The Cooma Monaro Railway is a not-for-profit heritage railway museum that is actively restoring the Cooma Railway Precinct while working on the restoration of tourist trains along the section of track on the Bombala line between Cooma and the terminus at Bombala in New South Wales, Australia.[1] The CMR operates a museum inside Cooma Railway Station called the "Travel for Pleasure" exhibit, showcasing the history and significance of the Bombala Line's previous operations.[2] The museum also showcases a vast array of rolling stock and other former rail assets. CMR are also undertaking multiple restoration efforts, in order to increase revenue and allow the reinstatement of tourist CPH services from Cooma Station to Snowy Junction. The restoration efforts include;[3]
- Restoration of track within the yard at Cooma along with the section north to Snowy Junction
- Restoration and repairing of signal and interlocking systems within Cooma yard.
- Track Machining restoration, including repairs to frames, rebuilding drivetrains and repainting.
- Restoration of the Snowy Junction Precinct, including trackwork, platform restoration, fencing and landscaping.
- Restoration of the Cooma Railway Institute Building and original ‘Ant Hill’ surface Tennis Courts
- General maintenance around the museum, including landscaping, additions to museum and improved visitor access like new pathways and pedestrian rail crossings.
| Cooma Monaro Railway | |
|---|---|
 | |
 CPH6 at Chakola station in March 2012 | |
| Coordinates | 36°14′11″S 149°08′07″E / 36.2364744°S 149.1352844°E |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Bombala line |
| Built by | NSWGR |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Stations | 3 |
| Length | 17.5 km (10.9 mi) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1889 |
| Closed | 1989 |
| Preservation history | |
| 1992 | started |
| Headquarters | Cooma |
| Website | |
| Cooma Monaro Railway | |
CMR run a monthly fresh produce market on the second Sunday of the month at Cooma Railway Station.[4]
History
Regular services on the Bombala line ceased south of Queanbeyan with the withdrawal of the Canberra Monaro Express in September 1988.[5] Following a bridge carrying the line over the Numeralla River at Chakola being declared unsafe, freight services south of Queanbeyan ceased in May 1989.[6] However a steam special did operate through to Cooma a few weeks later, albeit without passengers over the bridge in question.[7]
In 1992, the Cooma Monaro Railway was formed with the aim of establishing a tourist railway. It set about negotiating a lease on the Bombala line from Cooma to Chakola with the State Rail Authority. In 1994, it purchased three CPH railmotors 6, 8 and 22 and accompanying trailer CTC55 from the Mountain High Railway, Tumut, and restoration at the former locomotive shed at Cooma commenced. After the line and railmotors were refurbished, operations commenced on 5 December 1998.[8][9][10]
Trains ceased operating in January 2014, with major repairs required to the line.[11][12][13] In January 2015, 620/720 class railcars 625/725 and 631/731 were purchased from RailCorp. FP Paybus FP11 is also in the collection.[14]
In December 2022, the museum officially reopened, showcasing a "Travel for Pleasure" exhibit, [15] showcasing the past history of the line.
In April 2023, Steam Locomotive 3203 was delivered to Cooma Monaro Railway, after restoration works by Transport Heritage NSW were completed in Broadmeadow. [16][17][18] The locomotive was road-hauled, with the first section of locomotive arriving on the 10/05/2023, the tender was delivered a day later on the 11/05/2023.
Rolling Stock
Trains
Steam Locomotive 3203 (ex NSWGR)[16] - Static Display, restored.
CPH Railmotor No.6 - In Storage, awaiting restoration.
CPH Railmotor No.8 - In Storage, awaiting restoration.
CPH Railmotor No.22 - Under restoration, operational.[19][20]
CTC Railmotor No .55 - In Storage, awaiting restoration.
Trailers
S-Truck Wagons - Static Display [21]
L-Truck Wagons - Static Display[22]
MBC22959, timber bodied refrigerated bogie box van (ex NSWGR)[22][23] - Static Display, restored.
MB 22493, Steel Framed MB Timber Box Van (ex NSWGR)[24] - Static Display, under restoration.
PV 22318 Powder Van (ex NSWGR)[23] - Static Display, restored.
L759 four-wheel riveted oil tanker (ex NSWGR) - Static Display, planned for restoration.[3]
40ft Bogie Flat Wagon - To be used for Track Maintenance, under restoration.[25]
MHG Guards Van - To be used for Track Maintenance, under restoration.[25]