MEDIA RELEASES
MVHR Press Releases
The Bollywood Express – Saturday 6th March 2010
Partake in a night of Bollywood fun at The Valley Rattler on Saturday 6th March! Enjoy nibbles on arrival at Old Gympie Station. Ride with the Rajahs and Rahnis on the heritage Silver Bullet Railmotor where you will have an exotic journey to Imbil for an Indian Themed Buffet. Watch out for the Celestial Gems Bellydancers providing some exciting and interactive entertainment!
Arrive at the Old Railway Station, Tozer Street, Gympie at 6pm for a 6:30pm departure. The Silver Bullet Railmotor returns at 11pm. The price is $60 per person.
Bookings are Essential. Please phone the Valley Rattler Office on 07 5482 2750.
Romancing the Rails – 13th February 2010
The ever popular Romancing the Rails Valentines Train is back to journey through the moonlight and stars along the beautiful Mary Valley on the 13th February. Enjoy Champagne on arrival at Old Gympie Station, a Buffet Dinner in Imbil and end with Coffee and Dessert on this romantic journey.
Arrive at the Old Railway Station, Tozer Street, Gympie at 5:30pm for a 6pm Departure. The Silver Bullet Railmotor returns at 10:30pm. The price is $60 per person. *Not suitable for children*
Bookings are Essential. Please phone the Valley Rattler Office on 07 5482 2750.
Pirates of the Valley – 15th January 2010
Ahoy there me hearties! Captain Rattlebones is calling for all his pirates to assemble at the Old Gympie Station on Friday 15th January to board the “Blueskellies Diesel Express” for a treasure hunt through the Mary Valley.
Captain Rattlebones has stolen a map which indicates hidden treasures are there to be found. Ticket price includes a sausage sizzle, drink and a game of tug-o-war at the end of the treasure hunt. Dress in your best pirate outfit!
The train departs Old Railway Station, Tozer Street, Gympie at 10:00am and returns at 2:30pm. The price is $25 per Adult and $15 per Child.
Bookings are Essential.
Hurry and make your booking today! Click here to make a booking.
Enquiries: Phone the Valley Rattler Office on (07) 5482 2750 or email: rattler@mvhr.org.au
Steams Back on at The Valley Rattler
As from Wednesday 23rd December our steam locomotives will be hauling our heritage carriages again through the scenic Mary Valley.
The Valley Rattler is ready and steaming for the busy Christmas holiday season. Our trains are running as scheduled over the Christmas/New Year Holidays. Manager Jim Walker said “We have had the locos fully serviced and ready for the green light, so the sights and sounds of our steam engines are back in time for the holidays.”
Photo courtesy of Geoff Webber
Full Day steam tours depart every Wednesday and Sunday. The train departs Old Gympie Station at 10am. The first stop is at Kandanga Station where a selection of local produce is available. The train then travels onto Imbil for a lunchtime stop. On the return journey the train stops at Dagun Station to savour local wines and cheeses. The train arrives back at Gympie at 3:30pm on Wednesdays and 4:00pm on Sundays.
Half day steam tours depart every Saturday and travel to Amamoor and Dagun Stations. Marvel at the splendour of the stations, restored to capture the original character of the early 1900’s. Enjoy arts and crafts, wine and cheese tasting and local produce. The morning tour departs Gympie at 9:30am and arrives back at 12:15pm. The midday tour departs Dagun Station at 11:30am and arrives back at Dagun at 3:15pm. The afternoon tour departs Gympie at 1:45pm and arrives back at 4:45pm.
The Red Rocket Railmotor departs Gympie every Tuesday morning at 9:30am. The Red Rocket Railmotor travels to Amamoor Station where you have time for morning tea and a stroll through the craft shop before arriving back at Gympie at 11:30am.
Hurry and make your booking today! Click here to make a booking.
Enquiries: Phone the Valley Rattler Office on (07) 5482 2750 or email: rattler@mvhr.org.au
All Aboard for the Half Price Diesel on Saturday 12th December
The Valley Rattler is celebrating “5 years of operating to Amamoor” by shouting our valued passengers to a special Half Price Discount on the Diesel Locomotive on Saturday 12th December.
You will be travelling on a 1620 class diesel electric locomotive which was built by The English Electric Company at Rocklea in Brisbane. This class was introduced into Queensland Rail in 1967.
