May 2024 – Annual General Meeting.

The Society’s Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 11 May 2024. Five Board members retired in rotation and were eligible for re-election. Board members Kaye Burgess and Paul Horder did not seek re-election and were suitably thanked for ther service to the Society. Five nominations were received for the vacant positions and those Board members were declared elected. Following the AGM, the new Board met and elected the Office-bearers for the ensuing year. The Board for 2023-2024 is:

December 2023 – Raffle Winners.

The winners of our 2023 Raffle for a model 620 Class set were drawn on Sunday, 17 December. They were:

• 1st – Trevor Hooker – Telarah
• 2nd – Les Cook – Port Macquarie
• 3rd – Sue Bolton – Wauchope

Congratulations to our winners…

December 2023 – CPH 3 Celebrates its Centenary.

Over 500 visitors attended Paterson Depot on Sunday, 17 December to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CPH 3’s entry into service. Four trips to Maitland were run at full capacity to celebrate the event. NSW Minister of Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon. Jenny Aitchison and Member for Maitland was in attendance and made a presentation on behalf of the Government of NSW. Also in attendance were John Connors, Mayor of Dungog and Councillor Peter Garnham, Chair of the Hunter Vally Steamfest Committee, representing the Mayor of Maitland.

July 2023 – Society purchases 629/729.

Preserved 620 Class set NPF 629 and NTC 729 has been acquired from a private owner. It is planned to return 629/729 to service as soon as practicable.

June 2023 – 7344 Assists Rolling Stock Recovery.

With the impending closure and redevelopment of the former Rothbury Riot Railway site at Huntley (North Rothbury), 7344 traveled to the site to assist Lachlan Valley Railway (LVR) to recover six DEB Set cars and two passenger cars before the 30 July deadline. 7344 hauled the cars down the branch where LVR’s locos were waiting to transfer the vehicles on to LVR’s site at Orange. At the same time, 7344 recovered 620 Class set 629/729 for ultimate transfer to Paterson.

June 2023 – 7344 Assists Newcastle Flyer.

7344 was used to assist Transport Heritage NSW’s Newcastle Flyer service on the weekend of 24-25 June. Loco 3801 worked six cars single-handed to Newcastle Interchange each day. In the absence of an engine release road at the Interchange, 7344 hauled 3801’s cars to Broadmeadow Maintenance Center while 3801 was turned on the Islington Triangle. 3801 then coupled to the back of its cars and 7344 hauled the whole consist back to Newcastle Interchange for an afternoon departure.

May 2023 – Annual General Meeting.

The Society’s Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 13 May 2023. In order to maintain appropriate social distancing, the meeting was again held in the rail motor shed at Paterson Depot with 28 members in attendance and 6 apologies. Six Board members retired in rotation and were eligible for re-election. Six nominations were received for the vacant positions and those Board members were declared re-elected. Following the AGM, the new Board met and elected the Office-bearers for the ensuing year. The Board for 2023-2024 is:

April 2023 – Steamfest 35th Anniversary.

Following two years of cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19 and then floods, Hunter Valley Steamfest celebrated its 35th Anniversary on 29-30 April. Due to other prior tour arrangements, only our CPH’s were available for Maitland-Paterson shuttles. All eight trips proved very successful and all operated at full capacity, with over 970 passengers being carried over the weekend.

March-April 2023 – Postponed 400 Club Tour Operates.

The postponed Australian Railway Historical Society “400 Club” tour using HPC 402 to Cobar, Warren, Parkes and Cootamundra finally got under way on 31 March. This tour had been planned for November 2022 when flooding around Parkes forced its postponement.

March 2023 – HPC 402 receives new paint job.

HPC 402 has received a new paint job using two-pack enamel. This finish provides a durable surface to support it many and varied operational roles.

January 2023 – The Rain Forest Rattler.

620 Set 621/721 set off for Coffs Harbour on 5 January for two weeks of local running during school holidays. A number of dinner trips were were operated in support of the local Coffs Coast and Clarence CanDo Cancer Trust raising over $20,000 to support their activities. 621/721 then moved on to Kyogle to run local trips to Glenapp for the Summerland Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival over the weekend of 21-22 January. All trips proved very popular with over 6,500 passengers being carried over the 19 day operation.

2022 – HEADLINES.

