Introduction

Welcome to Kangaroo Valley Historical Railway.

KVHR is an operational railway. Railways by their very nature need to run trains. Many model railways address the modelling aspects well and neglect the operational aspects and end up with trains simply being run, often in circular ‘chase-your-tail’ fashion. This manual outlines an operational procedure for KVHR so as to increase the pleasure of running trains. It attempts to introduce simplified prototypical-like operational procedures.

Visitors to KVHR, as well as regular operators, are encouraged to make comments and suggestions to improve its working, increase safe-working and expand on enjoyment. In the meantime, enjoy.

Setting the Scene

KVHR has been imagineered on the Great Coastal Railway (formally known as the Illawarra Line) that now links Sydney and Melbourne via the coast. The time is 1955 just a short time after the final section of double track has been opened between Bega and Eden that now allows a standard gauge coastal route between the two major cities.

The real Kangaroo Valley is one of the most picturesque valleys on the southern coast of New South Wales, home to dairy farming and a few reclusive residents. Towering cliffs of sandstone that are topped by level plateaus surround it.

Imagine if you will, what might have happened if coal had been discovered in the hills. You might have what you see before you. The small yard services both the village of Kangaroo Valley and the mine. Regular passenger services take workers to the steel mills in Wollongong. Fast goods and passenger trains run between Sydney and Melbourne.

The first of the new-era diesels have just been introduced (4001 and 4002 are still in Royal Blue livery following Queen Elizabeth’s visit), but steam still rules and the upgraded line allows the train-spotter to spy most classes of NSW steam locomotives at some time or other.

Operational Overview

KVHR was designed primarily as an exhibition layout. It aims to offer the general public the following features:-

• A general perspective of a small main line station in a moderately busy NSWR setting in 1955.
• As broad a range of period NSWGR locomotives and rolling stock as possible.
• In keeping with prototype practice, trains will run in sequence, rather than the same train chasing its own tail. Ideally an observer will only see each train once in any operating period (about two hours).

KVHR was also designed with the operator in mind. It aims to offer operators the following features:-

• A variety of operational activities.
• A range of degrees of difficulty.
• All operators, except the Principal Operator in six or more operator mode, get to drive trains as well as manage switch panels and operate points.