You will enjoy our regular half day tours on Saturday 12th December at HALF PRICE!
The half day tour travels to Amamoor and Dagun Stations. Marvel at the splendour of the stations, restored to capture the original character of the early 1900’s. Enjoy arts and crafts, wine and cheese tasting and local produce. The morning tour departs Gympie at 9:30am and returns at 12:15pm. The midday tour departs Dagun at 11:30pm and returns to Dagun at 3:15pm. The afternoon tour departs Gympie at 1:45pm and returns at 4:45pm.
The special price for Saturday 12th December is: $14 per Adult, $12 per Senior/Aged Pension and one Child is Free of Charge per paying Adult. Extra Children are $7.
This is a once only opportunity to enjoy a ride on our Diesel Locomotive at Half Price.
Please note: If it rains and the fire bans are ended, our steam engine will be used.
Hurry and make your booking today!
Please note: To receive the special half price discount you need to phone our office
on (07) 5482 2750
Christmas Capers –Saturday 21st November
Begin your Christmas festivities by taking a train ride on the Silver Bullet Railmotor through the beautiful Mary Valley. Indulge in a glass of champagne and nibbles on arrival. Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner and sing-along at Imbil! Join in the Christmas trivia fun to win prizes. A great night for staff Christmas parties. Dress in red, white and green.
Arrive 6:00pm for a 6:30pm Departure. The train will arrive back at approximately 11.00pm. The cost is $50 per person. **Not suitable for Children**
Bookings are Essential. Phone the Valley Rattler Office on (07) 5482 2750.
The Wizards Express – Saturday 3rd October 2009
The Valley Rattler is calling all wizards and witches to ride on the Wizards Express on Saturday 3rd October 2009.
You will enjoy a train ride with a team of:
- Dragons
- Witches and Wizards
- Magical Broomsticks
- Professor Grumblebum and
- Hagrid (to keep you safe in case you get scared)
On arrival at the Great Hall at Eltozer Castle, you will be joining Professor Bumbledorf for entertainment and an exciting magic show. This will be followed by a wizardly feast outside the Great Hall.
Lots of games and prizes!
Fun for all ages. Come dressed as your favourite character!
Arrive 3:00pm for a 3:30pm departure. The Wizards Express finishes at approximately 6:30pm.
The Cost is $35 per Adult and $20 per Child.
Bookings are Essential
The Valley Rattler
Old Railway Station
Tozer Street
Gympie QLD 4570
Ph: 07 5482 2750
Email: rattler@mvhr.org.au
Website: www.thevalleyrattler.com
4 September 2009 - The Valley Rattler is now on Facebook
The Valley Rattler now has a Page on Facebook.
Facebook is a social networking website where users can add friends and send them messages.
Additionally, users can join groups and networks organised by city, workplace, school, and region.
The official Facebook Page of The Valley Rattler allows you to get exclusive content and photos.
Have a look at the Page on:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gympie-Australia/The-Valley-Rattler/115456001858?ref=mf.
15/8/2009 - Under 70’s Rod & Custom Car Club - Amamoor Station
If you are a fan of hotrods then travel on The Valley Rattler Steam Train on Saturday morning the 15th August. The steam train will depart Gympie at 9:30am and travel to Amamoor Station.
The Under 70’s Rod and Custom Car Club will be showcasing approximately 50 of their Hot Rods at Amamoor Station from 10:00am until 11:15am. A craft shop, sausage sizzle and morning tea is also available at Amamoor Station. The Steam Train arrives back at Gympie at 12:15pm.
Click here to make a booking or phone (07) 5482 2750.
9 June 2009 - The Gympie Regional Realty 2009 Race the Rattler
On Monday 8th June, a record breaking crowd gathered at the Old Gympie Railway Station to witness the 11th annual Race the Rattler Challenge. Entries exceeded expectations this year with a final total of 400 runners taking part, which included 184 individual runners and 55 teams. There was a strong contingent of runners who travelled from Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to take part in the fun but challenging 18.5km course.
Jack Curran, a member of “The Losers” team, was the first runner to cross the finish line with a time of 1 hour 4.11 minutes. The Valley Rattler Steam Train arrived only 5 seconds later and denied first time driver, Peter Alder, of a win. Other members of “The Losers” team included Chery Black, Ben Cook and Patrick Tiernan.
The first individual to cross the finish line was Hervey Bay runner, Steven Page, with a time of 1 hour 7.02 minutes.