• Dec 2022 – Raffle Winners.
• Oct 2022 – Grant for Restoration of 602/707.
• Oct 2022 – 7344 Assists Newcastle Flyer.
• Oct 2022 – CPHs at Transport Heritage Expo 2022.
• Aug 2022 – No Entry to South Australia.
• May 2022 – First Operation into South Australia.
• May 2022 – Annual General Meeting.
• Feb 2022 – Heavy Rains Impact Tour Operations.
• Feb 2022 – Sydney Trains Overhead Wiring Inspection Project.
• Feb 2022 – 7344 Assists With Testing Of R766.
• Jan 2022 – North Coast Operations.

2021 – HEADLINES.

• Dec 2021 – Christmas at Paterson.
• Nov 2021 – Safeworking Recertification Training.
• Nov 2021 – NPF 621 Repairs Completed.
• Oct 2021 – Tourist Services Resumed.
• Oct 2021 – Sydney Trains Contract Renewed.
• Oct 2021 – 7344 Assists Testing of R766.
• Sep 2021 – COVID-19 Restrictions Eased.
• Jun 2021 – COVID-19 Restrictions Hit.
• May 2021 – CPH 19 Bogies Recovered.
• May 2021 – Grant Received for Water Tanks.
• May 2021 – Annual General Meeting.
• Apr 2021 – 621/721 Involved in Level Crossing Collision.
• Mar 2021 – Floods Cause Service Cancellation.

2020 – HEADLINES.

• Dec 2020 – Christmas Barbeque at Paterson.
• Nov 2020 – HPC 402 Returns from successful project.
• Oct 2020 – Society services recommence.
• Aug 2020 – Society Wins Sydney Trains Contract.
• Jul 2020 – Annual General Meeting.
• Jul 2020 – Passing of Board Member Eric Larkins.
• Jun 2020 – Major Drainage project completed.
• Mar 2020 – Society services suspended.
• Feb 2020 – New Tractor for the Depot.
• Feb 2020 – 623/723 delivered to Broadmeadow.
• Jan 2020 – Additional concrete flooring.

2019 – HEADLINES.

• Mar 2019 – CPH Body Restoration.
• Mar 2019 – 629/729 Departs.
• Mar 2019 – Open Days.
• Apr 2019 – TAM and BR Restoration.
• May 2019 – Annual General Meeting.
• Jun 2019 – 7344 Fitted With Buffers.
• Jun 2019 – 621 Goes In For Engine Change.
• Jun 2019 – CPH’s at Transport Expo 2019.
• Oct 2019 – 7344 Receives a new paint job.
• Dec 2019 – CPH 1 Commences Body Maintenance.
• Dec 2019 – Christmas Function.

2018 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2018 – Board Retirements.
• Feb 2018 – 621/721 Flooring.
• May 2018 – Annual General Meeting.
• May 2018 – Arthur Burgess elected Life Member.
• May 2018 – Depot Improvements.
• Jul 2018 – Society Acquires Loco 7344.
• Sep 2018 – Society Supports Our Farmers.
• Sep 2018 – 721 Bogie Change.
• Nov 2018 – Brisbane Driver Retires.
• Nov 2018 – All Three Trains Out Together.
• Dec 2018 – Society Helps SMR Celebrate 125 Years.
• Dec 2018 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.
• Dec 2018 – 7344 Delivery Run.

2017 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2017 – HPC 402 More Radio Testing.
• Mar 2017 – KB 2511 Relocated.
• May 2017 – Annual General Meeting.
• May 2017 – Board Retirements.
• May 2017 – Shed Extension Completed.
• Nov 2017 – HPC 402 Bogie Repairs.
• Dec 2017 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.

2016 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2016 – East Coast Low Pressure System.
• Mar 2016 – Operations on the South Maitland Railway.
• Apr 2016 – Hunter Valley Steamfest 30th Anniversary.
• Apr 2016 – HPC 402 Used For Ballast Survey.
• May 2016 – Annual General Meeting.
• May 2016 – Secretary Bryan Hicks Retires.
• Jul 2016 – Society Receives Heritage Grant.
• Oct 2016 – HPC 402 Radio Testing.
• Dec 2016 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.

2015 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2015 – Coffs Harbour Shuttles.
• Apr 2015 – Annual General Meeting.
• Apr 2015 – Hunter Valley Steamfest.
• May 2015 – East Coast Storms.
• May 2015 – Shed Extension Completed.
• Jun 2015 – Cleanup of our Depot.
• Jul 2015 – Cleanup of Depot Completed.
• Aug 2015 – HPC 402 Maintenance.
• Sep 2015 – CPH’s and 620 in the Metro.
• Nov 2015 – HPC 402 Radio Testing.
• Dec 2015 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.

2014 – HEADLINES.

