Australian Railway Historical Society | Tasmanian Division |
Initially Tasmanian members of the ARHS were catered for by the Victorian Division, with some Tasmanian news appearing in the magazine Divisional Diary. After a number of years, the number of Tasmanian members grew and a fully fledged local division was formed in 1965.
During the next 10 years the ARHS ran many tour trains using TGR stock, and in conjunction with the TGR, organised the highly successful 1971 railway centenary, an event long remembered for the extent of steam operations. The Tasmanian Division jointly organised the 1973 and 1974 railfan festivals, before the final demise of steam operations on the Tasmanian Government Railways. With the withdrawal of the last steam locomotives and the development of other preservation groups, the Tasmanian Division concentrated more on the recording of past and current Tasmanian railway history, through the publishing of a magazine and regular slide shows and meetings.
ARHS Tasmania Today
When compared to the other states, the Tasmanian Division of the ARHS looks quite small and inactive. The small and decentralised population of Tasmania, as well as a proliferation of other societies, has resulted in the Tasmanian Division concentrating its activities in publishing a high quality magazine Tasmanian Rail News and holding quarterly entertainment meetings.
These meetings, usually held in either Hobart, Launceston or Devonport, mostly feature slide shows and can either be the work of one person, or be based on a certain topic, with anyone welcome to show their work.
In addition to meetings and magazines, the ARHS has slowly been developing an extensive archives collection, mostly consisting of Tasmanian photographs from the 1930s to the 1990s. All areas of the State are covered, and most topics are covered, in some form. Lines of scrapped locomotives, brand new locos, passenger & goods trains, locomotives and even trams.
The ARHS was formed in Sydney in 1933 as the Australasian Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. As national interest grew, other divisions formed; Victoria in 1945, South Australia in 1952, Queensland and Western Australia in 1959, Tasmania in 1965 and lastly the ACT (Canberra) division in 1967. By August 1952 the name had changed to become the now familiar Australian Railway Historical Society.
The different State divisions have developed separate interests and activities, with four operating museums, three operating railways, and with seven State-based magazines currently in production. The countless magazine issues, books, special trains and meetings stand as testament to Australias greatest railway preservation group.
Australian Railway Historical Society divisions
ACT (Canberra)
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia (Steamranger)
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
❊ Web Links ❊
➼ Australian Railway Historical Society | Tasmanian Division
➼ www.railtasmania.com
➼ www.railtasmania.com/arhs
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