The winner of the women’s individual event was Helen Stanton with a time of 1 hour 13.57 minutes. This is the second time Helen has won the Individual Women’s Category.
Overall, the day was a huge success and the weather made for perfect running conditions.
12 May 2009 - Race the Rattler
Lace up those joggers, put on those sweat bands and gear up for the Gympie Regional Realty ‘Race the Rattler’ on Monday 8th June, which is the Queens Birthday long weekend. This is the eleventh year the Mary Valley Heritage Railway will be hosting this prestigious 18.5km footrace, which is sure to set hearts pumping as competitors battle their way to outrun the restored 1950 C17 Steam Train.
The Race involves individuals and teams racing against The Valley Rattler, a steam locomotive fitted with heritage carriages. The train has a capacity to transport 300 supporters. The race entrants strive to beat the Valley Rattler back to the Old Gympie Railway Station.
The event begins from the township of Dagun, nestled in the foothills of the lush Mary Valley, to the historic Old Gympie Railway Station. The official start of the race will commence at 9.30am, with first entrants crossing the finish line at approximately 10.30am.
As an alternative from running individually, groups of four can enter the Corporate Team Challenge. The Corporate Team Challenge is where a local business group sponsors the four runners and each runner completes just over 4.5km of the course.
Supporter’s tickets are also available. Supporters are transported to Dagun by bus, where refreshments are available for purchase, and then board ‘The Valley Rattler’ to cheer on the runners as they make their way back to the Old Gympie Station.
Entertainment at the Gympie Railway Station will commence after the initial runners have arrived and continue into the early afternoon. Food and Drinks will also be available.
Registrations are steadily arriving and there will be a strong contingent of runners with a large number travelling from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to race.
This event keeps growing every year and has become a major sporting event for the Gympie area, boosting the regions profile and becoming a major tourist attraction.
Entry forms are now available and those interested can obtain entry forms and further information by phoning (07) 5482 2750 or visiting the website: www.thevalleyrattler.com.
22 April 2009 - Valley Rattler Manager Retires
Wednesday saw long time Gympie stalwart, Ted Mitchell, retire from the General Manager position at the Valley Rattler.
Ted Mitchell left, President Tony Hallam – centre, Jim Walker – right
An engine driver in Queensland Railways, including long periods based at Gympie, Ted became a prime mover at the Rattler as it commenced in 1998, and continued as Rail Manager and General Manager until his retirement.
Under Ted’s stewardship the Rattler has grown from a once a week operation to a four days a week steam railway operation, carrying 32,000 last year and now standing as one of the premier steam railway attractions in Australia
Ted was always a hands on operator. His last two days saw him as site controller for movements of the visiting Q150 steam train, organising rail movements, ensuring the provisioning, servicing, coaling and watering of the QR engine and train, assisted by the Rattler staff and volunteers. Ted was at his diplomatic best, liaising between the QR rail staff and the Gympie Regional Council staff as the successful Q150 celebrations rolled on
Ted reflected on his time with MVHR, repeating a comment made by a member returning to work at the rattler after a long absence, being stunned at the growth in business and the developments in the project since the initial years – all a reflection on Ted’s efforts and leadership.
Ted will remain as a volunteer with the Rattler. Jim Walker, appointed as Teds replacement as General Manager, noted during the exercise to cover Teds various operational duties “it was funny how often we thought Ted was the best bloke to take them on”. To which Ted noted “ I finished on Wednesday and I’m back at 8 the next day fueling engines – I don’t think Glenice had this in mind”.
On behalf of all of us, Ted – many thanks.
14 April 2009 - Arrival of Q150 Train
As part of Queensland’s 150th Birthday Celebrations, the Q150 Steam Train arrived at the Old Gympie Station in Tozer Street on Tuesday 14th April. The Old Gympie Railway Station was the first stop over for the Q150 Steam Train during its five month journey.
A Family Fun Day was held throughout the day with hundreds of people enjoying entertainment, displays, children’s rides and a sausage sizzle while waiting for the arrival of the Q150 Steam Train.
The Valley Rattler Re-enactment Group staged a mock hold-up as the Train pulled into the station. Passengers on the Q150 Train were welcomed by the local indigenous community, Gympie Regional Mayor Ron Dyne and local school children.