• Mar 2014 – Annual General Meeting.
• Apr 2014 – HPC 402 to Binnaway.
• Apr 2014 – CPH 3 returns to service.
• May 2014 – Denman Food and Wine Festival.
• Jun 2014 – ARHS North West Long Weekend Tour.
• Jul 2014 – Gloucester “Chill Out” Festival.
• Aug 2014 – Wauchope-Coffs Harbour 2015 Rail Centenary.
• Aug 2014 – Two Gulgong Outings.
• Nov 2014 – 402 Club Ventures into Victoria.
• Dec 2014 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.

2013 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2013 – Vale Kenneth Alfred Butt (1932-2013).
• Feb 2013 – Kiama storm washes out ARHS Nowra Tour.
• Mar 2013 – HPC 402 returns to service.
• Mar 2013 – First Victorian Operations.
• Mar 2013 – Annual General Meeting.
• Jun 2013 – ARHS South West Tour.
• Jun 2013 – Nyngan 130th Anniversary.
• Jul 2013 – Gloucester Chill out Festival.
• Aug 2013 – Denman’s 10th Annual Outing.
• Sep 2013 – Rescue Helicopter Support Group to Hawkesbury River.
• Sep 2013 – Local Travel Agent’s Tour to Gulgong.
• Oct 2013 – ARTC Inspection Tour with HPC 402.
• Oct 2013 – 402 Club West and South West Tour.
• Nov 2013 – ARE West and South West Tour.
• Dec 2013 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.

2012 – HEADLINES.

• Feb 2012 – Drainage works at Paterson.
• Mar 2012 – Annual General Meeting.
• Mar 2012 – Society Volunteer of the Year Awards.
• Jun 2012 – ARHS and 621/721 travel to Brisbane.
• Aug 2012 – Roof Covering for the TAM and BR.
• Aug 2012 – NPF 621 receives new engine and transmission.
• Aug 2012 – Victorian Accreditation Granted.
• Oct 2012 – ARTC Executives Inspect the SSFL and Main South.
• Dec 2012 – Volunteer of the Year Awards.

2011 – HEADLINES.

• Feb 2011 – Society supports Dungog Shire efforts for new GP.
• Feb 2011 – North Coast Curve Easing Survey.
• Feb 2011 – Depot Flooded Again.
• Mar 2011 – Annual General Meeting.
• Apr 2011 – ARTC Inspects New Routes.
• May 2011 – 621/721 travels to Roma Street.
• Jun 2011 – 621/721 travels to Broken Hill.
• Jul 2011 – CPH 3 completes successful main line trial.
• Aug 2011 – Society helps Hastings Cancer Trust fundraiser.
• Aug 2011 – Society helps Dungog celebrate its rail centenary.
• Sep 2011 – ARTC Southern Inspection.
• Oct 2011 – Society takes Victorian Group to Cobar.
• Dec 2011 – Society members receive NSW Rail Heritage Volunteer Awards.
• Dec 2011 – Society takes delivery of Front-end Loader.

2010 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2010 – 621/721 heads out in new paint scheme.
• Mar 2010 – CPH’s make first run into Queensland.
• Apr 2010 – Hunter Valley Steamfest.
• Apr 2010 – Annual General Meeting.
• May 2010 – Society Book Collection Catalogued.
• Jun 2010 – Society Member wins Rail Heritage Volunteer Award.
• Jul 2010 – Restoration of Rail Motor Trailer No.51.
• Oct 2010 – Murrurundi Locomotive Depot Reunion.
• Oct 2010 – Dunedoo Railway Centenary.
• Dec 2010 – Taree 620 Launch.

2009 – HEADLINES.

• Mar 2009 – Annual General Meeting.
• Apr 2009 – Society receives Heritage Grant for Trailer No.51.
• Jul 2009 – Society Members win annual Rail Heritage Volunteer Awards.
• Sep 2009 – The Rail Motor Society celebrates 25th Anniversary.

2008 – HEADLINES.

• Jan 2008 – Storm Damage Repaired
• Mar 2008 – Annual General Meeting
• Apr 2008 – Heavy Rain Limits Steamfest Crowds
• Apr 2008 – Heavy Rain Causes More Yard Damage
• Jun 2008 – HPC 402 carries out radio testing on the Epping-Chatswood Rail Link
• Jul 2008 – Society Teams win Rail Heritage Volunteer Awards
• Aug 2008 – Site Drainage Stage I Completed
• Sep 2008 – Society awarded custody of RailCorp’s heritage 620 Class Set
• Oct 2008 – HPC 402 receives a new paint job
• Nov 2008 – Society receives reciprocal accreditation in Queensland