directions for everyone’s safety.

This is another exciting milestone for the Museum, and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard our extended train rides soon!

Stay tuned to our page and website for updates.

02/10/2025

We continue to work through the accreditation process with the national rail regulator. As discussed at the recent AGM, to help us document what skills, qualifications and experience our members and volunteers can bring to the table, please fill out the attached form and either scan and email it to [email protected], post it to the Society at P.O. Box 278, Dover 7117 or bring it to the next working bee. Responses within the next two weeks would be much appreciated! Any questions about the form, post them here or ask via email to the same address!

Any qualification or experience that might be relevant to restoring the railway to operation should be included.

Many thanks!