Red Hen Railcars for Sale

[smitho]

Buyers sought for

piece of rail history

Email: anelia@tbw.comau

FOR SALE: Four heritage rail cars in fair condition.

Some tender love and care required. Great potential

to generate a steady income for new owners.

After holding on to four old rail cars which were once

used to show off the Limestone Coast region to tourists

until three years ago, the non-profit connmmity group

Limestone Coast Railway is now willing to let go of

their prized possessions.

Expecting offers between $10,000 and $12,000 for

three of the rail cars and open to offers on the fourth,

Limestone Coast Railway hopes to raise a total of at

least $32,000 to cover members' debts.

The group's members purchased the rail cars from

Trans Adelaide with private funds and for 10 years

operated regular tours to Tantanoola, Kalangadoo and

through the Coonawarra vineyards until 2006 when

high public liability insurance costs and changes to

the Rail Safety Act derailed operations.

Since then the members have poured more of their

own money into keeping the rail cars in a shed at the

locomotive depot between Webb Street and the Mount

Gambier High School.

Often victims to vandals, who in one instance last

year caused $4000 damage to the rail cars, the costs

involved in maintaining the cars in storage have

become too high for members to manage.

"They have great potential to be converted into

sleeping accommodation, a restaurant or some sort

of tourist attraction," Mr Towner said.

Currently the group is awaiting the finalisation of

an offer on one of the rail cars which, if the deal goes

through, will see it being used to transport tourists

in Victor Harbor.

"Of course we will be sad to see them leave the region

when they sell, but we hope at least one local buyer

will decide to park one of them here in Mount Gambier

and convert it into bed and breakfast accommodation

or a restaurant," Mr Towner said.

"We think it would be great if one is parked near the

rail development council is planning (behind Centro),

but it is still uncertain what exactly council is planning

there.

"At this stage, unfortunately there seems to be a

lack of interest locally."

www.borderwatch.com.au - 1 July 09

[Irisbus Rider]

Now that would be a great souvenier! I'm sure many rail gunzels in SA will be attempting to snap one up.

[smitho]

There are not many of these once plentiful railcars left in operation. As far as I know, only the preservation group on the Leongatha line east of Melbourne run their Red Hens regularly. The National Railway Musem have some, but they only fire them up occasionally. ARHS SA may have one or two, but I don't think they use them much (if at all) these days.

I used to travel on them most weeks when I lived in Adelaide, and at holiday time, it was always a good opportunity to ride on their country cousins, the SAR Bluebirds. Victor Harbor was a popular country destination for them.