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The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre was established in 1983 as the Seymour Loco Steam Preservation Group to restore and operate steam locomotive J 515.
Locomotive J 515 was transferred from Newport to Seymour in January 1984 in an unserviceable condition. Return to service was achieved in June 1988 following thousands of hours of dedicated volunteer work by members.
Since the restoration of J 515, diesel electric locomotives T 320, T357, B 74, GM 36, S303 and diesel electric rail motor No. 58 as well as many carriages, have been fully restored to operating condition.
In broad terms the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre is dedicated to preserving Victorian railway rolling stock in operating condition so that it can run on the main line railway network in a heritage environment for the benefit of the people of Victoria.
There is a Mission Statement and a Statement of Purpose that forms the basis of the Centre’s activities.
Our Depot is adjacent to the former Victorian Railways Locomotive Depot at Seymour (“Seymour Loco”), once home to the four streamlined S class Pacific steam locomotives which hauled the famous “Spirit of Progress” express between Melbourne and Albury.
The land upon which the depot is located has been purchased from various owners, as it has become available. There is currently about 4 hectares within the boundary fence not far from the centre of Seymour.
Large sheds for undercover storage and restoration works have been erected, workshop facilities provided and around 3 kilometres of sidings built to accommodate an expanding fleet.
• J 512 2-8-0 branch line type built 1953 - being rebuilt to operate on standard gauge
• J 515 2-8-0 branch line type built 1953 - in service
• K 176 2-8-0 branch line type built 1943 - unrestored
• B 74 co-co type 1500hp built 1953 - in service
• C501 co-co type 3300hp built 1977- under restoration
• S 303 co-co type 1800hp built 1957 - in service
• GM 36 co-co type 1800hp built 1966 - in service
• X31 co-co type 1800hp built 1966 - in service with Freight Australia
• T 320 bo-bo type 875hp built 1955 - in service
• T 357 bo-bo type 875hp built 1962 - in service
• T 378 bo-bo type 875hp built 1964 - in service
• Y 133 bo-bo type 600hp built 1965 - in service
Diesel shunting locomotive
• F 202 0-6-0 type 350hp built 1951 - in service
Self Propelled Rail Motor/Cars
• Diesel Electric Rail Motor No 58 built 1928 - in service loaned to Diesel Electric Rail Motor
Preservation Association of Victoria for an extended period
• Diesel Hydraulic Rail Car No 43 built 1974 - in service
• 7 wooden bodied compartment type sitting cars (1 with Kiosk)
2AE, 30AE, 1BE, 14BE, 5ABE, 16ABE, 3BCE
• 3 steel bodied compartment type sitting cars (1 with Kiosk)
3AS, 4AS, 1BS
• 5 sleeping cars
Loddon, Pekina, Acheron, Wando, Ovens
• 1 Parlour car with open rear platform
Yarra
• 2 Royal cars
State 4, State 5
• 3 Veteran Carriages circa 1880
309Y, 40X, 69YZ
• 3 Service vehicles
1CS, Carey, Melville
• 1 Dining car
Avoca
• 1 Crew car
Mitta Mitta
• 8 either under restoration or awaiting
11BS, 26BE, 33BE, 4BCE, 1AE, 1BG, Campaspe, 200MT
• Various freight and sundry vehicles
The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre is heavily involved in the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the railway vehicles in its collection and making access to these vehicles available to the visitor and tourist. The Centre is also actively pursuing further suitable heritage vehicles to add to the fleet.
Restored locomotives and carriages are operated on the Victorian main line railway network as charters, organised tours or member outings. From time to time various locomotives and carriages are hired or leased to commercial rail operators as well as kindred heritage groups.
Members are involved in all facets of rolling stock restoration, maintenance and repair as well as the many ancillary activities that are require to run our depot complex. Some volunteers specialise in organisation of special train trips while others deal with publicity and advertising, ontrain catering and retailing of souvenirs. Another team behind the scenes manages administration and computing systems.
Social evenings are frequently held at the depot following workdays for members to relax and enjoy the companionship of fellow railway enthusiasts.
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