This was a once in a 150 year event and was a chance for the Q150 Passengers and Gympie Community to celebrate Queensland’s history.
11 March 2009
Strategic Planning Workshop
Mr Geoffrey Charters of International Business Mentors is assisting Mary Valley Heritage Railway (MVHR) to improve its business.
Mr Charters’ brief is to:
- Review and update the Living Plan 2006 – 2011 for MVHR
- Increase passenger volumes on the railway
- Improve the long term financial sustainability of MVHR
- Assist MVHR to implement the agreed recommendations and in other matters requested by MVHR management to improve the on-going business.
On the 14th and 15th February members of the Mary Valley Heritage Railway Management Committee attended a Strategic Planning Workshop hosted By Geoff.
Geoff Charters and MVHR General Manager Ted Mitchell
The day involved brainstorming a mission statement, visions and business strategies that can be implemented to a strategic plan showing the 4-6 major paths MVHR will take to fulfil its mission over the coming years.
10 February 2009
Steam Engine drivers, Locos and Peugeots………..they just keep on puffing and purring.
Neville Caldwell and fellow railway volunteer Kevin Power, were made Life Members of the Mary Valley Heritage Rail at the recent AGM held on 5th December, 2008.
Neville Caldwell
These men have displayed amazing commitment and have been instrumental in maintaining the wonderful volunteer contribution that has formed the backbone of MVHR. Neville and Kevin were completely surprised and obviously delighted to receive their awards as presented to them by President Tony Hallam.
Neville was the driver of the first train that ran for the Mary Valley Heritage Railway on the 23rd May, 1998. Ten years on, he is still working on the footplate and loving it. The railway has been his life, having worked 48 years with Queensland Rail. He has continued his long association with steam well into his retiring years with many roles in MVHR. “Every day is a good day on the line” he says “ MVHR gives me something to look forward to and without that, who knows, maybe it helps to keep me going.”
Neville also maintains and drives his cars just as lovingly as his locos.
Each rostered day, right on 6.30am, he can be seen driving up to MVHR workshops in his immaculate deep red Peugeot 405 SRDT sedan. And the day he gladly posed for these photos with the car on the old Gympie Station platform, the little diesel engined 405 looked spotless, and almost as if it was the very day he had driven it from Gerald Cullen’s Peugeot showroom in nearby Nambour.
Kevin Power
Kevin Power has also spent most of his working life in the railways. He tells many a tale of his experiences on Victorian steam rail. Just ask him, he is a cheerful bloke and he never seems to run out of steam as he goes about his daily tasks.
28 December 2008
AEC Badge completes Red Rocket Rail Motor
MVHR has added a new addition to RM 76 (known as the ‘Red Rocket’). A person has kindly donated an original AEC badge which has now been proudly fitted to the top of the radiator. This badge represents the maker of the RM 76, Associated Equipment Company Ltd.
Associated Equipment Company (AEC) was established in 1912 as the manufacturing side of the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC). When the Underground group of companies acquired the LGOC in the same year the AEC letters were incorporated onto its famous red circle and bar motif (still the symbol of London’s Public Transport today) In 1928, the AEC circle and bar motif was then enclosed in a blue base up triangle to celebrate the development of a new chassis design that is now proudly displayed by the badge on the radiator top tank of RM 76.
RM76 was built at Ipswich Railway Workshops in 1934 and entered service on the 21st August, 1934. It was built around an AEC truck chassis with a 100 HP AEC engine. Its carriage set consisted of PL 104 and passenger /luggage PL105. It worked in the Southern division of Queensland Government Railways during the 1930s. In 1938, it was refitted with a Gardner 102 HP diesel engine at the expense of the two front seats and was still operating in the Southern division in the 1950s. The RM 76 traditionally ran the Brooloo line to Gympie providing a daily link to the town for shopping, the transportation of goods and a means for children to get to school. It was also known to have worked in the Maryborough area before its retirement. It was written off by Queensland Railway on 1st July, 1970 and sold to Bellarine Peninsular Railway in Victoria.
MVHR acquired RM76 in 2005 from the Bellarine Railway in Victoria and has a lease to operate the rail motor until 2015. The RM 76 (Red Rocket) is now an active service with the Mary Valley Heritage Railway running a weekly return trip to Amamoor on Tuesdays and is also available for charter. The RM 76 is a Railmotor of significant heritage and character and a ride on it is not to be missed.
