The Yarra Valley Railway
The Yarra Valley Railway (YVR) is a completely volunteer, not-for-profit community based organisation that is restoring the railway between Healesville and Yarra Glen. Currently, the YVR operates tourist rail services on the Walker Railmotor from Healesville Station to the historic brick tunnel at Tarrawarra and back
Then
Now
Tomorrow
Then
The railway line from Lilydale to Healesville via Yarra Glen, with stations at Coldstream, Yering and Tarrawarra, was formally opened on the 1st of March 1889. Due to a large section of the track following the Yarra River flood plains there was over 3km of trestle bridges built for the line. The line also boasts a 508ft brick tunnel, which was blasted and dug out by hand. Traffic on the line included timber, livestock, milk and dairy products in addition to passenger services. Steam locos including J, K and D3 Classes, ran the services on the line until 1964, when they were replaced by Walker Railmotors, such as the one currently operated by the Yarra Valley Railway.
The final passenger train service was in December 1980 and the line was officially closed to all traffic 10/3/83.
Now
The Yarra Valley Railway (YVR) is a completely volunteer, not-for-profit community based organisation that is restoring the railway between Healesville and Yarra Glen.
The YVR commenced passenger train services from Healesville Station to Tarrawarra Estate on the Walker Railmotor RM22 on the 17th July 2010—the first passenger train service in 30 years.
The YVR currently has over 500 members and is solely run by Volunteers. Since the commencement of this passenger train service, the YVR has focused its efforts on the restoration of the remainder of the rail corridor, from Tarrawarra Estate to Yarra Glen.
Tomorrow
The vision of the YVR is the restoration and operation of heritage rail services, including railmotors, diesel and steam locomotive-hauled trains between Yarra Glen and Healesville.
Linking the Valley: The Reconstruction Project
The YVR is actively restoring the rail infrastructure between Yarra Glen and Tarrawarra Estate. Recent achievements include the full restoration of Yarra Glen Station Building, and all structural bridge works for the 16 trestle bridges. In the last 12 months the YVR had over 500 individual volunteers from 10 different community organisations contribute over 50,000 volunteer hours, making the project one of the largest volunteer projects in Australia.
Over 100 local businesses have provided pro bono professional services, free materials and services to the project.
Would you like to join us?
No matter what your skills or interest, there is a Volunteer Role to suit!
Membership
membership to the Yarra Valley Railway.
Visiting us
and learn more about the Yarra Valley Railway!