The Don River Railway is a volunteer-run vintage railway and museum in

Don Don, don or DON and variants may refer to: Places *County Donegal, Ireland, Chapman code DON *Don (river), a river in European Russia *Don River (disambiguation), several other rivers with the name *Don, Benin, a town in Benin *Don, Dang, a vill ...

, a suburb of

Devonport, Tasmania Devonport ( ; Palawa Kani: ''Tiagarra'') is a city in northern Tasmania, Australia, located on the lands of the Pannilerpanner clan of the Palawa nation. It is situated at the mouth of the Mersey River. Devonport had an urban population of 26,1 ...

. It runs a passenger train ride from Don to Coles Beach (operationally known as Don Junction) and return. The current line follows a reconstructed section of the former Melrose line that ran between Don Junction and Paloona. The Don River Railway is open from Saturday to Thursday, closing only for

Christmas Day Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, ...

Good Friday Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday (also Hol ...

, and

ANZAC Day , image = Dawn service gnangarra 03.jpg , caption = Anzac Day Dawn Service at Kings Park, Western Australia, 25 April 2009, 94th anniversary. , observedby = Australia Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Cook Islands New ...

. On weekdays customers can expect to ride in a 1940s ex Tasmanian Government Railways rail car and trailer, DP22 and PT3. On weekend operations a heritage carriage set is hauled by either a steam locomotive or a vintage diesel locomotive.

Steam Locomotives

Tasmanian Government Railways The Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) was the former operator of the mainline railways in Tasmania, Australia. Formed in 1872, the railway company was managed by the Government of Tasmania, and existed until absorption into the Australian Na ...

' pacific class M4 serves as Don River Railway's primary operational steam locomotive. CCS 25 has recently been reactivated as to January 2023, but awaits approval to return to revenue operations. Fowler no.5268 is currently non-operational following expiry of its boiler ticket; with plans for reactivation following CCS 25's return to operations. Future plans also include overhaul of M4 including potential for refurbishment or replacement of its boiler, or the potential to return MA2 or No.8 Heemskirk to service.

Diesel Locomotives

References

The Don River Railway home page
* Cooper, Greg (ca.2002) ''The History of the Don River Railway's Locomotives, Railcars & Carriages'', published by the Don River Railway, * McKillop, Robert (2010) ''Australian Railway Heritage Guide'', ''2010 Edition'', Australian Railway Historical Society (New South Wales Division),

External links

{{commons category-inline Rail transport in Tasmania Heritage railways in Australia Tourist attractions in Tasmania Railway museums in Tasmania 3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Australia Devonport, Tasmania Tourist railways in Tasmania